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‘A delicious page-turner that brings 18th century Stockholm to vivid life, complete with scandal, conspiracy, mystery, and a hint of magic.’ – Eleanor Brown, New York Times bestselling author of The Weird Sisters
In 18th century Stockholm, as the winds of revolution rage through the great capitals of Europe, the key to a nation’s fate rests in the hands of an unlikely hero.
Emil Larsson is a drinker, card player and contented bachelor until he is told that his position at the Office of Excise and Customs depends on his settling down and finding a wife. Mrs Sparrow, proprietor of an exclusive gaming house, fortune teller (and confidante of King Gustav III) offers to lay an Octavo for him – a form of cartomancy which can divine his future if he can find the eight individuals who can help him realise his vision.
When Mrs Sparrow wins a mysterious fan in her card game, the Octavo’s deeper powers are revealed. No longer just a game of the heart, collecting his Eight is now crucial to pulling his country back from the brink of rebellion and chaos.
A debut novel full of opulent period detail, brilliantly interweaving history, romance and intrigue, in which one man’s fortune holds the key to a nation’s precarious fate.
In 18th century Stockholm, as the winds of revolution rage through the great capitals of Europe, the key to a nation’s fate rests in the hands of an unlikely hero.
Emil Larsson is a drinker, card player and contented bachelor until he is told that his position at the Office of Excise and Customs depends on his settling down and finding a wife. Mrs Sparrow, proprietor of an exclusive gaming house, fortune teller (and confidante of King Gustav III) offers to lay an Octavo for him – a form of cartomancy which can divine his future if he can find the eight individuals who can help him realise his vision.
When Mrs Sparrow wins a mysterious fan in her card game, the Octavo’s deeper powers are revealed. No longer just a game of the heart, collecting his Eight is now crucial to pulling his country back from the brink of rebellion and chaos.
A debut novel full of opulent period detail, brilliantly interweaving history, romance and intrigue, in which one man’s fortune holds the key to a nation’s precarious fate.
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Reviews
'The Stockholm Octavo is a masterful book, where a win for one character is a loss for another and where any kind of loss sparks a new round of plotting and intrigue. Read it, you'll be glad you did. If you like novels that work on many levels at once, read this stunning tessellation of a book, where fortune is the flip side of intrigue and where history is the flip side of chance. The Stockholm Octavo is a brilliant construction as much as an intriguing read. More than once I caught myself wondering: Who is Karen Engelmann and how did she do it?'
'A delicious page-turner that brings 18th century Stockholm to vivid life, complete with scandal, conspiracy, mystery, and a hint of magic. Karen Engelmann's spectacular debut drew me in with its fascinating characters, who share their secrets of cartomancy, apothecaries, and the power of a well-fluttered fan. A captivating tale, beautifully told.'
'As delicious as dark chocolate, The Stockholm Octavo is the essence of witty intelligence. Readers will delight in staying up half the night enchanted by every element in this Swedish weave, from the brutal winter weather to the unfurling of a lady's fan. The plot is an urgent one, and the characters mysterious, appealing, and memorable. Not only a romp, the wisdom of The Stockholm Octavo engages the reader's attention and inspires the desire for personal growth and connection with our fellow travelers. I felt a real kinship with author Karen Engelmann.'
'Engelmann has crafted a magnificent, suspenseful story set against the vibrant society of Sweden's zenith, with a cast of colorful characters balanced at the crux of history.'
'This rollicking adventure story reads at times like a fairy tale, with Good Guys and Bad Guys and obstacles to be recognized and overcome. It's all quite fun. As either historical novel or adventure story, this clever first novel should appeal to a broad range of readers.'
'Karen Englemann has created a work of art with this wonderfully written story. . . a perfect book'
'I was totally entranced by such an original revelation and became a fan bore for a few days afterwards.'
'a wonderfully entertaining foray into a magical underworld lying beneath the grand facade of 18th century Sweden. Engelmann's enchanting writing brings it to life.'
'This is a swirling, swooping fanfare of a tale, with an immense cast and an exhilaratingly sustained finale.'
'a fanciful puzzle of a plot, while Engelmann's intellectually playful take on the mathematics of love and power proves irresistible.'
'Seasoned with lush descriptions of fine houses, dresses and the eloquently decorated fans . . . The Stockholm Octavo is great fun to read.'
'With flawless instinct, Engelmann conflates mystery and romance . . . Is this historical, or is it fiction? The answer - the ace up Karen Engelmann's sleeve - is yes.'
'I found myself completely drawn in by the plot, which built to the fevered pitch of a thriller by the end. If you enjoy historical thrillers, The Stockholm Octavo should be added to your to-be-read pile.'
Deliciously sly... An irresistible and atmospheric tale of politics and romance set in the cold, cruel north.