[Apache]

Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling will publish her second crime novel in June, under the pen name of Robert Galbraith, it has been revealed.

"The Silkworm", to be published on June 19, will be a follow-up to "The Cuckoo's Calling", which Rowling wrote using the Galbraith pseudonym.

"Robert Galbraith's second Cormoran Strike Novel THE SILKWORM to be published 19/06/14," the author's alter ego said in only a third-ever tweet on Monday, with a link to Galbraith's website.

The new novel follows private detective Cormoran Strike in another adventure with his assistant Robin Ellacott.

This time they try to unravel the death of writer Owen Quine after first being called in to probe his disappearance.

The investigators uncover a manuscript in which many of Quine's associates are portrayed unflatteringly -- which would have ruined their lives if published and could prove to be a motive for a killer.

Apache