The Square of Sevens

Author Laura Shepherd-Robinson
Narrator Imogen Wilde
Publisher Pan Macmillan
Run Time 20 hours and 16 minutes
Format Audio
Genre Biographical fiction, Crime and mystery fiction, Family life fiction, Historical crime and mysteries, Historical fiction, Narrative theme: Coming of age, Narrative theme: Death, grief, loss, Narrative theme: Identity / belonging.

Listen to a sample

What to expect

The Sunday Times Top Five Bestseller
A BBC Two Between the Covers Book Club Pick

'A wonderfully inventive novel' — The Times and Sunday Times, Best Historical Fiction of 2023

Laura Shepherd-Robinson's The Square of Sevens is an epic and sweeping novel set in Georgian high society, a dazzling story offering up mystery, intrigue, heartbreak, and audacious twists.

This is your story, Red. You must tell it well . . .

A girl known only as Red, the daughter of a Cornish fortune-teller, travels with her father making a living predicting fortunes using the ancient method: the Square of Sevens. When her father suddenly dies, Red becomes the ward of a gentleman scholar.

Now raised as a lady amidst the Georgian splendour of Bath, her fortune-telling is a delight to high society. But she cannot ignore the questions that gnaw at her soul: who was her mother? How did she die? And who are the mysterious enemies her father was always terrified would find him?

The pursuit of these mysteries takes her from Cornwall and Bath to London and Devon, from the rough ribaldry of the Bartholomew Fair to the grand houses of two of the most powerful families in England. And while Red's quest brings her the possibility of great reward, it also leads her into grave danger . . .

'A masterpiece' — Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal

'A sweeping Dickensian tour de force of a novel' — Susan Stokes-Chapman, bestselling author of Pandora

'I doubt I’ll read a better book this year' — Chris Whitaker, bestselling author of We Begin at the End

Critics Review

[A] wonderfully inventive novel set in 18th-century England. As the heroine and narrator Red seeks the truth about her origins and possible connection to the wealthy De Lacy family, the reader’s expectations are constantly confounded with one twist in her tale after another

The Times and Sunday Times, Best Historical Fiction of 2023

This rich, complex and haunting Dickensian epic is a triumph of the Gothic genre . . . a masterpiece

Janice Hallett, betselling author of The Appeal

A sweeping Dickensian tour de force of a novel . . . cementing the author’s place as the queen of modern Georgian literature

Susan Stokes-Chapman, bestselling author of Pandora

A sprawling, exquisite, outright triumph . . . I doubt I’ll read a better book this year

Chris Whitaker, author of We Begin At the End

With its twists and turns and revelations of those lies that bind and truths that rend asunder, this story is a deep pleasure to read

Sunday Times

This is an intricately plotted, epic book that delivers twist after twist in its 560 pages. A big, satisfying and clever read

The Times

A big, complex mystery: rich in memorable, scheming characters and vivid historical detail, full of daring twists. I was so immersed in its world. I didn’t want it to end

S. J. Parris, bestselling author of the Giordano Bruno series

This is a fabulously evocative novel, with a heroine who proves the most wonderful company, and a finely spun mystery which keeps you turning the pages. The Square of Sevens invites you into a magical world which you won’t want to leave

Elodie Harper, author of The Wolf Den trilogy

A fabulous historical novel that races along like a galloping pony

Andrew Taylor, bestselling author of The Ashes of London

In The Square of Sevens, Laura Shepherd-Robinson excels at recreating the past – in this case, Georgian England – in an authentic way. She invites us to join fortune teller Red on an epic journey to unravel the secrets of her past and we cannot rest until we have answers. Dazzling

Fiona Cummins, author of When I Was Ten

What a magnificent rollercoaster ride of a book . . . I am in awe

James Oswald, bestselling author of the Inspector McLean series

This is a book to relish, not rush through. Rich in historical detail, it’s immersive, authoritative and Dickensian in scope. Fundamentally though it’s a damn good story, brilliantly told. I loved it

Harriet Tyce, bestselling author of Blood Orange and It Ends At Midnight

Meticulously researched and beautifully written, this is one of the most intriguing books I have ever read

Liz Nugent, bestselling author of Strange Sally Diamond

Suspenseful and intricately planned, The Square of Sevens is a work where every page seems to hold the promise of a new thrilling secret. More than a mystery, it is a book that radiates a deep love of storytelling and the magic of a well-told tale

Katherine J. Chen, author of Joan

Laura Shepherd-Robinson is riding high in the historical crime stakes; this is a sprawling epic novel set in Georgian high society, with its lively fortune-telling heroine Red unearthing her own lethal legacy

Financial Times

The Square of Sevens shows a novelist approaching the peak of her powers. It’s ingeniously plotted, panoramic and deeply satisfying. . . filled with period colour, clever twists and turns, and the best set of characters this side of Dickens. It will keep you guessing until the final pages.

Daily Express

This has all the charm and intricate plotting that we expect from Laura’s books – it is exquisitely, meticulously plotted and you’ll want to curl up and absorb it all in as few readings as possible. For me, it’s reminiscent of Sarah Waters – praise that is richly deserved.

Belfast Telegraph

‘[A] clever story…its characters flit between London’s slums and palatial estates where misdirection and conspiracies abound’

Washington Post

More from the same

Author

Narrator

About xigxag

Enjoy the best audiobooks on xigxag, an innovative, user-friendly audiobook platform that makes it easy to find, purchase, and enjoy your favorite books in audio format. xigxag’s flexible pricing model offers bestselling audiobooks for less – affordable prices and the best audiobook deals with no subscription required. Give the perfect gift with our audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.

xigxag’s commitment to sustainability and ethical practices ensures a guilt-free listening experience from an exceptional digital book platform – an exciting alternative to big tech. Enjoy audiobooks from the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service and a leader in audiobook innovation.

Search effortlessly, read honest audiobook reviews evaluating both the book and the narration, and discover hidden gems. Download or stream top audiobook titles anytime, anywhere and get the best possible listening experience on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Experience the future of audiobooks today.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to get tailored content recommendations, product updates and info on new releases. Your data is your own: we commit to protect your data and respect your privacy.

Find your favourite titles