When I first made the transition from writing romance to writing mysteries, everyone warned me (sternly!) not to put any romance in my mysteries. Mystery readers, they told me, do not like romance. Having always been something of a rebel, I put some romance in my mysteries, and fans loved it! Almost every fan letter I receive asks when Frank and Sarah are going to get together. And there lies the rub.

You see, when I started the series, I was hoping it would last for 3 books, perhaps 6. Few series go much longer than that. What are the odds that mine would be the lucky one? So I blithely created many obstacles to Frank and Sarah’s romance, thinking I’d never have to deal with overcoming them. Now, fifteen books later, you are no longer waiting patiently. You are actually rather impatient, and some of you aren’t being nice about it anymore.

So let me just say this: I hear you! I agree. It’s time for them to get together. And I’m happy to say that I have finally figured out how to get them together in a way that will overcome almost all the obstacles they face and still allow them to solve mysteries for many books to come. Sarah’s father has decided to take a hand in the matter in MURDER ON FIFTH AVENUE (May 2012) while Frank is helping Sarah’s father solve the murder of one of his friends. We don’t know exactly what he has in mind yet, but I assure you, he’s trying to help. The solution will be revealed in MURDER IN CHELSEA (2013), which will also solve the mystery of how little Catherine came to the Mission.

Here’s hoping the new team of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Malloy will be even more exciting together than they have been apart. So let me know what you think. Are you happy? Sad? Relieved? Mad that I put a romance in the series? Believe me, I feel your pain.

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