When E.L. James announced the new "Fifty Shades of Grey book," titled "Grey," earlier this month, fans could not contain their excitement. However, it seems that someone is too eager to get their hands on the book. The Independent reports that the manuscript for the upcoming novel, which is told through the point of view of billionaire Christian Grey, has been stolen a week prior to its release date.

With the sudden disappearance of "Grey" manuscript, it is feared that the book might suffer the fate other anticipated books. In 2007, the last installment of the J.K. Rowling Potter series "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" was leaked online prior to its release date, and bloggers were able  to list the names of the characters who are to die in the novel. The same thing happened to the "Twilight' spinoff in 2008, when author Stephenie Meyer's ongoing draft of "Midnight Sun", a fresh take on the saga told through vampire Edward Cullen's point of view, was stolen and leaked online. Distressed by the the untimely release of the unfinished novel, Meyer decided to abandon the project, The Guardian reports. Publishers fear that the thieves may be sold in the black market.

The book's publisher, Penguin Random House, told The Daily Mail that the police is already on the case. "We can confirm that the Kent police are investigating the theft of a finished copy of EL James's new book "Grey". We will not be issuing any further statement."

However, some speculate that the sudden disappearance of the manuscript one week before it hits bookstores on June 18 -- on Grey's birthday, could just be a publicity stunt done by the publisher to boost the book's sales. The publisher also declined to comment further on the issue because of the ongoing investigation on the incident.

Last June 1, "Fifty Shades" author E.L. James took to social media to announce the release of "Grey" due to insistent requests from fans. The novel will focus on the BDSM-loving billionaire's troubled past. Just a day after its announcement, "Grey" had quickly became an online bestseller in Amazon and other book retailers pre-order lists, and Penguin Random House assured that the release of the novel on June 18 will push through, "as planned".

After the release of "Grey", the next in the "Fifty Shades" saga will be the the release of the movie adaptation of "Fifty Shades Darker", the second book in the erotic trilogy. Actor Jamie Dornan will reprise his role as Christian Grey.