GAME Of Thrones fans appear to be one step closer to reading the sixth book in the fantasy series.

The next installment of the Westeros saga - Winds of Winter - is at the centre of an online mystery after a bookstore listed its release date as September 6.

Jon Snow has just started romping with his secret aunt in the TV show... will the books put them on a different path? Credit: HBO

According to the Daily Express, Strand Bookstore stated the release date in a list titled '20 New Books To Look Forward to in the New Year'.

However, the date has now been deleted, and in its place is written "The Winds of Winter by George R.R. Martin (fingers crossed!)".

The mysterious date was left online long enough for fans to start a Reddit thread about it, although some fans were quick to point out that it was likely a misunderstanding, a trick or a joke.

Spiralyst said: "Remember when GRRM sent a post out saying he would not be releasing any further forwarding chapters from TWOW and everyone got excited because they took that as a sign he was nearing completion? Yeah...that was like four years ago."

Fans are eager to get their mitts on the sixth book in the Game of Thrones series

Ratguy added: "Now when we get it on September 6th 4484534043, I'll be looking back on this comment and thinking about what sweet summer children we all were."

George R.R. Martin is notorious for taking his time when writing his Game Of Thrones series.

Some fans have wondered if the release date for The Winds Of Winter would coincide with the final series of the HBO show based on his books - although the two stories won't match up as producers couldn't wait longer for him to continue the fantasy epics.

Fans are desperate to know what will happen now the Night King has an army... and a dragon Credit: HBO

George has said that he will announce the release of the Winds of Winter himself, in a bid to calm fans who were in a frenzy over false rumours.

He also wrote on his blog: "I do think you will have a Westeros book from me in 2018... and who knows, maybe two. A boy can dream.”

In December 2017 fans began speculating after George sent out a tweet suggesting that 2018 would be a better year, alongside a picture showing a dragon’s silhouette.

This will be the sixth book in the series followed by the seventh and final instalment called A Dream of Spring.

A blogger has caused controversy by sharing a picture of a 5-year-old dolled up in thick make-up.

Twitter users have shared their worst ever first dates - and one woman got driven to a restaurant with a corpse.

And this hen party were terrified by a 'ghost of a drowned boy' that appeared in their photos.