Dear Burning Questions,
I am a big Catherine Coulter fan. Will there be more books in the FBI series? Hope there will be more in the Legacy series, too!

Frances
Phoenix, Arizona

The clock is ticking for Coulter's latest, Eleventh Hour (Putnam). In June, the husband and wife FBI team of Lacy Sherlock and Dillon Savich will flash some badges and interrogate some witnesses to find out who murdered a fellow agent's twin brother before time runs out. As usual, Coulter delivers a fast-paced thriller packed with surprises.

Mmmm, mmm, good

Dear Burning Questions,
I am sending this to request an update on my favorite mystery writer with the culinary delights within her book -- no other than Diane Mott Davidson. I have been waiting and waiting for a new book, but no such luck. Is she working on a new book? So many have tried to copy her style, but they, for me, are not the same. Thanks.

Judy Miller
Terre Haute, Indiana

She's unparalleled when it comes to whipping up mysteries with a culinary twist. We are, of course, referring to Diane Mott Davidson who this June serves up Chopping Spree (Bantam). Goldy, aka sleuthing chef extraordinaire, gets all fired up when she has to cater a fancy event for a bunch of uppity shoppers. (Do try this at home: the new novel includes 10 new recipes for the culinarily inclined.)

Born on the bayou

Dear Burning Questions,
Does James Lee Burke have any plans to return to the Louisiana bayou of New Iberia in the near future?

Gary Brock
Gallatin, Tennessee

Get on down south because this June Dave Robicheaux returns in James Lee Burke's Jolie Blon's Bounce (Simon & Schuster). This time out Robicheaux encounters various sleazy types while defending a sorry sort of guy against an unjust murder charge.

No need to wonder

Dear Burning Questions,
Does Barbara Kingsolver have a new book coming our anytime soon?

via e-mail

If you've read The Poisonwood Bible for the third time and are wanting something more, you're in luck. This month HarperCollins is publishing Small Wonder, a collection of 22 essays in which Kingsolver contemplates such subjects as the Grand Canyon, her vegetable garden, motherhood, adolescence, genetic engineering, TV watching, the history of civil rights and the future of our country. The book is billed as "an extended love song" to a world darkened by the events of Sept. 11.

Shedding some light

Dear Burning Questions,
What's happened to Barbara Erskine (Lady of Hay)? Thanks.

Miriam
via e-mail

What the hay, you ask? This British author has won many faithful fans with stories that blend reincarnation, out-of-body experiences, past-live regressions and undying passion. Our sources tell us Erskine has a new book titled Hidden from the Light due for release in October. When we find out more info -- plot, setting, etc. -- we promise we won't keep you in the dark.

One hot question

Dear Burning Questions,
I know you are probably swamped with requests, but this is the second time I am requesting info on Joseph Wambaugh's supposed new book.

via e-mail

We'll reward your patience with the news that Joseph Wambaugh is ending a six-year hiatus from writing books with the publication of Fire Lover, due in May from William Morrow. It's the chilling true story of John Orr -- a Southern California fire captain and arson investigator who turned out to be a serial arsonist himself.

Wambaugh served on the LAPD for 10 years before writing his first highly acclaimed police novel, The New Centurions, in 1971. He went on to write The Onion Field, a nonfiction account of the brutal murder of an LA cop, and 13 other works of fiction and nonfiction.

The sexes battle it out -- again

Dear Burning Questions,
Animal Husbandry was so clever and funny. The perfect read post-breakup! What is Laura Zigman working on now?

Carrie Smith
Memphis, Tennessee

Zigman's latest novel, Her, makes its debut in May from Knopf. Zigman again explores contemporary romance with the story of a couple whose impending nuptials are disrupted by the groom's beautiful ex-fiancee. Can anyone say cat fight?