Was Harper Lee Pressured into Releasing Her New Book?
The state of Alabama is investigating an elder abuse claim.


For years, Harper Lee has lived as a recluse, refusing to release any followup to her famous novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. But all of a sudden, that's changed—and the reason why could be seriously dark.
The New York Times reports that Alabama authorities are looking into elder abuse claims connected with the upcoming release of Lee's much-discussed new book, Go Set a Watchman. Investigators reportedly interviewed the 88-year-old in her assisted living facility last week, and also talked to a few friends.
Lee's publicist, literary agent, and lawyer all say she's releasing the book because she wants to, not because of any outside influence. But some friends and family members say Lee's mental clarity just isn't there anymore, and she may not have known what she was agreeing to. Some hometown friends told AL.com that they think her lawyer, Tonja Carter, might not be acting in her best interest.
The author had a stroke in 2007 and has trouble seeing and hearing, but can reportedly understand people well using a special reading device. A source told the New York Times that Lee seemed capable of answering questions during the investigation, but friends told the newspaper her condition can change from day to day.
Go Set a Watchman was originally written in the 1950s, and was set aside until last year. The book is a sequel to Mockingbird, featuring Scout Finch returning to the town of Maycomb as an adult. It was originally rejected by a publisher, and Lee took the Scout character and turned it into her literary classic. The book is set to hit shelves July 14.
You should also check out:
Could This Be the Cover of Harper Lee's New Book?
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

Megan Friedman is the former managing editor of the Newsroom at Hearst. She's worked at NBC and Time, and is a graduate of Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism.
-
I Used Nordstrom’s Sale Section to Craft 7 Perfect Summer Outfits
These are formulas you can rely on.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
Your Syllabus Guide to the 'Weak Hero Class 2' Cast—Meet the Rising K-Drama Stars Playing the Students of Eunjang High
So many exciting names join Park Ji-hoon in the second season of the Netflix hit.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
Prince William and Kate Middleton "Continue to Push Boundaries"
"They definitely have a different dynamic compared to other royal couples."
By Kristin Contino
-
The Best Lisa Jewell Books, Ranked—From 'Then She Was Gone' to 'None of This Is True'
Few do page-turners quite like her.
By Nicole Briese
-
Climate Fiction So Earth-Shattering You’ll Never Forget to Recycle Again
These dystopian books imagine a future where the worst has already happened.
By Liz Doupnik
-
The 'Fourth Wing' TV Show: Everything We Know About the Series Adaptation
Rebecca Yarros's bestselling romantasy series is getting the Prime Video series treatment.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
The 20 Best True Crime Books to Read in 2025
These nonfiction titles and memoirs about serial killers and scammers are the definition of page-turners.
By Andrea Park
-
Every Ruth Ware Book, Ranked—From 'In a Dark, Dark Wood' to 'The Woman in Cabin 10'
Here's what you should read before her new thriller 'The Woman in Suite 11' hits shelves.
By Nicole Briese
-
10 Books to Read for a Killer Vacation
Pack these novels about vacations gone very wrong on your next trip.
By Liz Doupnik
-
The Melancholic Sound of Success
The artist known as Japanese Breakfast opens up about finding her sound on a new album after experiencing whirlwind success.
By Sadie Bell
-
Every Jennifer Weiner Novel, Ranked—From 'Good in Bed' to 'In Her Shoes'
All hail the queen of beach reads!
By Nicole Briese