Burning,
When will we get something new from author Nicholas Evans?

via the Internet

Delacorte Press recently announced that the eagerly awaited release date for Nicholas Evans's second novel, The Loop, will be September 9, 1998. That date will mark the three-year anniversary of the hardcover release of The Horse Whisperer. The Loop opens as a pack of wolves returns to the Rocky Mountain ranching town of Hope, Montana. Now classified as an endangered species and protected by law, the animals unleash an ancient hatred that divides a family and town. Biologist Helen Ross, sent to protect the wolves, is at the center of the controversy. The Loop follows her struggle and her dangerous love affair with the son of a brutal rancher.

And while we're in Montana . . .

Dear Burning,
Ever since I read The Book of Yaak I've been hooked on Rick Bass. I love nature writing of any sort, but it's the power of Bass's prose that really won me over. What's on the horizon for this fine writer?

Ava Bolen
Fayetteville, AR

Rick Bass is indeed one of America's most celebrated nature and short story writers. He is the author of 11 books of fiction and nonfiction, including In the Loyal Mountains and The Lost Grizzlies. An exciting publishing event will come to pass this June with the publication of Bass's first full-length novel, Where the Sea Used to Be. This book tells the story of a struggle between a father and his daughter for the hearts of two men. Coincidentally, as in Evans's novel, Bass's heroine is also a friend to wolves.

As always, Bass's characters and the land itself are rendered with the vivid prose that is the hallmark of his writing.

Who says we're not listening?

Gentlemen:
I just picked up the Feb. issue of BookPage from our local library. I was very disappointed in the books that were reviewed. Why is it that you never review any good TRUE CRIME books? Let's get some true crime book reviews! I'm not alone -- a lot of people like to read these stories. Thank you!

Mrs. Phyllis R. Mrofchak
Minocqua,WI

Hey, we read In Cold Blood. We understand the virtues of the true crime genre. Find inside this issue a review of the book Greentown: Murder and Mystery in Greenwich, America's Wealthiest Community (Little, Brown). BQ takes readers' concerns to heart.

An aside: Another book on the same subject is due out in June from HarperCollins. This one, titled Murder in Greenwich: Who Killed Martha Moxley, is by everyone's favorite neighborhood policeman, Mark Fuhrman.

The secret manuscript

Dear Burning,
Donna Tartt published a brilliant novel [The Secret History] a number of years ago, maybe eight years now, and aside from rumors of a few published articles and a "supposed" follow-up novel, no one has heard much else. Could you tell me if she plans to ever publish another novel? I hate to think of her as a "one hit wonder." Thanks!

ejh
via the Internet

Earlier we reported that Donna Tartt's editor at Alfred A. Knopf said, "She's working hard, and we expect to publish end of '97 or early '98." True enough, but we've recently learned of a change in plans. Our Knopf connection says that they have not yet received Tartt's manuscript, which means that her next book will now be published after January '99. We'll let you know if the pub date slips once again.

A correction . . . okay, two

Now, how interesting would we be if we were right all the time? Ahem. Last month we incorrectly answered Nancy Jemialo's question regarding a female Scotland Yard detective. We said that the detective in question was Deborah Crombie's Gemma James. You said: Elizabeth George's Barbara Havers. And you, sharp readers, are correct. George's In the Presence of the Enemy and Deception on His Mind are your books, Ms. Jemialo. Thanks to all those who wrote in to set us straight.

In our April interview with author Howard Bahr, we incorrectly credited that pensive author photograph to Bruce Plotkin. The correct photographer is Mac Brown.

P.S. Many thanks to those who entered the Carl Hiaasen contest. The publisher will soon be sending the winners their goodies. Be on the lookout for more fun-filled contests in the months to come.