With the danger of Covid-19 on the wane, I’ve decided to venture out of my bunker and mingle with my favorite group of people: mystery fiction fans and authors. It’s been over two years since I’ve seen some of my best friends so I decided to attend the Left Coast Crime convention, which is honoring DP reviewer Kristopher Zgorski as its Fan Guest of Honor. Masks are not required but proof of vaccination is. So it should be pretty safe. The registration fee includes two breakfasts and the Banquet dinner.

I’ve already met one of my favorite writers Mick Herron, but I hope to have time to get to know him better. And I greatly look forward to meeting last year’s Barry Award winner for Best First Novel, David Heska Wanbli Weiden. The first thing I am going to ask David is if he has a nickname. Saying his full name is quite a mouthful.

Also present will be DP reviewer Maggie Mason, DP columnist Marv Lachman (who lives nearby in Santa Fe and Barry Award nominating committee members Mystery Mike Bursaw and Oline Cogdill. I look forward to seeing them all and perhaps making some new friends.