MYSTERY SOLVED

Dear Burning Questions,

For years, I have been re-reading my collection of mysteries by the British author Dorothy Simpson. I know that no new ones have come along in a while, and I was wondering if Simpson is still alive. Her Inspector Luke Thanet series is wonderful; each book is not only a compelling police case, but an interesting slice of the Thanet family's life, as well.

Rosemary Oliver
Comstock, Michigan

You've picked up on what fans love about the Luke Thanet mysteries: that combination of methodical police work, complex characters and calm domestic life in the village of Sturreden. Dorothy Simpson set all but the first of her 15 Thanet mysteries in Kent, where she also resides. So, yes, Simpson is still alive, as confirmed by her longtime editor at Scribner, Susanne Kirk, who adds that Simpson "has, sadly, had to give up writing for the time being due to pain from carpal tunnel syndrome. Too much typing!" That's surely disappointing news for those familiar with the series, the last of which was 1999's Dead and Gone, but, perhaps your question will introduce Inspector Thanet and his sidekick Sgt. Mike Lineham to a whole new group of readers.

STILL HAS HER DAY JOB

Dear Burning Questions,

Can you tell me if Elizabeth Becka is working on a new book? Her debut novel Trace Evidence was outstanding.

Shirley Waclawski
Baltimore, Maryland

Elizabeth Becka and her heroine Evelyn James used to share a job title, that of Cleveland-based forensic scientist. While James has taken a break since her debut in 2005, Becka has been hard at work, now as a "latent print examiner" in Cape Coral, Florida. "The population here is exploding and the crime rate is trying to keep up," she says. Nevertheless, Becka has found the time to write Unknown Means, the second James book. Actually, it's the second, second book, as her publisher, Hyperion, didn't like her initial idea. In the new version, James is once again in Cleveland, this time facing a series of murders in what Becka describes as "expensive, seemingly impenetrable penthouses." Look for the finished book in February 2008; in the meantime, Becka says she'll post updates at www.elizabethbecka.com.

ALPHABET SOUP

Dear Burning Questions,

I've been expecting to see this question for some time. Surely I'm not the only Sue Grafton fan who is wondering what has happened to the Kinsey Milhone series. What, pray tell, is "T" for, and when will we be able to read it?

Cindy Wenz
Indianapolis, Indiana

Well, Cindy, T Is for Trespass, according to the title of Sue Grafton's forthcoming Kinsey Millhone mystery. This December, Millhone is back, and in Trespass faces her most disturbing case yet. Solana Rojos isn't who she claims to be—and the identity she's stolen allows her to pass as a private caregiver for the elderly. Will Millhone recognize a sociopath when she sees one? Or will she catch on to Rojos' plan too late?

This will be the 20th book in the alphabet series, with only six more to go. Finishing the mammoth series doesn't appear to be a huge challenge for Grafton, who tells fans on her website, "Anyone can write six books . . . it's the first twenty that will kill you."

RUNES AND RIDDLES

Dear Burning Questions,

Stephen R. Donaldson's The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever have seemingly gone by the wayside . . . and right in the middle of a story! It has been roughly three years since his last one was published and we've heard nothing of releases to come. Can you tell us when Mr. Donaldson might be continuing the adventure he started in Runes of the Earth?

The Robers
Perrysburg, Ohio

As fans of fantasy writer Stephen R. Donaldson, you probably know that he doesn't mind keeping his readers in suspense—after all, he did wait almost 20 years before deciding to give fans another Thomas Covenant story with 2004's The Runes of the Earth. But you won't have to wait 17 more years for the second book in this planned trilogy: Fatal Revenant will be published by Putnam in October. In the new novel, Linden is reunited with Thomas in the Land—but it's not an entirely happy reunion.

FRIENDS FOREVER

Dear Burning Questions,

I loved Ann Packer's book The Dive from Clausen's Pier (2002). I have been waiting patiently for another book from her. Do you have any information?

Linda Luke
Indianapolis, Indiana

Your patience is about to be rewarded: Packer will follow up her best-selling debut with a new novel on August 28. Songs Without Words (Knopf) follows two women whose decades-long friendship has always been a source of strength, despite their very different lives. But when a problem threatens their relationship, the two are forced to reexamine their bond and discover if it can be restored. Knopf Executive VP Pat Johnson tells us the new novel is even better than The Dive from Clausen's Pier—sounds like something worth waiting for!

SEEING RED

Dear Burning Questions,

I have been looking forward to Belva Plain's new novel, Red Leaves, but I have not been able to find it. Do you know if it has been published yet?

Jane Clift
Milton, Wisconsin

Many Belva Plain fans have been puzzled by listings on the Internet for a novel titled Red Leaves, giving readers hope that a new novel was on the horizon. At long last, Delacorte will publish a new Belva Plain novel on November 27. Though the title of the book is Crossroads, a Delacorte publicist tells BQ that this book is indeed the elusive Red Leaves, now retitled. Why the title-switch? Why the delay? Delacorte is mum on the subject, leaving Plain's fans (and BQ) with a mystery still unsolved.

Winner's Circle

Darlene Hughes of Bellevue, Iowa, is the winner of the Queen of Broken Hearts contest announced in the March issue. The contest invited entrants to tell us why their book club is special, and Darlene responded with a poem that described her "Book and a Brew" club in rhyming couplets like this one:

Our religions vary, so do our views.
Discussions are lively on books and news.

Her book club wins a phone-in discussion with author Cassandra King, along with signed copies of Queen of Broken Hearts.