James Patterson worked for an unknown period of time in a novel called “The Murder of Stephen King” where, in a fictional environment, twisted fans of the writer hunted him to execute all the horrors he published in his novels. However, Patterson announced the cancellation of the publication of the book to avoid King’s family any discomfort.
Rumours said that in the book the idol apparently ended with a gunshot in the head. However, Patterson -in a spoiler alert- stated that the main character was never meant to die. The story offered “all of Stephen King’s greatest villains, rolled into one” and was supposed to be published in November this year.
About “The murder of Stephen King.”
Stephen King is facing a nightmare. A stalker is re-enacting the horrors from his novels. And he won’t stop until he kills the master of suspense himself – unless King puts him out of his Misery first,” said Patterson when asked about the novel, that allegedly would be no more than 150 pages.
Stephen King, on the other hand, did not participate in any way in the creative process of the story and is not affiliated with the book at all. Even when Patterson considers himself a huge fan of King’s work, he did not try to involve him in the creation of the novel. Patterson initially thought that the book would represent a tribute to the thriller author but eventually considered that the story might result offensive to the Stephen King or his family.
Who is James Patterson?
Patterson, the American author, is known for the Alex Cross series among other novels such as Women’s Murder Club, Maximum Ride, Daniel X, and Witch and Wizards.
He was featured in Forbes as one of the most successful authors in the country, earning about $95 million each year. He was also featured in the Guinness World Record selling more than 1 million e-books. Some of his books were made into TV shows and Films in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Even when James Patterson has been a recognized figure in the literature scene, Stephen King does not know him personally. However, King once said in a 2009 feature at US Weekend that he considered Patterson, a terrible writer with huge success.
The complicated background
Patterson eventually found out that Stephen King has been a victim of some dangerous fans in the past and twisted readers have disrupted King’s property before, so the topic in the novel is something linked to real-life and traumatic experiences King’s families have been through.
Although both Patterson and the publisher stated that the book was a positive portrayal of a fictional character, neither wanted “to cause Stephen King or his family any discomfort. Out of respect for them, I have decided not to publish The Murder of Stephen King,” said Patterson recently.
What will replace it?
To avoid letting down readers, Patterson and his publisher decided to publish a different novel called “Taking the Titanic,” which is a story part of a series co-authored with Derek Nikitas. In this book, the plot is mostly around two thieves who are trying to rob the Titanic passengers.
Derek Nikitas, on the other hand, is known for Pyres and The Long Division, both fiction books that made him receive a nomination for the Edgar Award.
Source: The Guardian