Laura Shepperson was born in the UK and has always been fascinated by myths and myth retellings, studying Classical Studies at the University of Auckland. Her first novel, The Heroines, was a UK Sunday Times bestseller, published in the UK and US (under the title 'Phaedra') as well as Italy, Spain and Russia. In 2017 she was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Prize for Fiction. Laura holds a Master of Studies in Creative Writing from the University of Cambridge.
Laura lives outside London with her husband and two children. She can be found on Twitter and Instagram @LauraShepperson.
The Wandering Queen (2026) Claire Heywood "The Wandering Queen by Claire Heywood is an intelligent, sympathetic retelling of the story of Dido. Heywood incorporates the myths and legends that surround this mysterious queen and presents a narrative that is both powerful and compelling. Highly recommended."
The Woman in the Wallpaper (2025) Lora Jones "The Woman in the Wallpaper by Lora Jones is that rare delight: a work of historical fiction that makes you consider anew the past you thought you understood, and see it through fresh eyes. An immersive tale of the French Revolution through the eyes of three women and their personal tragedies, The Woman in the Wallpaper will keep you guessing until the end."
The Unrecovered (2025) Richard Strachan "A harrowing tale of madness, illness, and inherited horror. The genteel exterior of Roddinglaw House, a converted hospital for war wounded in the First World War, belies the nightmares that are lurking within and nearby . . . a ghost story, a war metaphor, a tribute to poetry, and a literary novel all combined into one book, but above all, it is a great read."
Hear Him Calling (2024) Carly Reagon "A terrifying tale. Reagon skilfully maintains the tension and the scares, turning the screw until the very last page. I read Hear Him Calling with my heart in my mouth!"
Circus of Mirrors (2024) Julie Owen Moylan "Set against the backdrop of the exotic nightclub of the title, The Circus of Mirrors is the story of two sisters, Leni and Annette, and their struggles to survive in a Berlin torn apart by first war, then communism. Moylan has researched her period thoroughly, and her characters are well drawn, drawing the reader on to a heart-breaking conclusion."
The Trouble With Mrs Montgomery Hurst (2024) Katie Lumsden "An insightful and compassionate tale of a Victorian county town and the people who live there. Romance and scandal abound in this compelling period drama, and Lumsden is not afraid to explore the issues Jane Austen could only hint at."
The Puzzle Wood (2024) Rosie Andrews "A beguiling mystery, a mythical tale of a forest, and a fantastic Gothic romance rolled into one. Its intriguing secrets and complex characters kept me guessing to the very last page. What will you find hidden within - and beneath - The Puzzle Wood?"
Orphia and Eurydicius (2024) Elyse John "Bold yet beautiful ... I was glued to the page, compelled by the story of Lady Orphia and her love, the gentle shieldmaker Eurydicius. Orphia and Eurydicius is a thoughtful consideration as to what it means to be a man, a woman, a hero, a human being. I loved this retelling and couldn't stop thinking about it: Lady Orphia has my heart."
Eliza Mace (2024) (Eliza Mace Mysteries, book 1) Sarah Burton and Jem Poster "A must-read for fans of both literary fiction and historical detective novels. The characters are well drawn and the clues are cleverly laid. For Eliza Mace, only sixteen years old, the stakes are high and the game is afoot..."
Medea (2024) Eilish Quin "Medea by Eilish Quin provides a compassionate origin story for one of the most reviled of all Greek mythological women: the witch, Medea. Quin looks closely at the ancient sources to determine why Medea might have made her infamous, terrible choices. The story draws the reader to the final, heart-breaking conclusion, incorporating along the way timely themes of family, knowledge and women's power."
The Bone Hunters (2024) Joanne Burn "The Bone Hunters by Joanne Burn is that rare combination, a beautifully written book that is also a gripping page-turner. I was drawn in by the intelligence and passion of the main character, Ada Winters, and read with a growing sense of dread of the dangers, both societal and environmental, that she faces. I adored this novel. Highly recommended."
Lilith (2023) Nikki Marmery "Exquisite prose brings this compelling, highly relevant tale of Adam's first wife to life."
Cities of Women (2023) Kathleen B Jones "At its heart, Cities of Women is both a detective story about the search for, and love letter to, the women who worked on the beautiful illuminated manuscripts of the medieval era. The novel is both sensitive and well researched, an accomplished debut which marks Jones out as one to watch."
The Burnings (2023) Naomi Kelsey "I was mesmerised by The Burnings and its heroines. I highly recommend this brilliant and compelling novel to all lovers of historical fiction."
Savage Beasts (2023) Rani Selvarajah "A clever and compassionate retelling of the Medea myth . . . an ending worth of the great Greek playwrights."
Isabelle Schuler "Isabelle Schuler's Lady MacBethad achieves the unthinkable: transforming Shakespeare's wicked queen into an empathetic heroine. I was transfixed by this wholly convincing tale of Scottish mormaers and machinations."
Home (2023) Cailean Steed "Home by Cailean Steed is an absolute triumph, an accomplished and confident debut that is not afraid to examine the dark side of cultish manipulation, while not losing sight of the heart of the story, the vulnerability of those taken advantage of. No-one is more vulnerable than Zoe, the escapee who was born into the cult. I found myself holding my breath, hoping for the best for her, while expecting the worst. Highly recommended."
