Dear Burning Questions,
What has happened to Linda Barnes' Carlotta Carlyle series? Also, I very much enjoyed The Rich Part of Life and wonder if Jim Kokoris plans to publish another novel.

Cindy
Indianapolis, Indiana

Award-winning author Linda Barnes makes her long-awaited return in October with The Big Dig: A Carlotta Carlyle Mystery (Minotaur). This time the six-foot-tall redhead P.I. gets in over her red head when she goes undercover as a secretary on a construction site. Barnes is the author of eight previous Carlotta Carlyle mysteries.

As to Jim Kokoris, the Chicago-based writer had this to say about his plans: "My next novel is due out sometime in the late summer or fall of 2003 from St. Martin's Press. I am in the midst of revisions now. Due to the surprisingly strong following Rich Part of Life has generated, I also plan on publishing updates on my characters on my Web site late this summer." You can find more info at www.jimkokoris.com.

FINE AND DANDY

Dear Burning Questions,
Patricia Veryan is the very best historical novelist I've ever read. Her books are not only romantic but extremely funny! I laugh out loud as I read. I've finished all the books I can find. When is her newest one due out? Thanks.

April Brown
Richmond, Virginia

If you enjoyed The Riddle of the Shipwrecked Spinster, you're sure to have fun with The Riddle of the Deplorable Dandy, to be released by St. Martin's Press in December. Gervaise Valerian is back and appears to be having a difficult time with a lady named Elspeth Clayton.

IT'S MYTH-TIFYING

Dear Burning Questions,
Sci-fi/fantasy author Robert Aspirin has been focusing on his Phule's Company series as of late. Do you know if he has any intention of going back to his Myth Adventure series and either continuing or wrapping up the story he left hanging several years ago in Sweet Myth-tery of Life?

Brian Maas
Salem, South Carolina

Aspirin's publisher, Meisha Merlin Publishing, tells us Something, M.Y.T.H., Inc., to be published in September, wraps up the story from Sweet Myth-tery of Life. He adds, "That concludes the original 12 book plan for the Myth series. Robert will be launching a new Myth Adventures series next year, co-authored with Jody Lynn Nye. The reprints of the first 10 Myth books (originally from Starblaze), will continue in Myth Adventures 2, 3 and 4, and each volume will include a brand new short story by Robert and Jody that sets up the new series."

BURKE'S BACK

Dear Burning Questions,
Does Andrew Vachss have another of his Burke series novels planned for release anytime soon? Burke as the hero is a refreshing change of pace and truly one of a kind! I'm anxiously waiting for a new book to come out.

Ingrid Hunter
Anaheim Hills, California

This October, Burke is back. In Only Child (Knopf), Burke returns to New York to reconnect with his outlaw "family." After years in the shadows, he emerges to investigate the murder of a 16-year-old girl and steps into the bizarre teenage culture of the girl's Long Island town. Crazy kids.

A TRAIL GONE COLD

Dear Burning Questions,
Can you find out the status of Barbara Paul? Is she still writing? Will she continue her Marian Larch series? We have followed the detective and friend Kurt Holland and would like some more.

Linda Yee

We hate to be the bearers of bad news but BQ can't be all sunshine and light, you know. Paul recently relayed the following: "I'm sorry to say there will be no more Marian Larch books; the publisher dropped the series. . . . A pity, as I had two more books in mind for the series." On a happier note, she tells us, "As to whether I'm still writing . . . well, I have a story up for the Shamus Award this year, so, yes, I'm still here."

CALLING ALL MYSTERY FANS

Dear Burning Questions,
I recently found a wonderful mystery writer, Anne George. After reading all the library had to offer, I went online to discover what other works she might have available. To my disappointment, I found that Mrs. George had passed away last year. My question is, would you please suggest other authors within this same genre who have both the humor and warmth exhibited in Mrs. George's Southern Sisters series?

Dying to Know,
Cathy Nipper
Tallahassee, Florida

We did some sleuthing and found that fans of Anne George also enjoyed the mysteries of Janet Evanovich and Joan Hess, as well as G.A. McKevett's Savannah Reid mysteries and Kathy Hogan Trocheck's Callahan Garrity mysteries. Readers, if you have other ideas, please feel free to send BQ your suggestions.

WE KNEW HER WHEN

Dear Burning Questions,
Do you have any idea when the next novel will be forthcoming from Melinda Haynes, author of Mother of Pearl and Chalktown?

LaDonna Sue
Toms River, New Jersey

OK, not to brag, but we were there first—even before Oprah made Melinda Haynes one of the chosen ones when she selected Mother of Pearl for her book club. The BookPage interview with Haynes in June 1999 revealed how she overcame panic attacks and went on to become a successful writer in her 40s.

Haynes' third novel, Willem's Field, is scheduled to be published by Free Press in May 2003. Set against the backdrop of the South in the 1970s, the novel tells the story of Willem Fremont, who returns to his roots in Mississippi to uncover the origins of his own panic attacks.