Ahead of release, new 'Fifty Shades of Grey' book 'stolen'

Grey, author EL James' upcoming spin-off to her popular erotic-romance novel Fifty Shades of Grey, appears to have been stolen, eight days before it hits the book shelves.

Police have launched an investigation amid fears that the work could be sold on the black market. Some are now concerned that excerpts from the highly anticipated erotic novel will be released to the highest bidder, reported E! Online.

CPI books, who is printing the Fifty Shades of Grey companion novel, did not seem too concerned about the investigation. "I doubt it is gone missing from one of our printworks seeing as I haven't heard about it," CPI said.

The new novel is strictly written from Christian's point of view. According to the author, this book is dedicated to the readers who have begged for more of his thoughts.

The original books in James's erotic trilogy have sold more than 125 million copies worldwide. The first film from the franchise made a whopping US $570 million worldwide.