J K Rowling visits Orkney Library book club

Members of a book club at Orkney Library in Scotland were surprised when J K Rowling stopped by to take part in a discussion about her crime novel The Cuckoo’s Calling (Sphere).

Senior library assistant Stewart Bain told the BBC the group was “gobsmacked” to see her. “It really was quite unbelievable," he said. "We'd heard a rumour earlier that she had arrived in Orkney and then all of a sudden she was there. I think it's fantastic that she came all the way here to see us and shows the level of support and passion that she has for her readers."

Before the visit Bain had invited the author to come and join the book club discussion through Twitter, not expecting that she would actually show up.

Rowling later tweeted: “I had the best time! Thanks for wonderful chat [and] cake.” She also gave the tea she had a review of “five stars: would drink again”.

Bain was last week given the librarian of the year prize at the Publisher’s Publicity Circle (PPC) Annual Awards.

His library won library of the year in The Bookseller’s annual industry awards in 2015.