New Fifty Shades book stolen just days before release

THE unpublished manuscript of EL Jame’s upcoming Fifty Shades novel has been stolen — and publishers are worried it could leak on the black market.

This image provided by Vintage Books shows the cover of the new book, "Grey," the fourth novel in E L James' multimillion-selling “Fifty Shades of Grey” erotic series. Told from the point of view of billionaire Christian Grey, whose explicit romance with young Anastasia Steele became an international obsession, the book is scheduled to be released June 18, 2015. (Vintage Books via AP)

THE unpublished manuscript of EL Jame’s upcoming Fifty Shades novel has been stolen.

Police launched an investigation after the book’s publisher, Random House, realised a copy of the manuscript had gone missing this week.

The publishers are worried the thief may leak the novel or sell excerpts on the black market.

Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey As Told by Christian, which was set for release next week, tells the original story from the point of view of billionaire Christian Grey.

After announcing the release of the new book last week, James said she penned the new instalment for the “thousands of readers” who had written to her wanting to know Christian’s point of view.

EL James wrote the new book for fans wanting to know Christian’s motivation.

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Originally published as New Fifty Shades book stolen just days before release