Essie Fox | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1959/1960 |
| Alma mater | |
| Spouse | Christopher Fox |
| Website | essiefox.com |
Essie Fox (born c. 1959/1960) is an English gothic historical novelist. Her novels include The Somnambulist (2012), which was a More4 TV Book Club pick and shortlisted for a National Book Award, and The Fascination (2023), which became a Sunday Times bestseller.
Early life
Fox grew up in Leominster, Herefordshire.[1] Fox attended the Minster School, completing her schooling in 1978. She graduated with a degree from the University of Sheffield in 1981.[2]
Career
Fox began her career as an editorial assistant at George Allen & Unwin and The Telegraph, and also worked as an illustrator.[3] She also ran a blog titled Virtual Victorian.[4] Fox's debut novel The Somnambulist was published in 2011 via Orion Books. The novel is a Victorian gothic mystery set around Wilton's Music Hall. The Somnambulist was selected as one of the Best Reads of 2012 on the More4 programme TV Book Club[5][6] and shortlisted for the People's Book Prize[7] and New Writer at the National Book Awards.[8]
Fox reunited with Orion for the publication of her next two novels Elijah's Mermaid[9][10] and The Goddess and the Thief.[11] Elijah's Mermaid was a 2013 LoveReading Book of the Month. This was followed by The Last Days of Leda Grey, about an Edwardian actress, in 2016.[12]
In 2022, Orenda Books acquired the rights to publish Fox's gothic novel The Fascination in 2023.[13][14] The Fascination became a Sunday Times bestseller.[15]
Orenda Books then signed Fox's sixth novel Dangerous, a thriller about the poet Lord Byron, for publication in 2025.[16][17] Dangerous was named one of the best historical fiction books of 2025 by The Sunday Times.[18]
Personal life
Fox is married to Chris Fox of the Liberal Democrats.[19]
Bibliography
- The Somnambulist (2011)
- Elijah's Mermaid (2012)
- The Goddess and the Thief (2013)
- The Last Days of Leda Grey (2016)
- The Fascination (2023)
- Dangerous (2025)
References
- ^ Fox, Essie (24 September 2011). "My Grandmother's Balleoom". The History Girls. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ Moore, Lucy (23 December 2013). "Exclusive Interview with Essie Fox". Female First. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ "New writer readings/in conversation pieces: Session III". York Festival of Ideas. 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ Helen (19 July 2011). "The Somnambulist by Essie Fox". She Reads Novels. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ Campbell, Lisa (5 January 2012). "Watson joins 10 'unputdownables' for TV Book Club". The Bookseller. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ "Enjoy a great read this winter with Specsavers and the TV Book Club". News Shopper. 1 February 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ "Winners 2010/2011". People's Book Prize. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ Moore, Lucy (13 November 2020). "A stellar line-up competes for the Specsavers National Book Awards Hosted by Lorraine Kelly". Female First. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ "Essie Fox's Secret History". The Bookseller. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ O'Connell, John (11 October 2012). "Thrillers - reviews". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ Saunders, Kate (4 January 2014). "The Goddess and the Thief by Essie Fox". The Times. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ Mountain, Fiona (7 November 2016). "The Last Days of Leda Grey by Essie Fox". Historia. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ Fraser, Katie (29 July 2022). "Orenda Books lands Fox's 'glorious' gothic novel". The Bookseller. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ Xenos, Natalie (21 June 2023). "Book Review: The Fascination by Essie Fox". Culturefly. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ O'Brien, Kiera (29 June 2023). "Fiction: Slaughter cleaves in the Original Fiction number one". The Bookseller. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ Fraser, Katie (19 April 2024). "Essie's Fox 'decadent' historical thriller goes to Orenda Books". The Bookseller. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ "Book review: 'A riveting historical mystery'". Isle of Man Today. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ Senior, Antonia; Rennison, Nick (1 September 2025). "The best historical fiction books of 2025". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
- ^ Essie Fox (19 May 2023). "So proud of my husband and his work on this bill. Carers are too often forgotten". Retrieved 23 September 2025 – via Twitter.
