Coming Soon
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The Examination and Confession of Certain WitchesA world of fear, suspicion and accusation, where whispered rumours could destroy lives and a single confession might lead to the gallows. Inspired by the real Essex witchcraft trials, The Examination and Confession of Certain Witches brings to life the hidden world behind one of Tudor England’s most haunting episodes. Drawing on surviving trial records, parish histories and contemporary accounts, the novel follows Agnes Waterhouse and the women accused alongside her through a landscape shaped by superstition, poverty, religion and fear. Blending historical authenticity with atmospheric storytelling, the novel reimagines the lives hidden behind the surviving records of the witches of Essex. The novel is currently being written and is due for publication Winter 2026. Subscribe for updates and publication news as the story unfolds.
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Published Works
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Tudor Lives: Great Dunmow during the Reformation |
 This non-fiction book explores how one Essex parish experienced the upheaval of the English Reformation between c.1520 and c.1560. Set in Tudor Essex during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, the book examines how religious reform transformed faith, authority and everyday life within one small English market town.
Drawing on rare Tudor sources, this local history of Great Dunmow brings to life the ordinary men and women who adapted, resisted and negotiated religious change during one of the most turbulent periods in English history. This second edition includes revised material, improved presentation and additional content. The book will appeal to readers interested in: • Tudor history It also includes numerous local family names from Great Dunmow, including lists of parish householders from the 1520s, making it especially valuable for family historians researching Tudor ancestors from Essex. |
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50 Gems of Suffolk |
 Famous for inspiring artist John Constable, Suffolk is a county filled with natural appeal. From the glorious coastline to medieval towns such as Bury St Edmunds, this book takes the reader on a fascinating journey through timeless villages, vast landscapes and special places of historic interest. Boats and beaches, castles and museums and those scenes of bucolic beauty that continue to attract artists and writers are all here in a lovingly painted picture of Suffolk today. In 50 Gems of Suffolk, writer Kate J. Cole explores the places that make this county special. |
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Postcards from the Front: 1914-1919 |
 Postcards as a medium of correspondence became popular in the early years of the twentieth century. This soon became a flood as hundreds of thousands of postcards found their way into the postal system as the Edwardian era progressed. With the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, it was only natural that the sending of postcards would spill over into the battlefields of the Western Front and Britain’s Home Front. Postcards from the Front 1914-1919 captures the essence of this medium in a unique and fascinating way, bringing to life the pathos, the trauma. and the mud and the blood of Flanders and France as the embattled Tommies, airmen and nurses wrote home to their loved ones. It is a book that humanises the soldiers, many of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice and never returned home. The book also includes extensive appendices on how to identify and research postcards from the battlefields of the First World War, to reveal the story of your own ancestors’ war. |
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Brentwood and Around Through Time |
 This book also includes the towns and villages of Great and Little Warley, Shenfield and Hutton. Brentwood is the principal town in the Essex borough of Brentwood. The town was established in the twelfth century as a clearing within the great forest of Essex, which covered much of the area. Wood was burnt here (hence ‘burnt wood’) and people settled in the vicinity, attracted initially by the old Roman road from London to Colchester. The fledging medieval town became popular with pilgrims travelling from the north and east of England on their quest to worship at the shrine of St Thomas à Becket in Canterbury Cathedral. During the Peasants’ Revolt of the 1380s, some of the agitators met in the town’s inns and it was in Brentwood that the first event of the revolt took place. The arrival of the railway in 1840 had a major impact on the town, providing fast links to London and bringing new industry. Brentwood is the home of many famous faces and places, including being the setting of cult reality television programme The Only Way Is Essex. In this book, author Kate J. Cole invites the reader on a captivating photographic journey of old and new. The book showcases many historical places and everyday life in Brentwood and the surrounding area, including Hutton, Shenfield, and Warley. |
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Billericay and Around Through Time |
 This book also includes the villages of Stock, Great Burstead & South Green and Little Burstead. Billericay, occupied since the Bronze and Iron Ages, is an established parish in the Basildon borough of Essex. It is also part of the London Basin and was created in the thirteenth century. Its most notable historical episode took place in 1381 when Richard II’s soldiers defeated Essex rebels at Norsey Wood, which ended the Peasant’s Revolt. The coming of the railway in 1889 had a major impact on Billericay, providing great links to London and Southend-on-Sea. Billericay is the home of many famous faces and places, including being the setting for the well-known TV series Gavin and Stacey. Ian Drury and the Blockheads song ‘Billericay Dickie’ also pin-pointed the area, as did George Orwell’s novel Down and Out in Paris and London, which gives mention to the town. |
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Saffron Walden and Around Through Time |
 This book also includes the villages of Littlebury, Audley End and the Chesterfords. Saffron Walden is a picturesque, medieval town, in north-west Essex. It has a rich heritage of old buildings, with over 300 listed, reflecting its wealth as a rural market town. Established in the Bronze Age, Saffron Walden flourished following Anglo-Saxon occupation and a market has been held here since 1141. Once known as Chipping Walden, Saffron Walden gained its name from the precious saffron crocus it became famous for growing in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Follow the fascinating history of Saffron Walden, and its surrounding villages including Audley End, Littlebury, Wendens Ambo and the Chesterfords. Fully illustrated this book shows how the area has changed over time and is essential reading for those who are interested in the area’s history and built heritage. |
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Sudbury, Long Melford and Lavenham Through Time |
 Set in the heart of the Stour Valley, Sudbury is an ancient market town situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty. During the late Middle Ages, the town was a centre for the weaving and silk industries, the wealth of which led to many great houses and churches being built, giving the town a major historical legacy. Sudbury became notable for its art in the eighteenth century, being the birthplace of Thomas Gainsborough and the inspiration of John Constable. The nearby settlements of Long Melford and Lavenham are also noted for their spectacular churches and are popular destinations for day-trippers. This book explores the history and beauty of this scenic area, showcasing how it has developed over the years. |
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Bishop’s Stortford Through Time |
 From its earliest days, Bishop’s Stortford was an important commuter town, something that continues up to the present day. With transport links to the City, and London Stanstead providing access to the rest of the world, Bishop’s Stortford is a town on the rise. After becoming a pawn in the disputes between King John and the Pope in the thirteenth century, Bishop’s Stortford developed into a thriving market town in the Middle Ages. The opening of the Sort Navigation in 1769, along with the introduction of the railway in the nineteenth century, further increased its prosperity, and Bishop’s Stortford continues to thrive today. Featuring full colour images and fantastic vintage postcards, this book takes the reader on a fascinating journey of the town’s history and how it became what it is today. |
Children’s Books
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 Alfie loves to run and jump wherever he goes. But one squelchy, squishy day, he runs straight into a big patch of mud next to the river! With a big splat, Alfie and his Nanny Kate end up muddy from head to toe… and he discovers he’s lost his shoe! Join them on a cheerful, messy adventure by the river. A playful tale full of river, mud, laughter, and the joy of being a little explorer. This story is part of the Adventures of the Boy Crew series of books for young readers aged 3 to 5 and their carers. |
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Meet Harrison, a lively 5-year-old who can’t resist a splash. Whether he’s learning how to swim, tossing stones into a river, or collecting treasure on a beach, Harrison’s days are full of giggles, wonder, and watery fun. This beautifully illustrated story celebrates a child’s natural love for the outdoors and the simple happiness found by rivers, pools, and beaches. Perfect for bedtime snuggles or afternoon reading, it’s a gentle adventure that encourages little ones to explore, play, and embrace nature. This story is part of the Adventures of the Boy Crew series of books for young readers aged 3 to 5 and their carers. |
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Roo is so excited. Today he’s off to Forest School with his brother and cousin! There are flower kitchens to play in, face-painting, and sticks to play with. Roo climbs, runs, and discovers so many wonderful things beneath the tall trees. But will he be brave enough to toast marshmallows on the camp fire? Join Roo on a playful outdoor adventure full of laughter, learning, and nature’s little surprises. Perfect for curious children (and their carers!) who love exploring the great outdoors! This story is part of the Adventures of the Boy Crew series of books for young readers aged 3 to 5 and their carers. |
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A Heartwarming Story About Courage, Kindness and a Very Clever Cat But his loyal tuxedo cat, Maple, knows the truth. Watching quietly with her hazel eyes that glint with sapphire blue, she understands that Archie’s real magic isn’t in his boots at all. It’s in his kind heart, his courage, and the way he makes the world brighter for everyone around him. Perfect for Year 6 readers (ages 9–11), this is a gentle, feel-good children’s story filled with friendship, imagination, and a touch of everyday magic. Part of the Adventures of the Boy Crew series |
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Explore history, heritage and hidden stories.All books are available through Amazon. |
Enjoyed one of my books?Reviews on Amazon are always greatly appreciated and help authors enormously. Thank you for reading and supporting me, Kate J Cole. |
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| Page updated: May 2026 © Kate J Cole | Essex Voices Past™ 2012-2026 |