Edith Maxwell's Blog, page 245

Happy Book Birthday, Sadie Hartwell!

Ladies and Gentlemen, today we are celebrating the release of Yarned and Dangerous, the first book in Sadie Hartwell’s Tangled Web Mystery series. It’s a special occasion because Sadie Hartwell is our own Wicked Accomplice, Jane Haertel, aka, Susannah Hardy. That’s right, this hard-working author had her first pub this year, then earlier this month released Olive and Let Die, the second book in her Greek to Me Mystery series, and now her third book this year.

Here’s the low down on Yarned and Dangerous.

Time has not been kind to sleepy Dorset Falls, Connecticut, where an erstwhile resident is hoping to bring a tattered yarn shop back to life—but with a murderer on the loose, the whole town is in knots…

Josie Blair left Dorset Falls twelve years ago in hopes of making it big in New York City. But after earning an overpriced master’s degree and getting fired by a temperamental designer, she finds herself heading back to her hometown. Her great-uncle was injured in a car accident, and newly unemployed Josie is the only person available to take care of him. Uncle Eb’s wife didn’t survive the crash, so Josie is also tasked with selling the contents of her Aunt Cora’s yarn shop. But the needling ladies of the Charity Knitters Association pose a far bigger challenge than a shop full of scattered skeins…

Miss Marple Knits is one of the few businesses still open in the dreary downtown. Josie can’t imagine how it stayed open for so long, yet something about the cozy, resilient little shop appeals to her. But when one of the town’s most persnickety knitters turns up dead in a pile of cashmere yarn, Josie realizes there’s something truly twisted lurking beneath the town’s decaying façade…

INCLUDES ORIGINAL KNITTING PATTERNS!

Wickeds, wish Sadie a Happy Book Birthday!

Sherry: I don’t know very much about knitting but this sounds deliciously creepy! I love the sound of a town that’s decaying and the contrast of this wonderful yarn shop. Congratulations, Sadie!

Liz: I confess I’m not a knitter either but this series might convert me! Sounds great, Sadie. Wishing you a great launch!

Julie: Happy Book Birthday!! I am a knitter, and love yarn shop mysteries. Can’t wait to visit Miss Marple Knits, and get to know Josie!

Barb: I was lucky enough to get to read this in advance. Spoiler alert! I loved it. Here’s what I said. “A tale of murder and intrigue that will ensnare knitters and non-knitters alike. I couldn’t put it down.” You guys are in for a treat!

Jessie: I’m a passionate knitter and, of course, a lover of mysteries. What could be better than combining two of my favorite things? I’ve really been looking forward to this release!

Edith: I love the name of the yarn store! And got my own copy of the book yesterday from Sadie, complete with autograph. Top on the TBR pile. Congratulations, Sadie/Susannah/Jane.

Readers: Doesn’t this book sound awesome? Doesn’t anybody want to know about Sadie’s yarn skills? Ask her a question!

Filed under: Book Birthday Tagged: Greek to Me Mysteries, Olive and Let Die, Sadie Hartwell, Susannah Hardy, Tangled Web Mysteries, Yarned and Dangerous

On Being Grateful

Edith here, perched in my second floor office watching the sun come up, somewhere north of Boston.

Yes, I know everyone and her fourth-cousin-once-removed is going to write about gratitude and thankfulness this week. I, too, am feeling exceeding grateful, but some of the reasons are a bit quirky. I’m going to try to explain as only a language geek can.

The root of the words grateful and gratitude is the Latin grātus: “pleasing, favorable.” According to my favorite (and well-worn) American Heritage Dictionary, the Indo-European root for grātus is gwere: “to praise aloud.” Which makes gratitude directly related to the words agreeable, congratulate, ingrate, and ingratiate. It’s also related via Celtic to bard: “he [sic] who praises.”

Since I left my day job to write fiction full time two and a half years ago, money has been tighter than when I earned a plush salary writing technical manuals in high tech companies. But that’s okay – I know how to live on a shoestring. So the first people whose praises I want to sing are my late parents. Daddy was a high school teacher and our mom stayed home with us four kids until we were in high school ourselves. We had enough, but life was not luxurious. And I had a very happy childhood. I’m grateful I know how to scale back and live simply (I’m also grateful for being a Quaker, a faith which also stresses living with simplicity).

Many writers have a spouse or partner who is their first reader, who provides a valuable sounding board and helpful comments. Mine? Doesn’t even read fiction. Has no idea what I’m doing, really. He’s a dear, and brilliant in many areas. Commenting on fiction is not one of them. So I could be upset by that and wish for something different. Instead I find it agreeable to be left alone to type away on my books. Hugh is glad I’m happy (and that I’m starting to bring in a bit more cash) and that’s enough.

I  hope I don’t sound like an ingrate when I say I’m grateful the muse continues to be with me. Friday I finished the first draft of my eleventh novel. I’d hoped to have it done by the day before Thanksgiving. Instead the last ten thousand words just poured out. Plot problems resolved themselves. Suspense, tenderness, even killing in self-defense – it almost wrote itself. I’m not sure if this happens because I’m getting better at it from experience or if I’m just channeling some creative spirit out there. I know I would not be able to write three books a year if this didn’t keep happening, and I’m way grateful for that.

We Wickeds talk a lot about appreciating each other – because it’s so true – so I’m not going to go on too long. But singing the praises of my closest author pals and congratulating them on their many successes is one of my favorite things to do. So I guess that makes us all bards.

What about you? Anything negative in your life that is really a blessing? Whose praises would you like to sing? Also – Happy Thanksgiving a few days early to all! We’re all grateful for having readers come to our cozy blog.

Filed under: Edith's posts Tagged: cozy mystery, gratitude, Kensington Publishing, The Bard, the muse, When the Grits Hit the Fan

Welcome Author Karoline Barrett

Hello, Wicked People! Susannah/Sadie here, celebrating a release month with author Karoline Barrett. Let’s give her a Wicked Welcome!

 Act Like You’ve Been Here Before

A big thank-you to Susannah Hardy for inviting me to guest blog here on Wicked Cozy authors! I’m honored to be here since it’s one of my favorite blogs.

Like so many writers, I’ve always been a reader, and in the back of my mind was the vague notion that someday I’d write a book myself. That “someday” didn’t happen until later in life. I’m not telling you exactly how much later, but as the saying goes, better late than never.

Bun for Your Life is my first cozy mystery and the first book in my Bread & Batter series. While it’s not my first published book, it’s the first one for which I signed a contract with a major publisher. You’d think I’d be thrilled to death about that. And, you’d be right, I definitely am! However, while I’m an optimistic, cheerful, and upbeat person most of the time, I began to be besieged with insecurity, especially as my Facebook world grew, and I connected with other cozy mystery authors who not only had multiple books out, but multiple series out, and wrote under more than one name.

As I set up a virtual book tour, participated in Facebook author events, arranged to do interviews and guest blogs I kept wondering, do I belong here? Am I a good enough writer? Are my books good enough? Do they have engaging plots? Enough mystery? Characters readers will fall in love with? Will the town I built make readers want to move right in and settle there? Am I as good as author so-and-so who has ten books out there? Blah, blah, blah went my inner voice.

Amidst all my angst, I remembered something my youngest son’s high school football coach said to him about sportsmanship, and winning games and championships: Act like you’ve been here before.

I thought about that and I decided it applied to me. What difference did it make that so far I only have two books coming out, one series, and one name under which I write? Does anyone really care? Apparently readers don’t. And so far, no blogger or book reviewer has said to me, “Um, wait. You only have two books coming out? Only one series? And you only write under one name? (insert maniacal laughter) Don’t think so.”

So, my insecurity was for naught. Every single author I’ve connected with on Facebook, and some in “real life” have been so incredibly supportive. Three well-known authors read Bun for Your Life and did blurbs for it—awesomely nice blurbs. Everyone who has hosted me on a Facebook event, or signed me up to guest blog, has been incredibly supportive as well. I’m pretty sure I’m treated the same as a well-established author with a bazillion books out there. I’ve made a lot of reader friends on Facebook, and my Facebook author page has gotten a lot of “likes.” Readers have pre-ordered my book, woo hoo!

I hope to have many more books out and maybe another series, I’ve even picked out another name in case I need one, but for right now, I’ve pushed my insecurity aside and am enjoying the ride! I’ll close with this quote, which I love because it makes me feel better. I always think the insecurity is going to go away, but it’s always there. Only bad writers think they’re good. ~Harlan Coben

Good luck, Karoline! Here’s where you can connect with her:

http://www.karolinebarrett.com/

https://www.facebook.com/KarolineBarrettBooks/

https://twitter.com/KarolineBarrett

Filed under: Book Release, Guest posts, Interview, Jane's posts Tagged: Berkley InterMix, book release, Bun for Your Life, debut author, Karoline Barrett

Deep Breath

I’m finding it tough to keep up with everything these days. Some things are terrible, like the terror attacks across the globe that are doing their job–making us all afraid. Some things are wonderful–finishing and submitting Clock and Dagger, the release of Just Killing Time, co-chairing the New England Crime Bake, StageSource nights, and the impending arrival of my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. Combined with the rest of life, it is just a lot. Time for a deep breath, and for thinking about what I do. Am I adding to the chaos, or contributing to the peace? How can I tip my life from one to the other?

Being a cozy writer is a balancing act that has similar challenges. We all write murder mysteries. Chaos. But we write cozies, where order is restored, characters drive the story, and readers can take a vacation of sorts. As I plot book #3, I’ve been thinking a lot about this, and writing during this time in our shared history. So I’ve been taking a deep breath, and trying to add more balance to this book–more order, less chaos. More puzzle, less death. More solutions, less uncertainty. By the time I get to edits I may reconsider, but right now I am weary, and need a tonic. Going back to Orchard, and restoring order, is filling that need.

I wanted to share this video with all of you. As writers, empathy for our characters is also a required skill. Being empathetic is exhausting, but needed now more than ever.

Keep calm and cozy on my friends.

Filed under: Conferences, Julie's posts, Uncategorized Tagged: Crime Bake, Julianne Holmes, julie hennrikus, Just Killing Time, Keep Calm and Cozy On, StageSource

Wicked Wednesday–Who Are Your Aspirationals?

Julie Hennrikus/Julianne Holmes interviews Elizabeth George at the New England Crime Bake

The weekend before last we all heard Elizabeth George say you should read writers who are better than you are. That’s the best way to improve your craft.

So I’m wondering, Wickeds–who are your aspirationals? What authors do you read when you want to be inspired to be the best writer you can be?

Sherry: I usually read for entertainment, that said I love Julia Spencer-Fleming’s books and the conflict she set up with Clare and Russ. I have a story to share about our very own, Barbara Ross. Right before I was asked to write a proposal for the Sarah Winston Garage Sale series, I edited Barbara’s first book in the Maine Clambake series, Clammed Up. I loved it. Her characters are real people not caricatures, her plots are intricate, and the setting is fabulous. She works hard, researching, creating layers, thinking about theme — so much that you don’t see but it’s what makes her books so wonderful. I loved Gus in Barb’s books and created Angelo in mine. I’ve always wondered if I hadn’t just read Clammed Up if my proposal would have been as good. I’d be thrilled to be compared to Julia or Barb!

Liz: Totally agree with Sherry about Julia Spencer-Fleming and Barb. It’s a widely-known fact that I’m also completely obsessed with Dennis Lehane. His writing just pulls me in and doesn’t let go. Tana French is the same way – there’s a haunting quality about her settings and characters that keep them in your head long after the book is done. Also, R.J. Ellory, who often talks about the one thing he keeps in mind when writing: How he wants people to feel when they’re reading. I aspire to that–having a lasting effect on my readers.

Julie: I loved interviewing Elizabeth George. She is one of my aspirationals. Add me to the Julia Spencer-Fleming fan club as well. I am also a huge Jane Austen fan. What I learn from her is good story telling, wit, and not pandering to audiences. I have specific books that I aspire to–Gaudy Night, And Then There Were None, A Christmas Carol, The Eyre Affair.

Edith: Great topic! I’ve said ever since I read my first Julia Spencer-Fleming book, “If I could write like her, I’d die happy.” I just wish she’d write a little faster – the wait between books is hard. I also think Deborah Crombie tells a great story – language, setting, plot, characters – all are rich and expertly woven.  I aspire to read even one Elizabeth George! Didn’t get to it before Crime Bake, but she’s still on my list.

Jessie: I really admire Martha Grimes. I enjoy all her work but I especially love the Emma Graham books. Her ability to render both mood and character astounds me. I also adore anything by Alice Hoffman. The way she portrays relationships between characters, especially women, is so rich and vivid. Both Fannie Flagg and Billie Letts write with such affection for their characters while somehow not pulling their punches. That’s a rare feat in my opinion. Annie Proulx’s writing is a wonderment. It is lush and spare and poetic and gritty all at the same time.

Readers: What about you? If you’re a writer, who do you “read up” to inspire your craft? Others, who do you look up to in your own field or hobby for inspiration?

Filed under: Wicked Wednesday Tagged: Alice Hoffman, Annie Proulx, billie letts, deborah crombie, Dennis Lehane, Elizabeth George, fannie flagg, julia spencer-fleming, Martha Grimes, tana french

The Detective’s Daughter – I Do

Kim Gray in Baltimore wondering why it’s so dark this early.

I hate to admit it, but I have too many things. This weekend while preparing to finish a big project I’m working on, I decided the desk in my office needed to be moved closer to the window. This led to the relocation of the bookshelf, which of course meant I had to organize a lot of books. Two hours later my husband brought out packing boxes and began the great office makeover.

The drawer full of dried paint and crusty brushes where given the heave-ho, while other supplies were bagged up for donation to a school. “I didn’t know you were running art classes in here,” said my husband after four, yes that’s correct, four bags were put out on the porch.  And I had to admit most teachers didn’t have as many supplies as I did. In my defense, many of these items were from my teaching days. Well, at least a couple were.

Collecting began for me at a young age. One of my earliest memories is of reading the Sunday paper with Pop-Pop. My favorite section was the Society pages. They were filled with announcements of weddings and engagements that included small snapshots of the young women who were brides or who were about to become one. They were all posed in the same manner as an elementary school student on picture day and I wondered if they had all received a black comb as I had, or if maybe brides were given a white one.

In the afternoon I would cut out the photos of who I deemed the prettiest brides and paste them in a scrapbook. This led to Nana buying me my first subscription to Brides Magazine. I was five at the time and on my way to a lifelong obsession. Everything in my world became brides. I even insisted on a bride groom topper for my birthday cake…every year…until I was twelve. I still have a few of these cake toppers. Pop-Pop would walk me to Muhly’s Bakery near the market and help me select a new one each year. I keep the first one Pop-Pop bought for me in my office. Another small one is placed in my Christmas village every year, the others were lost in Dad’s house fire along with my grandparents cake topper that I coveted.

For me, it was all about the dress. I never thought about the marriage part, only the clothes. The first wedding I attended was that of my godmother. I called her my fairy godmother, and she lived up to it that day. No one could have been a more spectacular bride in her pristine white gown and movie star blond hair. She was the image that I held all brides to forever after.

The Christmas after the wedding Nana bought me a Madame Alexander bride doll. She became  infatuated with these dolls which led to an entire new collection of things for me. I would repeat this same mistake years later with my own daughter and American Girl dolls. Now, not only did I have a collection of bride magazines, scrapbooks, cake toppers and dolls, I had a brand new collection of baby dolls. They all currently reside in water-proof boxes in my attic, which is what becomes of most collections.

By the time I was entering middle school, my obsession with all things bridal was waning. I wasn’t to keen on what I was learning about marriage and all that took place after the wedding. I decided I would become a nun. It sounded good to me. I could marry God and wear a long dress and a veil all the time. My aunt saw this as a great opportunity to get me started on a collection of nun dolls and figurines. I was never as dedicated to this idea as I was the brides, however there have been moments after a hard day with my husband and kids that a nun’s life seemed appealing.

This evening I am sorting out my past, brides to the left, nuns to the right. I will keep a few that mean the most to me and pass the others on. Time to make some room for myself.

Readers: What fun things have you collected over the years?

Filed under: The Detective's Daughter Tagged: bride dolls, brides, Collecting, Madame Alexander dolls, nun dolls, society pages

Beauty

By Sherry

I wrote a post before the horrible, brutal attacks in Paris and Lebanon. As the world is still stunned by the senseless killing of innocent people, it makes us, as writers of mysteries, think again about what we do and why. We write and read cozies because, at day’s end, these stories restore the world to right, justice is served, and people are safe. Je Suis Paris.

Instead of the post I wrote I’m sharing photos I’ve taken over the years. I hope you enjoy them and are reminded that there is much beauty in the world. Readers: I’d love to hear about a place that makes you happy.

The hydrangeas in my yard.

Jacksonville Beach, Florida

 

St. Thomas

 

Jefferson Memorial

 

Lily

 

Bedford Farms, Bedford Massachusetts

 

Notre Dame

 

Fall, Northern Virginia

 

Rockport, Massachusetts

 

St. Martin

 

Paris

 

Town common, Bedford, Massachusetts

 

Jacksonville Beach, FL

 

Spring in my neighborhood

 

The Old North Bridge, Concord, MA

 

Monterey, California

 

Rockport, Massachusetts

 

Sea glass Monterey, California

 

Dayton, Ohio

Monterey, California

And finally a photo by photographer Meg Manion Silliker.

Filed under: Sherry's posts Tagged: Bedford Farms Ice Cream, Bedford Massachusetts, Dayton OH, hydrangeas, Jacksonville Beach, Jefferson Memorial, Monterey California, Old North Bridge, Paris, Rockport Massachusetts, Sea glass, St. Thomas, Westhighland Terriers, Westies

Inspiration from a White Elephant and a Real Crime—Guest Maya Corrigan

I want to thank Sherry for inviting me as a guest blogger. We got to know each other through a manuscript exchange when we were both writing the first books of our mystery series. When our second books came out on the same day, we celebrated with a joint launch party. Now we’re both looking forward to the release of our third books and writing the fourth one in our series.

My Five-Ingredient Mysteries (By Cook or by Crook and Scam Chowder) feature 32-year-old Val, who left a stressful job Manhattan and now lives with her widowed grandfather in a historic town on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Val runs a café, tests recipes for her long-planned cookbook, and solves murders, which she, like other sleuths in cozy mysteries, encounters with amazing frequency. In By Cook or by Crook, as she investigates the murder of one of her café patrons, Granddad takes up cooking and pares down her recipes to five ingredients. Each book in the series has five suspects, five clues, and Granddad’s modified five-ingredient recipes.

Around the time I was developing Granddad as a character, I came home from a white-elephant exchange with a pair of folk art dolls. If Sherry saw those dolls at a yard sale, I’m betting she couldn’t resist them. From the moment I sat that couple in my living room, I felt as if Val’s grandfather was watching every move I made. Though younger than the man in the corner of my room, Granddad resembles him—bald on top, hair sticking out from the side, and a mischievous look in his eye. His role in the books grew beyond what I originally intended because he’s a scene stealer and takes over the stories. He functions as Val’s confidant, foil, and sidekick, although he’d argue that she’s his sidekick.

In Scam Chowder Granddad throws a dinner party for people he’s met at the local retirement village. Some younger guests, including a reporter, also come to Granddad’s chowder dinner. He conceals from Val the real reason for the party—to expose one of his guests as a financial scammer targeting retirees. But when the scammer goes face down in the chowder, Granddad becomes the chief suspect because he lured the scammer to the house on false pretenses and served the chowder. So Val and he work together to prove him innocent and figure out which of the other five people at the table could have slipped poison in the scammer’s chowder.

I became interested in fraud against retirees and read up on the crime when my father was targeted by scammers. In discussing the problem with my friends, I discovered that everyone in my generation has stories about attempted, and often successful, scams against older relatives or neighbors. Scams against seniors are rampant, underreported, and under-prosecuted crimes. With Granddad in my cast of characters, I had a perfect setup to explore these crimes.

Retirees aren’t the only people who fall victim to financial scams like bogus investments. Bernie Madoff swindled a lot of people who weren’t retired. But scammers target older people for good reasons. Retirees have nest eggs to invest. They want their money to grow to make sure they have enough to last as long as they live. They also want to pass on the fruits of their labors to their children and grandchildren. The lure of higher return on investments is hard to resist, particularly in the last few years, when interest rates have been low. So older people, like younger ones, fall for a “too good to be true” investment opportunity. However, they aren’t as quick to report swindles.

Once older people realize they’ve been defrauded, they are often unwilling to tell anyone about it. They’re ashamed of themselves for being taken in and afraid they’ll lose control of their money if their relatives find out about the fraud. Even if the victims report the fraud to the police, it’s unlikely they’ll get their money back or that the con artist will be charged with a crime. Financial fraud can look like bad investment advice. You can’t demand restitution and put someone in jail for bad advice. In cases where the fraud is blatant enough for a criminal charge, the con artist counts on older victims being bad witnesses whose memories are hazy. Delays in prosecution also work in the scammer’s favor because everyone’s memory for details fades over time. If you want to know more about financial scams against retirees, visit the FBI web page:  https://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud/seniors

Please share your stories about attempts to defraud retirees. The more we raise awareness about these crimes, the better our chances of stopping them.

Maya (Mary Ann) Corrigan, lives outside Washington, D.C., not far from the Chesapeake Bay area where her Five Ingredient Mysteries are set: By Cook or by Crook, Scam Chowder, and Final Fondue (June 2016). Winner of the New England Readers’ Award and the Daphne du Maurier Award in unpublished Mystery/Suspense, she taught writing, detective fiction, and American literature at Georgetown University and Northern Virginia Community College. She posts trivia about food and mysteries on her website: http://www.mayacorrigan.com.

Readers: Do you know anyone one that has been victim of a scam?

Filed under: Guest posts Tagged: By Cook or By Crook, Financial fraud, Five Ingrediant Mysteries, Maya Corrigan, Scam Chowder

Crime Bake On a Stick 2015

We have so much fun with our “Stick With The Wickeds” contests. This year’s winner was Mark Baker. Mark is an avid reader and reviewer of cozy mysteries and has a wonderful blog Carstairs Considers! So here are some pictures of Mark’s adventures.

Mark takes in the view from his hotel room. He spots Wickeds Liz Mugavero, Kim Gray, and Julie Hennrikus and stops to pose for a picture. Donna Andrews jokes around with Mark. Whoa, is that Dorothy Cannell? Mark rushes over for a photo op. Shawn Reilly Simmons, one of the new Level Best editors, stops to pose with Mark. Mark heads to a panel. After the panel Mark runs into Jungle Red Writers, Hallie Ephron, Hank Phillippi Ryan, and Lucy Burdette.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authors Marni Graff and Leslie Budewitz greet Mark.

Mark meets debut authors Sherry Harris, Cheryl Hollon, and Michelle Dorsey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark takes a quick water break before heading back out to meet more people. Mark is happy to run into Wickeds Barbara Ross and Sheila Connolly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark rushes over to meet author Kate Flora. Then he spots author Peter Abrahams aka Spencer Quinn. (Let us say Peter was a bit startled by the fan on the stick but gamely posed for a picture, followed by a lovely conversation!)

Mark takes in another panel.

After the panel Mark finds lots of people hanging out — first he runs into Wickeds Jessie Crockett and Liz Mugavero. Jessie and Liz are joined by G.M. Malliett, Edith Maxwell, and Ruth McCarty.

Soon Mark finds himself in a large group of writers and readers.

Mark goes to the new author panel.

It’s time for the banquet. Mark spots Toni L.P. Kelner with her husband Stephan Kelner and, of course, Sid.Next he finds Phryne Fisher (Edith Maxwell) and Hercule Poirot (Cheryl Hollon).After the banquet Mark poses for a picture with the Wickeds.After a wonderful time at Crime Bake, Mark needs a bit of rest. The next morning before heading back to Southern California Mark goes to Starbucks and meets Lily.

 

Readers: Do you have a favorite author fan (pun intended) moment? Is there an author you hope to meet some day?

Filed under: Contests, Stick with the Wickeds Tagged: C. Michele Dorsey, Cheryl Hollon, Crime Bake, Donna Andrews, Dorothy Cannell, G.M. Malliett, Hallie ephron, hank phillippi ryan, kate flora, Leslie Budewitz, lucy burdette, Marni Graff, Peter Abrahams, Ruth McCarty, shawn reilly simmons, Spencer Quinn, Stephan Kelner, toni l. p. kelner

Wicked Wednesday–Memories of Crime Bake

The New England Crime Bake, held in Dedham, Massachusetts last weekend, is kind of the home game for the Wickeds. We know the turf and we’ve played here for years. Nonetheless, the conference always surprises, delights and teaches us.

Wickeds, what are your most memorable moments from Crime Bake 2015?

Liz: I say it every year, but this is my favorite mystery conference of all time. It was my first one and has always held a special place in my heart. It’s where I get to spend time with all my Wicked sisters, see old friends, make new ones, and spend time in the company of great writers – like our awesome guest this weekend, Elizabeth George. That said, I think what struck me most about this year was the number of first-timers. That says so much about the quality of the conference, the rave reviews it gets, and the value people feel it brings to the community. It also makes me happy to see so many new faces joining the publishing landscape. And the community of the conference was so apparent, because anyone spotted alone was immediately descended upon by any number of smiling faces, welcoming them and inviting them to chat. In fact, on Friday afternoon in the bar, the amazing Dorothy Cannell saw someone sitting alone and pointed her out to our group. Within a few moments she was happily ensconced at our table and we’d made a new friend. Thanks to Julie, Ray and the whole committee for making this conference better and better each year!

Jessie: For me, the most memorable moment was the acknowledgement of all the debut novelists attending this year. Seeing Julie and Sherry and Jane up on the stage along with so many other smiling faces was so heart-warming. We’ve ll been saying for a long time that Crime Bake is a tremendous resource for mystery writers but seeing all those newly published writers felt like proof.

Sherry: One of the great quotes of the conference came when Elizabeth George talked about struggling with writing — yes, even a writer like Elizabeth George struggles sometimes. She said she told herself: You will not allow words to defeat you. I may chant that from now on. Beyond that Crime Bake is so much about seeing old friends and making new ones! It’s like homecoming and the first day of school all at once. This year I met Penny Piva and Shelagh Smith. I met them Sunday morning at breakfast and they had me laughing so hard I’m surprised I wasn’t escorted out. They also invited me to have lunch with them after the conference ended — it was lovely and so typical of what happens at Crime Bake.

Julie: Crime Bake was wonderful, as it has been every one of the 13 years I’ve been there. This year, as co-chair, I have so many memorable moments. Certainly being a debut novelist was a moment of pride. I was nervous about my interview with Elizabeth George, who is a writer I greatly admire, and was thrilled that it went well. But my best memory? See the guy in the picture? He is writing a mystery novel–an aspiring author. He is also a retired neurosurgeon. Twenty years ago I had a very rare pituitary tumor that was hormone producing. This wonderful man saved my life. Talk about full circle–as wonderful as the weekend was, seeing him was my favorite memory.

Edith: Oh, my, which memory to pick? Agree with everyone about seeing all those fabulous debut authors on stage, and about Elizabeth George. I was heartened to hear that she has the same daily output goal as me: she calls it five pages, I call it 1500 words. Same difference. I guess I’m doing something right! It’s always such a treat, too, to see 200 of my best friends, some of whom I only see annually. And then…there’s the banquet. I’m a great lover of costumes, and of dancing, so I look forward to the themed banquet every year. This year I went as Phryne Fisher, detective, up from Australia, and paired with my old friend Hercule Poirot (aka Cheryl Hollon), also summoned to England by Interpol to solve a mystery at the pub. Or at least that was our cover story…

Barb: I always leave Crime Bake with many wonderful memories. but this year, the best one has to be the Level Best editors, packing their boxes and high fiving a job well done one last time.

Readers: Were you at Crime Bake, this year or in the past? Or do you attend a different annual gathering that means a lot to you? What are your memories?

Filed under: Wicked Wednesday Tagged: Elizabeth George, Hercule Poirot, Miss Phryne Fisher, New England Crime Bake