Blackwatertown published 23rd July 2020 in paperback & ebook by Unbound, and 27th August 2020 in audiobook by WF Howes Clipper imprint.
ISBNs: paperback 9781783529254 & ebook 9781783529247
You can pre-order or buy the paperback, ebook or audio book from these outlets. Buying local helps bookshops & your community. Or subscribe to my newsletter or email me & I’ll make sure there’s a copy for you.
Worldwide
Unbound (the publisher) – paperback or ebook: https://unbound.com/books/blackwatertown/
Audiobook, narrated by Patrick Moy via Audible or Amazon UK.
France – Le Bookshop, Montpellier – https://www.lebookshop.com/ Librairie Anglophone, bookclubs and cafe.
Spain – The Bookshop, Marbella, Malaga https://www.thebookshop.es/ Alicia and Derek dreamed of opening their own bookshop. Now they’ve done it. Here’s to making dreams come true!
Amazon.co.uk – Paperback or you can have an ebook/Kindle edition.
USA: Amazon.com – No paperback link yet, but there is an ebook/Kindle edition available.
Waterstones: audiobook & paperbacks https://www.waterstones.com/books/search/term/blackwatertown
Northern Ireland
Books Paper Scissors, Belfast https://bookspaperscissors.co.uk/ lovely bright bookshop opposite the Ulster Museum.
Bridge Books, Dromore (Co. Down) https://www.facebook.com/BridgeBooksNI independent bookshop selling new, reduced price and pre-loved books.
No Alibis bookshop, Belfast http://noalibis.com/contact/ the first bookshop to stock Blackwatertown. Am I allowed to have a favourite bookshop on this page?
The Secret Bookshelf, Carrickfergus (Co. Antrim) https://www.facebook.com/TheSecretBooks1/ beautifully named and run by author Jo Zebedee.
Sheehys, Cookstown (Co. Tyrone) https://www.facebook.com/sheehys.cookstown/ The largest bookseller in mid-Ulster.
Waterstones, Belfast https://www.waterstones.com/bookshops/belfast big and has a cafe on Fountain Street.
Waterstones, Lisburn https://www.waterstones.com/bookshops/lisburn biggest bookshop in the city.
Waterstones, Newry https://www.waterstones.com/bookshops/newry inside the Quays Shopping Centre.
Republic of Ireland
Alan Hanna’s Bookstore, Rathmines, Dublin https://www.alanhannas.com/Search.asp?SearchTerm=9781783529254 I used to live in the neighbourhood.
The Book Centre, Wexford https://www.thebookcentre.ie comfy chairs to read in, tea, coffee, scones… sounds delightful.
Books at One, Letterfrack (Co. Galway) https://www.booksatone.ie/letterfrack/ independent, books, coffee – “joyful, authentic, heartfelt” – Vincent & Mary haven’t completely ruled out James Joyce walking through the door.
Clifden Bookshop, Clifden (Co. Galway) https://www.clifdenbookshop.com/ in the capital of beautiful Connemara.
The Company of Books, Ranelagh, Dublin https://www.thecompanyofbooks.ie very popular local bookshop with an eclectic stock.
Dingle Bookshop, Dingle (Co. Kerry) https://dinglebookshop.com independent bookshop at the heart of the Dingle Peninsula, a stone’s throw from the Wild Atlantic Way. Siopa leabhar neamhspleách sinn atá suite i gcroí lár leithinis Chorca Dhuibhne i bhfoisceacht urchar méaróige ó Shlí an Atlantaigh Fhiáin.
Farrell & Nephew, Newbridge (Co. Kildare) https://farrellandnephew.ie/ independent and loving local writers since 1957.
Kennys Bookshop, Galway https://www.kennys.ie/shop/blackwatertown in business since 1940, known for the charming Des, with 1 million new, second hand and rare books, it’s the largest online bookstore in Ireland.
Kerr’s Bookshop, Clonakilty (Co. Cork) http://kerrsbookshop.ie/ bright and beautiful shelves.
Liber, Sligo http://liber.ie/ Brian and Ailbhe’s books and music in the heart of Yeats country.
Manor Books, Malahide (Co. Dublin) https://www.facebook.com/manorbooks/ independent, warm, welcoming and relaxing.
O’Mahoney’s, Limerick https://www.omahonys.ie/ booksellers since 1902!
Philip’s Bookshop, Mallow (Co. Cork) https://philipsbookshop.com/ independent, family-run and also sells school uniforms.
Roe River Books, Dundalk (Co. Louth) https://www.roeriverbooks.ie/just south of the border.
Sheelagh na Gig, Cloughjordan (Co. Tipperary) http://www.sheelaghnagig.com/ books and wholefoods.
Scotland
Adventure into Books, Blairgowrie, Perth & Kinross www.adventureintobooks.co.uk the town didn’t have a bookshop, so Kate & Ralph opened this one themselves – during the pandemic, eek! But it’s so lovely, it has thrived.
Bookpoint, Dunoon & Cowal, Argyll www.bookpointdunoon.com quirky bookshop by the Firth of Clyde.
The Dornoch Bookshop, Dornoch on the beautiful Black Isle www.facebook.com/dornochbookshop/ choose a book and wander with it to the shore – you might see dolphins or an oil platform go by.
The Edinburgh Bookshop, Edinburgh https://www.edinburghbookshop.com/ “This is the kind of bookshop we’d all like to have in our neighbourhood” says The Guardian.
Highland Bookshop, Fortwilliam https://highlandbookshop.com/ big, independent, with lots of Scottish & outdoorsy books. Set up by Jayne & Kevin Ramage with author Angus MacDonald.
Hyndland Bookshop, Glasgow https://www.facebook.com/HyndlandBookshop/ lovely front-facing book display shelves and dog-friendly.
The Portobello Bookshop, Portobello, Edinburgh https://www.theportobellobookshop.com/ independent, welcoming, by the seaside (which is why it used to be Mick’s Tackle Shop). Or you can do it online https://www.theportobellobookshop.com/crime-horror/blackwatertown-by-paul-waters
Tackle and Books, Tobermory, Isle of Mull http://www.tackleandbooks.co.uk/ the most photographed shop in Scotland. As well as books and fishing tackle, they also sell midge machines. (Open again in August.)
The Ullapool Bookshop, Ullapool (Ross-shire) https://www.ullapoolbookshop.co.uk/ near the harbour, so call in on your way to or from the ferry to the Hebrides.
The Watermill Bookshop, Aberfeldy https://www.aberfeldywatermill.com/books/ beautiful wheelchair accessible bookshop & café.
Wales
Cover to Cover, Swansea http://www.cover-to-cover.co.uk/ Visit The Mumbles to find Swansea’s only independent bookshop, where they love to touch and smell books, as well as read them.
Berkshire
Hungerford Bookshop, Hungerford (Berkshire) http://www.hungerfordbookshop.co.uk an independent with two floors of books in a listed building on the High Street.
The Little Bookshop, Cookham (Berkshire) https://www.thelittlebookshop.info/ small but beautifully formed.
Buckinghamshire
Chorleywood Bookshop, Chorleywood https://chilternbookshops.co.uk/ Often in the media. They do lots of events.
The Craft Beer Shop, Little Chalfont https://www.craftbeershops.co.uk/ Beer from every brewery in Britain (eventually), cider and signed copies of Blackwatertown.
The Deli, Chalfont St Giles https://www.facebook.com/thedelichalfonts/ I’d like a pastry, a pasty, a coffee and a signed copy of Blackwatertown please. Yes, it’s an actual deli. A very special one.
Gerrards Cross Bookshop, Gerrards Cross https://chilternbookshops.co.uk/contact/gerrards-cross-shop/ Pick a book. (Might I suggest Blackwatertown?) Then read it in one of the many nearby cafes.
Marlow Bookshop, in Marlow https://marlowbookshop.co.uk/ with biscuits for dogs and sometimes cake for humans. See their dog visitors here https://www.instagram.com/dogsofmarlowbookshop/
Waterstones, Amersham http://www.waterstones.com/bookshops/amersham relaxed booksellers know their way around.
Waterstones, Aylesbury https://www.waterstones.com/bookshops/aylesbury in the heart of the historic market town.
Waterstones, High Wycombe https://www.waterstones.com/bookshops/high-wycombe big and bright in the Eden shopping centre.
Yalden DIY, Chalfont St Giles https://yalden.co.uk friendly community-minded shop with loads of gardening and DIY supplies, and copies of Blackwatertown for sale.
Cambridgeshire
Heffers, Cambridge https://www.facebook.com/HeffersBooks selling books in the heart of the city since 1876.
Cheshire
Nantwich Bookshop, Nantwich https://www.nantwichbookshop.com/ books and a café in a lovely old building.
Cornwall
Padstow Bookseller, Padstow https://padstowbookseller.co.uk a lovely bright corner bookshop on the north Cornwall coast.
The Wadebridge Bookshop, Wadebridge https://www.wadebridgebookshop.co.uk a big independent bookshop on the River Camel – also sells second-hand books.
Cumbria
The Book Lounge, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria https://thebooklounge.shop/ It’s worth crossing the Devil’s Bridge to sample the tea, cake, gifts and lots of books – which you can also acquire via this link https://the-book-lounge.square.site/product/blackwatertown-by-paul-waters/1979
Fred’s Ambleside Bookshop, Ambleside, Cumbria https://fredsamblesidebookshop.co.uk/ small, independent and nestled in the heart of the Lake District. Arthur Ransome asked Fred when it opened: “Have you got all of my books in? If not, why not?”
Derbyshire
Scarthin Books, Cromford (Derbyshire) http://www.scarthinbooks.com/ “a bookshop for the majority of minorities” & “Britain’s most enjoyable bookshop” – big claims, but they do have a veggie café and look out over a lake.
Devon
Book Stop, Tavistock https://bookstoptavistock.co.uk/ books and music, reviews and interesting reading suggestions.
Dogberry & Finch, Okehampton, Devon https://www.dogberryandfinch.co.uk/ hand-picked, carefully curated and ever changing stock.
Winstone Books, Sidmouth http://winstonebooks.co.uk/sidmouth official bookseller for the Sidmouth Literary Festival on the coast.
Dorset
Gullivers Bookshop, Wimborne Minster www://booksandvinyl.co.uk/gullivers/ family run by three generations of Angels since 1969.
Winstone Books, Sherborne http://winstonebooks.co.uk/sherborne/ former winner of the Independent Bookseller of the Year.
Essex
Wivenhoe Books, in Wivenhoe (Essex) http://www.wivenhoebooks.com/ picturesque, on the coast near Colchester.
Gloucestershire
Max Minerva’s Marvellous Books, Bristol https://maxminervas.co.uk/ an irresistible shop name.
The Suffolk Anthology, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire https://theanthology.co.uk/ independent, pretty and full of old and new favourite books.
Hampshire
The Bookshop, Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire https://www.leebookshop.com.uk/ the oldest shop in the village, a real community hub – they also hide books around the neighbourhood for readers to find.
Laurence Oxley, Alresford, Hampshire http://www.birketfoster.co.uk/ not just books, paintings too – especially Birket Foster.
Pigeon Books, Southsea, Hampshire https://pigeonbooks.co.uk/ Mel and Phil love books and love Southsea – this independent bookshop is the result!
Herefordshire
Courtyard Books, Ledbury https://www.courtyardbooks.co.uk/ small, friendly, independent, in person and online. The perfect place for a good conversation.
Ledbury Books and Maps, Ledbury https://www.ledburybooksandmaps.co.uk/SignedCopies/SignedCopies.aspx a big, bright independent bookshop on the very attractive High Street.
Hertfordshire
Books on the Hill, St Albans, Hertfordshire https://www.books-on-the-hill.co.uk/ very cosy and they have a ghost!
David’s Bookshop, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire https://www.davids-bookshops.co.uk/books.aspx 50,000 books, music, a cafe and a poet in residence – John Gohorry.
Our Bookshop, Tring https://www.tringbookfestival.co.uk/bookshop it began as a support for the Tring Book Festival but took on a year round life of its own.
Waterstones, Hitchin https://www.waterstones.com/bookshops/hitchin books on the historic cobbled market square in the town centre.
Kent
Canterbury Christ Church University Bookshop, Canterbury, Kent https://bookshop.canterbury.ac.uk/ the place for you if you’re a student, or even if you’re not.
Top Hat and Tales, Faversham, Kent https://www.top-hatandtales.co.uk/ Match your book to your hat. Or vice versa. Yes – they sell books and hats!
Lancashire
Number 10, Clitheroe, Lancashire https://www.insidenumber10.com/about-us one of only two bookshops in the UK specialising in contemporary and classic crime fiction.
London
The All Good Bookshop, Turnpike Lane / Wood Green, London https://allgoodbookshop.co.uk/ a co-operative bookshop which also has a board game café in a bus.
Barnard Bookshop, Uxbridge www.yell.com/biz/barnard-bookshop-uxbridge-9272420/ one of the traditional shops that survives amidst the shopping centres. Plus it has its own spiral staircase.
Bookseller Crow on the Hill, Crystal Palace, London https://booksellercrow.co.uk/ “Twee, kowtowing, conventional it ain’t. Heavy on modern fiction, American lit and crime…”
Brooks Books, Pinner, London https://www.brookspinner.com/ independent, stylish – with cake, coffee and wine to accompany your browsing.
Clapham Books, Clapham, London https://www.claphambooks.com/ a tiny independent, just by Clapham Common.
Daunt Books, Marylebone High Street, London https://dauntbooks.co.uk/ All bookshops are beautiful, because – books! But this one stands out. I find it hard to walk past without going inside.
Dulwich Books, London https://dulwichbooks.co.uk/ you’ll meet a bunch of booksellers steeped in book lore inside here.
INK@84, Highbury, London https://www.ink84bookshop.co.uk/ books, bar, film nights – the love-child of artist Tessa Shaw and the author Betsy Tobin.
John Sandoe Books, Chelsea, London https://johnsandoe.com founded in 1957, inhabits a row of charming eighteenth century shops.
Lutyens & Rubinstein, Notting Hill, London https://www.lutyensrubinstein.co.uk/bookshop/ They say “every book stocked has its place because somebody loves it and has recommended it.”
Muswell Hill Bookshop, London – sadly closed now, due to retirement. It had a good run though, since 1985. “The people of Muswell Hill are lucky to have this shop on their doorstep.” – Book Lover’s London guidebook.
Nomad Books, Fulham Road, London https://nomadbooks.co.uk/ an independent bookshop with lots of room for events.
Pages of Hackney, London https://pagesofhackney.co.uk/ an award-winning bookshop on the Lower Clapton Road – friendly, welcoming, accessible and inclusive.
Pitshanger Bookshop, Ealing, London https://pitshangerbooks.co.uk/ 3,000 books in stock and they’re very keen on local authors.
Waterstones, Piccadilly, London https://www.waterstones.com/bookshops/piccadilly Europe’s largest bookshop apparently, with more than eight miles of bookshelves. Yum!
Waterstones, Trafalgar Square, London https://www.waterstones.com/bookshops/trafalgar-square housed in the appropriately named and colonnaded Grand Building, a haven from the tourist and traffic whirl of central London.
Northamptonshire
The Old Hall Bookshop, Brackley, Northamptonshire http://www.oldhallbooks.com/ a beautiful bookshop, and not just because they always have the kettle on.
Nottinghamshire
The Book Case, Lowdham (Nottinghamshire) http://www.thebookcase.co.uk/ has its own book festival.
Oxfordshire
The Book House, Thame (Oxfordshire) http://thebookhousethame.co.uk/ very charming with Roald Dahl and WB Yeats links.
Blackwells, Oxford www.blackwells.co.uk/oxford includes the Norrington Room, the world’s largest single room selling books.
Daunt Summertown, Oxford https://summertown.dauntbooks.co.uk/ excellent staff picks.
Mostly Books, Abingdon (Oxfordshire) https://mostly-books.co.uk/ they have a cosy reading group.
Shropshire
Burway Books, Church Stretton https://www.burwaybooks.co.uk with 6,000 books in stock in the heart of the Shropshire Hills.
Castle Bookshop, Ludlow https://www.castlebookshopludlow.co.uk welcoming book lovers since 1949!
Somerset
Hunting Raven Books, Frome http://winstonebooks.co.uk/frome on Cheap Street, where a leat, or stream, runs down the middle.
Surrey
The Cobham Bookshop, Cobham (Surrey) http://www.cobhambooks.com/ They love books, they love dogs, they’re by the River Mole. (I wonder how they feel about moles?)
Sussex
City Books, Brighton and Hove (East Sussex) http://www.city-books.co.uk/ the area’s “largest and liveliest independent bookshop”.
Hastings Bookshop, Hastings (East Sussex) https://hastingsbookshop.co.uk diverse and interesting range, close to the beautiful seafront and some very good cafes.
Rother Books, Battle (East Sussex) https://www.facebook.com/rotherbooks/ “a truly independent bookshop where the welcome is warm.”
The Steyning Bookshop, Steyning (West Sussex) https://www.steyningbookshop.co.uk/ there’s a big red book train to climb on, from where you may spot Julia Donaldson planning a singalong or an author supper.
Warwickshire
Kenilworth Books, in Kenilworth (Warwickshire) https://www.kenilworthbooks.co.uk/ another friendly bunch.
Warwick Bookshop, in Warwick http://www.warwickbooks.net/ Mog and Pauline can help you out in English, French, Italian, Polish and Russian – and that’s impressive!
Wiltshire
Devizes Books, Devizes (Wiltshire) https://www.facebook.com/devizesbooks books and gallery in the very grand historic Handel House.
Yorkshire
Book Corner, Saltburn-by-the-Sea (North Yorkshire) http://www.bookcornershop.co.uk/ happy shop by the sea.
The Book Corner, Halifax (West Yorkshire) https://bookcornerhalifax.com/ independent and contemporary, with a children’s bookshop called Bookworms.
Fox Lane Books, Thorpe Willoughby (North Yorkshire) https://www.foxlanebooks.co.uk/ pop-up bookseller and online. And this page on the Fox Lane website is particularly intriguing https://www.foxlanebooks.co.uk/product-page/pre-order-blackwatertown-pub-23rd-july
Limestone Books, Settle, Yorkshire https://limestonebooks.co.uk/ Tanya was so inspired by other indie bookshops that she opened her own. You should visit.
Read, Holmfirth (West Yorkshire) www://to-be-read.co.uk/ an independent family bookshop with very enthusiastic booksellers.
The Stripey Badger, Grassington (North Yorkshire) https://thestripeybadger.co.uk/ books, home baking, coffee, film set, awards and a magnificent name – the Stripey Badger has it all!
The Thoughtful Spot, Skircoat Green, Halifax (West Yorkshire) https://www.thethoughtfulspotbooks.com very new lovely children’s bookshop that also sells some books for bigger people too.
The Whitby Bookshop, Whitby, Yorkshire http://www.whitbybookshop.co.uk/ quirky, independent, by the sea.
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