The cover for Harper Lee 's new novel will surely remind you of the cover for her old one . On Wednesday , HarperCollins unveiled the jacket art for Lee 's Go Set a Watchman , the unexpected follow-up to her classic To Kill a Mockingbird . The new cover , like the one for 1960 's To Kill a Mockingbird , is a moody illustration featuring an oak tree in front . The art for Go Set a Watchman also shows train tracks and a train in the distance . In a statement released by HarperCollins , company President Michael Morrison noted that Go Set a Watchman begins with Mockingbird protagonist Scout Finch returning by train 20 years later , in the 1950s , to her native Alabama . Revealed : Publisher Harper Collins have released the official cover for Go Set a Watchman , set to be released July 14 ( US jacket pictured left ) . It is the first novel from Pulitzer Prize-winner author Harper Lee since To Kill A Mockingbird in 1960 . HarperCollins has announced a first printing of two million copies and a July 14 publication date . However the release of the book has been mired with controversy since the publisher confirmed it in February . The announcement came just three months after the death of Lee 's older sister , lawyer and gatekeeper , Alice Lee . Harper and Alice Lee lived together at a nursing home in Monroeville , Alabama . Alice was 103 when she died on November 17 . Lee once described her sister Alice as 'Atticus in a skirt ' , referring to her beloved Mockingbird character Atticus Finch , which is believed to have originally been inspired by the women 's father . Lee retreated into an intensely private life following the fame that To Kill A Mockingbird garnered her and repeatedly refused to publish another novel , maintaining her stance for over 50 years . Some in Monroeville subsequently question whether the 88-year-old was capable of now consenting to the second novel 's publication . A longtime friend came forward claiming Lee is mostly deaf , blind and in poor health . Others questioned whether her mental health was sound enough to make such a decision . However , after launching an investigation , Alabama Securities Commission Director Joseph Borg said earlier this month his agency reviewed the matter at the Department of Human Resources ' request , and that Lee answered questions to an investigator 's satisfaction . They have since closed the case . Sameness : The cover for Lee 's second book is much like her first , 1960 's Pulitzer prize-winning piece To Kill A Mockingbird . Pictured right is the UK jacket of the upcoming book . A high-ranking state official said DHR opened its investigation after the second novel 's announcement . The status of the DHR investigation was unclear . The official was n't authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity . The New York Times reported that investigators interviewed staff at The Meadows assisted living facility where Lee resides , as well as friends and acquaintances . A doctor who asked to remain anonymous said he had filed a complaint after knowing Lee for two years and believing her infirm . Investigation : Earlier this month , staff at The Meadows assisted living facility where Lee resides in Monroeville , Alabama , were interviewed to see if see was compos mentis . He said he had been told she was mostly incapable of communication . Such investigations can involve law enforcement if financial exploitation can be shown . One person speaking to The Times anonymously said Lee seemed to understand the investigators and give clear responses . People have argued for several different pictures of Lee : funny , depressed , witty , confused , or even varying from day to day . She reportedly had a stroke in 2007 , resulting in health and vision problems . 'It 's a call only God or a doctor can make , ' attorney Philip Sanchez , who was a pallbearer for older sister Alice 's funeral , told the Times . ' I am more concerned that Nelle is content than the discussion of her cognizance . ' Accounts of Lee 's mental and physical state have been contradictory over the last few years , but intensified recently after HarperCollins announced her second book , Go Set a Watchman . A friend of Lee , Wayne Flynt , said he visited her recently and found her mentally cogent . But he agreed she had some health issues , telling him ' I 'm not so sure anymore ' , in response to a congratulations on the new book . Lee has only given statements about the novel through her attorney , Tonja B. Carter . Carter handled the book deal and declined to respond to interview requests . Lee wrote the book , Go Set A Watchman , in the 1950s . It was first submitted to publishers before To Kill A Mockingbird and is considered her earliest work . The manuscript was presumed lost , according to reports , but was found last year . It centers around Mockingbird 's protagonist , Scout , returning to Maycomb after 20 years .
Go Set a Watchman will be released July 14 . It is a followup to the 1960 classic To Kill A Mockingbird . The film stars Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, an attorney who defends black teenager Scout Finch from white supremecy in Alabama during the Jim Crow era. She suffered a stroke in 2007 , impairing her mental health and vision . Publisher HaperCollins announced the book in February , three months after the death of Lee 's sister , lawyer and gatekeeper , Alice Lee . Alabama Securities Commission launched a case into alleged elder abuse . Investigators say Lee answered their questions satisfactorily . Go Set A Watchman was written before Mockingbird in the 1950s . The manuscript was presumed lost but turned up last year .