Reds Poised to Take Cleveland!

HALLIE EPHRON: For the second time ever, almost the entire Reds gang is going to Bouchercon--the annual World Mystery Convention. Our panel is Friday (10/5) at @2:45 and we are attempting the never before mastered: Game Show!

We're talking Family Feud, and when the "survey sez..." it will be our friends and followers who get their say. So whether you are going to Bouchercon or not, run(!) right over to  and TAKE OUR SURVEY -- Please!! As usual, we want to hear what you think.

If you can't come to the Bouchercon panel, you'll have to wait until the week after to find out the results - we'll post them right here on JRW along with photos.
We are, by the way, coming to the panel dolled up in a way that I will not divulge, but trust me it has generated plenty of controversy among us and separated the clothes divas from the clothes whor... um, horses.

There's a great tradition of this, dressing up at mystery conferences, because authors are shameless and will do anything to promote their books. It's legitimized at the New England Crime Bake with a costume party which has featured several Sherlock Holmeses (memorably Joseph Finder), a scary Goth Lisbeth Salander (Nikki Bonanni at left), and at least one lobster (Stephen Rogers, I think). Malice is famous for its hats, and I remember a panel of authors who came dressed in rubber gloves carrying feather dusters; another with pink feather boas and tiaras. Trench coats and shades abound at Bouchercon and Thrillerfest.

Among us we've probably been to hundreds (and hundreds) of mystery conferences. Any memorable moments involving feather hats, feather dusters, or trench coats?

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Remembering, of course, that we always ask ourselves "WWSGD?" And wouldn't wear anything that Sue Grafton wouldn't wear.  Rosemary and I are, however, angling for elbow-length gloves.

DEBORAH CROMBIE: Rhys, Louise Penny, and I contemplated dressing up in togas and garlands for a Three Goddesses panel we did (where was that? Baltimore?) but, thankfully, we abandoned the idea.

HALLIE: I could not find a photo of Sue Grafton in opera-length gloves. Or a toga, for that matter.

LUCY BURDETTE: I'm definitely in for the toga party. In fact I love costumes of all kinds--love the New England Crimebake costume party and banquet. Last year I came dressed as Nancy Bartholomew's country western singer character, which gave me an excellent excuse to wear my blond wig and my cowhide skirt:). We don't get too many chances to dress up as adults so I grab them when they float by:).

ROSEMARY HARRIS: I generally ask myself ..."would Hank wear this?" I don't always answer yes, but it has kept me from making a few truly unfortunate choices. I think Nancy Martin and I once had a conversation about the black pants and black jackets that are trade show staples...who knows maybe I'll break out of my rut this time...I know ALL the reds are trying. I don't think I'll be wearing this outfit (this pic is from Crimebake's Vampire Ball) but you never know...

HALLIE: Rosemary, you were tasteful, indeed!

And oh, how lovely would it be if we all showed up at Bouchercon in Armani. You'll have to show up at the panel to find out.

We hope to see lots of friends there. In the meanwhile, TAKE THE SURVEY!
CLICK HERE!  or enter this link in your browser http://tinyurl.com/dxcs6dy.


And share your costume experiences. And if you know Cleveland, share with us what we should be sure to do/see/eat while we're there.

THIS JUST IN: as promised, Hank as Harriet Vane--with Nikki as Lisbeth Salander and Margery Flax as Emma Peel!