Over 1500 people stole stealthily into the Empire State plaza last weekend (Sept. 19-22), to attend Bouchercon 2013, a convention for fans and authors of crime fiction. OK, they bought tickets, but they were there to celebrate a genre that embraces foul play and mystery.
This was the 44th Bouchercon, named for mystery fiction critic and author Anthony Boucher, and the only time it has been held in upstate New York. The theme was A New York State of Crime, a play on the Billy Joel song, and all of the panel discussions were named after other Joel songs. Author Sue Grafton, best known for her “alphabet series,” was honored with a lifetime achievement award.