I have a lot of pictures to share today, but first, a scheduling word. This week is going to be off. I have a guest post on Thursday, and Catriona McPherson is going to give away books. That means, the giveaway and author post will be up on Thursday, and What Are You Reading? will be posted Friday. I still want to hear about your week in reading. Just switching things around this week.

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I ended yesterday’s post with a teaser, author Jim Born as a corpse. Heather Graham wrote a musical play with the following cast: Heather Graham, Charmaine Harris, David Morrell, Jim Born, Brad Parks, Stacy Allen, Daniel Palmer, Megan Crosbie, Jason Pozzessere

Here’s Charlaine Harris as Annie O. She looked like she was having a great time, especially when the cast surprised her singing the theme song from “True Blood”. It went hand-in-hand with her major lines – “It’s vampires!”.

Below, Heather Graham as Madam Mom, and her son, Jason Pozzessere as Crazy Coot.

David Morrell and Jim Born played gamblers.

Megan Crosbie was Sexy Sue, Jason Pozzessere as Crazy Coot, and Stacy Allen as Sultry Sal.

Daniel Palmer was Jesse Jones.

And, Brad Parks as Sheriff Wyatt Burp.

Here’s the entire cast.

I watched the fun musical with a good friend, David Chaudoir and Toni L.P. Kelner, author of the Sid mysteries, written as Leigh Perry.

David Chaudoir and Toni L.P. Kelner

One of the best parts of Bouchercon is the chance to meet authors, including ones I reviewed. I really like Claire Booth’s Sheriff Hank Worth mysteries.

With Claire Booth

Here’s Susan Boyer in the signing area.

In the library field, doing book talks and pushing books is called readers’ advisory. Even away from the library, I couldn’t resist talking about Allen Eskens’ Nothing More Dangerous. The book comes out next week. You should all read it. (smile) I’m telling Chris Aldrich and Terry Shames about the book in the picture below.

Hank Phillippi Ryan is beloved by so many of us in the mystery field. She was the American Guest of  Honor.

With Hank Phillippi Ryan

Mary Anna Evans, author of the Faye Longchamp mysteries, reminded me I was the first one to book her for an author event when we were both in Florida. We’ve caught up with each other in Arizona, and now Dallas.

With Mary Anna Evans

Here’s another author I really wanted to meet, Tracy Clark. She wrote Broken Places and Borrowed Time, both set in Chicago. I loved Broken Places.

Tracy Clark

Con Lehane’s latest 42nd Street Library mystery, Murder Off the Page, is due out in a couple weeks.

With Con Lehane

Lori Rader-Day is the new President of Sisters in Crime. She also won the Anthony Award for Best Paperback Original for Under a Dark Sky while at Bouchercon.

With Lori Rader-Day

Here’s David Chaudoir, Wendall Thomas who is the author of the Cyd Redondo mysteries, and me.

David Chaudoir and I met Allen Eskens, author of the best book I’ve read this year, Nothing More Dangerous. It’s due out next week.

David Chaudoir, Allen Eskens, Me

I’ve known R.J. Lee, author of The Bridge to Death mysteries, almost as long as I’ve been in Indiana.

R.J. Lee

Here’s a name many of you blog readers will recognize, but probably not his face. Here’s Jeff Meyerson.

Jeff Meyerson and Me

Jeff and his wife, Jackie Meyerson, have attended so many more Bouchercons than I have. It’s good to catch up with them.

With Jackie Meyerson

Jeffrey Siger, author of the Andreas Kaldis mysteries, is one of my favorite people.

With Jeff Siger

I’m going to repeat what William Kent Krueger said to me, because it’s worth remembering. I told him he’s the only author who makes me cry at conferences when he talks about how much he loves books and libraries and readers. He said, shouldn’t we all talk about what we love? Wouldn’t we all be better off?

With William Kent Krueger

You really don’t know how much I owe to Maddee James. Maddee is a friend I adore. She’s also Xuni.com, a wonderful web designer who specializes in author’s. She also did so much to get my blog off the ground, encouraging me, helping, and pushing me when it was time to change the name. I’ll always be grateful. Best of all, she’s a lovely person.

Maddee James, David Chaudoir, Me

Sulari Gentill was on the Crime From Down Under panel, and Dervla McTiernan was moderator.

Sulari Gentill and Dervla McTiernan

Dervla McTiernan is originally from Ireland, but now lives in Australia. She won the Barry Award for Best Paperback Original for The Ruin.

With Dervla McTiernan

Saturday afternoon, Sourcebooks/Poisoned Pen Press hosted the Hospitality Suite, so some of the Poisoned Pen Press authors were there. Here’s Triss Stein and Annie Hogsett.

Triss Stein and Annie Hogsett

Here’s Martin Edwards.

Martin Edwards

Thomas Kies is the author of the Geneva Chase mysteries.

Thomas Kies

Bree Baker is the author of the Seaside Cafe Mysteries. 

And, of course, I had to go for BBQ once while in Dallas. The one hour wait at Pecan Lodge was worth it.

Pecan Lodge

Pecan Lodge

I don’t have pictures of one event that meant a lot to everyone who attended. I probably could have taken pictures, but it just didn’t seem appropriate. Angela Crider Neary hosted a small reception to remember her father, Bill Crider. It was an honor to be invited. And, I toasted him with Dr. Pepper. Thank you, Angela, for the chance to remember your father.




I really can only end with what I said yesterday. For me, Bouchercon is just one big hug.