It’s been almost a week since Malice Domestic 29 wrapped and we’re still recovering from all the fun we had. We couldn’t help but relive some of our favorite moments!
Cynthia Kuhn
Everything was a highlight. So wonderful to spend time with friends old and new, to talk about mysteries 24/7, and to be immersed in that incredibly special and all-too-fleeting space that is Malice Domestic. Grateful to be in the same geographical location as both the Chicks on the Case and the Henery Press Henhouse (two poultry-named mystery groups—what are the odds?)! And it was an honor to be included with the other Agatha Best First Novel nominees—our panel was especially fun. Also loved the Sisters in Crime Breakfast and the New Author Breakfast too! See, I can’t whittle it down at all. Malice = all goodness.
Marla Cooper
What a whirlwind trip! One of my favorite things about conferences is meeting someone and knowing within minutes that you’ll be friends for years to come. That just doesn’t happen in the real world! It was totally surreal and completely amazing to be on the Agatha Best First Novel panel—even more so to be sitting between my two very dear friends Cynthia Kuhn and Nadine Nettmann. (And I’d like to state for the record that I literally sprang out of my chair and cheered when they called Cynthia’s name!) I also loved getting to witness Miss Kellye Garrett sign her very first book (Hollywood Homicide, coming August 8) at the Midnight Ink popup. I took about 35 pictures of her, because it’s not every day you have your first book signing!
Ellen Byron
Ah, so many wonderful memories. But if forced to choose a favorite, it would be the impromptu after-party that popped up post-banquet. A bunch of us convened in the Atrium, where Laura Morrigan opened beers with a tube of lipstick. (Yes, you read that right.) When security kicked us out, we moved the party into our hotel room, and then took to the streets to find a bar that we eventually closed. I got to bed at 3 a.m. like some kind of party-hearty frat boy, and woke up with a smidge of a hangover. This seems to be a Malice pattern of mine, because fellow Chick Cynthia found a photo of us from last year’s morning-after-the-Agatha-banquet, and remembers me saying, “I think I’m still drunk.”
Lisa Q. Mathews
Sometimes magic Malice moments happen outside the hotel. Especially when you are so hungry you might even feel like eating one of those big, fluffy spring blossoms that blow through the streets of Besthesda like tumbleweeds. (Didn’t get the model release on that one, guys—sorry!) But here are two other snaps: Marla, El, and me tripping the bricks fantastic (we did get a few puzzled glances from passers-by who didn’t immediately appreciate that we were legit STARS, but we won them over). And then of course I had to snap Leslie Karst, Angie Sanders, and Marla during their impromptu VIP book signing at a nearby B&N.
Vickie Fee
My highlights reel: 1) Getting to wear a mask at the Dynamic Duos panel. (Thanks, Patti Ruocco! Next year let’s add capes, OK?) 2) Getting to chat with fab British author Frances Brody. I had mentioned on Chicks I would be stalking her at Malice (in the nicest possible way, of course.) She heard about it and messaged that she was looking for me! Frances signed the book I’d brought and gifted me with another—and I already loved her! 3) Hanging out with some of the Chicks was a highlight of Malice 2016 for me. Getting to hang out with all of them as a fellow Chick in 2017 was dreamy! And for those who are curious, yes, I did wear the pink feather boa—briefly.
Kellye Garrett
This was my first ever Malice Domestic but it sure didn’t feel like it. I’m a mystery fan first and foremost, so I was in heaven. I saw so many authors I admired and the cool thing was that I actually knew some of them! (Thank you Facebook, Sisters in Crime, 17 Scribes and, of course, Chicks on the Case.) I loved meeting people who actually read our blog and seeing my fellow Chicks in “author mode.” Signing books. Speaking on panels. Being nominated for awards. (I even signed a few books myself! Twenty-five in fact. Not that I was counting or anything.) But I also loved the non-official moments—the lunches, the drinks, the one-on-one chats. During one break, Marla and I went back to our room, slipped into sweatpants, sat on our beds and just talked. I didn’t want to leave Malice and thanks to the Parking Lot of Doom, I almost didn’t. Lisa and I literally spent a good 10 minutes driving through the parking lot construction praying we’d find an exit. We survived though!
We know a few of you were at Malice this year! Drop us a line and let us know your favorite memory from this year’s conference!
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Chicks on the Case 
Thanks for sharing you favorite times at Malice with us, and with pictures, too! Malice sounds like such an incredible weekend of fun and fellowship, and I would love to go someday ~ I did see a picture someone posted of you, Vicki, in your pink boa, and you definitely rocked it!
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Aw, thanks, Celia. You’re so sweet! Malice is a magical place — I hope we see you there at a future conference!
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Celia, it would be great to see you there! Come hang out with us!
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Celia, hope you can come to a Malice soon.
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Anyone else wishing Malice happened more than once a year? So wonderful to have the chance to spend the weekend with everyone! (I laugh every time I look at that Chicks pic…just barely made it in there, whew).
ps: Marla, re: springing, you are so very kind. xo
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It was great to see you all! Malice is always such a whirlwind, but always a memorable one. See you next year, if not before.
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So great meeting you in person!
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Wish we could have chatted more! But was so happy to see you. And your BOLO bolo is genius.
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So glad we stalked each other, Vickie! What a great weekend. Thank you all for this post, and the memories.
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Frances, you’re a sweetie! Meeting you was truly a high point of Malice for me. Look forward to seeing you next time — and to reading more of your books!!
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Frances, it was so nice to meet you. You did a terrific job at the Malice Go Round, btw!
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Frances, someday I will realize my dream of visiting Haworth Parsonage – and now you!
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Well, I have to confess that my favorite moment from Malice 29 was also the impromptu after-banquet party in the atrium (and later in Ellen and Lisa’s hotel room). And getting to spend time with ALL the Chicks in one place at the same time was truly a delight. Can’t wait for next year!
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Leslie, thanks for sharing your excellent beverage 🙂 And thanks for sharing the music. I really think you and your sister should do a reunion tour. The Chicks will be in the front row cheering you on 🙂
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Leslie, loved hanging out with you. 🙂 Can’t wait for next year.
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Next time you need to bring something you made!!!
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It was so great to get to meet those of you I hadn’t meant before. So many wonderful moments from Malice. Loved it. And yes, that atrium party was fun. I was just thinking about switching ends of the table to talk to some others when we got kicked out.
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Mark, it was a pleasure! Next year we’ll find a better spot to party — someplace we can evade security 🙂
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“someplace we can evade security” > HA HA Vickie!
Fantastic to see you, Mark!
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We’ll have to find another impromptu haunt at next year’s Malice! And Mark, you should come to Left Coast next year. The hotel rooms are SO cheap.
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Mark! So great meeting you in person and getting to chat!
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Me too! Me too! So glad to meet you in real life, Mark. And I am now officially caught up on Designated Survivor, so I have a great idea for next year’s party spot where they’ll NEVER find us.
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It sounds like you had so much fun. My kind of people! Wish I could have made it.
Next year the after party will be in my room? I’ll ask for a suite! I’ll even provide homemade treats since I’m local? How’s that for the shy girl putting herself out there!
On a serious note, you peeps have convinced me to find the first in each of your series to do reviews. I love getting reviews out there! Cozies are not just for entertainment. You can learn from them about the sleuths job. You can learn to be a Mrs. Fletcher. You can get tidbits like recipes. Time to do research and spend some money! You chicks rock!
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Aw, thanks, Hestia — reviews are always appreciated! And the Chicks would love to hang out with you, even if you don’t provide treats! But if you want to book a suite… 🙂
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Urgh! I got the list of 5 of the 6? Kellye’s doesn’t come out for months? No! But, with the editing of my first novel, and reading the other five, maybe the timing will be perfect! Will order them this weekend!
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Hestia, that’s so nice of you! We will be looking forward to next Malice. And CONGRATS on writing your first novel. Good luck with the edits!
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Hestia, that’s fantastic! Thank you so much. And YES – come next year! Even if it’s just for a visit. We’d love to meet you in person. And eat all local homemade treats. 😉
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Yes, please come next year and bring food! I will just follow you around like a puppy.. And yes, my book isn’t out until August. Feels like forever.
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Thanks, Hestia, you are very kind! You’ll have to do an exclusive pre-pub reading from your debut novel during the festivities.
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Homemade treats? We’re yours forever! What you said about “my kind of people” — that’s truly one of my favorite parts of Malice. A whole hotel full of our kind of people! Thanks so much for stopping by!
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Yes!!! I’m honored my antics made the cut for a top moments spot. I know I had fun, and am so happy to have met y’all!!!
Hope to see you soon.
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Oh, I missed the beer demonstration, dang it. Next year… 🙂
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Laura, you have mad party skills — and are an awesome writer, too!
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Cynthia, seriously, it was amazing. I thought she was kidding. When she pulled out the lipstick tube, I thought, this will never work. And bammo – bottle cap off.
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Nancy Drew could not have done it better. In fact, I’m pretty sure she never even thought of that in her many uses for lipstick.
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