When J.K. Rowling last released a new book, locals counted down to midnight of the release date, waited in line for hours at Words to buy the book, and celebrated in costume with library events. This time? Nothing.

J. K. Rowling's new book, The Casual Vacancy, will be released in a month - on Sept. 27. The book is intended for an adult audience, and is described in advance materials as "darkly comic." 

Still, given the writer's loyal following, will local stores open at midnight? Are library reserve lists for the new book already into triple digits?

No. The South Orange Public Library ordered the book, but has only one name on the wait list, according to librarian Nancy Janow. "This is not at all like last time," she said.  

Then, besides local events, the Newark Public Library played host to The Knight Bus, seeing a host of characters in costume, and inviting members of the public to share their thoughts about Harry Potter on a video.  South Orange and Maplewood fans who pre-ordered the book lined up on Baker Street hours before midnight, waiting to buy the book at 12 a.m. precisely.

This time, says a Words representative, "We have the new J.K. Rowling book on order, there are no local events planned as of yet." She admits, "We have not received much customer inquiry into The Casual Vacancy."

A year ago, throngs of fans dressed in costume to await the movie version of the seventh Harry Potter book. 

"It's a deafening silence," says Harry Potter fan and current college senior Maddie Collins, browsing at the library. "I grew up with the books, so I'm definitely old enough to be the target readership for the new book, but I haven't seen ads yet or anything." Collins paused to consider. "I don't know if I'll read it anyway. I love Harry Potter, and would hate to think less of the author."

As to her predictions for what happens in the new book, Collins laughed. "Hand me my crystal ball and I'll tell you."