A north London children’s author will launch the second series of his hugely successful spy books for teenagers this summer.

Robert Muchamore, 38, first began writing the popular Cherub series while living in Junction Road in Tufnell Park.

It has now sold more than 3million copies in the UK and centres on a young adult spy organisation.

The first book in the second series, People’s Republic, will be released on Thursday, August 4 to coincide with school summer holidays.

The young spies of the books are a complete contrast to the author, who said: “I was, and still am the geeky one - skinny, glasses, who can’t swim or ride a bike, and am an armchair traveller.”

He was born in Tufnell Park and spent 13 years working as a private investigator before writing the first Cherub book in 2004 when his nephews complained they had nothing to read.

The latest instalment features a new 12-year-old spy who infiltrates a billion dollar criminal empire uncovering drug smugglers and human traffickers, and the author hopes it will attract a new generation of readers.

Publicist Deborah Goodman said: “I do think Robert has a magic when talking to teenagers. His passion for getting reluctant teenagers reading is inspiring and his fans are hugely loyal.”

The author, who now lives in Crouch End, will be at Muswell Hill Children’s Bookshop in Muswell Hill, for a signing at 11am on Saturday, September 3.