Bosch on the Bayou at Bouchercon 2021

To keep our spirits up during this surreal period of COVID-19 confinement - one must plan for when we can next see our friends, colleagues and fellow advocates of the Crime and Mystery Fiction Genre.

Sadly, many 2020 crime, mystery and thriller fiction events have been cancelled in the wake of this RNA-Virus - such as Bouchercon 2020 [Sacramento, USA], Theakstons’ Crime Writing Festival 2020 [Harrogate, UK], Crimefest 2020 [Bristol, England] to name a few. 

We’re waiting to see if Adam Hamdy, David Headley and Liz Curle’s Capital Crime 2020 [London, England] will occur, as it is after the summer and we pray that we will have the COVID-19 situation under control by then.

Thriller writer KJ Howe, with ITW’s technical bloke Jeff Ayers, and the team behind International Thriller Writers Inc, have come up with a good plan, following the cancellation of New York’s Thrillerfest 2020 [due to fears of COVID-19] – so the ITW gang have a planned Virtual event, details HERE

We got word from the Bouchercon Board of Directors, that it’s all steam ahead for Bouchercon 2021 [New Orleans, USA]; and that the work of Michael Connelly is to be celebrated as he will receive the lifetime achievement award for his writing.

We are delighted that former journalist Michael Connelly and his novels, stories [many featuring that singular creation Harry Bosch] and film / TV is to be celebrated during Bouchercon 2021.

In 2018, the Crime Writers Association recognised a lifetime achievement award in London, when he was presented with the CWA Diamond Dagger.

We recorded the 2018 event, with CWA Chair Martin Edwards' introduction, and Mike Connelly’s acceptance speech –

For many readers (myself included), Michael Connelly is one of the greatest living crime writers working today, and for many - his creation Harry Bosch of the LAPD is one of fiction’s greatest detectives. And now Amazon Prime’s BOSCH series reaches its sixth season, with Titus Welliver playing the eponymous Investigator. All seasons of Bosch are available to stream online at Amazon Prime.  

Reports from Jeff Peirce’s The Rap Sheet on our visits to the Hollywood set of Season One can be accessed HERE while our location visit for Season Two at Venice Beach [Los Angeles] can be accessed HERE

Literary commentator / critic, horticulturist and sports presenter Michael Carlson published an excellent feature for Shots Magazine THE ABSTRACT ART OF BOSCH, which can be accessed HERE

And if you are readying yourself to watch Bosch Season Six, remember part of the narrative arc comes from Michael Connelly’s THE OVERLOOK. It was originally a story serialised in the New York Times, but eventually found itself as a novel – I spoke with Michael at the time about this lean and extraordinary post-911 narrative [one that features Larry Gandle as Bosch’s Boss] – it is archived HERE  

Joining Michael Connelly, as Guests of Bouchercon 2021, are :-

Steve Berry – Thriller Guest of Honour

Craig Johnson – American Guest of Honour

Charles and Caroline Todd – Historical Guests of Honour

Jo Nesbo – International Guest of Honour

Alafair Burke – Toast Mistress

Jonathan Maberry – Kid’s Bouchercon Guest of Honour

And for some reason, I’m also excited to attend.

Much thanks must go to the Dynamic Duo, of best-selling thriller writer Heather Graham and the extraordinary Connie Perry [and their team], for chairing the event, and returning us back to New Orleans after the extraordinary event in 2016.

Here’s archive video of the opening ceremonies -

And Jeff Pierce at the Rap Sheet has commentary and pictures HERE and remember 2021’s Bouchercon is a return trip for Mike Connelly to New Orleans, as he was interviewed by Harlan Coben – Archived video HERE

So as the crime, mystery and thriller clan gather, after so long, I’d start planning for Bouchercon 2021: Blood on the Bayou

More information HERE

Hope to see you at the biggest celebration of Crime and Mystery Fiction, Bouchercon 2021 and I’d register as soon as possible as registrations are coming in thick and fast.

AND STAY WELL / TAKE PRECAUTIONS AND READ BOOKS TO ESCAPE

Born on the Bayou: Bouchercon 2021 New Orleans

It’s been a bit of a surreal week for me, firstly after a month of sitting on my hands, I have finally been able to speak about a Crime Novel, a Thriller that has rocked me, namely the release of Thomas Harris’ sixth novel Cari Mora.

I reviewed it HERE, though my excitement is visible HERE, HERE and HERE.

Then, I heard that I am required to attend the World Crime and Mystery Convention, Bouchercon 52, Chaired by the Award Winning and Bestselling Author Heather Graham with her Colleague the amazing Connie Perry – and the team they are assembling.

Bouchercon 52, runs August 25 – 29 2021 and you can get more information HERE but bookmark that link, as more information will appear as the clock ticks toward the event.

I am most humbled, as I will be joining Jo Nesbo travelling from Europe to celebrate with our colleagues in America, the darkest edge of Literature, the Crime, Mystery and Thriller Genre.

As a former member of the Board of Bouchercon, the last event I attended was Bouchercon 2016, which was a memorable time for all who attended, and one of the biggest events that celebrated the genre. You can see what happened from the links via writer / editor Jeff Pierce HERE, HERE and from Mike Stotter HERE

It was a great time, especially as I worked very hard with the Boucheron Board co-chairing the programming for Bouchercon 2015, in Raleigh North Carolina – click HERE for memories of days now passed, and these videos HERE from The Rap Sheet.

Due to the popularity of the 2016 Bouchercon in the wonderfully weird city of New Orleans, I’d start planning soon despite it being held in 2021 as I hope to see many of my friends, colleagues and contacts down on that Bayou.

But don’t forget the prior World Crime & Mystery Events, Bouchercon 50 hosted in Dallas in 2019 more info HERE, and Bouchercon 51 in 2020 hosted in Sacramento more info HERE.  

Let me leave you with a piece of music that I am playing a great deal currently, because I love New Orleans, and my love for Dennis and Heather Graham, and Connie Perry knows no perimeter. I am privileged to have them as friends for so many years now, sharing our time and drinks on both sides of the Atlantic, first meeting at the inaugural International Thriller Writers THRILLFEST Convention held in Phoenix Arizona in 2006. My recollections of that time, a fragment torn from my memory, like Dr Hannibal Lecter’s memory palace is still online HERE

And for the couple of people seated at the back of the auditorium, here’s some information about the prolific and life-affirming Author Heather Graham HERE

And now for some Southern Comfort