Kathy Reichs has joined the growing number of mystery writers who now publish juvenile as well as adult fiction. With the upcoming November 2, 2010 release of Virals, Reichs – like John Grisham, Harlan Coben and Elizabeth George – will have begun a new series designed to appeal to young adults.
Reichs announced this new endeavor in a May 10, 2010 Blogcritics interview. "The first in the series called Virals will be out in November, and it is going to follow 14-year-old Tori Brennan and her friends, “ said Reichs. “They do simple forensic science and there’s also an element of grounded fantasy. They’re definitely not vampires but they have some special abilities.”
Reichs’ Penguin publishers offer these additional details. Tory, who is the great-niece of Temperance Brennan, lives on an island off the South Carolina coast. She and her teenage friends rescue a dog being used for medical testing, and in doing so they become infected by a virus that heightens their senses and quickens their reflexes. They then use these enhanced abilities to solve a cold-case murder.
Reichs, a forensic anthropologist, began her writing career in 1997 with Deja Dead, the first book in her Temperance Brennan series. Spider Bones, her 13th series title, was just released on August 24, 2010. The Fox television network based its popular program Bones on Reichs series.
Reichs believes that the popularity of Bones will help to pave the way for Virals. "There are a lot of young-adult viewers of Bones and a surprising number who read my adult books, and I think kids are really going to like seeing kids doing forensic science," remarked Reichs in a USA Today article.
Reichs’ colleague, John Grisham, has already published the first title in his young adult series. Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer was released on June 10, 2010. Both Harlan Coben and Elizabeth George are also working on young adult series, each of which is scheduled to debut in 2011.
For more information:
Kathy Reichs to participate in 2011 ALA Midwinter’s Sunrise Speakers Series
Investigation Discovery’s ’Hardcover Mysteries’ to premier on October 11, 2010 -
2010 designated as Year of the Children’s Mystery Book
More events planned for Year of the Children’s Mystery Book
Barnes & Noble to use James Patterson’s ReadKiddoRead as basis for recommended selections
Edgar finalists named in Juvenile and Young Adult mystery categories
10th National Book Festival scheduled for September 25, 2010
Comments