Dear Burning Questions,

In the BQ column in the January 2006 issue of BookPage, you noted that Les Roberts would have three titles shortly forthcoming, including a new Milan Jacovich mystery. That was two years ago and I have seen neither hide nor hair of any of these titles. Comment?

Allen C. Demmin
Middleton, Wisconsin

My goodness, what a good memory you have. Of the three books we referenced, one has been published: We'll Always Have Cleveland (Gray & Company), Roberts' memoir, which was released in April 2006. He has also written the introduction for Cleveland: The Flats, the Mill, and the Hills, photographer Andrew Borowiec's book documenting a former industrial district near downtown Cleveland, to be published in June by the Center for American Places. Meanwhile, for the record, Roberts said he might (his italics) write another Jacovich novel. When we asked him to update us on his plans, here's what he had to say: "My new Milan Jacovich book, King of the Holly Hop, was sold early last year [to Gray & Company], moved from its pre-Christmas release to March, then again to May of this year. I'm working on several other projects, including another novel and a screenplay, but don't want to be more specific so, in case one or the other is sidelined, I don't want to have to defend myself to Mr. Demmin again."

CLEVELAND IS HOT

Speaking of Cleveland, BQ answered a question in June 2007 about a follow-up to Elizabeth Becka's debut novel, Trace Evidence, featuring Cleveland forensic expert Evelyn James. The sequel was released last month by Hyperion, and Becka offers a summary: "In Unknown Means a beautiful socialite is found dead in her fortress-like penthouse suite. The job gets personal for Evelyn James when the elusive killer's next target is her best friend. Evelyn and her detective boyfriend must put aside their own conflicts to follow the sparse and perplexing clues—and save the next high-profile victim before it's too late." Look for it if you haven't picked it up already!

CAN WE BUY A VOWEL?

Dear Burning Questions,
Do you have any information on when the third book from Christopher Paolini will be out, to follow Eragon and Eldest?

Nancy Whitman
Antigo, Wisconsin

The movie version of Eragon, released in late 2006, was clearly a disappointment for many fans, but that hasn't diminished anticipation for the final volume in Paolini's Inheritance trilogy. There was excitement all around when Knopf Books for Young Readers announced the title (Brisingr) and release date (September 20) for book three. Booksellers are scheduling Harry Potter-style midnight festivities to mark the event, and Knopf is planning its largest-ever print run for a children's book: a whopping 2.5 million copies. The publisher has also offered a tidbit to explain the book's cryptic title—Brisingr is the old Norse word for fire. "Brisingr is one of the first words I thought of for this title, and it's always felt right for me," Paolini explains. "As the first ancient language word that Eragon learns, it has held particular significance for his legacy as a Dragon Rider." Hmmm . . . we're burning to know more!