CrimeCONN

CrimeCONN 2026: Pick Your Poison


The Friends of Ferguson Library, in partnership with Mystery Writers of America – New York Chapter, present CrimeCONN 2026, Connecticut’s own one-day mystery lovers' conference.

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Featuring Keynote Speaker Alafair Burke
Author of The Note


Alafair Burke is the Edgar-nominated, New York Times best-selling author of fourteen novels of suspense, including The Ex, The Wife, The Better Sister and Find Me, and coauthor of the best-selling Under Suspicion series. A former prosecutor, she is now a professor of criminal law. She recently served as president of the Mystery Writers of America and was the first woman of color to be elected to that position. She lives in New York. 
Alafair Burke

 

 

 

Event Details


Saturday, May 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Main Library, DiMattia Building


The theme this year is Pick Your Poison, where you'll discover how writers convert their life experiences, compelling interests, or just plain curiosity, into mystery and suspense. One of the premier small-scale conferences for mystery writers and enthusiasts, we invite you to come learn and find inspiration in the world of crime writing at CrimeCONN 2026. 

Books will be available for sale and signing.

CrimeCONN will be presented as a hybrid event.

In-person event includes coffee, continental breakfast and lunch.

Tickets

  • $50 per person early bird registration through April 17
  • $60 per person after April 17
  • $45 per person for MWA members, Friends members, seniors and students

 

 

Program Schedule 


8:30 a.m. Registration and Coffee 
9 a.m. Welcome 

Panels and Interviews 
Hear writers dish on the role of food in suspense writing. 
Moderator: Tom Straw: Emmy–nominated producer and New York Times bestselling author of the Nikki Heat series. 
Panelists 
Devon Delaney: Author of ten cozy cooking murder mysteries, inspired by her career in competitive cooking. 
Ang Pompano: Agatha Award–nominated author and creator of the Blue Palmetto Detective Agency series and Reluctant Food Columnist series. 
Debra Sennefelder: Author of the Food Blogger Mystery series and Resale Boutique Mystery series. 

10 to 10:15 a.m. - Break/Book Sale 

Learn how music informs, enriches and provokes crime fiction. 
Moderator: Jim Fusilli: Author of ten novels and former Wall Street Journal music critic, now host of the podcast Writers at Work. 
Panelists 
Peter Blauner: Edgar Award–winning author of nine novels, including Slow Motion Riot and The Intruder. 
Mary Anna Evans: Award-winning author and former writing professor whose work includes The Dark Library. 
Alison Gaylin: USA Today bestselling author of We Are Watching and winner of the Edgar and Shamus awards. 

11 to 11:15 a.m. - Break/Book Sale 

Hits, misses and score settling. Authors discuss the enduring mysteries of sports thrillers. 
Moderator: Charles Salzberg: Author of multiple crime novels and a former magazine journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times and Esquire. 
Panelists 
Elise Hart Kipness: USA Today bestselling author and former TV reporter, known for the Kate Green sports thriller series. 
Kevin Wade: Playwright, screenwriter and showrunner of Blue Bloods, and author of the novel Johnny Careless. 
Tessa Wegert: Author of the Shana Merchant series and North Country series. 

Hank Phillippi Ryan: USA Today bestselling author of 17 thrillers, including The Murder List and One Wrong Word. Her latest novel, All This Could Be Yours, was an instant USA Today bestseller, and is now nominated for the Mary Higgins Clark Award. 

Explore what happens when real killers literally pick their poison. 
Moderator: Michelle Clark: Medicolegal death investigator for the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and former Crime Scene Technician for the Waterbury Police Department.  
Speaker: Dr. Shana Straub: Forensic pathologist with the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner who investigates suspicious deaths and provides expert testimony in criminal and civil cases. 

1:45 to 2 p.m. - Break/Book Sale 

How life’s passions, obsessions and simple curiosity can lead to a life of writing. 
Moderator: Reed Farrel Coleman: New York Times bestselling author of more than 30 novels and award-winning crime writer and poet. 
Panelists 
Daniella Bernett: Author of the Emmeline Kirby-Gregory Longdon mystery series and president of MWA/New York Chapter. 
Rich Cohen: New York Times bestselling author of multiple books, including Tough Jews and Monsters, and a columnist for The Wall Street Journal. 
Hank Phillippi Ryan: USA Today bestselling author and award-winning investigative journalist. 

2:45 to 3 p.m. - Break/Book Sale 

How strong women have come to define 21st century crime writing. 
Moderator: Gabi Coatsworth: Award-winning author of A Beginner’s Guide to Starting Over. 
Panelists 
Lynne Constantine: New York Times bestselling author (as Liv Constantine) of The Last Mrs. Parrish. 
Hilary Davidson: Award-winning author of eight crime novels, including Her Last Breath, and winner of two Anthony Awards.  
Kate White: New York Times bestselling author of 19 suspense novels and former Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan. 

3:45 to 4 p.m. - Break/Book Sale 

Alafair Burke: The Edgar-nominated, New York Times best-selling author of fourteen novels, including The Ex, The Wife, The Better Sister and Find Me, and coauthor of the best-selling Under Suspicion series.