New Fifty Shades novel stolen ahead of release date

EL James’s publisher has said that it will not rush to release her latest novel despite fears pirated versions could appear after a copy of her new sado-masochistic tale was stolen.

The book, titled Grey, is a reworking of the original Fifty Shades Of Grey novel, which was a worldwide bestseller and inspired a hit film and a surge of erotic novels.

James has rewritten the book, about an affair between the mysterious tycoon Christian Grey and the young graduate Anastasia Steele, from the point of view of its title character.

Publisher statement

A spokeswoman for Penguin Random House said: "Grey will be published on June 18th - Christian Grey's birthday - as planned. We can confirm that the Kent police are investigating the theft of a finished copy of EL James's new book Grey. We will not be issuing any further statement."

Jamie Dornan played Mr Grey and Dakota Johnson played Ms Steele in the film version of the story.

James said she wrote the book due to huge demand from fans. On the opening page, she says it is “dedicated to those readers who asked . . . and asked . . . and asked . . . and asked for this”.

The Fifty Shades trilogy - Fifty Shades Of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed - has sold more than 125 million copies around the world.

PA