Kala Trobe

Syd Moore is a British author, former television presenter, and activist known for her bestselling mystery thrillers. Born and raised in Essex, England, she draws heavily on the region's myths and history, particularly its witch trials, for her fiction. After a career that included presenting a literary television program and working in publishing, Moore began writing novels rooted in her deep interest in folklore and the archetype of the witch. Her debut, "The Drowning Pool," set the stage for her explorations of Essex's darker historical episodes.

Moore's work often connects historical persecution, such as the witch hunts, to contemporary societal issues, notably the negative stereotyping of "Essex girls." This connection is a central theme in her "Essex Witch Museum Mysteries" series, which posits that the "Essex Girl" stereotype has origins in the county's witch trial history. Beyond her fiction, Moore has actively campaigned against such stereotypes, founding the "Essex Girls Liberation Front" and contributing to initiatives that reclaim and celebrate female identity. Her writing also delves into espionage and occult themes, as seen in her "Section W" series.

Syd Moore's novels are deeply embedded in the folklore and historical narratives of Essex, the county where she grew up and continues to reside. Her writing often focuses on mystery thrillers that are inspired by local myths and the history of witch trials. Moore's fascination with the witch archetype dates back to the early 1990s, leading her to write "The Drowning Pool," a novel centered on the sea witch of Leigh on Sea. This initial exploration of local legends paved the way for further investigations into Essex's past. Her novel "Witch Hunt" examined the historical figure of Matthew Hopkins and his campaign of terror, focusing on the women who were accused of witchcraft. Moore's ambition to create a physical Essex Witch Museum eventually found its expression through her fiction, particularly the "Essex Witch Museum Mysteries" series, which theorizes a link between the "Essex Girl" stereotype and the historical witch trials.

Beyond her literary pursuits, Syd Moore is a dedicated activist focused on combating negative stereotypes, particularly those associated with "Essex girls." She draws parallels between the historical witch hunts that permeate her novels and the prejudice faced by women in contemporary society. To this end, she co-founded the "Essex Girls Liberation Front" (EGLF) in 2017, an organization aimed at challenging the derogatory connotations of the term "Essex Girl." Their advocacy was instrumental in the Oxford Learners Dictionary removing the offensive definition. Moore has also spearheaded initiatives to commemorate victims of historical witch trials. While an attempt to establish a physical museum did not materialize due to funding issues, she developed commemorative walking routes in Manningtree, Mistley, and Basildon. These interactive trails explore the stories of persecuted women and the evolution of witch hunts, often collaborating with local communities and academic institutions.

In her more recent literary endeavors, Syd Moore has shifted her focus to explore the intersection of espionage and the occult. Her "Section W" series, launched in 2024, investigates how British secret services may have exploited Nazi Germany's fascination with the supernatural. The series, beginning with "The Grand Illusion," presents a narrative that, according to critic Maxim Jakubowski, creates a "quirky parallel history," prompting readers to question established versions of reality. The second book, "The Great Deception," is set in Iceland. This series represents a departure into a different facet of esoteric themes, blending historical intrigue with speculative fiction about secret agencies and their engagement with occult beliefs during periods of conflict.