A BATTLE of the books has broken out over the Dr Harold Shipman murders.

Addicted To Murder, by award-winning Manchester Evening News reporter Mikaela Sitford, was first to hit the bookshelves, quickly followed by Prescription For Murder, by Brian Whittle and his former Sun colleague Jean Ritchie.

The MEN said it sold 600 copies of Sitford’s book by direct mail in the first three days. Waterstones in Manchester sold 150 – double the number for the latest John Grisham novel.

Both authors claim unparalleled access to Shipman’s friends and family.

Virgin has printed 20,000 copies of the 250-page Addicted to Murder, for which MEN reporter Steve Panter supplied additional material.

Brian Whittle, founder of Manchester-based Cavendish Press agency, spent 18 months researching the book. Publisher Warner has printed 60,000 copies.

Both books cost £5.99.

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