Event: Malice Domestic 31
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Hotel: Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
Date: May 1 – May 5, 2019

Malice Domestic is an annual fan convention in the metropolitan DC area that celebrates the traditional mystery, books best typified by the works of Agatha Christie. The genre is loosely identified as mysteries which contain no explicit sex, or excessive gore, or violence.

2018 Agatha winners

Best Contemporary Novel – Mardi Gras Murder by Ellen Byron

Best Historical Novel – In The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey

Best First Novel – Hollywood A Ladies Guide to Etiquette and Murder by Dianne Freeman and Curses Boiled Again by Shari Randall

Best Nonfiction – Mastering Plot Twists by Jane Cleland

Best Short Story – “All God’s Sparrows” by Leslie Budewitz and “The Case of the Vanishing Professor” by Tara Laskowski

Best Children’s/Young Adult – Potion Problems (Just Add Magic) by Cindy Callaghan

2020 Malice Domestic honorees: Guest of Honor: Julia Spencer-Fleming. Lifetime Achievement: Ellen Hart. Toastmaster: Jeff Cohen. Fan Guest of Honor: Dina S Willner. Malice Remembers: Ruth Cavin. Amelia Award: The Faithful Few.

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Wednesday: Arrived at the Malice hotel and discovered that a renovation project was going on. The Starbucks/on-site convenience store was gone. The restaurant has changed its look – it was now more opened, but with less tables. The bar was expanded and looked nice. The entrance had a different look and feel and the couches that I had planted myself on was gone.  Other than that the rooms were nice and the staff was nice as well, helping me get the room situation that I desired – near elevator, no connecting room and feather-free as well.

I made plans to visit with Cheryl Head, author of the Charlie Mack series, a series I hope you are reading. Anyway, she prepared me a southern meal of collard greens, cornbread muffin, baked macaroni and cheese, bbq wings and corn on the cob. The meal was delicious but it was the conversations that I enjoyed the best. Sad note was I gave her one of my quilts and Edgar Allan Poe golf balls and left them in the Uber. It has not been return. I will make her a new quilt soon and replace the golf balls.

Thursday: Had breakfast with Kris of BOLO Books and Michael at the hotel’s restaurant, The Corby Kitchen. Went to lunch at Owen Ordinary with LynDee Walker and her daughter, then drove around to CVS and came back to the hotel. Had dinner with Nancy Parra and Elisa at the hotel’s restaurant. Then went to see the featured movie but left when my friend arrived. Hung out in the bar area until it was time to crash in my room for the night. The best part of the day was getting a hug from *my* Bob.

Friday:The day started with my Malice traditional breakfast with Aimee Hix, gabbing in the hallways, attending Malice-Go-Round, more hugs, more talking. I double-booked my lunch plans, so I had lunch with Joanna Campbell Slan and dessert with Catherine Bruns, her husband and Mary Angela. Then attended the Best short story panel with Leslie Budewitz, Susanna Calkins, Barb Goffman, Tara Laskowski, and Art Taylor AND the Best novel panel with Kristopher Zgorski, Ellen Byron, Bruce Coffin, Annette Dashofy, and Hank Phillippi Ryan. Then the opening ceremony. Then dinner with at the City Perch with Kris, Michael, Judy and Clair. Then off to the Malice anthology signing. Last but not least, I went to the Media Maven event where bloggers meet authors and readers. My buddy, Lisa Q. Mathews, took care of me. Thanks to Ellen Byron for arranging it.

Saturday: Another good day spent with friends. Went to the SinC breakfast. Had coffee, I had hot chocolate, with Hannah Dennison. Lunch w/Aubrey and Judy. Went to the Putting the Fun in Murder with Jeff Cohen, Catriona McPherson, Jenna Harte, Valerie Burns, and Teresa Trent. Then it was time – The Super Fan Panel with Shawn Reilly Simmons, Kristopher Zgorski, Dru Ann Love, Nikki Bonanni, Judy Bobalik, and Kate Stine. Last but not least was the Agatha banquet. Congratulations to all nominees and the winners.

Sunday: Last day of the convention and I had my Malice traditional breakfast with Cathy Ace and Vicki Delany and then it was time to head home. I enjoy spending a few days with my crime fiction family, but there’s no place like home.

Goodies I got. . .

It’s all about me . . .

 

 

Malice-Go-Round . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Panels. . .

 

 

 

That’s all folks . . . until next year