Four Questions for Anthony Horowitz

In 2001, when Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider nailed his first mission in Stormbreaker, young readers took an immediate liking to this intrepid, high-tech gadget-wielding, teenage spy. And they clearly wanted to see more of him. Horowitz penned eight subsequent Alex Rider adventures in quick succession before announcing-unequivocally-that 2011's Scorpia Rising would be his last Alex Rider novel. But Alex's many fans-the series has sold 19 million copies worldwide-were pleased to learn that Horowitz had a change of heart. In keeping with its title, he decided to revisit Alex Rider in Never Say Die, which Philomel will publish next week with an announced first printing of 200,000 copies. After revealing his new book's cover this past spring, PW called on Horowitz to ask about Alex's return appearance.