Crime in the Keys

If you're still deciding on your vacation plans for the summer, why not combine some fun in the sun with a criminally good time? This June 13-15, the inaugural Mystery Writers Key West Fest heads to the land of Hemingway and Tennessee Williams with a dozen leading authors from the crime and adventure fiction genres.

The festival is the brainchild of co-founders Shirrel Rhoades, a publisher who has worked with Reader's Digest, Scholastic, Harper's, Marvel Entertainment, and Absolutely Amazing eBooks, and author Michael Haskins, creator of the Mad Mick Murphy mystery series. As Rhoades explained, "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."

Highlights include a Friday-night opening party with participating mystery writers followed by—what else?—a Bar stroll led by author W.E.B. Griffin and Jim Linder, military contractor and retired Navy officer with the JIATF (Joint InterAgency Task Force, South) to some of the preferred Key West lairs of authors, actors, detectives and shady ne’er-do-well’s: Hog’s Breath Saloon, Fairvilla Megastore (free rum punch in Key West’s home for Fantasy Fest costumes), Pat Croce’s Rum Barrel and the waterfront Schooner Wharf Bar.

Sponsors brought on board include the Mystery Writers of America, the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, and the Key West Citizen newspaper, who are making the Fest open to authors, aspiring authors, and non-writing mystery-buffs. The Saturday sessions will offer up panels such as "Women of Mystery" and "Importance of Getting Locale Right."

DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Key Resort is the main venue for the event, and is offering an early bird rate for those who book rooms before May 10. For information on registration, visit the Mystery Writers Key West website.