Copies of The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling go on sale at Foyles bookshop in Charing Cross, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday September 27, 2012. Bookshops opened their doors early this morning as readers lined up to get their hands on JK Rowling's first novel for adults. See PA story ARTS Rowling. Photo credit should read: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire

London bookshops opened their doors early today for readers to get their hands on JK Rowling’s first novel for adults.

The Casual Vacancy, the author’s first full-length book in five years, is expected to fly off the shelves following her record-breaking Harry Potter series.

Rhiane Jones was the first to get her hands on the eagerly-anticipated novel at Foyles book shop in Charing Cross Road, central London.

The 29-year-old, from Wood Green, north London, said: “Harry Potter was a large part of the experience of growing up so I was quite curious about what she’d produce.

“I think her fan base will be curious about a novel that is targeted at them now they’ve grown up. And people who’ve bought into the hype around the book and just want a good story will be interested.

“She may not be the most stylish user of language but she’s an amazing storyteller. It will be a good read.”

Publishers have gone to extreme lengths to keep details of the novel under wraps before its release.

It has been described as a “blackly comic” tale about an idyllic town ripped apart by an election. The story is set in Pagford, a dreamy spot with a cobbled market square and ancient abbey, which becomes a town at war with itself.

Published simultaneously in e-book and audio formats, it begins with the unexpected death of Barry Fairweather, whose demise in his early 40s leaves a space on the parish council.

Booksellers took delivery of the novel yesterday and the boxes were unsealed just minutes before shops opened at 8am.

Rowling, 47, has amassed a fortune estimated to be around £620 million from her seven Harry Potter books for children and all the spin-off rights. She said she left “the door ajar” for a return to the world of Harry Potter but there would be no more books about the young wizard.