For the many benefits of mystery book conferences: GO HERE
Briefly, these are the 4 best for readers/fans in North America. Click the name of the conference to go to their website which has all known details at this point in its planning. A detailed list of panels and all activities are released about 4-8 weeks prior to the event. For comparative information, see tables below this list.
- 1) LEFT COAST CRIME. Relatively small at maybe 600 attendees, and covering any kind of crime fiction, I think it does the best job at connecting fans with authors while at the conference.
- 2) MALICE DOMESTIC. Also about 600 attendees. It tries to focus on the “traditional mystery” (includes so-called “cozy mysteries”)
- 3) THRILLERFEST. Expect over 1,000 attendees. For fans, it is the shortest (2 days). It is the closest (NY city). It tries to focus on “thrillers” of all types, and crime fiction thrillers are at the top of the list. But the per day cost is the highest.
- 4) BOUCHERCON. Expect over 1,200 attendees. This fan-initiated conference has been building steam since 1969 (by far the oldest) and also the conference with the most days of programming. It covers any kind of crime fiction and may be the best bang for your buck.
