The Reds Salute Hank #MaliceDomestic

DEBORAH CROMBIE: As you've probably heard, our fabulous Hank was the Guest of Honor at Malice Domestic this year! We Reds were asked to write a piece for the program book, and we thought you might enjoy the results--along with some fun photos!

LUCY BURDETTE: I first met Hank Phillippi Ryan when I was working on a New England Sisters in Crime calendar in 2003. Several of us traveled across New England with a photographer to take small group shots of our members. One of these was at Hank’s home. She was warm and welcoming and immediately impressive, taking charge of the photo shoot, and insisting we redo it until it was perfectly professional. She was a founding member of the Jungle Red Writers blog (now going on 15?? years and still writing!) She is the biggest engine behind our success, always insisting that we put our best foot forward, welcome all readers and writers, and produce excellent content every.single.day. She is a brilliant brainstormer, an indefatigable supporter of other writers, and the hardest worker in the business. She is known and loved across the country for her twisty suspense novels, her wise advice, and her warm friendship. I knew at that first meeting that I was in the presence of a whirlwind.

HALLIE EPHRON: I met Hank way back when she was working on her first crime novel (PRIME TIME), but here in New England she was already legendary as an investigative TV reporter with shelves full of Emmy Awards. “Help me Hank” was a phrase that thrilled her readers and terrified the targets of her investigations. I was in awe of her glamor and polish, her savvy and her smarts. Her debut novel, PRIME TIME, featuring (what else?) an investigative TV reporter, won the Agatha Award for Best First Novel adding a Teapot (Agatha Award for Best First novel for PRIME TIME) to her shelf of awards. Soon our roles were reversed and she was helping me come up with the perfect title for a story or wrangle a misbehaving character or amp suspense (her forte). To repeat a theme: GENEROSITY! That should be her middle name. I’d be surprised if there’s even a single author at Malice who hasn’t been, like me, been boosted by Hank.

JENN MCKINLAY: There is no greater supporter of other writers in the publishing world than Hank Phillippi Ryan. She is generous with her time, her wisdom, and her enthusiasm, all of which she has in abundance. Truly, between her award-winning investigative journalism and bestselling thriller writing - she is a force of nature! When I joined the Jungle Reds seven years ago, Hank welcomed me with open arms (as did all the Reds) and it’s been a joy having that friendship grow into a real sisterhood. 

(Hank's GOH interview with the lovely Robin Agnew.)

RHYS BOWEN:  Hank and I bonded late one night after an award ceremony where we were both nominated and both didn’t win. I have to say we clicked immediately.  Until then I had been rather in awe of this impeccably polished person with the incredibly high heeled shoes. But once you get to know Hank you discover a warm, generous, funny, witty person who will be your biggest cheerleader. I count her as one of my dearest friends, and certainly the person I could turn to if I needed help, advice or cheering up.

Her support for other authors is legend. That she would give up so much time every week to host upcoming authors on various platforms is beyond commendable. What’s more when she goes out of her way to make her guests look good. I am thrilled that she is being honored at Malice.

DEBORAH CROMBIE: I'd never met Hank Phillippi Ryan when I was invited to join the Jungle Red Writers blog more than a decade ago, and I have to admit I was a little intimidated by this very accomplished and always elegant woman. What I've since discovered is that Hank is THE most generous and supportive person in the mystery community, and that, yes, she really is that nice. Her energy and enthusiasm seem boundless, but even amid her busy schedule she always has time to offer a word of encouragement or advice. I count myself as very fortunate to be her friend, and I can't think of anyone more deserving to be honored at Malice Domestic. Brava, Hank!

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: If Hank were a character in one of her delicious cat-and-mouse suspense novels, you'd be very suspicious of her. Who is this woman asking penetrating questions as if you're the most interesting person she's ever met? Why is she always doing selfless things for others? How is it her hair is always perfect? She must be the villain, right? That's the shocking twist - beneath her striking looks and groaning shelf of awards, she's still the same gosh-darn nice girl from the Hoosier State. Sharp, funny, utterly loyal and with a deep well of love for everyone and everything in the genre she's made her own. She'll take you to lunch, offer you the ballet flats in her purse, feature you on one of her many book promotion platforms, and if you asked how to repay her, she'd be utterly befuddled. Guest of Honor is great, but if Malice Domestic ever decides on a Queen, Hank Ryan has the title sewn up.

Congratulations to our Hank! Any Hank stories that you would care to share?