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A month after the death of bestselling author Wilbur Smith, Zaffre has shared the details of his 50th title, Storm Tide, part of an unpublished "treasure trove" of novels and story outlines.
Scheduled for 14th April 2022, it will be published in the same month in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and shortly afterwards in the US and Canada.
The sequel to Ghost Fire, published by Zaffre in September 2019, it is in the Birds of Prey sequence of the Courtney family series and is the latest in a 10 book-deal with Zaffre that was announced last December.
Its announcement comes almost a month after the 88-year-old author died at home with his wife Niso by his side. “As he had always hoped, Wilbur Smith was writing until the very day he died," Zaffre said. "His prolific output was supported in later years by co-authors, to ensure the adventures he had planned out could be realised. He leaves behind a treasure-trove of novels, as well as completed and yet to be published co-authored books and outlines for future stories, which we look forward to sharing with fans for years to come.”
The Bonnier Books UK imprint added: “Wilbur was particularly excited by this new Courtney adventure, and it is fitting that this posthumous publication marks the milestone of 50 books published. Fans and readers have a treat in store."
Its synopsis states: "1774. Rob Courtney has spent his whole life in a quiet trading outpost on the east coast of Africa, dreaming of a life of adventure at sea. When his grandfather Jim dies, Rob takes his chance and stows away on a ship as it sails to England, with only the family heirloom, the Neptune Sword, to his name. Arriving in London, Rob is seduced by the charms of the big city and soon finds himself desperate and penniless. That is until the navy comes calling. Rob is sent across the Atlantic on a ship to join the war against the rebellious American colonists. But on the other side of the Atlantic, unbeknownst to Rob, his distant cousins Cal and Aidan Courtney are leading a campaign against the British. Their one desire is American independence, and they are determined to drive the British out of America—by whatever means necessary."
Kate Parkin, m.d. of adult trade publishing, said: “With page-turning action, spectacular set-piece scenes and the tension of a country on the brink of revolution at its heart, Storm Tide sees Wilbur Smith writing at the very height of his powers."
Niso Smith said: “Wilbur worked without much rest over the past 10 years as he was very eager to share his characters’ activities in his fictional universe. He researched endlessly and made notes, outline after outline, so his imagination and his characters’ lives could be carried on for many years to come. Storm Tide is the first of numerous titles he crafted and finished before he passed. I hope readers enjoy it as much as he enjoyed working on it."
Further details of all future publications and upcoming events celebrating the life and works of Wilbur Smith will be shared through the official Wilbur Smith Readers’ Club and social channels.
Bonnier Books UK first signed Smith in an eight-figure deal back in 2016, described by then c.e.o. Richard Johnson as "one of the biggest in publishing history".