JK Rowling Revealed As Secret Author Of Crime Novel

Harry Potter author JK Rowling wrote crime novel The Cuckoo’s Calling under the name Robert Galbraith…

JK Rowling has been revealed as the secret author of new crime novel The Cuckoo's Calling, which she wrote under the guise of male debut writer, Robert Galbraith.

The book, which had sold just 1,500 copies until the true author was revealed, soared to the top of the best-seller lists yesterday.

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Rowling released the book in April this year, to critical acclaim, with crime writer Mark Billingham branding it 'one of the most compelling detectives I’ve come across in years.'

But only yesterday was she revealed as the author.

'I had hoped to keep this secret a little longer because being Robert Galbraith has been such a liberating experience,' she said.

'It has been wonderful to publish without hype or expectation, and pure pleasure to get feedback under a different name.'

As the news broke, several publishing houses were left red-faced, after admitting they had turned the book - received under the pseudonym - down.

Kate Mills, publishing director of Orion who turned away the manuscript, said: 'When the book came in, I thought it was perfectly good - it was certainly well written - but it didn't stand out.

'Strange as it might seem, that's not quite enough. Editors have to fall in love with debuts. It's very hard to launch new authors and crime is a very crowded market.'

Whoops!

Rowling's released her first post-Potter novel, The Casual Vacancy, last year - to mixed reviews.

Are you going to read JK Rowling's new crime novel? Are you a fan of her books? Let us know in the comments box below…

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