A POPULAR author with a speciality for creating mystery and humour is coming to Reading for a book signing.

Jasper Fforde will be celebrating the release of his long-awaited adult novel 'Early Riser' with a guest appearance at Waterstones Reading on August 4.

Early Riser features a new world where the majority of the human population hibernate through the winter months.

The main character in the book, Charlie Worthing, is a novice apprentice to infamous Jack Logan, who warns his new recruit about the dangers of winter.

Fforde's latest novel took much longer to craft than anticipated and will be published in the UK in hardback and ebook on August 2.

He said: “Early Riser turned out more complex than I imagined and quite dark - it’s winter after all - but it's weird, it’s rich, it’s set in Wales - and there are monsters, both real and imagined.

"Plus Carmen Miranda, stamp collecting, a painting of Clytemnestra and Tunnock’s tea cakes. How much more interesting could life get? For Charlie Worthing, my protagonist - very interesting indeed, and not always in the good way.”

Readers of the Chronicle have the chance to win a signed copy of the book, along with the opportunity to meet Fforde on the day.

Cheryl Dibden, events co-ordinator at Waterstones Reading, added: "We are beyond excited to welcome Jasper Fforde back to Reading as he signs his long-awaited new novel Early Riser, featuring a Ffordian new world of human hibernation."

For a chance to win the competition, simply answer the following question: 'What is the title of Japer's new book?'

The competition runs from July 19 to July 25 and all entries should be emailed to: events.reading@waterstones.com or sent by post to: Japer Fforde Competition, Waterstones Reading Broad Street, 89a Broad Street, Reading RG1 2AP.

Reading Chronicle:

Full terms and conditions:

  • This competition is open to all readers of Reading Chronicle
  • Entry to the competition is free, no purchase is necessary
  • Simply send in your answer to the competition question to Waterstones Reading Broad Street (events.reading@waterstones.com). All entries must include the entrant's name, address, email address and contact telephone number. Neither the Promoter nor Waterstones Booksellers will be liable for any entry which is lost, damaged or delayed
  • The closing date for the competition is midnight Wednesday 25 July 2018
  • The winner will receive 1 x signed copy of 'Early Riser'
  • In the event of a tie, all tied correct entries will be entered into a draw which will be independently supervised. The winner will be the first name drawn out of the hat
  • There is no cash alternative
  • The judge's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into
  • The winner will be notified by telephone or email on Thursday 26 July 2018
  • If Waterstones is unable to make contact with the winner by 12 pm on Friday 27 July 2018 a further draw will be made and a different winner selected
  • The winner agrees to the use of their name and photograph for publicity purposes
  • The promoters will publish first name, surname, age and town of residence of the winner in their publicity material
  • The competition is not open to employees of the Promoter or Waterstones Booksellers not their respective families or anyone directly connected to the competition
  • In the event of unforeseen circumstances, Waterstones reserves the right to offer an alternative prize of equal or greater value