Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s historical crime debut is a vivid, thrilling novel set in 18th century Deptford, against the backdrop of the brutal British slave trade, and follows a young abolitionist killed in the pursuit of a better future. A new voice in historical crime fiction, CJ Sansom and Andrew Taylor are already among Laura’s fans.

Laura will also be delivering a workshop for aspiring writers, An Introduction to Crime Writing, as part of Essex Book Festival’s Golden Age of Crime.

@LauraSRobinson

laurashepherdrobinson.com

Laura Shepherd-Robinson has written a story that is not only a page-turner of a crime thriller but, to an extent unusual in historical novels, where you feel you really are listening to a voice from the eighteenth century. This is a world conveyed with convincing, terrible clarity. CJ Sansom

Utterly compelling . . . The next star of historical crime fiction has arrived. RN Morris


A striking historical thriller that exposes the horrors of Britain’s slave trade . . . Few first novels are as accomplished as this. Andrew Taylor


With her magnificent debut, Laura Shepherd-Robinson has at once proved herself a star. Blood and Sugar is immersive, bold and breath-taking, a tense and gripping historical thriller that shines an unwavering light on a dark period in British history. Unmissable. Antonia Hodgson