Essie's Fox 'decadent' historical thriller goes to Orenda Books

Orenda Books has signed Essie Fox’s "decadent" historical thriller about poet Lord Byron, Dangerous. 

Publisher Karen Sullivan acquired world English language rights from David Headley for publication in April 2025. 

"His is a timely book, a beautifully told story focusing on a strange and intriguing period of Byron’s life in Venice, reimagined as a truly captivating fictional mystery," said Headley. "In Essie’s hands, it’s simply magical." 

Described by Sullivan as an "extraordinary book", Dangerous picks up when Byron is living in exile in Venice with his illegitimate daughter and "menagerie of pets". The synopsis continues: "But when he is associated with the deaths of local women, found with wounds to their throats, and then a novel called The Vampyre is published under his name, rumours begin to spread that Byron may be the murderer." 

Fox commented: "I’m so delighted that Orenda will be publishing my first historical crime thriller – a fiction based on fact – and one that also reflects my passion for the gothic."

Sullivan added: "Essie has dropped us into his opulent world, a lavishly described piece of historical fiction that is as dark and seductive as the reputation of the poet himself. The canals of Venice come alive, as Byron struggles to clear his name, and to find a murderer – or is it a vampire? – implicating and impersonating him." 

From The Bookseller article | Katie Fraser