A mother and son will make publishing history next week when both launch books on the same day.

Oxford-based American novelist Joan Brady's first thriller, Bleedout, and her son Alexander Masters' first book, Stuart -- A Life Backwards, will both arrive in shops on Monday, April 4.

The books have been produced by separate publishers and Ms Brady, 65, who won the Whitbread Prize in 1993 for her novel Theory Of War, said the joint publication date was pure coincidence.

"It is the most extraordinary coincidence and something both publishers say they would rather had not happened," said Ms Brady, who is the widow of American writer Dexter Masters.

"I can't imagine it has happened before, and both are firsts. It is Alexander's first book and my first thriller.

"Fortunately the launch parties are on different days so we can each go to the other's party."

Bleedout, published by Simon & Schuster, unravels the mystery behind a murder in a law firm library.

Stuart -- A Life Backwards, published by Fourth Estate, is a biography of a homeless man Mr Masters, 39, came across on the streets of Cambridge, where he lives. It has already won rave reviews.

The Guardian described the book as extraordinary. It tells the story of Stuart Shorter, who was born in Fen Ditton, near Cambridge, and died three years ago aged 33.

Ms Brady added: "I think Alexander's book is brilliant. If there is any right in the world it deserves to succeed."