Michael Crichton will be releasing two books from beyond the grave!

One of them, coming out this November, is a thoroughly researched adventure book called Pirate Latitudes, a 17th century story about "a pirate named Hunter and the governor of Jamaica, and their plan to raid a Spanish treasure galleon."

He had apparently written the book while working on his last published piece, Next.

Next, which "explored the ethical dilemmas posed by the expanding field of genetics," was written under a 2 book contract with HarperCollins. Crichton was a third of the way done with the second book when he passed away in November. The publishers are planning on working with Crichton's agent and his estate to select a co-writer to complete the novel from Crichton's notes and outlines.

Publishers are quick to reassure that they are not attempting to create a posthumous franchise out of Crichton's name, as publishers have done with some other writers.

Jonathan Burnham of HarperCollins said, "We’re not taking a name brand and spinning books out of it."

[Image via WENN.]