Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

I started the day with "Old Friends, New Friends" -- how authors handle the switch from one series to another. Panelists were Chris Graventstein, Parnell Hall, Mary Jane Maffini, Jen Forbus, Jeff Cohen and Libby Fischer Hellman. Parnell Hall caught my attention -- he has written three series, including a female protagonist who is a crossword puzzle columnist.

“Mysteries and the Movies” featured Robin Cook, Charlaine Harris, Jeremy Lynch, Joseph Finder and Chelsea Cain. It was fascinating hearing these guys talk about what it was like to have their vehicles filmed for TV or movies. Chelsea Cain’s series has been picked up by F/X. Finder’s “Paranoia” is being filmed now with Gary Oldman, Harrison Ford, and Liam Hemsworth. Of course they wound up talking about the disconnect between the characters on the page and the actors who play them. Chelsea felt that it was more important to find someone who can act than someone who fits the body type. They also got to talking about movies that equal or exceed the book and one of the authors mentioned running across a copy of “The African Queen” after having seen the movie and was surprised at how good it was.

Next was “Cop vs. Constable” which was probably my second favorite panel with Mark Billingham, Michael Robotham, Peter James, Sara Blaedel and Michael Connelly. Mark is a real pistol, he livens up any panel. One of these days I’ve got to read his series. Each of these authors represented a different country and they talked about the difference in police procedures and detecting in the different countries. Sara Blaedel was a find.. the blurb says she is “one of Denmark’s most successful crime writers, the author of seven bestselling novels featuring detective Louise Rick.” One more to add to the TBR list!

I skipped the 9 a.m. panels to eat a leisurely breakfast and joined Carol for the "Mysteries and Movies" panel which also included Derek Haas who is a writer/producer for the new show Chicago Fire which debuts Wednesday night. He is also a novelist and explained the vast differences between writing a screenplay vs. a novel.

Next I also attended "Cops vs Constables" and agree with Carol that any panel with Mark Billingham is worth attending. I actually have Sara Blaedel first book Call Me Princess out from the library but have not gotten around to reading it yet.

I then took a long lunch break (I rode the subway to the West Side Market) and made it back for the last panel of the day "Order in the Court" featuring Linda Fairstein, Douglas Corleone, David Rosenfelt, Chris Knopf, Twist Phelan, and moderated by William Landay. This was an informative panel and I was glad to see William Landay who I had never heard speak before.

I skipped "Cop vs Constable" in favor of "I am woman hear me roar" mostly because two of the panelists (Zoe Sharp, and Taylor Stevens) were lovely ladies I met last year. The panel was very good, and I loved the enticement to stay "we will be giving away copies of our books and you must be present to win". Zoe Sharp also opened with "I am really Michael Connelly here doing research for my next book". I had run into Taylor at the hospitality lounge the previous day and she mentioned being a little worried they would have a small audience going against an excellent panel with Mark Billingham and Michael Connelly's first appearance. No worries though plenty of people were there to see the women roar. Anthony winner for best first novel Sarah J. Henry, Jennifer McAndrews, Meg Gardner, and moderator Nora McFarland rounded out this exceptional group of women writing strong women.

I think Lori Armstrong would have made an exceptional addition to this group, I was at a similar panel last year with Lori, and Christa Faust.

Colleen wrote: "I skipped "Cop vs Constable" in favor of "I am woman hear me roar" mostly because two of the panelists (Zoe Sharp, and Taylor Stevens) were lovely ladies I met last year. ..."

Hey, Colleen! Was this the Zoe who joined us for dinner at John Q's?

Yes that was the very same Zoe. I met her for about 5 seconds last year, and Simon Wood spoke highly of her. So I made her one of my homework reads for this year and I really enjoy the fast pace action style of her books.

Also I liked that William Landay let his "fanboy" show a little when referencing the incredible work Linda Fairstein has done in law and fiction. She was incredibly sweet to turn that back on him and mention his book (which I think everyone got in their book bag at the 2011 Bouchercon).

Colleen wrote: "Yes that was the very same Zoe. I met her for about 5 seconds last year, and Simon Wood spoke highly of her. So I made her one of my homework reads for this year and I really enjoy the fast pace ..."

I really have to make it a point to read some of the new to me authors before next year.

I have a whole new list of homework this year as well as all the people I follow now from last year. Mary was agast I had not yet read John Connelly so I fixed that (though I only got thru the first book so far).

I can handle that kind of homework!
Colleen wrote: "I have a whole new list of homework this year as well as all the people I follow now from last year. Mary was agast I had not yet read John Connelly so I fixed that (though I only got thru the first book so far."

Colleen wrote: "I have a whole new list of homework this year as well as all the people I follow now from last year. Mary was agast I had not yet read John Connelly so I fixed that (though I only got thru the fir..."

I love that you call it homework! I'd better get started.....