If you’ve followed my Facebook Author Page in recent weeks you know I’ve been working really hard to finish A Bone to Pick. It’s the second novel in the XK9 “Bones” Trilogy. I went on a writing retreat August 23-26, and made huge strides. But I still haven’t quite finished yet. My goal was to have it all written by September 1, and I’m so close! But still working. 

What’s the story? And what is Charlie’s role?

The new book starts right after What’s Bred in the Bone ends. Rex, Shady, and the Pack are back, along with all their friends and allies. But the new book also focuses on Rex’s partner Charlie’s struggles–and the answer to the question, “What is Charlie’s role?”

I hope it’s not too much of a spoiler to say that Charlie received traumatic injuries in a space dock accident, directly followed by the “explosive micro-deconstruction” of the spaceship Izgubil, near the beginning of  What’s Bred in the Bone. He was out of the picture, in the hospital, during most of Rex’s adventures in the first book. That explains why Shiv (a different character) is the guy in the “”Five-Ten with Rex on the cover of the first book!

Not what some people expected . . . including Charlie

Some reviewers have been puzzled or annoyed that Charlie wasn’t a big factor in the first book. But his absence was the catalyst for a lot of Rex’s growth. Rex couldn’t stand back and let Charlie handle things, because Charlie wasn’t there. Rex had to step up and handle things on his own.

But now Charlie’s out of re-gen, awake, and recovering. What is Charlie’s role? Has Rex moved on? Is Charlie now irrelevant? Bringing Charlie’s story into the ongoing mystery has given me several opportunities. In this book I can explore issues such as post-traumatic stress and depression. Another important them is the healing power of having animals (including sapient ones) and supportive humans in one’s life. These are issues that are not only relevant to Charlie and the story–they’re relevant to many contemporary lives.

Getting the team back together

The world has moved on since Charlie was hurt. Rex and the XK9s have made huge strides toward independence. Particularly while he’s still struggling to heal, Charlie worries that Rex has “outgrown” his need for a partner. When the dog has autonomy and free will, is the human even relevant?

Originally conceived as a single book, the Izgubil mystery won’t fully unfold until the end of the third XK9 “Bones” book, Bone of Contention. But I hope readers will discover a full story arc and an interesting tale in A Bone to Pick. We’d originally scheduled publication for next May, from Weird Sisters Publishing LLC.

IMAGE CREDITS:

Many thanks to Jody A. Lee, my cover artist for What’s Bred in the Bone, and to Jeff Porter (better known for his game illustrations), for the developmental image of Rex and Charlie. You both have been a pleasure to work with!