From Harry Whittaker, the co-author of the instant No 1 international bestseller Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt, comes an epic mystery set in the world of the Seven Sisters.
As a bookseller and an avid fan of The Seven Sisters series, it felt like Christmas had come early when the announcement was made that we would be returning to this much-loved world, not only with another book, but with Orlando, the wonderfully eccentric bookseller from The Shadow Sister, taking centre stage. And what a treat it is!
This is very much Orlando’s story, and it is wonderful to finally have the opportunity to get to know him better. We also get a good dose of Star, along with glimpses of what might be happening with the other sisters and their extended family and friends. It feels like catching up with old friends, which is exactly what fans of the series will be hoping for.
The plot is absolutely brilliant. Full of mystery, family connections, unexpected revelations and the wonderful storytelling that has become synonymous with the Seven Sisters world, I was completely drawn into the story. There is so much to enjoy, and I found myself thoroughly invested in where it was all heading.
There will inevitably be mixed feelings about the continuation of a much-loved series, adjacent or not, following the death of its original author, Lucinda Riley. Harry addresses this beautifully in his opening author’s letter, and I think it is important to acknowledge just how special it is that these stories are continuing.
For me, the wonderful writing, evocative settings and characters we have come to know and love have been treated with the utmost care and affection. Who better to continue Lucinda’s legacy than her own son, who clearly understands the world she created and the characters who inhabit it? I genuinely feel we are incredibly lucky that these stories can continue.
One of the biggest questions I had before starting was whether Orlando could be read as a standalone. I believe most books should be enjoyable in their own right, even when they belong to a series, and this one certainly delivers. You could absolutely pick it up without having read all the previous books, fall in love with the characters and the story, and then go back and discover the Seven Sisters series for yourself. There may be a couple of spoilers, but nothing that should put you off. Would I recommend reading all the Seven Sisters books? Absolutely! They are wonderful, and this latest instalment is all the more special for anyone who already knows and loves the characters.
And now, having finished it, I have one very big question…When is the next one? Because after that ending, surely there must be more…
Overall
A brilliant return to the world of the Seven Sisters. Harry Whittaker has delivered a thoroughly engaging story that captures the magic, mystery and emotional connections that made Lucinda Riley’s series so special. Orlando is a fabulous character to put centre stage, and I loved having the opportunity to spend more time in this wonderful fictional world. I finished it wanting more, which is always the sign of a book that has really hit the spot. A huge thank you to Harry Whittaker for keeping the magic alive. I absolutely loved it!
Recommended for:
Fans of The Seven Sisters series, Lucinda Riley, Charles Dickens, bookshops, bookselling, eccentric characters, family secrets and a generous dose of family drama. Also perfect for anyone who loves an epic mystery and enjoys revisiting familiar characters.
About the Book
From Harry Whittaker, the co-author of the instant No 1 international bestseller Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt, comes an epic mystery set in the world of the Seven Sisters.
Reader favourite antiquarian bookseller Orlando Forbes – first introduced in The Shadow Sister – returns in this dual timeline saga. When Orlando uncovers a hidden cache of manuscripts in an old Harrow rectory, his investigation draws us deeper into the private longings and unresolved fractures of the character’s own life.
Across dual timelines, his search for the truth about a forgotten Victorian author becomes a mirror to his own story, revealing buried betrayals, guarded hearts, and the courage it takes, in any century, to claim your true name.
Expect exciting appearances from beloved Seven Sisters characters, and discover how their lives have been shaped following the events of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt.
This is Orlando’s story . . .
About The Author
Harry Whittaker grew up in the 1990s and spent the first few years of his life on the rural west coast of Ireland. The son of the author Lucinda Riley, Harry became a storyteller himself, as an award-winning radio presenter for the BBC and a member of one of the UK’s most renowned improv troupes. In 2019, Harry and Lucinda co-authored the Guardian Angels series for children – four reassuring, timeless stories addressing worries that a small child may have.
After Lucinda’s death in 2021, it was announced that Harry would complete the Seven Sisters series on behalf of his late mother. Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt publishes globally in May 2023.
Harry lives in Yorkshire, England, with his wife and newborn twin daughters.
Purchase the Book
This book can be purchased in our store either on its own or in a cosy Book Box.
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