Sherry Jones book put on hold

The publication in Britain of Sherry Jones's (pictured) controversial novel, The Jewel of Medina, has been put on permanent hold following the firebomb attack on the offices of it publisher Gibson Square Books last week. Alan Jessop, the managing director of Compass, the external sales team for Gibson Square, says the book, which is a fictionalised account of the prophet Mohammed's child bride Aisha, and includes an account of the consummation of their marriage, is now in "suspended animation" after the attack, which also resulted in Gibson's owner Martin Rynja going into hiding.

Of Rynja, Jessop said: "He is in good spirits, but he is reflecting and taking advice on what the best way forward is. Everyone is going to have to be patient. This requires some careful thinking."

The historical novel was due out in Britain on October 15. Its American publisher, Beaufort Books, is more bullish. It said it will, as planned, publish the book on that day. Meanwhile, Gibson Square's London office remains closed. Jessop says Rynja will be talking to security forces, whose intelligence alerted them to the attack before it took place.