Amazon blames muggles for Harry Potter mixup

LONDON - Amazon UK has apologised after it sent an erroneous email to fans who had pre-ordered the next Harry Potter book, and hinted that Harry's nemesis Lord Voldemort might have been to blame.

The email said that "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" would not be immediately available from Amazon's supplier, and suggested that readers search for the book elsewhere.

"We assure you that howlers have been sent to the muggles responsible for this action and we are investigating the possibility that You-Know-Who may have been involved," the company said in a subsequent apology email to customers.

The book will be delivered as promised on July 16 to the more than 100,000 UK fans who have pre-ordered it, Amazon UK said. "The Half-Blood Prince", published in Britain by Bloomsbury, is Amazon.co.uk's second-best seller five months before its release.

- REUTERS