News

The Bookshop becomes the home of The Bookshop Investigations. 

Did you know our very own bookshop is the inspiration and filming location for The Bookshop Investigations, a British cosy crime comedy series created by Hampton resident and shop owner Anya Marco Harris.

Set in the fictional village of Front Bottom, the series follows Agatha, the owner of a village bookshop who has an unfortunate habit of finding herself rather too close to murder. With gossip, suspicious characters, village rivalries and more than a few questionable cups of coffee, Agatha can't seem to stay out of trouble.

And yes, much of the action takes place right here in our real bookshop!

The series began as a one-person project, with Anya writing, directing, filming and starring as all of the characters. It has since grown into a larger project, with a BBC director now working with Anya on a proof-of-concept episode as they explore the possibility of taking The Bookshop Investigations to television.

So while our real bookshop is a perfectly safe place to browse for your next read, the fictional one is another matter entirely...

Come and visit us. We promise there won't be a murder. Probably.

You can find The Bookshop Investigations on YouTube and follow Agatha's increasingly complicated attempts to solve the murders of Front Bottom.

Sometimes a good story needs a last-minute plot twist.

When The Bookshop Hampton was facing the possibility of closure, local residents Anya Marco Harris and Peter Harris decided they weren’t ready to see this much-loved little bookshop disappear.

Anya has lived in Hampton Village for more than 30 years and, as an actor and creator, is used to bringing stories to life. Peter is a professional prop maker, so between them they know a thing or two about stories, creativity and making things happen!

Rather than seeing the shop close, they have taken it on and are giving it a new lease of life.

The aim is simple: to keep The Bookshop at the heart of Hampton, while bringing some fresh ideas, longer opening hours and a little more creativity to the shop.

You may already have noticed some of the changes, from our new themed window displays to our featured authors and special offers. And there’s plenty more planned.

But at its heart, this is still the same community bookshop that Hampton residents have enjoyed for decades. We want to keep it affordable, welcoming and firmly rooted in the local community, while continuing to raise money for good causes and giving pre-loved books another chance to be read.

So, after more than 50 years, The Bookshop Hampton isn't closing. It's turning the page.

And we're rather excited to see what happens next...

Some spooooooky goings on!

We have something extra special planned for our Halloween windows this year!

Are you brave enough to come and see what might be brewing in our windows?

Keep an eye out in the next week or so and be prepared to be scared and delighted!

There’s been a little more mystery than usual outside The Bookshop Hampton...

To celebrate the birthday of the Queen of Crime herself, Agatha Christie, we were delighted to receive a wonderful donation from Agatha Christie Limited.

Naturally, we couldn’t let the occasion pass without giving our window a suitably Christie-inspired makeover!

Agatha Christie’s books have entertained generations of readers and her stories continue to introduce new readers to the joys of a good mystery. So what better way to celebrate than by filling our window with some of her most-loved titles?

And perhaps it was fitting that our very first major themed window should celebrate the woman who inspired so many of the cosy crime stories we love today.

Keep an eye on our windows for more themed displays celebrating favourite authors, characters and genres.

Just remember: if you see something suspicious in the window, we're probably not responsible...

This month (October) we're turning the spotlight on two masters of crime fiction: Jo Nesbo and Jack Higgins.

If you like your mysteries atmospheric, character-driven and packed with secrets, you’re in the right place!

Louise Penny is best known for her series featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, set in the fictional village of Three Pines in Quebec. Her mysteries combine beautifully drawn characters and a strong sense of place with plenty of twists and turns.

Henning Mankell takes us to Sweden with his acclaimed Wallander series. His books helped establish the Scandinavian crime tradition that has captivated readers around the world, combining compelling mysteries with a darker, atmospheric setting.

And this month, selected books by both authors are part of our 3-for-2 offer. That's 3 books for the price of 2!

So whether you're already a fan, have watched the television adaptations and want to discover the books, or have never read either author before, it's a great time to pick one up.

Three books, two authors, plenty of murders. What more could a crime reader want?

Pop into The Bookshop Hampton and see what you can find.

When you buy a book from The Bookshop Hampton, you’re not just getting something good to read. You’re helping support local charities.

One of the organisations to benefit from money raised by The Bookshop is The Horse Rangers, based in Bushy Park.

The Horse Rangers is a youth organisation that gives young people the opportunity to learn about horses, develop practical skills and build confidence through working with them. Its work provides a unique environment in which young people can learn, take responsibility and become part of a community.

We’re delighted that we were able to donate £750 thanks to money raised through donated books and can help support organisations like The Horse Rangers and the work they do in our local area.

So the next time you pick up a £2 paperback, remember that your bargain buy can also help make a difference right here in the community.

Your old books can do some pretty wonderful things.

Ever wondered how we keep our shelves full?

The answer is simple: Hampton's book lovers!

We receive around 100 donated books every week, brought in by local people who have finished with them and would rather see them enjoyed by someone else than sitting forgotten on a shelf.

Those books then get a second chance.

Some might be old favourites that have been read many times. Others may be books someone bought on holiday, inherited from a relative or simply never got around to reading. And every now and then, something really unexpected turns up!

We sort, price and put the books on our shelves, ready for their next reader. The money raised from their sale then goes towards supporting local charities.

It's a wonderfully simple cycle:

You donate a book → someone discovers a new favourite → we raise money for charity → the book gets another life.

So if you've got books at home that you've finished with, don't leave them gathering dust. Bring them along to The Bookshop Hampton and give them another chapter. Please remember though - if you wouldn't buy them then please don't donate them. Some books can only be recycled especially when damaged.

One hundred books a week means around 100 new opportunities for someone to discover their next great read.