Thomas Harris to release a standalone novel in May 2019

The decade-long drought from Thomas Harris is almost over.

Harris, who created the famous cannibal Hannibal Lecter, will release a standalone novel on May 21, 2019, according to publisher William Heinemann.

This new work will be his first non-Lecter-related book since his 1975 debut novel, Black Sunday.

It also comes after a lengthy buildup: In 2004, Harris signed a reported eight-figure deal for two books, only one of which has emerged so far (2006’s Hannibal Rising).

Read more about the book (and, to a lesser extent, the publicity-averse Harris) in The Guardian.