FANS of best-selling international novelist Jodi Picoult queued along St Peter’s Street, St Albans, yesterday lunchtime for a whirlwind book signing by the top American author.

Jodi, who has written 17 best-selling novels, was at Waterstone’s for an hour to sign copies of her new hardback Sing You Home and meet fans.

Although speed was of the essence with so many fans wanting to meet her, Jodi had her photograph taken with everyone in the queue and spent time chatting particularly to the many disabled and elderly people who came along.

Among the visitors in her official capacity was the Mayor of St Albans, Cllr Maxine Crawley, and members of her family.

Assistant manager Steve Chilton was delighted with the turnout which he put down in part to the good weather. Nearly 150 copies of Sing You Home were sold.

He said Jodi was such a big name now that she regularly appeared on top network shows in the USA and added: “We have a reputation now for organising really big name signings well.”