Go to James Patterson home JAMES PATTERSON
Go to James Patterson home JAMES PATTERSON

Search

Eruption Timeline

MICHAEL CRICHTON’S AND JAMES PATTERSON’S ERUPTION
The Story Behind the Story

“Every page of this novel features the best gifts of two writing giants. Full of suspense, frighteningly real and absolutely unforgettable.” —Don Winslow, #1 internationally bestselling author of The Cartel and City on Fire

Michael Crichton’s and James Patterson’s ERUPTION, now in paperback, is a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration between two of the greatest thriller writers of all time. Get the full story behind how the book came together below.

“The once-in-a-lifetime combination of Michael Crichton and James Patterson results in one of the most entertaining novels I’ve read in years. You will be absolutely riveted as you turn every page.” —Adrian McKinty, #1 internationally bestselling author of The Chain

As early as 1980, Michael Crichton creator of Jurassic Park and a lifelong Hawaii enthusiast begins work on a manuscript that will become the novel Eruption.
Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on Earth erupts on Hawaii's main island in 1984.
Michael Crichton publishes Jurassic Park set on a volcanic island in the pacific in 1990.
Michael Crichton visits Hawaii many times over the years for further on site research. Crichton will leave behind hours of video footage including interviews with a volcanologists.
Michael Crichton passes away tragically in 2008, leaving behind a partial manuscript plus volumes of research. interviews and outlines.
Knowing how important Hawaii and Eruption were to her late husband, Sherri Crichton begins an intensive research project, searching Michael's many hard drives and papers, finding all relevant material.
Sherri Crichton begins looking for the right partner to finish the project. Hawaii was always special to her and Michael, so she proceeds cautiously. The search will take years.
In 2021, Sherri Crichton brings the unfinished work to James Patterson, the most successful thriller writer in the world. Patterson agrees to complete the novel, especially because as he says, "I wanted to know the ending!".
Working with Michael Crichton's unfinished manuscript and extensive background materials, James Patterson creates an extended outline of the book, which he and Sherri Crichton begin to revise together.
Mauna Loa erupts again in 2022.
Sherri Crichton announces the project in 2023, shares a letter about how it came together and how important it was to her late husband, Michael.
On June 3rd, 2024 Michael Crichton and James Patterson's Eruption a genius collaboration more than40 years in the making is released everywhere around the world.