Peter James' DEAD MAN'S TIME is released with an interactive cover, allowing readers access to extra content.

The cover of DEAD MAN'S TIME can be scanned using the Blippar smartphone app, turning the cover image into an animation. On James' title it leads on to an exclusive interview with the author discussing the Brighton underworld that forms the background to his books.

The Blippar app is available for free on both iOS and Android platforms. Other brands which have used the technology include Tesco, Nike, Sony and Cadbury.

Pan Macmillan digital and communications director Sara Lloyd said the move would aid discoverability. 'Working with Blippar has allowed us to give our readers not only a fun and engaging experience, but also quick and easy access to the wealth of extra content that surrounds our books.'

Peter James said: 'I love that my readers can now dive into the Brighton underworld and access exciting material about the city and my research, simply by scanning the book. Blippar really brings my books to life for the reader.'

This is not the first time a Peter James book has embraced innovative technology. When Penguin published his novel HOST in paperback in 1994, they also issued it on 2 floppy discs -- a forerunner of the electronic book!

Praise for the Roy Grace series:

'Peter James is one of the best crime writers in the business.' -- Karin Slaughter

'The rapid-fire suspense builds to a terrifying, graphic conclusion that leaves tantalizing room for future instalments in the series.' -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

'What makes his books better than other people's books I think is that the ordinary people in these books react in the way they would react. They have absolute emotional credibility.' -- Jeff Park, 'Front Row' BBC Radio

'Exceptional, knock-your-socks-off.' -- Washington Post