In an unprecedented literary collaboration, a posthumous novel from the iconic Michael Crichton, finished by prolific author James Patterson, is set to captivate audiences. Titled “Eruption,” this thriller, slated for release on June 3 by Little, Brown and Company, explores a catastrophic scenario where Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano erupts, endangering a hidden cache of potentially world-destroying chemical weapons.
The project originated from a manuscript Crichton left unfinished, later entrusted to Patterson by Crichton’s widow, Sherri, CEO of CrichtonSun. Anticipation for the book is astronomical, given the authors’ collective book sales surpassing 675 million, prompting expectations of a major screen adaptation auction in the coming year.
This novel marks a significant moment in publishing, likened to a Spielberg-Lucas caliber collaboration, resonating with the impact of Crichton’s past Hawaii-set thriller, “Jurassic Park.” Patterson expresses profound honor in being chosen to finalize Crichton’s visionary work, noting its timely relevance.
The endeavor is part of an expansive initiative by CrichtonSun and The Story Factory to revitalize Michael Crichton’s legacy, including revealing works he had been discretely developing. The screen rights are expected to ignite a fierce bidding war, reflecting the monumental nature of this collaboration.