Dear Burning Questions,
A long time ago I read a wonderful short story collection by a guy named Brad Watson. It was called Last Days of the Dog-Men. Since then, I've been on the lookout for more of his books but haven't seen one. Any chance he's still writing?

Alex Richmond
Atlanta, Georgia

Brad Watson, who brought us Last Days of the Dog-Men back in '96, returns in August with The Heaven of Mercury (Norton). Watson won the Sue Kaufman Prize for First Fiction, so this, his first novel, is a much anticipated release. Continuing in the Southern Gothic vein, he introduces us to Finus Bates, who is in hot pursuit of Birdie Wells. Sounds like one heck of a southern romance in the making.

Briscoe is back

Dear Burning Questions,
Have you heard anything about Connie Briscoe's next release? I'm anxious to read something new from her. Thanks.

Cydney Rax
Houston, Texas

On September 17, Doubleday will release Briscoe's fourth novel, P.G. County. Her publicist tells us that P.G. County (the title comes from a wealthy enclave in Maryland) focuses on the lives of five women and has been called an African-American Peyton Place. Briscoe, who is deaf, worked as an editor at Gallaudet University before turning to fiction writing full time. Her best-selling debut, Sisters & Lovers, was followed by Big Girls Don't Cry and A Long Way From Home.

Not ancient history

Dear Burning Questions,
A few friends and I truly enjoy Lynda S. Robinson's Lord Meren, Pharoah's Eyes and Ears, series. Could you please check with her and find out when the next Lord Meren book is due? Thank you so very much.

Donna M. Gagnon
Chula Vista, California

We sent Robinson your query regarding her series of historical mysteries set in ancient Egypt. The author, who holds a doctorate in anthropology, sent us this response: "Thanks so much for your inquiry about the next Lord Meren. As it happens, I've just finished a Lord Meren short story for The Mammoth Book of Ancient Egyptian Whodunnits, Mike Ashley, ed., to be published by Robinson Books (UK). The title of the story is 'Heretic's Dagger.'

"I have also just finished a romantic suspense story set in the American Civil War with the working title of The Union, to be published by Bantam Books.

"My next Lord Meren is being planned right now, and I'm calling it The Warrior King. This will be a large-scale book, more suspense than straight mystery. The plot revolves around an attempt to take the throne from the boy king Tutankhamen.

"Because of the length and complexity of The Warrior King, it will of course take longer to write than the previous books. As with anything, quality takes time."

Enough is enough

Dear Burning Questions,
I'm a huge Lawrence Block fan and was wondering what he has on the agenda.

Brad Lewis
Dayton, Ohio

In August William Morrow will delight Block fans by publishing Enough Rope, a collection of short stories, and the only new work Block will publish this year. Die-hard fans will also be pleased to know that Block's best-selling Hope To Die is coming out in mass market paperback in November, and that his backlist is being repackaged.

The teen scene

Dear Burning Questions,
Is Frank Peretti going to make another Cooper Kid Series book? If he is, when is it going to come out? I have read all of them, and I want him to write another one.

via e-mail

We spoke to Peretti's publicist at Thomas Nelson who, sorry to say, says that the series is fini. If you're looking for another Peretti series to jump into, however, you might try The Veritas Project, book 2 of which is coming out this August. In Nightmare Academy, The Veritas Project team has a new assignment: to find the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of two runaways.

Getting to the point

Dear Burning Questions,
Several of my friends and I really enjoyed Marcia Muller's book Point Deception. We are wondering if she has any intention of continuing these characters in a new series.

Ann Melczak
Wilmington, Delaware

In 2003, Mysterious Press will release Muller's book Cyanide Walls, which, like Point Deception, is also set in Soledad County. It also features a cameo of Rhoda Swift, a character from Point. But as for a future series? No plans yet, though it's possible. Muller's next Sharon McCone book, Dead Midnight, will be available in June.