Dolly Parton: singer and James Patterson co-write new book Run, Rose, Run - plot and new album explained

Country music icon Dolly Parton has teamed up with best-selling author James Patterson to release her first book Run, Rose, Run - and a companion album of the same name.

This isn’t the first time that Patterson, who has written books like the Alex Cross, Michael Bennett and Women’s Murder Club series, has collaborated with a famous name - in the past he has co-written two books with former US President Bill Clinton.

This is everything you need to know.

What’s the book about?

Run, Rose, Run is a thriller that tells the story of a young woman who moves to Nashville to pursue a career in music - if that sounds familiar, it’s because the fictional novel draws on some of Parton’s own life experiences navigating the music industry.

Appearing on CBS Sunday Morning, Parton said: “[Run, Rose, Run] shows a lot of the dark side of [the music industry], the people who have been in it, like me, you know what, cause you’ve lived it.

“The managers, people who will try to rip you off, try to steal your songs, they’ll con you… I have seen it all.”

The synopsis for the book reads: “From America’s most beloved superstar and its greatest storyteller - a thriller about a young singer-songwriter on the rise and on the run, and determined to do whatever it takes to survive.

“Every song tells a story.

“She’s a star on the rise, singing about the hard life behind her.

“She’s also on the run. Find a future, lose a past.

“Nashville is where she’s come to claim her destiny. It’s also where the darkness she’s fled might find her. And destroy her.

“Run, Rose, Run is a novel glittering with danger and desire - a story that only America’s #1 beloved entertainer and its #1 bestselling author could have created.”

Run, Rose, Run was published by Century on 7 March, and is now available to buy from stores including Bookshop.org, Waterstones and Blackwells.

Is there also an album?

Alongside Run, Rose, Run, Parton has released a companion album of the same name, with 12 new songs. Lyrics from the new album feature throughout the novel.

Parton has also released the single Woman Up (And Take It Like A Man) and lyric video for the song, which is described as a “fiery, inspirational track about not giving up and taking your place at the table when others doubt you”.

Speaking of Woman Up (And Take It Like A Man), Parton said: “I just think this song really suits both of the female characters in the book.

“If you’re going to be in this business you’ve got to toughen up! You gotta “woman up and take it like a man” - be as good or better than all these men… managers, record label folks and these other characters that give them a hard time in the story.

“So, this was one song that I think is kind of like another 9 to 5. I had all female voices on that one and I think it came out really good!”

The track list for the new album goes as follows:

• Big Dreams and Faded Jeans
• Demons (ft. Ben Haggard)
• Driven
• Snakes in the Grass
• Blue Bonnet Breeze
• Women Up (And Take It Like A Man)
• Firecracker
• Secrets
• Lost and Found (ft. Joe Nichols)
• Dark Night, Bright Future
• Love or Lust (ft. Richard Dennison) 

The album is now available on all digital streaming platforms as well as available to purchase via digital download, on CD and vinyl.

Speaking of the project, Parton said: “I cannot be more excited about the release of my very first novel Run, Rose, Run with the great James Patterson.

“I also have a new album to go along with the book.

“All-new songs were written based on the characters and situations in the book.

“I hope you enjoy the book and the songs as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it all together.”

Patterson added: “It’s an honour – and a hell of a lot of fun – to work with the inimitable Dolly Parton, whom I’ve long admired for her music, her storytelling, and her enormous generosity.

“The mind-blowing thing about this project is that reading the novel is enhanced by listening to the album and vice versa.

“It’s a really unique experience that I know readers, and listeners, will love.”

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