MARCH 1997

Brad Pitt steals an F-14, combs his lovely hair,
and saves the world from nuclear threat

Dear Burning Questions,
I'm a great fan of Clive Cussler and I have all his books on "Brad Pitt" adventures. Somewhere I read that he had written other books prior to these. Searching high and low I could not find any of these. Could you investigate? Thank you.
Your steady customer,
F.G.V., Chicago, Illinois

"Brad Pitt" adventures do sound exciting, but "Dirk Pitt" has embarked on all of the following: Vixen 03, Pacific Vortex, Night Probe!, Inca Gold, Sahara, Cyclops, Treasure, Deep Six, Raise the Titanic!, Iceberg, Mediterranean Caper, Dragon, and Shock Wave. And there is more to come! Cussler's agent tells us that the next Dirk Pitt novel is scheduled to be released this fall. Dirk Pitt is the only fiction that Cussler has written, but he did venture into nonfiction with The Sea Hunters: True Life Adventures with Sea Wrecks (Simon & Schuster), written with Craig Dirgo and released last October.

Finding a new book of peace after a huge loss

Dear Burning Questions:
I was wondering if you could tell me what Maxine Hong Kingston has done since the publication of her last book of which I am aware, Tripmaster Monkey. I have just recently discovered her, but have not found anything written by her since the late 1970s.
Thanks very much.
Geoffrey Northcote, Toronto, Ontario

Maxine Hong Kingston has not published another book since Tripmaster Monkey (Vintage). Her agent tells us that she is currently working on a book to be published sometime in the future, though no publication date has been set. The book is entitled The Fifth Book of Peace and derives its name from the three ancient Chinese mythic books of peace. Tragically, Kingston lost her entire manuscript of The Fourth Book of Peace years ago in the Oakland fires. The Fifth Book of Peace is a hybrid of sorts -- both fiction and nonfiction -- and takes as its subject tactics for waging peace.

Rollin', rollin', rollin'

Dear Burning Questions:
I'm wondering about book eight in the Wheel of Time series. WHEN?!!!
via the Internet

Not to worry, there will be another book in Robert Jordan's wildly popular fantasy series, but you'll have to wait a while. Jordan's publicist at Tor says that they have not set a date for its publication. To tide you over in the meantime, Tor will publish an illustrated guide to the Wheel of Time series in November just in time for Christmas. Expect a beautiful, lavishly illustrated book full of maps and creatures.

Wearing the Amelia hat this time

Dear Burning Questions:
Can you please tell me when Elizabeth Peters's next Vicky Bliss or Amelia Peabody book will be out?
Pat Regel
Mt. Juliet, Tennessee

Warner Books will publish Seeing a Large Cat in July. No villain is safe in 1903 Egypt as feisty archaeologist Amelia Peabody embarks on her ninth adventure.

The wait is over

After reading her novel, Tam Lin (Tor), I couldn't get enough of Pamela Dean's writing, but I have only been able to find one other book: The Dubious Hills (Tor). Is it possible that such an excellent author has only two fantasy novels in print?
via the Internet

Dean's publicist at Tor Books tells us that she has a new novel arriving in October called Juniper, Gentian and Rosemary. The wait is almost over!

Wondering why your favorite writer doesn't call, doesn't write anymore? Want to send us email no. 9,001 about Jean Auel? Inquire with us, and we'll try to find out what's up: Burning Questions, 2501 21st Ave. South, Suite 5, Nashville, TN 37212. Or better yet, e-mail us at Burning_Questions@bookpage.com.

Alas, we regret that personal replies are not possible.

©1997, ProMotion, inc.

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