Born as Elsbeth Smart in London, England, Starling attended Manningham University where she studied English. She subsequently moved to Los Angeles where she cut a glamorous presence on the party scene. She spent the last ten years of her life back in the UK, where she enjoyed a quiet, private life.

Essie flew onto the bestseller lists with her debut novel, The Moon on the Water, which introduced readers to Georgia Rory, a new kind of heroine who blazed a trail for other female writers. Essie subsequently wrote a further eighteen novels that have been published in more than forty languages worldwide.

Kind and considerate to many, while always demanding high standards, Essie has bequeathed the majority of her estate to the Museum of Writing in Manningham, where a contemporary writers’ room will be set up in her name. An annual award will be made available to underrepresented writers.

Essie was married twice, to English publisher Ted Mason, then to American crime writer Hank Milligan. She didn’t have any children and always saw her readers as her family. She will be sorely missed by her friends, fans and everyone in the publishing industry.

Starling’s literary agent Marlon Austin said: “Essie was an extraordinarily talented writer with an irrepressible personality and a big heart. She was whip smart and didn’t suffer fools gladly. Her curiosity about human nature shone through in the stories she gifted to the world. We’re very lucky she finished one last book that I know she would love sharing with her readers everywhere. It’s a fitting farewell for all the fans who supported her and who love Georgia Rory.”

Read what Essie and Georgia meant to readers, in an exclusive online article by Chloe Anderton.

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A few hours before Essie’s obituary was made public, Liv pressed Send on Book Twenty to Marlon. Anthony also contacted the agent to tell him Essie had died. Unusually solemn, Marlon said he’d pass on the awful news.

Liv finally told Jake what had been going on in her life and he was supportive and understanding.

She called Hank and spoke to him in person. “I’m so sorry to break the bad news to you,” she said.

“Oh, jeez, I can’t believe it. Ess has really gone?” he said. “How? What happened?”

“She’d been fading for some time and passed away on November the first.”

He was quiet for a while. “That date,” he said.

“Yes.” Liv swallowed, wondering if it sounded suspicious.

“Heck, it’s the day she’d have chosen,” Hank said. “She published her first book that day, she won her great prize.”

“She’d just finished her new book, too.”

“I’m glad ’bout that. It gives me real comfort.”

Liv spoke to Chloe next.