Sunday, October 11, 2009

Mysteries Set at Conventions

As I get ready for Bouchercon (the World Mystery Convention) that will take place in Indianapolis this week, I thought a short list of Mysteries Set during Conventions would be appros pro. Hoping nothing like the events that happen is these books will take place in Indianapolis.

We'll Always Have Parrots by Donna Andrews
Murder at the ABA by Isaac Asimov
Bell, Book and Scandal by Jill Churchill
The James Deans by Reed Farrell Coleman
Kill Your Darlings by Max Allan Collins
The Maltese Manuscript by Joanne Dobson
The Anglo-Irish Murders by Ruth Dudley Edwards
Beaned in Boston: Murder at a Finance Convention by Gail. E. Farrelly
Don't Blame the Snake by Tony Fennelly
Crewel Yule by Monica Ferris
Bury the Bishop by Kate Gallison
Mr. Monk in Outer Space by Lee Goldberg
The Christie Caper by Carolyn G. Hart
Living Proof by John Harvey
A Conventional Corpse by Joan Hess
Murder at the MLA by DJH Jones
Which Big Giver Stole the Chopped Liver? by Sharon Kahn
Masquerade by William X. Kienzle
Emily Dickinson is Dead by Jane Langton
Death of a Cozy Writer by G.M. Malliet
Killer Market by Margaret Maron
Bimbos of the Death Sun by Sharyn McCrumb
Die for Love by Elizabeth Peters
The Edith Wharton Murders by Lev Raphael
Kingdom of Lies by Lee Wood

SS: "Murder at Sleuthfest" by Barb Goffman in Chesapeake Crimes II.

One of my favorite movies (not a mystery) set during a convention is Galaxy Quest with Tim Allen and Tony Shalhoub. This takes place during a Fan Convention for a TV Show, Galaxy Quest. Incredibly funny.

My list is incomplete, I'm sure, and I welcome additions (and deletions)!

13 comments:

Kate Gallison said...

BURY THE BISHOP takes place at the annual diocesan convention of the Episcopal Church of New Jersey.

Unknown said...

Isn't Max Allan Collins' KILL YOUR DARLINGS set at a Bouchercon? My failing memory says yes, but I'm not certain.

Janet Rudolph said...

Thanks, Kate. Religious mysteries are right up my alley. Just added it.

Janet Rudolph said...

Yes, Bill, and we discussed Kill Your Darlings in our reading group. I've added it.

Unknown said...

Another possibility is Murder at the MLA by D.J.H.Jones, published in 1993 by the University of Georgia Press. The MLA in question is the Modern Library Association, and Jones is a nom de convention. Don't know if the writer ever fessed up.
Michaelyn

Barb Goffman said...

I haven't seen any short stories on your list, but my story "Murder at Sleuthfest" takes place at ... yes, Sleuthfest. It was a 2005 Agatha Award nominee. It appeared in the Chesapeake Crimes II anthology.

Sallee Kraics said...

I just finished "Crewel Yule" which was at a needlework store owners' convention--set in Nashville. Author Monica Ferris (one of her pseudonyms, I guess) said she was pleased to actually be invited to this needlework convention..because, the setting for her books--a needlework store in a small town in MN--is purely fictional.

David Cole said...

to deviate from the "book" aspect of the topic, i just watched Parallax View, Alan Pakula's mystery/thriller with Warren Beatty - lots of movie mysteries involving conventions

The Mystery Bookstore said...

Killer Market by Margaret Maron -- furniture biz in High Point, NC is deadly, as Judge Deborah Knott finds out!

Linda Brown
The Mystery Bookstore Los Angeles

Janet Rudolph said...

Thanks, Linda, how could I forget Killer Market?

Kiwicraig said...

Have an awesome time at Boucheron Janet! So jealous down here in NZ that you have all these great crime writing festivals on hand...

Anonymous said...

Yet another fabulous mystery at a convention is CATNAP, a sendup of the ABA, first in the Midnight Louie series by Carole Nelson Douglas.

Sandie Herron

Awkward Librarian said...

Someone sent me this via Twitter because I tweeted about thinking an anthology of convention mysteries would be so appropriate for Bouchercon! In the version I was thinking of all the Bouchercon writers would contribute a story, but this this is really very perfect. Thank you!