The author of Preston-based book Cold Bath Street has revealed there will be a sequel to his smash-hit Young Adult thriller.

A.J. Hartley said the book – called Written Stone Lane in reference to the country lane in Longridge – will be released on Hallowe’en.

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Hartley was recently in Preston to launch another new novel, Monsters in the Mirror.

Speaking at an event hosted by his publishers UCLan Publishing, Hartley said: “UCLan Publishing did such a good job with Cold Bath Street and propelled it to success, including releasing the audiobook narrated by Christopher Eccleston.

Read more: Book set in Preston’s haunted tunnels up for global literature award

“When they asked if there would be another in the series my initial answer was ‘No’, as I felt the story was complete.

“Later when I was working on the audiobook, I started to think that there could be something else there for me to do. In reconnecting with the book, I started to see a new story, and a very different story.

“When I do a series I want each book to have its own quality, I don’t just want it to be more of the same. But I feel good about Written Stone Lane – it has an integrity of its own rather than being something that was cranked out just to capitalise on the success of the first book.”

Fans of Cold Bath Street, which is set in the haunted tunnels beneath Preston, will be pleased to hear that Written Stone Lane is a sequel in the truest sense of the word.

Review: Cold Bath Street is a perfect Preston ghost story

Hartley said: “The last lines of Cold Bath Street are the first lines of Written Stone Lane. The story picks up literally in the same moment.

“I’ve never done that before, but the story that seemed to be completed now continues. There is a fairly precise sense of closure to Cold Bath Street, but that gets complicated in the second book.”

While in the UK to launch Monsters in the Mirror, Hartley completed a UK tour including an appearance at the London Book Fair, a signing at Preston Waterstones, and multiple visits to schools around the country.

Head of UCLan Publishing Debbie Williams said: “We published Cold Bath Street about a year ago, and it’s been a massive journey for us. We didn’t know it would go so well but the book has become a bestseller and been nominated for all sorts of prizes.

“We’re punching above our weight as a tiny press in a university, and the only children’s book publisher in the north of England. It’s changed all of our lives.”

Have you read Cold Bath Street? Will you be buying Written Stone Lane? Let us know in the comments below.