Show Me the Ashes won’t be in anyone’s stocking this Christmas. The publisher, Five Star, notified me a few days ago that the release is being delayed three months, until March 16, 2016.

Ho, ho, ho became no, no, no. The late notification inconvenienced not only me but also others, and I’m sorry for that. I had sent out review copies to my own list weeks ago and scheduled guest blogs for early January. A few people have already posted reviews of the book.

As the publisher told me and several other authors, publishers change schedules all the time. Unfortunately, that’s true. And I had seen signs that production had fallen behind schedule. The review copies came to me late, and the cover image didn’t go out to booksellers, libraries, and review publications.

On the plus side, spring is a better season than winter for driving to book signings, talks, and workshops.

Maybe Peter Rabbit will put Show Me the Ashes into some mystery lovers’ Easter baskets.

—Carolyn Mulford