Mantle acquires two ‘dazzling’ new novels by award-winning Shepherd-Robinson

Mantle has acquired two new novels by award-winning novelist Laura Shepherd-Robinson, with the first, The Square of Sevens, set to be published in June 2023 followed by an as-yet-untitled further novel scheduled for 2025.

Publisher Maria Rejt bought UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) from Antony Topping at Greene & Heaton. North American rights to The Square of Sevens were acquired by Kaitlin Olson at Atria (Simon & Schuster) for publication in autumn 2023.

The Square of Sevens follows the story of Red, the daughter of a Cornish fortune-teller, who 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.

Its synopsis continues: “Now raised as a lady amid 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 them?

“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…”

Rejt said: “Laura has already proved herself to be a rising star in the historical fiction firmament, and while her previous accolades are a testament to her talent, The Square of Sevens is her most dazzling achievement yet. 

“It is an epic and sweeping novel set in Georgian High Society, with a heroine as charismatic and compelling as Vanity Fair’s Becky Sharp and a story that offers up mystery, intrigue, heartbreak, and plenty of audacious twists and turns.”

Shepherd-Robinson’s debut novel, Blood & Sugar, earned numerous prize nominations, winning the Historical Writers’ Association Debut Crown and the Specsavers/Crimefest Best Debut Novel prize; it was also a Waterstones Thriller of the Month. Her second, Daughters of Night, was shortlisted for the Historical Writers’ Association Gold Crown, the Goldsboro Glass Bell Award, and the Theakstons Crime Novel of the Year. Both were published by Mantle.

Shepherd-Robinson commented: “I am so thrilled that Mantle will be my home for two more books. It is a delight working with Maria, whose insight, passion, and experience I have found invaluable. The team at Mantle and Pan-Macmillan are so committed and talented and have such ambition for their authors, I know my books are in the very best of hands.”