HC to publish another Michael Crichton

HarperCollins is to publish a new book from the late Michael Crichton titled Dragon Teeth in May 2017. 

Harper publisher Jonathan Burnham and executive editor Jennifer Barth acquired world English rights to Dragon Teeth from CrichtonSun's Sherri Crichton through Sloan Harris and Jennifer Joel of ICM Partners and Michael S. Sherman of Reed Smith LLP. 

HarperCollins has published two other posthumous novels by Crichton: Pirate Latitudes in 2010 and Micro in 2012.

Dragon Teeth follows the notorious rivalry between real-life paleontologists Edward Drinker Cope and Othniel Charles Marsh during a time of intense fossil speculation and discovery in the American West in 1878. The story unfolds through the adventures of a young fictional character named William Johnson who is apprenticed first to one, then to the other and not only makes discoveries of historic proportion, but transforms into an inspiring hero only Crichton could have imagined. Known for his meticulous research, Crichton uses Marsh and Copes' heated competition during the 'Bone Wars,' the golden age of American fossil hunting, as the basis for a "thrilling" story set in the wilds of the American West.

Sherri Crichton, the author's widow, has created the Michael Crichton Archives through her company CrichtonSun. She said: "When I came across the Dragon Teeth manuscript in the files, I was immediately captivated. It has Michael's voice, his love of history, research and science all dynamically woven into an epic tale. Dragon Teeth was clearly a very important book for Michael. I'm so pleased to continue the long relationship that he shared with HarperCollins with its publication."

Burnham said, "Harper is thrilled to announce the publication of Dragon Teeth. This is pure Crichton, the work of an exuberant imagination operating at full blast, taking readers on a ride into a world of wild adventure, with a plot full of exciting twists and turns, and a host of memorable characters. It harkens back to some of the great historical novels that Michael wrote – such as The Great Train Robbery (Arrow) – but it also looks forward to Crichton fiction that explored more futuristic scenarios. Crichton's many admirers and fans are going to be very happy."

Crichton, who died in 2008, was a writer and filmmaker, best known as the author and creator of Jurassic Park (Arrow) and "ER".

The book will be published in May 2017 in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and India.