2012 continues to be an excellent year for Essie Fox, who has been shortlisted in the New Writer of the Year category for the Specsavers National Book Awards. She secured the nomination for her debut novel, THE SOMNAMBULIST, a fresh and compelling Victorian mystery. The novel was also selected for the TV Book Club earlier this year and television rights have been optioned by Hat Trick Productions. Swedish, Italian and Brazilian rights have been sold.

This latest good news follows the publication of Essie's second book with Orion, ELIJAH'S MERMAID, which was launched last week. With the novel attracting glowing early reviews we look forward to more good things for Essie Fox and her novels

Praise for THE SOMNAMBULIST:

'This book is begging to be turned into a TV mini-series…Ticks all the right boxes; historically accurate, a fascinating plot and words that paint a million pictures.' -- Angela Usher, New Books Magazine

'I loved the sense of place and atmosphere...full of twists and turns...it's plotted really well. Essie Fox has managed to capture a fantastic period in British history. Very evocative - it's brilliantly researched and very, very clever. Her descriptions are beautiful and vivid and full of colour and depth.' -- Meera Syal, TV Book Club 2012

'Vividly compelling, dark and dazzling.' -- Katherine Webb

Praise for ELIJAH'S MERMAID:

'Fox's vivid, sensual prose is -- fittingly -- as seductive as a siren's song, drawing you into a shadowy Victorian world of obsession and guilt... An intoxicating follow-up to 2011's acclaimed THE SOMNAMBULIST. Recommended to fans of Sarah Waters.' -- Heat

'I was very impressed with Essie Fox's debut, THE SOMNAMBULIST, and have been eagerly awaiting the next…ELIJAH'S MERMAID is even better…Essie Fox captures the essence of Victorian life in this richly textured novel…The author has created a hugely enjoyable novel that constantly trips you up when you think you know what's coming. If you love all things Victorian, you will love this.' -- Sally Zigmond, Historical Novel Society

'A fabulous foray into a shadowy Victorian world.'-- Fanny Blake, Woman & Home

'The glee with which Fox approaches her material is infectious. All Victorian life is here. … Intriguing.' -- John O'Connell, The Guardian