I learned recently of the demise of Prospero’s Books, my local independent bookshop in Crouch End. It made me very sad – it was a great bookshop, with knowledgeable staff who were always very supportive of me and of other local writers. I was even on their bestseller list for a while. The strange thing is that the place always seemed full of customers, a lot of whom were actually making purchases as well. So I’m not really sure why it couldn’t continue. I still have some good independent bookshops within fairly easy reach – Muswell Hill Bookshop, Highgate Bookshop, Big Green Bookshop in Wood Green and New Beacon Books in Stroud Green. But Prospero’s was special to me and I’m sad to see it go.