- 28 May -30 June 2025
- A Criminally Good Day
- Memoir
The Real Prime Suspect
Jackie Malton The Real Prime Suspect Electric Palace, King's Quay Street, Harwich, CO12 3ER Tickets: £10 / £8 concessions (Students, Under 27s and Unwaged) Box Office: Online or Mercury Theatre 01206 573948 The Real Prime Suspect is a jaw-dropping, gritty memoir from Jackie Malton (with Helene Mulholland). Former DCI, Malton, is the inspiration for legendary TV detective Jane Tennison in Lynda La Plante's Prime Suspect starring Helen Mirren. Jackie will be taking a frank look at her prolific career… Read more
- Essex Writers House
- For Writers
- In partnership
Essex Writers House
Whether you are hoping to share your work for the first time, editing your third novel, or gathering up the notes on your phone, we’d love to support you on your writing journey. Come along to Chalkwell Hall and make yourself at home. Storytellers, screenwriters and scribblers all welcome! Read more
- CANCELLED
- Crime Fiction
**Cancelled** The Lost Girls
Kate Hamer explores her latest book, The Lost Girls, the stand-alone sequel to Costa First Novel Award shortlisted The Girl in the Red Coat. An enchanting, intense crime novel which sees a girl coming to grips with her past and a mother trying to keep her safe it is a deeply moving story about healing, connection, and the power of the past. Read more
- In My Steps - Radical Walks in Essex
- SOLD OUT!
In My Steps: Radical Walks in Essex, Bradwell – Sold Out
Flat circular walk along the seawalls, footpaths and rural roads of Bradwell on Sea. Learn about the area’s history and changing landscape, from Roman occupation, through Saxon missionary activity, agriculture and land reclamation, and military activities, to the construction and operation of Bradwell A. Read more
- Non-fiction
Ravenous
Henry Dimbleby, founder of the Leon restaurant chain, government adviser and author of the radical National Food Strategy delves behind the scenes to reveal the mechanisms that act together to shape the modern diet and explain not just why the food system is leading us into disaster, but what can be done about it. Read more
Killing Jericho
William Hussey is the award-winning author of over a dozen novels, including the Crime Fest award-nominated Hideous Beauty and The Outrage. Killing Jericho is the gothic, helter-skelter thriller debut introducing crime fiction's first-ever Traveller detective, Scott Jericho. Pop along to Waterstones Chelmsford where William will be signing copies of his book from 12 – 12.45pm. Read more
- FREE
- Online
The Girl with the Louding Voice – Online event
New York Times bestselling author, Abi Daré, joins us for this very special online event in partnership with Appetite Book Club. Daré’s exuberant, moving debut revolves around Adunni; a Nigerian girl regarded as property at the age of fourteen, yet determined to find her ‘louding voice’ and live a life that she controls. Read more
- FREE
- Manifesto For Essex
- Podcast Workshop
Eco-Podcast Workshop
Join Chelmsford Community Radio broadcaster Michelle Durant to develop the 2023 Essex Book Festival Eco-Casts. Looking at the 70th Anniversary of the East Coast Floods and reflecting on the climate crisis we are in now you’ll learn how to research and write content, undertake interviews and join them all together to make a big impact. For ages 11+ Read more
- FREE
- In partnership
- Workshop
- Young Essex
National Saturday Club – Writing & Talking
Our new Writing and Talking National Saturday Club which will be taking place every Saturday 10am-1pm from March to July. Open to all 13-16 year olds living in and around the Chelmsford area who are passionate about writing and talking. Explore zine-making, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, blogging, spoken word poetry, podcasting and more. Read more
- Partner Event
No Ordinary Day – A Red Lion Books event
On 17 April 1984 WPC Yvonne Fletcher was shot outside the Libyan embassy in London. As his friend lay dying, PC John Murray made her a promise that he would seek justice. 37 years would pass before he was able to fulfil that undertaking. John Murray will be in conversation with Matt Johnson. Read more
