Killer Nashville was a lot of fun. I spoke on a panel about subtexts--ways to add layers to a story. We shared our favorite examples. Naturally, I spoke about the Maltese Falcon and the story of Flintcraft. Actually, that episode is a subtle reminder that no matter what happens, people don't change. (Especially not in murder mysteries!)
My fellow panelists included A.J. Scudiere, Steven Womack, Philip Cioffari, and Joseph Terrell.

Only a couple of days until I head for Killer Nashville! I haven't been to the city for a long time, so it will also be a pleasure to have a chance to look around, besides attending the mega-conference. (Usually they have 500+ participants!) I'm on a panel about subtexts. Should be fun. Anne Perry is the featured speaker, but I haven't read any of her books yet!

Last weekend I had a chance to speak at the Deadly Ink Mystery Conference in New Brunswick, New Jersey. I was a panelist on the topics of subplots and location.

Although we had different ways to approach the topic of subplots, since some of us use them consciously and others use them more by accident, we all agreed that a couple of good subplots made our mysteries more interesting and more relatable.(Moderator: Jane Cleland. Other panelists included Rosemary Harris, Hilary Davidson, and Terence .P. McCauley.)

When it came to location, we all had different favorites. We debated whether it's better to use real locations or fictionalized ones. Both have advantages and disadvantages depending on the chosen plot lines. (Moderator:Jeff Cohen. Other panelists: Annamaria Alfieri, Hilary Davidson, Roberta Rogow.)

I also moderated a panel on the topic of romance/sex in mysteries. Is it important to add such elements? You betcha. As long as they don't get in the way of solving the actual mysteryl. (Panelists: Albert Tucher, Renee Paley Bain, Peggy Ehrhart, and E.J. Rand.)

Sandra Murphy just reviewed Mariachi Murder in Kings River Life magazine. She also interviewed me--what fun! This was for the 8/3/13 edition.

Here's how the review starts:

Mariachi Murder by D. R. Ransdell
Review by Sandra Murphy

Know anything about mariachi music? You don’t have to for this book to be enjoyable. Andy loves to play mariachi music and he’s good at it. He’s got a regular gig, working for Rolando Diaz. His life is simple, uncomplicated until Roland asks him to keep an eye on Yiolanda. She’s his younger, stunningly beautiful wife who has extra-curricular friends and that makes for an awkward situation. How do you tell the boss his wife is stepping out without losing your job in the process?