A debut novel by gay author Neil Spring, based on the true story of Borey Rectory, “the most haunted house in England,” has rocketed to the top of Amazon’s bestselling new releases list, six months before publication.

The Ghost Hunters was released last week on pre-order by publishers Quercus, and within days topped the Amazon Hot New Releases Bestseller List of Horror Thrillers. At the time of publication it was at number one.

Neil Spring said: “I’m totally delighted. Pre-orders matter hugely for book sales these days, especially with so many other wonderful writers to compete with.”

Joanne Dickinson, who acquired the novel for publisher Quercus, said: ‘I am thrilled that Neil’s novel is both fascinating in its historical and social detail, and frankly terrifying in its story of the ghostly events at Borley Rectory.’

Neil, who is from Bishopston, now works full time in communications for the John Lewis Partnership. The Ghost Hunters is his first novel.