Newest '50 Shades' book stolen ahead of publication

LONDON, June 11 (UPI) -- A copy of E.L. James' upcoming book Grey has been stolen ahead of its publication.

According to BBC News, Random House discovered a copy of the fan-demanded novel had gone missing Monday. An investigation by Kent Police has begun in order to retrieve the book.

Not many details have been released concerning the context of the alleged theft. "We have no comment to make due to an ongoing police investigation," a Random House spokesman told the outlet.

Another representative confirmed with Entertainment Tonight that a crime had been committed: "We can confirm that the Kent police are investigating the theft of a finished copy of E.L. James' new book Grey," they said.

Publishers fear that the stolen manuscript may be leaked or sold to the media prior to its official release.

A spokesman from Kent Police told BBC that officers have started "making inquiries after receiving a report that a book had been stolen on 8 June."

Grey, James' newest book connected to the 50 Shades series, tells the story of its first installment, 50 Shades of Grey, from the male protagonist's point of view. The book will be publicly available June 18.