Meg Chittenden has some background on her newest release:

I just wanted to let everyone know that the fourth Charlie Plato Mystery, Don't Forget to Die, is in the bookstores now along with the paperback of the third novel, Dead Beat and Deadly.

Don't Forget to Die is the first book I've ever written (out of 34 altogether) at readers' request! From the first Charlie Plato book, Dying to Sing, one of the characters attracted a lot of reader interest, although I'd intended him to be a fairly minor character. A tough guy, he surprised me by fainting onto the skeleton that showed up in the flowerbed of CHAPS, the country nightclub that is at the heart of the series. I had no idea why he fainted, but there he was, and readers started asking me to write his story. The result is Don't Forget to Die. I hope readers will enjoy it.

Cheers!
Margaret (Meg) Chittenden

I have finished the screenplay adaptation of Mission to Sonora, which was both a thrill and a relief. Olmos Productions (Edward James Olmos'company) and Farrell/Minoff Productions (Mike Farrell's company) have both expressed an interest in working with it, so on my birthday last week, I sent copies to them by express mail, sort of a present to myself. I have learned that authors always feel as though they're sending their children off to kindergarten for the first time when they mail their manuscripts, and this was no exception to that rule.

After a short break, I plan to return to my third novel, which is now in outline. I'm afraid a few more trips to casino haunts will be necessary for background. Will try not to have too much fun.

If you've had a chance to glance at my little web site (www.jccc.net/~rcramer), you 've seen that I've done many appearances over the last six months, among them, a very enjoyable talk and signing for the K.C. Chapter of Sisters in Crime at our local Borders Books and Music. I was also in Tucson in March for a signing at Antigone Books and a luncheon talk to the satellite branch of Mystery Writers of America.

In August, I'll spend a couple of weeks in my beloved Sonoran desert. My son, Luke, to whom Mission is dedicated, has been invited by the University of Arizona to complete his PhD in history starting this fall. He'll be setting up housekeeping, and I've agreed to be the "Housekeeper in Residence" temporarily.

One of the pleasures of summering in the Midwest has been the chance to visit with the Indian peoples of Kansas. Last month we attended the Potawatomie community powwow in Holton, and next week, we'll go up to Horton for the annual Kickapoo get- together. The vitality and richness of Native American culture in these parts is a well-kept secret.

In August, I will begin the 25th year of my tenure at Johnson County Community College. Who would have dreamed that my first job out of graduate school at the University of Iowa would prove so stable and rewarding?

Here's hoping you're all well and happy.

Rebecca Cramer