"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" is the fourth book in the "Harry Potter" series. The first, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", was published by Bloomsbury on 26 June 1997. The second, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets", was published on 2 July 1998. The third, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban", followed on 8 July 1999. "Goblet of Fire" is almost twice the size of the first three books (the paperback edition was 636 pages). Rowling stated that she "knew from the beginning it would be the biggest of the first four." She said there needed to be a "proper run-up" for the conclusion and rushing the "complex plot" could confuse readers. She also stated that "everything is on a bigger scale," which was symbolic, as Harry's horizons widened both literally and metaphorically as he grew up. She also wanted to explore more of the magical world.