A follow up for you today on the rumor that author J.K. Rowling is currently writing a mystery novel. While reps for Jo are quoted in a new article in The Times as saying “we do not have a definite plan of what her next project is yet,” there is more from author Ian Rankin and now noted mystery author P.D.James has weighed in on this matter. UPDATE: The Guardian is now reporting that Mr. Rankin is calling this “a joke that got out of hand,” said Rankin, describing how the remark was made on stage during the course of a festival event. There were 600 people in the audience, and only one person didn’t laugh,” he added.. Emma Schlesinger, speaking for Rowling’s literary agent, Christopher Little, was keen to stress that the crime novel rumours were “unfounded”.”JK Rowling is taking a well-earned break following the English language publication of Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows and there are no firm plans as yet as to what her next book may be,” she said.
Readers will remember that it was comments first from Ian Rankin, who is a long time neighbor of JKR in Edinburgh, Scotland, which spurred this latest flurry of rumors on the prospect of a forthcoming mystery novel. Over the weekend Ian Rankin said
“My wife spotted her writing her Edinburgh criminal detective novel,” he said. He declined to elaborate on how he knew about Rowling’s new direction, but conceded he had not discussed it personally with her. He added: “It is great that she has not abandoned writing or Edinburgh cafes.”
Today Mr. Rankin is cited in the Times article as saying more about Jo’s writing style, noting “Her process is classic crime writing – the set-up, the red herrings, the characters who change as they are revealed, the twists and turns, and finally the big lineup at the end.”
Author P.D. James is also very complimentary about Jo, saying her skills as a writer would work well in the mystery genre.
PD James, 87, creator of the Adam Dalgleish mysteries, said she saw no reason why Rowling should not become a successful crime writer. “She certainly has all the skills,” James said. “She is immensely popular with adults and children. She has done a great service to literature by encouraging children to read on that scale. It is a huge achievement to get children queuing for books in the numbers they do.”
While this is all very exciting, please keep this very much in the rumor category for now.
Ya know, this guy sure knows a lot about a book that has more or less just been started, which he admits he has not discussed with Jo or read in any way shape or form. I wonder when he will start giving hints about the ending, can we say attention getter.
Would be nice if it were true. Books 1-4 (especially 3 and 4) functioned very well as mystery novels; I would be happy to see Rowling do a standard (or not-so-standard) whodunnit.
You might want to read up on Rankin before you dismiss him as doing this merely as an “attention-getter”.
Rankin is one of the most skilled and honored mystery writers out there. His Inspector Rebus books have sold in the millions and been adapted for TV. He doesn’t need to seek attention for himself.
In mystery circles, he is a superstar, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if at some point they have discussed a mystery book in gerenal terms.
Most of what is said here, is that JKR has all the skills needed to write a cracking mystery. If it’s true – I look forward to it.
This is horrible. I mean seriously her most original idea? All these characters mentioned are taken off someone from Harry Potter. Huggard… comeone Rowling, drop the mystery novel and do some sequels for Harry Potter.
Posted by Corey S Aka robertjftw on August 20, 2007, 03:56 PM
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Sorry for the post again but I just noticed what John B said.
Book 1 wasn’t a mystery novel IMO in most Potter books the plot is a gentle curve not a straight line then a sharp turn off a cliff. For older readers, (people who read adult novels, not going into specifics) would see what happened in these books 400pages before it happens. Imo Books 6 and 7 were the most unpredictable books of the series.
I don’t believe that this is true…i sense some kind of wit in Mr. Rankin’s quote…i thought i read that he writes mystery novels? correct me if i’m wrong, but it seems like he WAS just joking in accordance to his genre. Being a mystery writer, he wouldn’t joke about JKR doing a sci fi novel if this was indeed a joke. I just think that he sincerely WAS joking. but if not, i’m excited for ANYTHING that Jo decides to write!!
I’ve always said JKR would do well in mystery writing, and something historical. Perhaps an 18th-century French naturalist…or is that too much like Sherlock Holmes in a powdered wig? ;-)
I think this guy just needs to shut up. Who care if he’s a “celebrated mystery writer.” He should respect Jo enough to let her be the one to announce her next book’s subject. I doubt Jo asked Rankin to announce it.
It sounds to me like it was a joke. He is a mystery writer, so he would love to see Jo write a mystery or crime novel. Thus he makes a humorous statement about how her next novel is clearly a crime novel. Look at the context of the comment—he said it on stage, and people responded with laughter. To me this says it was meant as a JOKE, not even in the realm of rumor. Personally, I would love to see a mystery written by Jo, but that’s kind of beside the point.
Corey: I’m not one for figuring out mysteries way ahead of time, never have been. I have missed on every single Christie (dozens) I have ever read…call me a bad reader.
I still say PoA and GoF are very good mystery novels. And I’ve read, you know, a few adult novels.
I retract my comment from the last report. THis is bull. I doubt it. Perhaps his wife lied? There definitely successful people out there who would try and get attention. Trump sure didn’t need a television show.
If it is true then, AWSOME!!! If it isn’t then its no loss. Whatever she ends up writing next i’ll be in my nearest bookshop, quicker then you can say harry potter! lol!
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Ya know, this guy sure knows a lot about a book that has more or less just been started, which he admits he has not discussed with Jo or read in any way shape or form. I wonder when he will start giving hints about the ending, can we say attention getter.
John B.