Mystery Fans Can Book Some Time With Their Favorites
The 25th annual World Mystery Convention - Bouchercon 25 - will be held Thursday through Sunday at the Stouffer Madison Hotel. It is open only to conference registrants, and registration closed in June.
Mystery fans, however, will have many opportunities to meet their favorite authors at a number of public events in libraries and bookstores. The following schedule lists only a few of the more than 100 writers attending Bouchercon 25; if you don't see your favorite author, check with the bookstore or library.
Seattle Public Library: The downtown library, 1000 Fourth Ave., will host a reception for writers and fans from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, in Lee Auditorium. An estimated 60 writers will attend, including Linda Barnes, Peter Lovesey, Tom Kakonis, Earl Emerson and Liza Cody. Information: 386-4636.
King County Library: The King County Library System Foundation will host "A Mysterious Affair," a library fund-raiser featuring more than 100 mystery writers, from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, at the Bellevue Regional Library, 1111 110th Ave. N.E. Tickets are $25 for the evening, which includes wine, hors d'oeuvres and raffle prizes (call 684-6605). Authors include Mary Daheim, Kate Wilhelm and Robert Ferrigno.
Tacoma Public Library: The main library, 1102 Tacoma Ave. S., will host an autograph party with more than 50 writers, including Ann Rule and Joe Gores, 4 to 9 p.m., Monday. Information: (206) 591-5666.
Seattle Mystery Bookshop: The store at 117 Cherry St. will host autograph parties on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and more than 40 Puget Sound-area mystery writers will attend an "alumni day" open house from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Thursday's book signings include Kate Charles, Lawrence Block and Stephen Greenleaf; Friday will feature Sara Paretsky; and Saturday's schedule includes Sue Grafton, R.D. Zimmerman and Jane Dentinger. Call the store for times: 587-5737.
Killing Time Mystery Books: The store at 2821 N.E. 55th St. will feature Bouchercon-related book signings today through next Tuesday. Highlights include Stephen Greenleaf tomorrow; Elizabeth Peters and Lawrence Block on Thursday; and K.K. Beck, Joe Gores and L.R. Wright on Friday. Call store for times: 525-2266.
Magnolia's Bookstore: The store at 3206 W. McGraw will host a mystery open house with 13 authors from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Writers dropping by include Ridley Pearson, J.A. Jance, Janet L. Smith, Gary Alexander and Earl Emerson. Information: 283-1062.
Beks Bookstore: The bookstore in Rainier Square, 1301 Fifth Ave., will host book signings at noon Thursday and Friday featuring E.W. Count, Tony Fennelly and Jay Brandon, among others. Information: 624-1328
Brentano's: The bookstore in Westlake Center will host noon book signings with Earl Emerson (Thursday) and Polly Whitney (Friday). Information: 467-9626.
The Elliott Bay Book Co.: The store, 101 S. Main St., has a reading with Earl Emerson (tomorrow, 5 p.m.); a group signing with Marcia Muller, Peter Lovesey, Donald E. Westlake, Abigail Padgett and Sherryl Woods (Saturday, 4 p.m.) and readings with Richard Rosen (Saturday, 7 p.m) and Ridley Pearson (Monday, 5 p.m.). Information: 624-6600.
Parkplace Book Co.: The store in Kirkland's Parkplace Center will host mystery writers Marilyn Wallace, Susan Dunlap and Gillian Roberts at 11:30 a.m. Friday and Earl Emerson at 7:30 p.m. next Tuesday. Information: 828-6546.
Red & Black Books: The bookstore at 432 15th Ave. E. will host mystery writers Barbara Wilson and Ellen Hart at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Barnes & Noble: The chain's Southcenter bookstore will host J.A. Jance tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. (575-3965), and its Bellevue store, 626 10th Ave. N.E., will host Ellen Hart at 3:30 p.m Sunday and Louise Hendrickson at 7 p.m. Monday (451-8463).
University Book Store: The store's Bellevue branch, 990 102nd Ave. N.E., will feature Aaron Elkins, James Crumley and Parnell Hall at 7 p.m. Thursday. Information: 632-9500.