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Keys TV host Jenna Stauffer dives in to the works of some of her favorite authors in anticipation of the inaugural Mystery Writers Key West Fest.

 

Mystery Writers Fest – Murder and Mayhem

alive and well in Key West this weekend

 

The inaugural Mystery Writers Key West Fest, a gathering of premier South Florida true crime, mystery and suspense writers will take place Friday through Sunday, June 13-15, with the theme “Murder and Mayhem in Paradise.”

 

The Fest kicks off on Friday evening with a meet and greet at Smokin’ Tuna Saloon. Mayor Craig Cates will present his proclamation of Mystery Writers Weekend in Key West and The Murder & Mayhem Band, featuring acclaimed authors Heather Graham, Don Bruns, Mike Dennis and Hal Howland will jam out criminally hot tunes from the stage. Next up is a night-time bar stroll with New York Times bestselling author W.E.B. Griffin (William Butterworth IV) to explore some Key West’s favorite watering holes.

 

Four panel events throughout the day on Saturday will feature acclaimed crime fiction and true crime writers, including New York Times bestselling author Heather Graham; novelist and New York Times bestselling true crime author Carla Norton; award-winning author Sandra Balzo; Nancy Cohen, award-winning author of romance and mysteries; Don Bruns, award-winning author of the Caribbean Mystery Series; Jeremiah Healy, author of crime fiction in two mystery series; Miriam Auerbach, author of the “Dirty Harriet” mysteries; Robert Coburn, author of “A Loose Knot,” “A Deadly Deception” and “The Pink Gun;” crime and noir fiction novelist Mike Dennis; Wayne Gales, author of “Treasure Key” and “Key West Camouflage;” Michael Haskins, creator of the popular Mad Mick Murphy mystery series; Hal Howland, author of the acclaimed detective thriller “Landini Cadence;” Neil S. Plakcy, writer of mystery, adventure/romance, and gay erotica; and gonzo noir author Jonathan Woods.

 

A fifth panel event, moderated by US 1 News Director Bill Becker is titled “Crime in the Florida Keys,” and features Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsey, Key West Police Chief Donie Lee, Retired U.S. Coast Guard Captain Jim Fitton, Jim Linder, Retired Joint Interagency Task Force – JIATF/DEA, and Terry Schmida, journalist and author of three Florida Keys true crime books.

 

Other highlights include a buffet luncheon with special guest W.E.B. Griffin, who will discuss his career as an editor, novelist and co-author with his father, William E. Butterworth III; a drawing for a “walk-on” cameo appearance in an upcoming mystery story; a group book signing event; one-on-one consultations with a publisher, an editor and an expert on writers and taxes; plus a showing of the 1948 noir film Raw Deal at the Tropic Cinema.

 

Sponsored by the Mystery Writers of America, the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, the Key West Citizen and numerous public and private sponsors, the Fest is produced by Shirrel Rhoades, an award-winning writer and publisher (Absolutely Amazing eBooks), and author Michael Haskins via their company Key West Writers Bloc.

 

“Key West is a perfect setting for intrigue, and many popular writers have used the island as the backdrop for their mysteries,” commented Rhoades. “Haskins and I had already founded the Key West Writers Bloc to promote authors and their work, so we thought, why not bring together a gathering of acclaimed South Florida and Key West authors to talk with fans — not just about whodunnit — but about how they actually do it.” For more information and a complete schedule visit www.mysterywriterskeywestfest.com.

 

 

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