Left Coast Crime 2019: Whale Of A Crime
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Hotel: Hyatt Regency Vancouver
Date: March 28 – 31, 2019

Left Coast Crime is an annual mystery convention sponsored by mystery fans, both readers and authors. LCC is held during the first quarter of the year in Western North America. Conventions have been held from Anchorage to El Paso, from Boulder to Hawaii, and various locations in between. Our purpose is to host an event where readers, authors, critics, librarians, publishers, and other fans can gather in convivial surroundings to pursue their mutual interests.

Tuesday, March 26, 2019:
Arrived at the hotel and the first person I saw was Lisa Alber. We hugged and then I checked into my room and went in search of other members of the crime fiction family. Saw Lucinda, Stan, Ann from Oz, Ovidia and others. Ovidia went with me to find the ATM, the spa and took me on a tour of the food court.

Later I found a spot in front of lobby entrance and hung out with authors and friends and then we tried to eat at the bar, but there were no empty seats, so we had to sit in the restaurant part of the Mosiac Bar and Grill.

Then came back down to the Grain Tasting bar and hung out with more friends.

Wednesday, March 27, 2019:
A group of us from the LCC convention took one of the tours offered by Landsea Tours & Adventures. It was a four-hour excursion through various sections of Vancouver. A great time was had on the almost 5-hour tour of Vancouver. Our host, Steve, was great. I love that he interjected his talk with personal info from his life. We started out in downtown Vancouver, to the harbor where we saw the Digital Orca, then we went to Stanley Park, which is huge – approximately one-fifth larger than Central Park, and saw the totem polls, then to Prospect Point, then to English Bay, Granville Island – I love the bridge we had to travel on, then we saw Gastown, Chinatown, and our last stop was The Lookout observation at the Harbour Centre Tower before heading back to the hotel.

First Nations art and totem poles

Engagement Art at English Bay

Shore to Shore sculpture

Digital Orca

Had dinner with Cathy Ace at the Cactus Club on Coal Harbour with a magnificent view of the harbor. Oh what a beautiful restaurant but it was the view that was enchanting. Saw the little water planes take off, so a platform on the water and people just walking around and of course the mountains.

The Olympic Cauldron

I attended the first of three author connections – Hijinks and Hot Chocolate. We were going to have it at the Thierry Chocolaterie Patisserie Cafe but the place was crowded so we headed back to the hotel in a location where we can have our hijinks and what a hilarious time spent with Becky Clark, Libby Klein and other participants.

Thursday, March 28, 2019:
Attended the speed dating event and won a prize, all because I had a star on my postcard.

Had lunch with Rae at the Victoria Chinese Restaurant and what an experience. We figured it was a dim sum place as the plates were small. We tried to figure out what to order, but the food items we wanted were for 4-6 people. We sat and watched others arrive and finally someone came and we asked if the items can be adjusted for 1-2 people and it was so we ordered our dishes, Fried Rice Yang Chow style, Spicy Chicken and Broccoli, and Sweet and Sour Pork. The waitstaff came back and put what we thought was a receipt and both Rae and I looked at it said the price must be in Chinese – no it was our order. So, we assumed all the food would come out at the same time – no, so we sat there while the first dish that came out was getting cold when we decided that we should start consuming the food before it gets too cold. Finally, all our food was out and then we thought about asking for a large plate. All in all, we had a wonderful experience and I would recommend the place.

After lunch I went to the Life Luxe Spa for a manicure and pedicure. It was an experience as I sat on one of those lounging table. With low lights and soothing music, I had to try hard not to succumb to sleepiness.

Went to second author connection with authors from Crooked Lane Books – Eileen Rendahl, Leslie Karst, Linda Wiken, Ellen Byron, Vicki Delany, James L’Etoile, and new acquiring editor Terri Bischoff. A good time was had by all. Thanks Vicki!

photo courtesy of Vicki Delany

Friday, March 29, 2019:
On Friday we were able to get our sweet prize for taking a picture of the Digital Orca.

Attended the new author’s breakfast and I definitely want to reach out to two new authors. Then had breakfast – it’s the most important meal of the day. And then the rest of the day is a blast of activities from attending panels, to attending the conversation between Catriona McPherson and toastmaster Cathy Ace which was a hoot, meeting Cathy’s husband to once again, finding a spot and chatting, laughing and dining with friends.

The day ended with my third author connection event at the Mosiac Bar and Grill with the Cozy Chicks (Ellen Byron, Kellye Garrett, Cynthia Kuhn, Becky Clark, Leslie Karst). It was a great ending to a long and plentiful day.

Saturday, March 30, 2019:
Meet fellow bloggers, Karen Owen (A Cup of Tea and A Cozy Mystery by Karen Mom of Three) and Kim Davis (Cinnamon & Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder).

Photo courtesy of Kim Davis

Attended a few panels including the one that I was time keeper for. Had lunch with Julie H and Sherry H at Victoria Chinese restaurant and this time I was prepared for the way they dish out their food. The food was delicious.

Also attended the M is for Memories for Sue Grafton.

Then it was time for the banquet and Lefty Awards. And the winners are:

• Best Humorous Mystery Novel: Catriona McPherson
• Best Historical Mystery Novel (Bruce Alexander Memorial): Sujata Massey
• Best Mystery Novel: Lou Berney
• Best Debut Mystery Novel: Dianne Freeman

A great time was had at Left Coast Crime – Whale of a Crime. Until next time in San Diego.