Hodder & Stoughton acquires ‘enchanting’ new historical novel by Sheridan

Hodder & Stoughton has acquired The Secrets of Blythswood Square, the new novel by Sara Sheridan, author of the 2022 Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year, The Fair Botanists.

Commissioning editor Lily Cooper bought world all-language rights from Jenny Brown at Jenny Brown Associates. Hodder will publish in hardback, e-book and audiobook on 8th February 2024.

The Secrets of Blythswood Square is described as “an enchanting story of secrets, friendship and intrigue, set against the backdrop of mid-19th century Glasgow, a time when the influence of the Free Church over the city was growing, and the city’s seedy underworld was thriving".

Sheridan said: “I’m excited to write about Glasgow’s extraordinary Victorian women in The Secrets of Blythswood Square, set in 1846 [which was] a pivotal year for the city. This story is about the female gaze, sisterhood in many forms and women finding their own voices.

"The echoes of the city’s past still reside on the streets of present-day Glasgow and I feel privileged to amplify that real-life history.”

Cooper said: “Reuniting with Sara on The Secrets of Blythswood Square has been a total joy. Nobody can match her ability to bring the past to life in such vivid detail.

"With fascinating historical anecdotes, strong heroines to root for, romance, art and a city that you can see as clearly as if you were pounding its noisy streets, this book has all of the elements that made readers fall in love with The Fair Botanists."

Brown commented: “Hats off to Sara for this beguiling historical novel which we know will captivate her many readers, and well done to Lily and her team at Hodder for publishing Sara in such style and with real aplomb.”