On Sunday 17 May, bestselling author Sara Sheridan will appear at an the Bookface Sip & Swap at Glaschu to celebrate her highly anticipated new novel, The Jewel Keepers.
With more than 30 books to her name, Sheridan is one of Britain’s most respected historical novelists. From the Mirabelle Bevan mysteries to The Fair Botanists and The Secrets of Blythswood Square, her fiction places women at the centre of history with pace, intelligence and wit. She will be in conversation with BBC Scotland’s Pauline McLean.
Bookface, founded in 2020 by publicist and avid reader Heather Suttie, has grown into a 15,000-strong global community and one of the UK’s most distinctive literary gatherings. The monthly Sip & Swap events combine stylish venues, coffee croissants, champagne, a sustainable book exchange and a vibe that has resulted in a community of like-minded individuals of all ages from all walks of life.
More than 80 events have taken place to date, many selling out within 24 hours. This isn’t a traditional signing queue. It’s a warm welcoming and engaging morning of live conversation, audience participation, creative energy resulting in genuine community — a format that reflects the growing demand for intimate literary experiences with the personal touch over large-scale festival stages.
Previous guests have included New York Times and number one bestselling authors across genres, among them Alice Feeney, Doug Allan OBE, Lisa Jewell, John Niven, Catherine Newman, Donna Ashworth, Adele Parks MBE, Davinia Taylor and Susannah Constantine. Upcoming events feature Jenni Fagan, Gillian McAllister and Graeme Armstrong, further cementing Bookface’s place on Scotland’s cultural calendar.
Now Sara Sheridan takes the spotlight.
The Jewel Keepers may be her most ambitious novel yet. “Men would kill for this treasure. The McKenzie women will guard it with their lives.”
Set in 1837, the novel follows 25-year-old Araminta McKenzie-Moore, summoned to her great aunt’s deathbed in Edinburgh, where she uncovers her family’s secret lineage as Jewel Keepers to the Scottish Crown. For generations, the McKenzie women have protected treasures — and dangerous truths — hidden within British history. Now Araminta must solve a generational puzzle while being pursued by those determined to claim the prize.
What she ultimately uncovers is worth far more than jewels. On the brink of Queen Victoria’s reign, the secret she reveals could shift the future for women across the nation. Blending real historical events with intrigue and romance, The Jewel Keepers explores legacy, power and who controls the narrative of history.
Sara Sheridan said: “The Bookface community is extraordinary. I’m grateful for the warm welcome Bookface has always extended to my work and that’s why I wanted to premier The Jewel Keepers in Glasgow with Heather. I can’t wait to spill the tea on this story – it’s a treasure hunt through history, choc-full of gossip and glamour.”
The event at Glaschu will feature an in-depth conversation, audience Q&A and the signature book swap and of course meeting Sara and spending time in a room full of people who love reading and a stylish way to kick off a Sunday morning.
Tickets are available now via Eventbrite:
