James Patterson completes late author Crichton's novel

James Patterson has co-authored a standalone novel with the late author and film-maker Michael Crichton, Eruption, 15 years after Crichton’s death. The book is based on Crichton’s unfinished “passion project” which his wife discovered after his death and asked Patterson to complete.

Venetia Butterfield, Cornerstone m.d., acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada. CrichtonSun was represented by Shane Salerno of The Story Factory, and Patterson was represented by Robert Barnett and Deneen Howell of Williams & Connolly. Little, Brown will publish in North America. 

The novel will be published simultaneously in hardback, e-book, and audiobook on 6th June 2024. 

Century said: “Crichton had finished his research and begun writing the novel, before his death in 2008. Despite rarely speaking of his work, even to family or close friends, he frequently referred to what his widow, Sherri Crichton, calls his ‘passion project’. Sherri came across the unfinished manuscript in her husband’s archive, after he passed away.  

“For years, she considered possible collaborators to complete the novel, but couldn’t find the right writer – until she met James Patterson. Sherri collated Michael’s many research notes, and invited James to complete the manuscript."

Patterson said: “I am a huge Michael Crichton fan, so I leapt at the opportunity to complete the novel he started, Eruption. The concept is outstanding – a volcano is about to destroy the island of Hawaii. But. Something even worse, much worse, will also happen to the island. How could I resist that premise? Well, obviously I didn’t.” 

Eruption tells the story of a history-making volcanic eruption that is about to destroy the big island. But a secret held for decades by the military is more terrifying than the volcano. 
The novel follows Patterson’s high-profile collaborations with Dolly Parton and former US President Bill Clinton.