In 1666, England’s saffron industry is booming, with the spice fetching a staggering £4 per pound — rivalling gold.
Fabian Smith, the sensible second son of a Holborn poulterer, has sacrificed his dreams of adventure for family duty.
But when the Great Fire claims his father and his reckless brother plunges them into debt with a ruthless conman, their home — and freedom — hang in the balance.
Desperate to save his family, Fabian hatches a daring plan: steal the fortune they need.
His target? The wealthiest saffron grower in Saffron Walden. Disguised and determined, he arrives just in time for the harvest, only to discover that the townsfolk are far more cunning than he expected.
As danger closes in, Fabian must navigate treachery and his own heart, racing against time to save everything he holds dear.
The Saffron Thief by TL Mogford is published on 30 July, 2026.
Read Tom’s Historia feature about writing a historical heist.
There’s much more new historical fiction in our round-up of almost 180 books coming out in 2026.
