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Day 1 - Bouchercon Report

$9.95 per day. That is how much The Hungry Detective is paying for an internet connection. Oh dear. This just proves our commitment to those of you who foolishly decided not to attend.

Sean Doolittle(L) - Sean Chercover(R)

My biggest highlight of the day was meeting Ace Atkins. Here is a guy who I have read from the beginning. THD is definitely in for his historical based novel on Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle. Title of that book will be Devil's Garden. A close second in the highlight department was shaking hands with Sean Chercover. I told Sean that he provided me with my most surreal moment of the year when he phoned me at work. He thanked me for posting the Trigger City widget then, and I was happy to thank him for the ARC now .

Jason Pinter

The book room. Two years ago in Madison I didn't have a plan. This year I had a plan. It was an ill conceived one. Based in Rochester, New York means The Hungry Detective just does not see this kind of quantity or quality of books. I could spend $1000 without batting an eyelash, and this is just for the new books. There is a copy of George Pelecanos's Nick's Trip, that has already given me serious pause. Perhaps that copy of Down By the River Where the Dead Men Go will suffice.

Barry Eisler

Book purchases are strictly my concern though. Another highlight was hearing that Sean Doolittle has new book, Safer, coming in early 2009. Barry Eisler will also release his latest, Fault Line, in the Spring. The Hungry Detective was also happy to met Jason Pinter, who much like the others has a book for March.

Toward the end of the evening was the Opening Ceremony Reception. The room was packed to what seemed fire capacity. There was something genuinely thrilling to see all those people who have dedicated themselves in whatever way to this wonderful field. Guests of Honor were introduced and a multitude of awards were delivered to a number of grateful writers. It was a good start to what is already a great weekend.
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