Dear Burning Questions,
When can we expect a new Elizabeth George novel with my beloved characters from Scotland Yard? I'm beginning to have withdrawal symptoms. Thanks.

Stephanie Heigh
via the Internet

Elizabeth George, whose last book, Deception on His Mind (Bantam) was released in August 1997, is indeed still at work in Scotland Yard. Her publicist at Bantam Books tells us that the author's next novel is slated for fall '99 (no title yet).

Writer, writer, burning bride

Dear Burning Questions,
I'm wondering about Margaret Lawrence. Her last book, Blood Red Roses, was great, and I wondered if she had any other books in the works.

via the Internet

Lawrence released The Burning Bride (Avon) last November and is currently working on other books. Her publicist at Avon assures us that she will publish again and that one more Hannah Trevor novel is in the works.

Double DuBois

Dear Burning Questions,
Please tell me if Brendan DuBois is doing anything! I read his first two books so fast, I was left hungry for more! He is absolutely awesome, and I wish others would discover his talent. Thanks!

Barb Wilson
Matthews, NC

Doing anything? This guy is working overtime. Brendan DuBois's The Shattered Shell (A Thomas Dunne Book) will be released next month, and then Resurrection Day will be published in June (Putnam).

In The Shattered Shell, Lewis Cole must track down an arsonist burning down a resort's empty hotels during the off season. Resurrection Day is a chilling tale of intrigue in the aftermath of an American nuclear war. (Alternative history fans delight. Think Robert Harris's Fatherland.)

DuBois is the author of the Lewis Cole mysteries and numerous award-winning short stories. Playboy plans to publish his most recent story in April 1999. He lives in Exeter, New Hampshire.

And speaking of Fatherland

Dear BQ,
Robert Harris. What's happening?

via the Internet

Archangel. Random House. This month. From the author of Fatherland and Enigma comes the dramatic story of a chase through present-day Russia for the shocking secret Stalin tried to take to his grave. Already optioned for a movie by Mel Gibson, so expect an Archangel I, II, III, and IV.

King of mystery

Dear Burning,
Do you know whether Laurie R. King is going to continue with the Kate Martinelli series? I have thoroughly enjoyed the characters.

Donna Morano
Roanoke, VA

Laurie R. King, whose A Grave Talent won awards for best first mystery on both sides of the Atlantic, debuts her first non-series book this month with A Darker Place (Bantam), the story of a woman who lost both husband and daughter to cult suicide and now infiltrates cults for the FBI.

King also has a Sherlock Holmes book entitled O'Jerusalem due out in June and is currently working on another Kate Martinelli book.

King is the author of four acclaimed Mary Russell mysteries and three novels featuring police detective Kate Martinelli. She lives in Corralitos, California.

Hello and goodbye

Dear Burning Questions,
I am a big fan of the Deborah Crombie mystery books the library has. Has she written any new books? I would appreciate the names, so I can request for our library to purchase them!

Dolores Kenna
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

From the author of Dreaming of the Bones comes a tale of war and betrayal. Kissed a Sad Goodbye: A Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James Novel (Bantam) will be released in April.

Deborah Crombie's five Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James novels have been nominated for the Agatha, Macavity, and Edgar Awards. She lives in north Texas with her family, where she is at work on the next book in the series.

Beach reading

Dear Burning Questions,
I have a neighbor who loves Wilbur Smith's books. Do you know when his next book is due to be published? He has a vacation coming, and his idea of a good time is sitting on the beach with a book by Wilbur.

Jean Steven

Your friend does know how to have a good time. This June, adventure writer Wilbur Smith offers readers Monsoon (St. Martin's). This epic, set in 18th-century Africa, continues the story begun in Birds of Prey and is sure to provide hours of beach-time fun.

Wilbur Smith, author of River God and The Seventh Scroll, has written 26 novels.

A correction

In our October review of Fannie Flagg's latest book, Welcome to the World, Baby Girl! the reviewer incorrectly misidentified the novel's protagonist, Dena Nordstrom, as the daughter of Norma and Macky. We apologize for any confusion.