James Patterson's next thriller will self-destruct in 3...2...1 (literally)

You have 24 hours to read this book.

No, really.

That is the innovative concept around the release of bestselling author James Patterson's forthcoming novel "Private Vegas."

Patterson, with whom TheBlaze Books has spoken in the past, will be delivering a free advance e-version of "Private Vegas" to 1,000 lucky iPad-owning readers over a 5 day period that begins today, January 21. The randomly selected readers will have 24 hours to complete the book "before it disappears in a cinematic and spectacular way."

Further:

Once the 1,000 randomly selected readers unlock their free copy of PRIVATE VEGAS, onlookers from around the world will be able to track participants’ progress in real time and have the ability to "steal time" from the readers on SelfDestructingBook.com.

If you are more of a high roller, for $294,038 you can purchase the book "along with a private trip to an undisclosed luxury location, a 5 course dinner with Patterson, and a SWAT team for book handling."

Check out the full press release below, and you can find out how to get your hands on a free copy here:

(New York, NY) January 21, 2015 -­ The world’s #1 best­selling author James Patterson has teamed up with creative agency Mother New York to deliver the world’s first self­-destructing book, PRIVATE VEGAS. For a cool $294,038 one lucky reader will be able to purchase the book along with a private trip to an undisclosed luxury location, a 5 course dinner with Patterson, and a SWAT team for book handling. In an alternative, free version released through a web­app, 1,000 readers in the U.S. will have 24 hours to race to the end of the book before it disappears in a cinematic and spectacular way.

"I’ve been in the business of thrilling people for almost 40 years," says Patterson. “So much has changed and I want to make sure I keep my readers on the edge of their seats. Faced with imminent destruction, the act of reading against a clock allows fans to become a character in their own thriller."

Once the 1,000 randomly selected readers unlock their free copy of PRIVATE VEGAS, onlookers from around the world will be able to track participants’ progress in real time and have the ability to "steal time" from the readers on SelfDestructingBook.com. Designed to bring the thrill of reading James Patterson’s book to unprecedented heights, Patterson and Mother New York’s groundbreaking approach is a first for the publishing industry.

"For this launch, we aimed to create the most thrilling reading experience ever. One that takes the suspense of Patterson’s new novel to a crazy, new level,” says Mother New York Creative Director, Paul Malmstrom. "We’re giving Patterson’s avid fan base multiple ways to engage with this mind­ blowing release, including a spectacular $294,038 experience, 1,000 free and self­-destructing digital copies of the book and support of a full­ on TV and social media campaign."

The PRIVATE VEGAS experience begins January 21st, 12pm ET on SelfDestructingBook.com. The hardcover book will be available for purchase on January 26th. See the video here.

 

Note: The link to the book in this post will give you an option to elect to donate a percentage of the proceeds from the sale to a charity of your choice. Mercury One, the charity founded by TheBlaze’s Glenn Beck, is one of the options. Donations to Mercury One go towards efforts such as disaster relief, support for education, support for Israel and support for veterans and our military. You can read more about Amazon Smile and Mercury One here.

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