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Our Choice Selections - Bouchercon 2008

Over the last few days my friend, Jared Case, has been posting what he will be doing at the Baltimore Bouchercon starting on Thursday. If you decide to stalk Jared he will probably be the one in the Blue Jays cap.

The Toronto Blue Jays? The baseball team? Yeah I know. I don't get it either.

What The Hungry Detective is offering is not a blow by blow account of our movements while we are in Baltimore, but our picks for the best panels on all four days. This post contains our selections for Thursday and Friday. While tomorrows post will look forward to Saturday and Sunday.

Thursday 8:30a-9:30a
ROCKIN' ROBIN (The Hollies) Rocking the house with Robin. Robin Burcell(M), James O. Born, Sean Chercover, Vincent O'Neil, Julia Spencer Fleming. (International D)

If this is your first Bouchercon experience go to Bouchercon 101 (International A). It will calm the nerves, otherwise the above is THD approved.

Thursday 10a-11a
GET UP (I FEEL LIKE BEING A) SEX MACHINE (James Brown) Does sex really sell books? Ted Hertel(M), Lori Armstrong, Mary Burton, Meg Chittenden, David Corbett (International D)

You won't have to get up out of your seat from the previous panel. Unless you want to see me try and get a bunch of books signed during the break? Always entertaining.

Thursday 11:30a-12:30p
LIKE A HURRICANE (Neil Young) Three guys talking. Ace Atkins, Lee Child, William Kent Krueger. (International D)

Even I am surprised that the International D is throwing a shutout here. If you are here you are missing a ton of great authors I won't even depress you by listing them all.

Thursday 1:30p-2:30p
REMEMBER WHAT I TOLD YOU TO FORGET (Taveres) Our favorite mistakes. Jan Brogan(M), Stephen Booth, Dana Cameron, Jason Pinter, Mark Sullivan (International C)

This panel promises that even authors you love can make mistakes. Come to point; stay to laugh at them.

Thursday 3p-4p
CONCRETE JUNGLE (Bob Marley & the Wailers) Urban or rural does the setting change the writing? Reed Farrel Coleman(M), Thomas H. Cook, Steve Hamilton, David Hewson, Laura Lippman (International D)

Get your first glimpse of hometown gal Laura Lippman, plus the beloved Reed Farrel Coleman.

Thursday 4:30p-5:30p
DOWN IN THE HOLE (Tom Waits) Authors discuss their love of The Wire and Homicide. Brian Azzarello(M), Harry Hunsicker, Scott Phillips, Peter Robinson, Wallace Stroby. (International B)

Well, you are in Baltimore. Learn more about the two best television programs of the last 20 years.

Friday 8:30a-9:30a
SIX DAYS ON THE ROAD (Dave Dudley) Zoe Sharp(M), Glynn Marsh Alam, Barry Eisler, N.M. Kelby, Jonatha Santlofer, Marcia Talley (International B)

Sharp and Eisler are pretty entertaining to listen too. Reason enough to get up.

Friday 10a-11a
WATCHING THE DETECTIVES (Elvis Costello) Did watching too much TV actually help? Sean Chercover(M), Bill Cameron, Libby Fischer Hellmann, Harry Hunsicker, Duane Swierczynski (International E)

This is the killer session. Man this this a hard pick. Besides all of the great people speaking there is a Chicago panel that has neither Sean Chercover or Marcus Sakey. Ballsy.

Friday 11:30a-12:30p
THE KILLING MOON (Echo & The Bunnymen) Noir for the new century. Megan Abbott & Eddie Muller (Pratt)

Let's slow it down with a little one-on-one action. Hey baby what room you staying in?

Friday 1:30p-2:30p
CATCH A RISING STAR (Jim Roberts) Best first novelists. Margaret Maron(M), Sean Chercover, Lisa Lutz, Craig McDonald, Marcus Sakey (International D)

Room International D we meet again. All of the Anthony noms for Best First Novel are scheduled to appear.

Friday 3p-4p
COME AND TALK TO ME (Peter Gabriel) Thee goddesses talking. Rhys Bown, Louise Penny, Deborah Crombie (International E)

Listen and learn from three of the best in the business.

Friday 4:30p-5:30p
A SINGER MUST DIE (Leonard Cohen) Books that have a lasting impact. Jennifer Jordan(M), John Connolly, Christa Faust, Russell McClean, Nathan Singer, Martyn Waits (International B)

Killer group. Love the accents. 'Nuff said.

Two days down. two to go. The Hungry Detective's best bets for the first two days. I'll be there for some of them, resting my eyes for others. What ever panels you decide to attend, just know that you are about to have one of the best weekends of your life.

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