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Malice Domestic — Friday, April 25, 2008 — Day 1 (continued)

Malice Domestic LogoWe arrived at the hotel, got our badges, and were early enough to sit in on the Charity Auction to benefit JLG-RICA. The bidding was heavy and everyone was having a great time. Auctioneer was Kate Grilley with the assistance of Sue Henry. While we were there Katherine Hall Page auctioned off an item (the winner could have his or her original recipe for a dessert in her book due out for Christmas). This item got a lot of interest and finally went for $525 dollars. This is all to help a great cause and everyone enjoyed themselves. The convention is also having a silent auction for the same cause that will end tomorrow — these items are mostly baskets based on a theme. Some are very clever but all the baskets are wonderfully creative. Hopefully tomorrow, we’ll have time to get some pictures.

This year is Malice Domestic’s 20th Anniversary. During the Opening Ceremonies, Dan Stashower noted that he’d been to all but the first convention. The ceremonies included a moment of silence for the loss of members of the mystery society over the past year after the names were read out. Next was a list of all the sponsors of Malice Domestic for this year followed by presentation of certificates for all those attending this year who’d also attended the first Malice Domestic, and then an introduction of all the Malice Domestic Board members. The Guests of Honor were then introduced and presented with gifts (Charlaine Harris, Lindsey Davis, Dan Stashower, Peter Lovesey and others). Next all the nominees for the Agatha Awards were introduced and presented with certificates. (The winners of the Agathas will be announced at the Saturday evening Banquet.)

The Opening Ceremonies was followed by a reception. Lot of munchies and a chance to talk with authors, editors, publishers, fans, and all in between and combinations of the previous categories. Many of the people that I spoke with had been to previous Malice Domestic conventions and loved coming back. One couple said that the convention was a great way for them to hear about upcoming books and to hear about them from the authors themselves. But everyone loved mysteries and solving them and the opportunity to learn more about the genre.

Lucy ZahreyAfter the reception, Lucy Zahrey, The Poison Lady, gave a talk on poison plants. Focusing on how readily available poisons are in our gardens, our neighbor’s gardens, health food stores, and other places not usually associated with poison, she told us about symptoms, strategies, availability, and novel possibilities for writers who have characters who wish to poison their enemies. Plants discussed included castor beans, yew, monkshood, poppies, oleander, and others. She warns that people should never confuse natural and organic with safe, since most poisons are both, and definitely not safe. Recommended as a good resource for writers was Common Poisonous Plants of North America by Timber Press. Each poisonous plant was presented with the ways in which it might be used by an author in a story to commit a crime that would be interesting for readers and realistic. The lecture bring home to anyone listening just how readily available poison or poisonous plants can be found if you know where and how to look.

Next was a Toastmaster Event. Dan Stashower and Parnell Hall discussed Malice Domestic’s past and present and some of the highlights of past conventions including several incidents with handcuffs (and missing keys), a Whimsy Award that was a large stuffed groundhog in a lace dress, and other misadventures or hilarious mishaps. The laughter and gaiety made for a entertaining hour.

The evening ended with a Theater of the Air presentation of “The Adventure of the Murdered Ship”. Theater of the Air is done as an old time radio show. Starring in this evenings production was Parnell Hall, Carole Nelson Douglas, Kate Flora, Hal Glatzer, Dan Stashower, Pari Noskin Taichert, Tom O’Day, David Skibbins, and Jack French. “The Adventure of the Murdered Ship”, according to the handout, was originally broadcast January 30, 1943 and was one of “The Adventures of Ellery Queen”, a radio mystery series that ran from 1939 to 1948. The acting was smooth and the mystery, it’s clues, and the solution were clever and neat. A great time was had by all.

So, the first day of Malice Domestic leaves us tired but excited to learn more and talk to more participants and attendees.

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