Death row investigator, turned French Prix award-winning author, Rene Denfeld gave Sutton book lovers an exclusive preview of her début novel last Wednesday.

The American writer, whose debut novel was set in a maximum security prison, met members of the Worcester Park Evening Book Club as part of the World Book Day celebrations.

Sutton librarian Stella Chevalier convinced The Reading Agency to let the group meet the author and get a sneak peak at The Enchanted which is set for its UK release this week.

Speaking from Sutton Central the author said, "I’m so honoured to be here.

"Where I grew up, it was a poor area, and starting back in kinder(garten), I would always run to the library after school."

Carol Rowles, a member of Worcester Park Evening Book Club, said: "I was taken aback at the poetry in the writing and found that initially quite disturbing in the context of the novel."

Sutton libraries host 19 adult book clubs across its nine branches, where members usually met monthly to discuss their latest reads.

For further information visit www.sutton.gov.uk.