The Reds Take Malice

LUCY BURDETTE: If you've been to a conference with Jungle Reds on the program, you'll know that we've moved away from traditional panels and toward--game shows! Family Feud several years ago was a huge hit, and even included our honorary Red, Julia's hub, Ross.  We've done Balderdash, and Jeopardy. We bring prizes and encourage silliness. This year at Malice Domestic on May 2 in Bethesda will be no exception!

The game this time around is called 50 SHADES OF RED--and we have the most adorable buttons to help celebrate. Only four of us are able to attend this time (Hallie, Hank, Rhys, and Lucy), but we've wrangled an amazing guest moderator: Charlaine Harris!

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: So, This year's game is called 50 Shades of Red because we thought it was funny. But here's the secret--it means nothing. And that's funnier, right? But we're basing or new (and original) game of on that 1970's game Fact in Five. Remember that? Where you have an infinitesimally short amount of time to name--five countries that begin with W. Five dogs with colors in their names. And on and on. Lots of competition, lots of suspense. And lots of bluffing.

But the Reds have tweaked and polished and this year at Malice, we're making it all about mysteries!  Two of us Reds versus the other two. We'll face off to name as many things as we can--in twenty seconds--in a category given by the amazing Charlaine.  And then the opposing team will try to do better.
We're still working on the rules--plenty of time!--but we know some audience members will definitely be involved. So come prepared to play--and win!
And now--even if you aren't attending Malice!--we need your help.

HALLIE EPHRON: First: WE NEED CHALLENGES! Submit them as comments. Remember, these are facts in fives...

So I'll start:
Name five mystery novels with RED in the title.
Name five mystery novels that involve trains.
Name five clues in Sherlock Holmes stories.
Name five sleuths with dogs (or dogs with sleuth.

Your turn!

HANK:  I'll say: Nancy Drew's dog Daisy.  Pause, pause.  Are you wondering: did Nancy Drew have a dog name Daisy.???  And the answer is no! Because I am bluffing. (Not very well, but it's just an example.) So in Fifty Shades of Red, a player can bluff. But the opponents can challenge!! Wen there's a challenge, the timer stops, and the audience votes on who is right. The loser forfeits three hard-won points.

So how about:

Mystery novels set in London.
Detectives with children.
Mysteries with animals in the title
Series with more than five installments
Actors who play detectives in the movies
Mysteries that have become TV series
RHYS BOWEN:What my fellow Reds didn't mention yet is that we'll be choosing audience members to join our teams. If you'd like to help us out with your superior knowledge (and you really do know the name of Nancy Drew's dog)--you need to be wearing a special limited edition Jungle Red "I READ RED" button. We'll be choosing our panel members from the audience from  those who are wearing the buttons..and we will be handing them out at Malice! So make sure your find one of us..and get your I READ RED button so you can participate.  It'll also make you eligible for wonderful prizes! 

LUCY: Okay red readers, we'd love your ideas now--tell us your category ideas! Just put them in the comments. 

And if you're coming to Malice, please come to the funny farm--errr, panel--at 12:30 on Saturday.