Essie Fox was born and raised in Herefordshire. After studying English Literature at Sheffield University, she moved to London and began a career in magazine and book publishing – before becoming self-employed in commercial art design. Always an avid reader, she now writes historical novels imbued with mystery, romance, and darkly gothic themes.

Essie has appeared at many literary events, including giving lectures at the V&A, the Westminster Library, and the National Gallery in London. She also hosts a podcast called Talking the Gothic

Essie’s debut, The Somnambulist, was shortlisted for the National Book Awards, and featured on Channel 4’s TV Book Club. The Fascination was an instant Sunday Times Top Ten best seller. Dangerous, a Regency crime thriller featuring Lord Byron, has been selected as a Times Book of the Month … as have all her other novels, including her latest – Catherine: A retelling of Wuthering Heights.

Essie will be appearing at these forthcoming events …

CAPITAL CRIME

MADAMES OF THE MACABRE

A celebration of crime and mystery fiction, set in the heart of London. Tickets are available here.

Lowdham Book Festival

Thursday 25th June from 2-3.30pm at Southwell Library

Join Essie and Dr Tim Rideout for a lively and in-depth discussion on their mutual love for Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. Tickets available on the door or through The Bookcase in Lowdham.

NEWARK BOOK FESTIVAL

JOIN ESSIE AND STEPHANIE BRANWELL-LAWES ON FRIDAY JULY 10 FROM 2.30-3.30PM

TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL

MODERN GOTHIC

On Sunday August 16th, Essie will be appearing with Jess Kidd.

Catherine Earnshaw rises from the grave to set the record straight. An orphan with electricity in her fingertips is sent to a house where inventors build living machines. Essie Fox’sCatherine reimagines Brontë’s Wuthering Heights while Jess Kidd’sLittle Spark blends gothic with steampunk to spellbinding effect. Together, the ‘Queen of Victoriana’ and the bestselling author of Things in Jars discuss atmosphere, secrets, and why gothic still grips us with Beth Cochrane.

TICKETS HERE

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL

WUTHERING HEIGHTS BY EMILY BRONTË

In the Close Read series, Essie will direct a deep-dive discussion of the classic that has inspired her. This is an event combining friendly book club vibes with insightful study notes. For all lovers of Emily Brontë’s classic masterpiece.

TICKETS HERE

More events to come this year include the Ink and Ember bookshop in Stamford on July 16th, the Historical Novels Association Conference in Maynooth as a keynote speaker in a session titled Gothic Legends for Today’s Readers, the Chiswick Book Festival, the Haworth Parsonage Museum’s Women’s Writing Festival, and the Whitby Book Festival.