JK Rowling's new gig

Say what you will about JK Rowling, she hasn't been sitting on her laurels since she finished the last Harry Potter book.

J.K. Rowling has been spotted at cafes in Scotland working on a detective novel, a British newspaper reported Saturday.

The Sunday Times newspaper quoted Ian Rankin, a fellow author and neighbor of Rowling's, as saying the creator of the Harry Potter books is turning to crime fiction.

"My wife spotted her writing her Edinburgh criminal detective novel," the newspaper, which was available late Saturday, quoted Rankin as telling a reporter at an Edinburgh literary festival.

"It is great that she has not abandoned writing or Edinburgh cafes," said Rankin, who is known for his own police novels set in the historic Scottish city.

[...]

In an interview with The Associated Press last month, Rowling said she believed she was unlikely to repeat the success of the Potter series, but confirmed she had plans to work on new books.

"I'll do exactly what I did with Harry -- I'll write what I really want to write," Rowling said.

As a fan of the Potter series as well as of British crime fiction, let me say that I'm looking forward to this book. I rather doubt she'll make an appearance at Murder by the Book for a signing, but I'll be sure to take a look at it when it debuts anyway.

Now here's a question for you. Which do you think is more likely: The book will receive undeserved praise from critics who are giving her credit for all things Harry Potter, or the book will receive unjust derision from critics who are mad that she isn't writing any more Harry Potter? I lean towards the latter, but could be persuaded otherwise.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on August 20, 2007 to Books