JD Salinger’s death sparks increase in his book sales up to 13,000 per cent

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Both traditional and electronic versions of his novels were rising to the top of best-seller lists.

Just hours after his death was announced, The Catcher In The Rye became Amazon's seventh biggest selling book, with a sales increase of 3,000 per cent.

His less popular novels rose even more dramatically, with For Esmé — With Love and Squalor: And Other Stories rising by 13,000 per cent and Nine Stories by 12,000 per cent. Until his death, Salinger had sold more than 60 million copies of his books in several languages. That figure is now soaring.

It is rumoured that around 15 unpublished novels could also emerge. Jon Howells of Waterstones said: "The Catcher In The Rye is already one of our best-selling backlist titles every year.

"I imagine Salinger's death will make a lot of people who have not read it in years or decades decide that it's time they reminded themselves of what it was like to be Holden Caulfield."

WH Smith said it was prepared for a boost to sales over the next few weeks. Philip Jones of The Bookseller also expects a huge rush to publish works about the reclusive Salinger, who foiled any attempts to bring them out while he was alive.

Last year he took legal action to block a follow-up to The Catcher In The Rye by a Swedish writer.