JK Rowling announces first adult novel title

By Mark Fordham

Author JK Rowling has announced the title of her first adult novel is set to be The Casual Vacancy.

The Harry Potter novelist revealed earlier this year that she was working on the book and claimed it would be "very different" from her previous material that has seen her become a worldwide star.

She said the success garnered from the Harry Potter franchise has given her the freedom to explore brand new territory.

It will be available to purchase worldwide in hardback, e-book and as an audio download and CD on September 27th.

The story is centred on the death of Barry Fairweather, whose unexpected passing sends shockwaves through the local villagers in Pagford.

Publishers Little, Brown & Co described the novel as being "blackly comic, thought-provoking and constantly surprising".

"Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty facade is a town at war," the publisher added.