Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this ebook, free of charge, from Atria via edelweissplus, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it. All opinions are my own.
An orphaned fortune teller in 18th-century England searches for answers about her long-dead mother and uncovers shocking secrets in this immersive and atmospheric saga perfect for fans of Sarah Waters and Sarah Perry.
Synopsis:
Cornwall, 1730: A young girl known only as Red travels with her father making a living predicting fortunes using the ancient Cornish method of the Square of Sevens. Shortly before he dies, her father entrusts Red’s care to a gentleman scholar, along with a document containing the secret of the Square of Sevens technique.
Raised as a lady amidst the Georgian splendor of Bath, Red’s fortune-telling delights in 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 to grave danger.
Laura Shepherd-Robinson, “the queen of modern Georgian literature” (Susan Stokes-Chapman, author of Pandora), has written a dazzling and Dickensian story of mystery and intrigue, with audacious twists and turns.
Review:
I put this book under History Corner this week, as the author does a great job in bringing the 1700s in Britain to life, and showcasing the class struggles, amid an ever changing upper class structure. While that wasn't truly the intent of the story, it's also a great tale of how superstition was still around as republics were being made, and how a male dominated society had so MUCH control over women, their finances, and their life choices. Red is an interesting character, you get very attached to her as a child, and as she is taken in and raised in proper society. But as she gets older, you start to wonder at her resourcefulness and if she is truly telling the whole story of events that are occurring. As the truth of the Square of Sevens comes out, it forces the reader to go back and look for red herrings that they missed and realize they got so caught up in the well given setting that they missed them! Definitely a must read, don't leave this one off your list, and be prepared for a roller coaster ending!
About the Author:
Laura Shepherd-Robinson was born in Bristol in 1976. She has a BSc in politics from the University of Bristol, an MSc in political theory from the London School of Economics, and a MA in creative writing from City University. She is the author of three novels, Blood & Sugar, Daughters of Night, and this book. She lives in London with her husband, Adrian. Find out more at LauraShepherdRobinson.com.
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