Robert Harris releases new book

Best selling Kintbury author to talk about latest novel at Newbury Library later this month

AS shockwaves continue to reverberate around the world's financial markets,Kintbury author Robert Harris' new novel could not be more topical.

The Fear Index, based in the brutal world of high finance, is described as a chilling contemporary thriller and involves a scientist who invents a super computer to trade on world financial markets and which feeds on fear.

The invention of the computerised machine with its own ‘brain' has led to the book being described in the media as a modern day Frankenstein; a label that Mr Harris admitted contained an element of truth. “Yes, it does have echoes of Frankenstein,” he said.

As you would expect, the best-selling author of seven other novels, is a busy man.

He has already secured a contract with 20th Century Fox to write a screenplay of The Fear Index and will also soon start writing Dictator, the third part of his trilogy set in Ancient Rome.

“I'm hoping to get this out next year, so I'm pretty busy,” he said.

Despite his hectic schedule, he has still found time to put in an appearance at Newbury library on Wednesday, October 26, at 7pm, to talk about his latest work.

“It's always great to go and talk there,” he said.

A man who has shifted many millions of books worldwide, he is also well placed to comment on what is being described as the latest threat to the printed word – the Kindle.

The rise in popularity of the lightweight e-reader which can store hundreds of books was, he said, unlikely to have a great affect on the publishing trade, or cause the ‘death' of books.

He described the electronic gadgets as useful tools if going on holiday but said they were unlikely to replace hardbacks and paperbacks.

“People like to possess books and share them with friends,” he said.

A limited number of free tickets are available for the author's library appearance on October 26. Email newburylibrary.gov.uk or telephone (01635) 519900.