Mystery Makers to Descend on Mpls.

After the disappointment and confusion surrounding August’s Bouchercon (first cancelled due to the pandemic, then abbreviated into a brace of online events), many people might be hesitant to try convening again in Minneapolis, Minnesota, next fall. Yet registration has now opened for Bouchercon 2022 (“Land of 10,000 Crimes”), set to take place from September 8 to 11.

Those writers and fans who sign up for this gathering prior to March 1, 2022, will pay only $189 per person; after that, the registration fee climbs to $215. In either case, the form to fill out is here.

As Mystery Fanfare reminds us, 2022’s convention honorees will be Lou Berney and Attica Locke (American Guests of Honor), S.A. Cosby (Rising Star), William Kent Krueger (Local Guest of Honor), Jo Nesbø (International Guest of Honor), Ellen Hart (Lifetime Achievement), and Alexander McCall Smith (International Lifetime Achievement). Jess Lourey and Lori Rader-Day will hold forth as toastmasters.

I haven’t determined yet whether to participate. A good buddy of mine from college resides in the Minneapolis suburbs, so I could combine Bouchercon with a visit to his place. Much depends, though, on whether a couple of too-long-unseen friends from Europe also decide to attend this convention. Last year, I took advantage of the discounted Early Bird sign-up, only to later cancel my New Orleans trip, due to conflicting commitments. Maybe I shall wait longer this time around to decide, even though that will cost me a bit more.

I look forward to seeing how the already lengthy list of Minneapolis registrants grows over the coming months.