Blood & Sugar is the debut novel by Laura Shepherd-Robinson. It was published in 2019 and was winner of the HWA Debut Crown and the Specsavers Debut Crime Novel Award.
I enjoyed Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s latest novel The Square of Sevens and so when I saw Blood and Sugar was a 99p kindle deal, I knew I had to give it a try.
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Plot
Blood & Sugar is a historical fiction mystery that takes you deep into the underbelly of 1780s London, a time steeped in the horrors of the slave trade.
Captain Harry Corsham, a war hero with a promising political career, finds his life upended when his friend’s body is found hanging from a hook at Deptford Dock – horribly tortured and branded with a slaver’s mark.
Tad Archer was a passionate abolitionist and whispers suggest Tad possessed information that could have crippled the British slave trade. Determined to uncover what happened to his friend, Captain Corsham is forced to pick up the threads of his friend’s investigation. As he delves deeper, he finds himself tangled in a web of deceit and danger as he is forced to confront the brutality of the slave trade and the powerful figures who profit from it.
Blood & Sugar Book Review
Blood and Sugar is a fascinating yet horrifying exploration of a dark period in British history, blending together complex characters, a gripping plot, and vivid historical detail.
Laura Shepherd-Robinson paints a vivid picture of 1780s London. I could practically hear the creak of the ship and smell the scents of the bustling city as I read.
Be warned, it’s not just the setting that’s vividly described! The violence is also described graphically, so be prepared for some wince-inducing moments. However, this gritty realism adds to the authenticity of the story.
The story is loosely inspired by real events, shedding light on the height of the slave trade in Britain. I appreciated the perspective it offered on this often overlooked aspect of British history, as well as the sensitively handled portrayal of the horrors faced by slaves.
The protagonist, Harry Corsham, is a likable character who I really rooted for as he navigated a dangerous world filled with powerful people who didn’t want the truth exposed. Yet, his determination to uncover the truth made for a riveting read. The plot twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the book. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, Shepherd-Robinson threw another curveball my way.
One thing I will mention, is the plot is very intricate with a large cast of characters. I had to flip back occasionally to remember everyone’s place in the story. However, there is a list of characters at the start of the book, and thankfully the author includes helpful summaries from Corsham himself.
Overall, Blood and Sugar is a powerful and thought-provoking novel. It shines a light on a dark chapter in British history, reminding us of the barbarity of the slave trade and its lasting impact. If you enjoy historical mysteries with a dose of reality, then this is a must-read.
What to read next after Blood and Sugar
If you enjoyed Blood & Sugar, I’d suggest reading more of Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s books such as The Daughters of Night and The Square of Sevens.
If you’re looking for other novels set in the 18th century, you might want to try America’s First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie.