the Sisters in Crime Quarterly Vol. 26, No. 2

SinC Membership Pays! by Janis Wilson

e all know that crime pays, TheDeadly Affairs producers wanted some- Snooping or we would not be writing one who could speak knowledgeably about Yang was stunning, with long hair and an Wmystery novels and thrillers. this tragedy. I had an advantage: I have enviable figure. She met Gayle in 2005 just Membership in Sisters in Crime also pays, been a trial attorney for more than 20 years. as Reuter had—at a Bears’ event. as it did recently when I was asked to be a Lawyers review facts and form a plan for Yang was working with her then boy- commentator for a program to be aired on presenting them cogently—sometimes in friend as security for the Bears. An ambi- the Investigation Discovery (id) Channel. minutes. Minutes were precious in this cir- tious woman, she told Gayle she was a real cumstance. The producers needed someone estate broker who wanted to show him I was at my desk, working on my novel when who could be fully familiar with the story some investment properties. Gayle viewed I received an email from Kathleen Barrett, and ready to be videotaped within a week. Yang chiefly as a business acquaintance, president of the Delaware Valley (Eastern but confirmed she was one of the women Pennsylvania) chapter. She was relaying a I dug in, first reviewing materials from the with whom he occasionally had sex. In fact, message from SinC national that the televi- trial. To launch their investigation, police Gayle testified he had sex with Yang the sion show, Deadly Affairs, needed someone naturally wanted to interview Reuter’s boy- night before Reuter’s murder. to discuss the 2007 murder of Rhoni Reuter. friend. They did not have to wait long. As soon as he learned of the shooting, Gayle Gayle dated other women, which Yang For 17 years, Reuter dated Shaun Gayle. drove to the police station for an interview; could not tolerate. Like any woman who He is the handsome former player for the he was quickly ruled out as a suspect. When wants an exclusive relationship, Yang Chicago Bears. In fact, he was on the team police asked who might be responsible wanted to assess the competition. So when that won the Super Bowl in 1985. Gayle and for the killing, Gayle immediately men- Gayle was in the shower, Yang peeked in a tioned a Polish woman he had dated for a Reuter never lived together, and he dated See “Gayle,” p. 13 few months. Gayle ended that relationship many other women, but the relationship when the woman stopped by his house, saw with Reuter endured. him with another woman, and smashed a In fact, the 41-year-old Reuter was seven window. To prevent further stalking, Gayle months pregnant with Gayle’s baby when got a protective order against her. She she was confronted on her doorstep and sounded like a perfect suspect, but her alibi checked. shot six times. The first bullet went straight into the abdomen. The last of the six shots Police also wanted to interview the young was fired into Reuter’s head as she lay man who ran from Reuter’s condominium slumped on the kitchen floor. immediately after the murder. A nearby surveillance camera had recorded the car One of Reuter’s neighbors told Deerfield il leaving the scene. The car was traced to a police she saw a teenage boy with his hair in rental agency. Turns out the young man corn rows fleeing in a car. There weren’t many was actually a woman—Marni Yang, a rival witnesses, even though the killing occurred for Gayle’s affection. The address on the when many people were on their way to rental form was not Yang’s, but that of her work. A homemade silencer muffled the best friend, a woman who claimed to be a shots. There was no robbery, so even a rookie psychic. Deadly Affairs opted not to use the cop would know this murder was personal. ostensible psychic’s name. Get a Clue inSinC the Sisters in Crime Quarterly Hello from Hank ...... 3 The mission of Sisters in Crime is to promote the professional development and Editor’s Note advancement of women crime writers to achieve equality in the industry. Molly Weston ...... 3 Chapter News ...... 4 Hank Phillippi Ryan, President Sally Brewster, Bookstore Liaison Laura DiSilverio, Vice President/Pres.-Elect Cari Dubiel, Library Liaison SinC Members Rock Malice Domestic . 6 Stephanie Pintoff, Secretary/Publicity Val McDermid, At-Large Grand Master Robert Dugoni, At-Large Cathy Pickens, At-Large Sarah R. Shaber ...... 9 Kathryn Wall, Treasurer/Authors Coalition Liaison Barbara Fister, Monitoring Project We Love Libraries! Martha Reed, Chapter Liaison Frankie Bailey, Past President Debra H. Goldstein ...... 10 Mary Boone, Library Adviser Sarah Glass, Web Maven/Social Media Beth’s Bits Laurel Anderson, inSinC Proofreader Kaye Barley, inSinC Proofreader Beth Wasson ...... 11 Gavin Faulkner, inSinC Proofreader Molly Weston, inSinC Editor/Layout SinC into Great Writing Beth Wasson, Executive Secretary, po Box 442124, Lawrence ks 66044-2124 Cathy Pickens ...... 12 Phone: 785.842.1325; Fax 785.856.6314; e-mail [email protected] Thanks, Kathy! Cathy Pickens ...... 13 Events & Happenings ...... 14 SinC Board Minutes ...... 15 Sisters in Crime Past Presidents Writing Contests ...... 15 1987-88 1988-89 Law & Fiction—Getting the Facts Straight 1989-90 Margaret Maron 1990-91 Susan Dunlap Leslie Budewitz ...... 16 1991-92 Carolyn G. Hart 1992-93 P. M. Carlson Katherine Ramsland, PhD ...... 17 1993-94 Linda Grant 1994-95 Barbara D’Amato The Docket ...... 18 1995-96 Elaine Raco Chase 1996-97 Annette Meyers Awards & Nominations ...... 19 1997-98 Sue Henry 1998-99 Medora Sale Lemons to Lemonade 1999-00 Barbara Burnett Smith 2000-01 Claire Carmichael McNab Molly Weston ...... 19 2001-02 Eve K. Sandstrom 2002-03 Kate Flora 2003-04 Kate Grilley 2004-05 Patricia Sprinkle Treasurer Kathy Wall Steps Down 2005-06 Libby Hellmann 2006-07 Rochelle Krich Kathy Wall ...... 20 2007-08 Roberta Isleib 2008-09 Judy Clemens 2009-10 2010–11 Cathy Pickens Deadlines & Submissions 2011–12 Frankie Bailey • Deadline for articles for the September issue of inSinC is August 15. • Include name, e-mail, mailing address, and phone number with submissions. • Send columns, articles, high-res photos, Legend ideas, praise, and story ideas via e-mail to Molly Weston In 2008, the board of directors of Sisters in Crime implemented a new strategic plan. Three [email protected] goals emerged from this plan: inSinC articles will be marked with icons to represent the 919.362.1436 appropriate goal. The Docket Advocacy, monitoring, and reporting • To list your publications and award nominations, login to SistersinCrime. org and look for “The Docket” under Professional education and career development “Members Only.” Fill in the information, one entry per publication. • Information on the SinC website will be Membership growth, networking, and forums for members updated regularly and will be available to anyone under “Resources.” • The Docket will continue as an item in inSinC.

Just the Facts • inSinC is the official publication of Sisters in Crime International and is published four times a year. • One-year dues are $40 for professional us and Canada writers and $35 for non-professionals, (add $5 for other countries). Two-year dues are $80 and $70; lifetime, $400 and $350. • Address and all other changes can be made by members on www.SistersInCrime.org. If you do not use a computer or need a username please contact Beth Wasson at 785.842.1325 or [email protected] • Information in inSinC is submitted and reprinted from sources listed in each article. Where required, permission to reprint has been granted and noted. SinC does not investigate each submission independently and articles in no way constitute an endorsement of products or services offered. No material may be reprinted without written permission from Sisters in Crime. Sisters in Crime ©2013. inSinC -2- June 2013 Hello from Hank

for SinC Treasurer Kathy Wall. She’s leav- o you make to-do lists? Mine ing, sigh, after how many years of devoted grows ever longer, which, I realize and fabulous service? She’s a wow and a is a good thing, right? I remember D treasure, from beginning to end, and we when I was a kid, I’d whine to my mother, “I’m bo-o-o-red!” refuse to let her get away entirely. And now, adding to my list, we need to find a new I can’t even imagine being bored now, and treasurer. Molly has more about that in this having a list of things “to-do” is not so much very edition! a chore as a delight. It’s the plot line for my new life as an author, right? And I keep it in • Talk to SinC chapter presidents and offi- a spiral notebook, so it’s almost a diary—a cers. At my very first SinC meeting as memoir of activities past. president—after I got my feet back on the ground—I told the group that one big pri- Some of the things on my list (I’ll leave off ority is to connect with the chapters—after the lingering “organize linen closet” and the all, that’s what SinC is, right? Do you think mysterious “call Ellen.” Who’s Ellen?) there’d be a better way for the chapters to share info and output? Is there a better • Thank the SinC listserv moderators. They way for national to know what you need are such stalwarts! Patient and under- and what you care about ? I’d love to hear • Oh, write my new book. And I have new standing and valiant shepherds of our con- about it—some of you have already shared insight as to why they call that little com- versations. They bring us together, keep us that, thank you! It’s my goal to make sure on a forward path, and must be the best puter thing a “cursor.” But that’s a letter for you get what you need. And that we all listeners ever. If you haven’t chimed in another day. I wish you all many wonder- have a way to share among chapters—a the on the SinC listserv recently, check it ful words and many fabulous ideas. success in one place can be such an educa- out. We’re all there, chatting away—about tion for another! So let’s talk about how to the writerly things you care about. All are My mother used to say—there are two do that. welcome. kinds of people: poets, and list-makers. My darling Mom was generally right, as she’d • Help plan the SinC long-term planning • Thank the SinC Link volunteers and We be the first to tell you! But aren’t we the session for this summer. The board’s going Love Libraries Coordinator. Those sisters proof that a person can be both? And we to meet during ala in June and talk about work so hard bringing us the latest and embrace both parts of our brains as we cross how we can ensure the legacy of Sara keeping us connected! things off and add more items…may your Paretsky and Nancy Pickard continues— lists grow wonderfully as the summer pro- • Confer with Frankie Bailey and incom- as we embrace the changes and challenges gresses! It’s not only about checking things ing president Laura DiSilverio about new that face all of us. SinC is such a treasure— off, you know? It’s also about adding to your board members. We are on the hunt! we need to discuss priorities and set some list! It means your life is getting richer. Anyone interested? goals and lay out a future. My time as president is going by so quickly! So this With much affection, • Be cranky about Kathy Wall leaving—I is a wonderful opportunity to focus. Any mean, be overwhelmed with gratitude ideas? Love to hear them. Hank Editor’s Notes promoting Sisters in Crime and making it and they must be clear. Take several photos hings are surely popping around easier for other members to recognize you. I SinC these days! Members scored (vertical as well as horizontal) and send me big time at the Malice Domestic always check badges to see if that bright red several choices with suggested captions and T pin is affixed. I’m going to American Library Conference in Bethesda md last month— photographer attribution. Remember, most Association, Killer Nashville, Writers Police I’ve never seen so much activity at our phone cameras won’t produce the resolu- Academy, , and Magna cum tion we need for print. booth in the book room—and SinC will Murder and hope to meet lots of new sisters have a presence in numerous other confer- and misters at each conference. Thanks for being such a wonderful group. ences across the country. Here’s hoping I’ll meet many of you during One point that I continue making is about the coming year. I love my job! I urge you to wear your SinC pins when you photos. In order to use them for inSinc, I go to conferences or signings—you’ll be must have high-resolution (about 1 mb) files Molly

inSinC -3- June 2013 Chapter News

Desert Sleuths Capitol Crimes (Sacramento ca) www.DesertSleuths.com www.CapitolCrimes.org

On March 9–10, more than 24 National In April, SinC Sacramento (Capitol Crimes) SinC authors signed their books and chat- presented a day-long workshop on “The ted with fans at the SinC Desert Sleuths Anatomy of a Best-Selling Novel.” The work- SinC member and New York Times best-selling author J. A. Jance signs her latest title at the Chapter booth at the Tucson Festival of shop included presentations by best-selling Desert Sleuths booth. Books, the fourth largest book event in authors, David Corbett on “The Character the United States which draws more than of Crime,” Allison Brennan on “No Plotting 100,000 people annually. Allowed,” and “Outlining and Plotting” with Simon Wood. A mini-book fair show- Some of the authors included J.A. Jance, cased member authors’ books. It was a great Deadly Affairs Casting Call Dana Stabenow, Naomi Hirahara, Betty opportunity to attract new members from In March, producers at Sirens Media Webb, Donis Casey, Elizabeth Gunn, Susan the Sacramento writing community. e-mailed asking for information about Cummins Miller, Hilary Davidson, Kim SinC’s chapter network. They wanted to Fay, Jeri Westerson, and Simon Wood, plus explore using our network as a resource Desert Sleuths authors Deborah J. Ledford, for finding local crime writers for on-air Kris Neri, Shannon Baker, Lori Hines, and time with the Discovery Channel’s true Leslie Kohler. Murder We Write www.MurderWeWrite.com crime program, Deadly Affairs, narrated At the booth, 12 Desert Sleuths chapter by Susan Lucci. They hoped SinC crime members helped with signings and edu- The nc Triad-Piedmont Chapter will cel- writers would add local color since the cated the public about the SinC organiza- ebrate its tenth anniversary on Sunday actual case investigators were too “cut tion. Our double booth, with its corner August 11. All SinC members are invited and dried.” location and banner advertising “Sisters in to celebrate at the third annual Carolina I e-mailed the dc, md, pa, and ny chapters Crime,” attracted curious passers-by. More Writers Networking Showcase, held this to see if their members were interested than 25 people signed up for information year in Claremont nc. Each writer will in participating in an initial East Coast about joining the Desert Sleuths. have five minutes at the microphone to ask for what you need or to promote (and sell) search. I also posted on the listserv to your latest book. The price for the event is cover Sibs who might be interested but only the cost of your own lunch—32 menu weren’t affiliated with a chapter. choices average $10; 12 meals are up to $18. Janis Wilson from the Delaware Valley The event is limited to the first 50 to reg- chapter was the first Sib to be tapped for ister. For details, email Chris Roerden at Deadly Affairs and has now taped two [email protected]. segments: one involving Chicago Bears’ player Shaun Gayle and an ex-girlfriend; Sacramento’s Capitol Crimes workshop pulled and a second covering the love triangle in veteran and new SinC members. homicide of Staff Sgt. Kevin Spann and a life insurance plot. In April, Tucson Sibling Marilyn Buehrer signed on for an episode based in Phoenix.

I’ll continue to post new opportunities as new location requests are sent. To be included in this exciting SinC member benefit, email me at reedme36@gmail. com and I’ll add you to the contact list.

Note that Sisters in Crime, Inc. does not endorse the program; we are merely offering information.

Good luck and have some fun with this!

Martha Reed inSinC -4- June 2013 Chapters—continued

Sisters in Crime/la tunity for our www.SistersInCrimeLA.com authors to connect with readers. For SinC-la continues to be a veritable bee- the past two years, hive of activity. Every two years the chap- a generous grant ter co-hosts the two-day California Crime from National has Writers Conference in partnership with the helped defray the Southern California Chapter of Mystery cost of the booth Writers of America. The 2013 conference is and allowed the scheduled for June 22–23, in Pasadena. chapter to expand its outreach to Keynote speeches will be delivered by additional venues. two international bestselling authors, and . Ms. George We continue to will also lead a workshop on “How to Find attract between Your Process.” Ms. Grafton has offered a full 65–80 Sisters and manuscript critique for the live auction. Misters to our Naomi Hirahara and Kim Fay are all smiles at monthly programs. In March, crime scene the Tucson Festival of Books. Approximately 200 attendees will take part photographer Scott Gregory schooled us in two days of workshops and breakout ses- on the ins and outs of murder scene proto- sions taught by top-notch faculty, including col. April brought us author Paula Priamos best-selling authors, literary agents, and whose book, The Shyster’s Daughter: A legal and forensic experts. Darrell James, Memoir is a story about her father, a high- Patricia Smiley and Jeri Westerson are the profile Greek defense attorney who died SinC in The Triangle 2013 co-chairs. For details, visit www.ccw- under mysterious circumstances. The book conference.org. details the fallout after Paula began her own TriangleSinC.com investigation into his death. For 16 years, the la chapter has sponsored The new SinC chapter in the Raleigh- an annual signing booth at the The Board is currently working with a Durham-Chapel Hill area of North Carolina, Times Festival of Books (April 20-21), publisher on the cover design for our sixth is rolling along with 27 active members. We a weekend event that typically attracts short story anthology Last Exit to Murder, meet on the first Sunday of each month, between 130,000 and 150,000 book lovers. edited by Darrell James, Tammy Kaehler usually with a program, but recently we’ve With the declining number of bookstores, and Linda O. Johnston. We eagerly antici- had a couple of special meetings. the festival has become an important oppor- pate the publication date later this year. In February we celebrated the birthday of Ruth Rendell at a members-only social. We watched Youtube interviews with Dame Ruth Moose and Sarah Shaber compare notes at the Triangle short story skill-building workshop. Rendell, handed out her books as door prizes, and shared a birthday cake in her honor. It was a great chance to get to know each other a little better outside our usual meeting format.

In March we organized an all-day short- story skill-building workshop at the Page- Walker Cultural Arts Center in Cary nc. Five chapter members, Ruth Moose, Sarah Shaber, Suzanne Adair, Sharon Wood, and Karen Pullen, each spoke for an hour on topics ranging from “Beginnings” through “Revision.” The workshop was a big suc- cess, packing the room with more than 40 attendees.

The chapter is about to kick off our first short story anthology with the work- ing title Carolina Crime: Tales of Lust, Love, and Longing. Stories will be from North and South Carolina SinC members. inSinC -5- June 2013 SinC Members Rock at Malice Domestic!

Agatha Nominees Best Novel The Diva Digs Up the Dirt by Krista Davis A Fatal Winter by G.M. Malliet The Buzzard Table by Margaret Maron * The Beautiful Mystery by The Other Woman by Hank Phillippi Ryan

Best First Novel * Lowcountry Boil by Susan M. Boyer Iced Chiffon by Duffy Brown A Scrapbook of Secrets by Mollie Cox Bryan A Killer Read by Erika Chase Faithful Unto Death by Stephanie Jaye Evans

Best Non-Fiction * Books to Die For: The World’s Greatest Mystery by Robin Templeton by Writers on the World’s Greatest Mystery Robin Templeton by received Lori R. King was Guest of Honor. Novels by /Declan Burke the Amelia Award. Blood Relations: The Selected Letters of Ellery Queen, 1947-1950 by Joseph Goodrich, Editor More Forensics and Fiction: Crime Writers Morbidly Curious Questions Expertly Answered by D.P. Lyle Double Cross: The True Story of the D-Day Spies by Ben Macintyre The Grand Tour: Around the World with the Queen of Mystery Agatha Christie by Mathew Prichard, Editor

Best Short Story * “Mischief in Mesopotamia” by (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Nov. 2012) “Kept in the Dark” by Sheila Connolly (Best New England Crime Stories 2013: Blood Moon Anthology) “The Lord is My Shamus” by Barb Goffman by Robin Templeton by (Chesapeake Crimes: This Job is Murder) Robin Templeton by “Thea’s First Husband” by B.K. Stevens (Alfred Louise Penny took home the received the Agatha for Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, June 2012) Agatha forBest Novel. Best Children’s/Young Adult Novel “When Duty Calls” by (Chesapeake Crimes: This Job is Murder) Catriona McPherson shows off her Susan M. Boyer shows off her Agatha for Best Historical Novel. Agatha for Best First Novel. Best Children’s/Young Adult Novel Seconds Away by The Edge of Nowhere by Elizabeth George Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead * The Code Busters Club, Case #2: The Haunted Lighthouse by Penny Warner Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Best Historical Novel The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen * Dandy Gilver and an Unsuitable Day for Murder by Catriona McPherson Murder on Fifth Avenue by Victoria Thompson An Unmarked Grave by Charles Todd Elegy for Eddie by

*Winner Robin Templeton by Robin Templeton by inSinC -6- June 2013 by Robin Templeton by by Robin Templeton by by Robin Templeton by Ellen Byron won a William F. Dana Cameron is delighted with Longtime Malice volunteer Cindy Deeck Malice Domestic Grant for the Agatha for Best Short Story. Silberblatt was Fan Guest of Honor. Unpublished Writers.

The SinC Breakfast was nearly standing room only! Stanley Trell and Michael Sears, aka Michael Stanley

Ruth Moose won the Minotaur Books/ Rosemarie and Vince Keenan won Malice Domestic Competition for Best a William F. Deeck Malice Domestic First Traditional Mystery. Grant for Unpublished Writers.

Lea Wait and Carole Nelson Douglas chat before their panels. by Robin Templeton by inSinC -7- June 2013 Taking full advantage of the “Malice Go Round,” Kaye George, Barbara Ross, Erika Chase, and Mollie Cox Bryan, talk about their books. Debra H. Goldstein listens intently.

Oline Cogdill received the Mystery Art Taylor’s wife Tara joined him at the Agatha Hardworking bookseller by day, Writers of America Raven Award. Banquet. glamorous party goer by night, Kathy Harig.

Caught in the book room, Ellen Byerrum models her vintage outfit and Joanna Campbell Slan evokes memories of the Gabor sisters.

John Betancourt was delighted to pose with Hyatt staffer “Sherlock Holmes.”

inSinC -8- June 2013 Margaret Maron Named Grand Master by Sarah Shaber

argaret Maron, one of the found- her century-old “two-mule” family farm. ers of Sisters in Crime, received Deborah is the youngest and only daugh- Mrecognition as a Grand Master ter of a large family presided over by Kezzie from Mystery Writers of America at the Knott, once a notorious bootlegger. on May 2 in New York. The landscape of North Carolina—the coun- Maron is best known to the mystery com- tryside, its politics, and its way of life—have munity as the author of the beloved Deborah changed since Kezzie’s youth, and Maron Knott series, now at 18 books and counting. skillfully weaves her thoughts and feelings by doubling and redoubling a Sigrid Harald The first book in the Knott series, Bootlegger’s about those changes into her colorful tales short story until it became her first novel, Daughter, is still the only mystery novel that of Deborah’s sleuthing, love life, and expe- One Coffee With. has ever won all four of the major mystery riences as a country judge. As Maron once awards for best novel: the Edgar, the Agatha, said, “The mystery novel is the peg upon When Maron and her husband moved from the Anthony, and the Macavity. which I hang my love and concerns for his hometown of Brooklyn back to Maron’s North Carolina as the state transitions from farm in North Carolina she wrote Bloody Maron’s sleuth is Deborah Knott, a district agriculture to high tech, from a largely rural Kin, a stand-alone, and then conceived court judge in “Colleton County” North countryside to one increasingly under assault of the Deborah Knott series. Like Maron, Carolina, which suspiciously resembles by housing developments and chain stores.” Deborah was born from North Carolina’s Maron’s own Johnston County, where she past of tobacco farms and, yes, bootlegging, and her husband, artist Joe Maron, live on Maron is the author of 26 novels, includ- but today lives fully within its present and ing an earlier series about Sigrid Harald, a future, nourished and sustained by memo- nypd homicide detective, and two collec- ries of family and home. It’s a message that tions of short stories. The long list of her resounds, as the Deborah Knott novels con- Margaret Maron and her awards includes a 2004 Sir Walter Raleigh tinue to win prestigious awards while being Grand Master Edgar Award Award for best North Carolina novel of read all over the world. the year. In 2008, she received the North Carolina Award At the Edgar Awards dinner Margaret for Literature. Bootlegger’s was introduced by her dear friend Nancy Daughter is included among Pickard, another founder of SinC, and I the “100 Favorite Mysteries believe I saw a tear in Margaret’s eye as she of the Century” as selected proceeded to the podium. She told us that by the Independent Mystery as a young woman, shortly after her move Booksellers Association. back home to North Carolina, she confided in her husband Joe that she wasn’t sure she She has served as president of would ever find a group of people that she the American Crime Writers could feel a part of, people who understand League and Mystery Writers the pull to write mysteries. But as she said of America. She was a founder from the podium, gesturing wide, “It’s all of of Sisters of Crime, serving as you, you are my tribe!” its third president, and of the Malice Domestic conference. Margaret, our heartfelt congratulations to She has mentored and encour- you, Sister, on becoming an mwa Grand aged dozens of women writers Master! That raven looks awesome perched and not a few men. on your shoulder! And your new Poe statu- ette will keep your Best Novel Edgar com- Maron has always said that she pany on your bookshelf! never intended to write novels, that she didn’t think herself Sarah Shaber writes the Louise Pearlie series capable of it. She wrote short from her home in Raleigh nc. She is proud stories and “bad poetry” until to be a member of Margaret Maron’s writing the short story market dried group which boasts a number of award-win- up. She wrote her first book ning novelists.

inSinC -9- June 2013 We Love Libraries! by Debra H. Goldstein

ootball has the Superbowl, college Long Island Chapter basketball has March Madness, and On April 20, the Long Island chapter came FSinC’s “We Love Libraries” project in out in force for an event at the Port Jeffer- April 2013 was the “Win-Win” month. Not son Free Library. Following presentation of only did two libraries receive $1000 checks the December “We Love Libraries” check, to use for additions to their collections, but authors C.B. Knadle (Charlene Knadle), the high number of SinC volunteers help- ing with the check presentation events Bernadine Fagan, Linda Maria Frank, increased community awareness of these Marilyn Levinson, Kathleen A. Ryan, and authors and Sisters in Crime. Toby Speed talked about mystery writing and their books. The Mille Lacs Lake Community Library In appreciation of SinC and these authors, the Port Jefferson Free Library then spon- This Minnesota library received the Janu- sored a book signing of Fagan’s Murder by ary “We Love Libraries” Award at an April 15th event. Librarian Katherine Morrow the Old Maine Street, Frank’s The Madonna was delighted at the well-attended event Ghost and Girl With Pencil, Drawing during which patrons had the opportu- Knadle’s Paper Lovers (Knadle), Levinson’s nity to meet Twin Cities Chapter President Giving up the Ghost, Dangerous Relations, Rhonda Gilliland and hear about Twin A Murderer Among Us, Murder in the City members Pam Leonard’s Shadowland, Air, No Boys Allowed, Rufus & Magic Run Toby Speed was given the opportunity to Where Echoes Die, and Death’s Imperfect Amok, And Don’t Bring Jeremy, and Murder make the audience aware of Death Over Witness, Christine Husom’s The Noding Easy, her new book being published by Five a la Christie, and Ryan’s Hint Fiction: An Field Mystery, An Altar By the River, Buried Star in September. Other chapter members, in Wolf Lake, and Murder in Winnebago Anthology of Stories Twenty-Five Words or including Lourdes Venard, helped prepare County, and Mickie Turk’s The Delilah Fewer, Women Warriors: Stories From the press releases and aided librarian Monica Case and Made in The Image. Thin Blue Line, and Discount Noir. Williams in pulling together the event.

Everyone’s smiling when Twin Cities Chapter President Rhonda Gilliand (right) presents MIille Lacs Lake library representatives Barbara Misselt and Carolyn Avaire with a $1000 check!

Long Island SinC members joined Port Jefferson Library personnel in celebrating the We Love Libraries! check. by Jan Nolan by

inSinC -10- June 2013 Beth’s Bits

SinC Into Great Writing V! Are you coming to Bouchercon in Albany ny? Make your hotel reservations one day early and join presenters, Cathy Pickens with “Create” Your Writing Career” and Robert Dugoni with “Selling Your Novel” at our fifth pre-Bouchercon workshop. SinC’s Annual Bouchercon Breakfast SinC Into Great Writing V! will be on The Bouchercon SinC Breakfast will be Wednesday, September 18, 2013, from 1:00 held at the 74 State Hotel, a boutique hotel Lawrence Magazine Lawrence to 5:30 pm. The workshop will be held at the close to the other conference hotels. The Albany Hotel, one of the conference hotels. breakfast will be on Friday, September 20, The cost for SinC members is $50. This 2013, at 7:30 am. Register now as we have Courtesy includes the workshop and a yummy snack limited space this year. The cost is $25 and break during the workshop. Log in to www. we will have a full breakfast, business meet- sistersincrime.org and click on the rotating ing and fun. banner “Writing Workshop.” Log into www.sistersincrime.org and click Book Covers and on “Our Events” to pay by mc/Visa. You Author Web Sites may also send a check for $25 to: Are you a Sinc author? If you would like your Sisters in Crime most recent book cover and author web site to po Box 442124 be posted to our home page streaming extrav- Lawrence ks 66044. aganza, send a jpg and your author url to me at [email protected]. The covers Deadline to receive check in Lawrence is stream in groups. We will send you an e-mail September 13, 2013. Online registration when yours are posted. will continue until we are sold out.

Beth was happy to catch up with Mystery Scene’s Kate Stine at Malice Domestic.

Treasurer’s Position SinC is searching for the perfect person Job Description to step up and serve as national treasurer. • Act as liaison with cpa in tax matters Kathy Wall is stepping down after eight • Review quarterly financial statements and recommend action to the board Web Maven Sarah Glass and Beth strategize years of service to the organization. If you • Monitor bank accounts and investments about SinC’s presence in social media. know of a SinC member who has the quali- fications, please let me know. Feel free to • Sign tax returns and insurance documents send this to a possible candidate. Sisters in • Countersign checks for amounts in excess of $3,000 Crime will be taking recommendations and • Prepare annual survey documents for Dear Kathy Wall, asking for resumes until June 30, 2013. Authors Coalition Thank you for your friend- Qualifications • Advise board on advisability/feasibility of spending proposals ship, professionalism and • Professional (public or private) account- • Act as one of two designated representa- ing training and experience your contributions to Sisters tives to Authors Coalition, participating in Crime. You made a great • Ability to analyze and interpret financial in quarterly conference calls and bi- organization even better! statements and communicate results to annual in-person meetings board members • Sit on SinC Executive Board and weigh in Beth • Commitment to a minimum of two years on all ongoing financial matters includ- in the position ing SinC Chapter Grants • Commitment to the financial health and • Be the financial conscience of the orga- stability of SinC nization! inSinC -11- June 2013 SinC into Great Writing V— CREATE Your Writing Career! by Cathy Pickens & Bob Dugoni

Bouchercon 2013 will be in Albany ny. SinC into Great Writing V will be on September 18, at the Hotel Albany, in the afternoon. All details have not been completed, but we will keep you apprised. Plan now to be part of this dynamic workshop! SinC past-president Cathy Pickens’ create process has been a hit with busi- ness and artist audiences. Bob Dugoni, a Harper Lee Award finalist, offers popular writing workshops around the country. SinC has packaged them both in a dynamic afternoon designed for both established writers and those just beginning their writing careers.

o help you prepare for SinC into Learn to Great Writing, Cathy (who just • Make better use of Tcan’t help being a professor!) has your writing time, prepared a Bouchercon Pop Quiz to • Capture and develop ideas, kick-start your thinking. Don’t worry, • Draw on unlikely resources, you don’t have to show your work and • Take risks, there will be no final grade. Plus—she’s • Deal with success as given you the answers! well as failure, • Seek and use critique, 1. I know I’m creative. Is there • Understand procrastination, and truly a process or discipline to • Produce more regularly. creativity I can learn? [Yes]

2. As a writer, can mastering Find out how to this process help me be more • Get an agent’s attention, productive more often? [Yes, •  Convince an agent or an editor whether you are well-estab- to take a chance on you, lished or just starting out] •  Write a knock-out query that catches an agent’s interest and a 3. Once I’ve completed a manu- synopsis that forces her to ask to script, are there ways to make see your first three chapters, and my query and submission •  Help make the sale and what stand out from the rest? [Yes] can kill your chances.

4. What are the common mis- SinC Into Great Writing V! will be on takes and can I learn to avoid Wednesday, September 18, 2013, from them? [Many … and yes] 1:00 to 5:30 pm. The workshop will be held at the Albany Hotel, a conference 5. How can I learn this? [Sign hotel. The cost for SinC members is up for SinC Into Great Writing, $50. This includes the workshop and the pre-Bouchercon confer- a snack break during the workshop. ence, Wednesday, September Log in to www.sistersincrime.org and 18. tinyurl.com/7syswpj click on the rotating banner “Writing Workshop.”

We look forward to seeing you there!

inSinC -12- June 2013 Thanks, Kathy! Gayle - Cont’d. from p. 1 notebook where he recorded passwords to until she could have her hair colored and cut. by Cathy Pickens his various computer accounts. She read his No one was surprised when the judge said, e-mails. She found names of many women “No.” A Lake County il jury convicted Yang hen SinC Treasurer Kathryn and ran background checks on them. Yang of two counts of premeditated first degree Wall told the board it was sent harassing anonymous letters to 16 murder for killing Reuter and her unborn Wtime for her to move on, women Gayle was dating. To further throw child. She was sentenced to two consecutive we begged, pleaded, and cajoled, but suspicion on others, Yang sent some of the natural life terms. in the end, we had to admit that serv- letters to herself. One letter was found in ing as treasurer for eight years was a Reuter’s handbag after the murder. Filming duty beyond which no woman should I could not have asked for a more compel- be called. Snitching ling story to recount for the Deadly Affairs Investigators questioned Yang’s psychic friend audience. Nor could I have asked for a more As those who have served on the who accompanied Yang when she drove professional crew to guide me through board with Kathy will attest, she has around dumping evidence from place to the process, which I appreciated because been a calm, good-humored, and place, even burying the empty ammunition there was so much to do. The cameraman, persistent guide. While our By-Laws clip. Now 18 months after the murder, still sound man, and assistant producer arrived provide that board members serve under pressure by police, the psychic agreed promptly at my home office. My books visu- no more than five years, the treasurer to wear a wire and record her best friend. ally melted together to form an indistinct stays around, providing the board background. After five hours and countless The psychic met Yang at a family restaurant questions, the crew packed up and headed with a valuable bridge of institutional and asked her about the shooting. Yang did for the editing room. wisdom. So she’s seen a lot of us come not flinch. Her answers portrayed a calm, and go from the board. cautious woman with the patience neces- Benefitting sary to achieve her goals. That patience must She helped guide us through the pro- It was an exhilarating and exhausting experi- have expired when Gayle announced he was ence, but one that would not have occurred cess of gaining tax-exempt status to become a father, for she began to move from the irs and through designing without SinC. I have benefitted by the monthly quickly. While the psychic savored chocolate meetings and the training they provide; but programs that wisely spent Authors ice cream, Yang, the fitness model, ate noth- the networking opportunities and camarade- Coalition (ac) funds, serving as our liai- ing. She did not sidestep the pointed ques- rie are what really sets the organization apart. son with ac for several years. tions, such as where the gun was hidden, The connections that led to the opportunity saying, “I put it into a bucket of cement. I to appear on a national television program Her guidance and wisdom have helped threw it in a dumpster far from my house… knocked over the first domino. I had been put put SinC on a firm financial footing that there is no one anywhere that can place me, in touch with Martha Reed, SinC’s chapter would have been only a dream in its or you, at the scene. Okay? They have no evi- liaison, and even received a gracious e-mail early days. And, while she was doing dence tying me or you to the scene, ’cause if from Hank Phillippi Ryan, our president. that, she also wrote 11 books in her pop- they did, I’d be in custody right now.” ular Bay Tanner series set in Lowcountry Then came more benefits. Martha suggested The next day, the women further discussed South Carolina. I contact Molly Weston who asked me to Yang’s efforts to avoid detection. She had write this article. While chatting, I men- I first met Kathy, in 2006, on a switched license plates and had even gone tioned that I recently taught a course on Jack “Southern” panel at Murder in the to Reuter’s house on one prior occasion but the Ripper. Molly thought that might make lacked the nerve to shoot. She regrouped Magic City in Birmingham. As a native a good topic for discussion at the forthcom- and chose another day for the murder. As South Carolinian, I was honor-bound ing Magna Cum Murder conference. The an extra precaution, Yang asked the psy- to tell her that many of us weren’t conference organizers agreed and I am set to chic if the date was auspicious. A tarot card share with participants what I have learned sure Hilton Head was really part of reading showed no reason to delay. So, Yang the South, but Kathy is a transplanted about the Ripper and the Autumn of Terror assembled her silencer, put on her disguise in Whitechapel. Ohioan who has truly earned her place and drove the rental car to Reuter’s condo. as a Southerner. Seeing her and her Once Yang had emptied the clip into Reuter, So I can confirm that crime pays, but not as wonderful husband Norman (who, I’m she phoned her friend and gave an agreed- much as membership in Sisters in Crime. sad to say, passed away in December to signal that the murder was done. She 2011) made any conference feel like a invited the psychic to dinner. Janis Wilson is a trial lawyer and homecoming among dear friends. a member of SinC’s Delaware Valley Chapter. Charging Her first short story, The Devil’s Triangle, will It’s easy to say thanks for all her Relying on the tape recordings, rental form be published in Death Knell V later this year. remarkable work but hard to say and other evidence, charges were filed. Meanwhile, Janis is working on her first novel, good-bye. News reports said Yang was so interested in Crossfire Hurricane, which deals with the her looks she asked that her trial be delayed deaths resulting from urban “commerce.” Thanks, Kathy! inSinC -13- June 2013 Events & Happenings

Historical Novel Society Conference Deadly Ink Magna cum Murder St. Petersburg fl • June 21–23 New Brunswick nj • Aug. 2–4 in • Oct. 25–27 Authors, agents, and editors will share their The conference features Hank Phillippi The 14th crime writing festival will feature experiences and expertise through panels, Ryan, Rosemary Harris, and Bob Daniher Steve Hamilton and Hank Phillippi Ryan. lectures, and workshops. Steve Berry as fan guest of honor. [email protected] tinyurl.com/a66o3vr and are guests of honor. Two pre-conference workshops with Charlotte St. Hilda’s Mystery Conference Love Is Murder Cook. hns-conference.org Cambridge uk • Aug. 15–27 Chicago il • Feb. 7–9, 2014 Attend 20th Mystery & Crime weekend, Featured authors are Jamie Freveletti, California Crime Writers visit mystery crime sites, and hear Yorkshire Heather Graham, Peter Kornbluh, Pasadena ca • June 22–23 mystery writers. Full details of tour at www. Marcus Sakey, and Shane Gericke. www. LA-SinC and Southern Chapter of Mystery BritishMysteryTrips.com LoveIsMurder.net Writers of America co-sponsor this biennial event for emerging and established mystery WriteNow! Left Coast Crime writers. Sue Grafton and Elizabeth George Scottsdale az • Aug. 16–17 Monterey ca • Mar. 20–23, 2014 will be keynote speakers. www.ccwCon- The annual writing conference welcomes Calamari Crime will feature Marcia Muller ference.org Hank Phillippi Ryan, Gregg Hurwitz, Liz and , Cara Black, Louise Fichera, Kris Tualla and Connie Flynn. Penny, Sue Grafton, Brad Parks, Sue Hunt Country Writers tinyurl.com/c4h8q7l Trowbridge, and Collin Wilcox as ghost of Middleburg va • July 5–6 honor. www.LeftCoastCrime.org/2014 Workshops on getting published, Killer Nashville about agents, and more feature Chuck Nashville tn • Aug. 22–25 New England Crime Bake Dedham ma • Nov. 8–10, 2014 Sambuchino, Shannon O’Neill, Anna Anne Perry will be guest of honor at the Sponsored by SinC-ne and Mystery Sproul-Latimer, and Jeff Kleinman. tinyurl. “place for thriller, suspense, mystery writers Writers of America www.crimebake.org com/d74ddhs and literary lovers.” www.KillerNashville. com Bouchercon Thrillerfest VIII Long Beach ca • Nov. 13–16, 2014 New York ny • July 10–13 Writers’ Police Academy Special guests are Anne Rice, R. L. Stine, Jamestown nc • Sept. 5–8 Honorees inclulde Jeffrey Deaver, Edward , T. Jefferson Parker, A trip to a firing range, suiting up with the Marston, J.A. Jance as American guest of Michael Palmer, and Steve Berry. www. dive team, with top experts—and much, honor, Simon Wood as toastmaster, and Al Abramson as fan guest of honor. www. ThrillerFest.com much more. SinC will pay more than half Bouchercon2014.com the registration. Public Safety Writers Conference www.WritersPoliceAcademy.com Las Vegas nv • July 11–14 Bloody Words IV Halifax ns • June 4–7, 2015 Crime writers—fiction, non-fiction, or Creatures, Crimes & Creativity technical—will hear experts on topics rang- md • Sept. 13–15 Planning is underway for Stormy Weather! More information will be forthcoming. ing from book promotion to gender issues The literary conference for mystery, www.BloodyWords.com/2015 to dna to serial murder, to prostitution, suspense, horror, sci-fi, and steam punk fea- to blog to book to public safety websites. tures Jeffrey Deaver, Christopher Golden, Bouchercon tinyurl.com/ahe4y9k John Gilstrap, and Trice Hickman. Raleigh nc • Oct. 8–11, 2015 www.CreaturesCrimesAndCreativity.com Theaksons Old Peculier Crime “Murder Under the Oaks” will feature Margaret Maron, Kathy Reichs, Tom Writing Festival, (aka Harrogate) Bouchercon Franklin, Zoe Sharp, S. Allan Guthrie, Sean Harrogate uk • July 18–21 Albany ny • Sept. 19–22 Doolittle, Lori Armstrong, Sarah Shaber, Chair Val McDermid will be joined by Kate Honorees include Sue Grafton, P. C. and Ron Rash.Bouchercon2015.org and @ Atkinson, , Susan Hill, Doherty, Tess Gerritsen, Steve Hamilton, Bcon2015 and Ruth Rendell interviewed by Jeanette and Chris Aldrich and Lynn Kaczmarek as Winterson. fan guests of honor. www.Bcon2013.com HarrogateInternationalFestivals.com [Click on “Crime Writing Festival.”] Escape to Write Chester ct • Sept. 27–29 Midwest Writers Workshop Seaside hands-on weekend workshop for Indianapolis in • July 25–27 brainstorming, critiquing, and revising with mww helps writers become published Hallie Ephron, Roberta Isleib aka Lucy authors! Faculty incudes John Gilstrap, Burdette, and Hank Phillippi Ryan tinyurl. Hank Phillippi Ryan, Matthew Clemens, com/afvnpob D.E. Johnson—and more. www.MidwestWriters.org inSinC -14- June 2013 Sisters in Crime Board of Directors Meeting April 21, 2013

President Hank Phillippi Ryan convened the Writers’ Retreat New Items [conference call]meeting at 5:03 pm. edt. The Board unanimously voted for Cathy The Board discussed the following: Pickens to investigate such a retreat and report • Beth Wasson reported to the Board on Voting Attendees: Hank Phillippi Ryan, to the Board with recommended options. Membership totals and trends. Laura DiSilverio, Stefanie Pintoff, Frankie Bailey, Barbara Fister, Martha Reed, Robert Chapter Logo Proposal • Marcia Talley is now in charge of SinC Dugoni, Cathy Pickens, Cari Dubiel The Board discussed Martha Reed’s pro- Links, our monthly e-newsletter. Non-Voting Attendees: Kathy Wall, Mary posal to offer design assistance as part of a Boone, Beth Wasson, and Molly Weston. voluntary chapter logo program. The Board • Hank Philippi Ryan and Molly Weston will Members not present: Sally Brewster and unanimously voted for Martha to move for- represent SinC at the 2013 Writers’ Police Val McDermid ward with the specifics of this proposal. Academy and report to the Board. Treasurer’s Report Killer Nashville • Cathy Pickens has agreed to represent Kathy Wall reported that we are in excellent The Board unanimously approved funding Sisters in Crime at the Authors Coalition shape financially. We have a sound invest- of $3,200 for the SinC-sponsored reception meeting in NY and report to the Board. ment strategy and no liabilities. at Killer Nashville 2013. This event boosts our profile, is popular with current mem- • Robert Dugoni, Hank Philippi Ryan, and Treasurer’s Position bers, and helps attract new members. others discussed promotional materials that generate interest in SinC. The Board discussed strategies for identify- Affiniscape ing the best candidate to fill the Treasurer The Board tabled discussion on this data The meeting adjourned at 6:41 pm. edt. Position (a non-voting Board position that is management platform until the next meeting. not subject to the five-year term limit). The Stefanie Pintoff Board also took the opportunity to thank SinC into Great Writing 2014 Secretary Kathy Wall for her many years of outstand- The Board tabled discussion on this event ing service to Sisters in Crime, culminating until the next meeting. in a round of telephone applause. Nominating Committee Committee Chair Frankie Bailey, Hank Philippi Ryan, and Laura DiSilverio have begun working to fill next year’s open positions: Vice- President/President Elect, Treasurer, Publicity Writing Contests Chair, and one at-large position. Malice Update Minotaur Books/ Minotaur Books/ Beth Wasson provided an update on plan- Mystery Writers of America Malice Domestic Competition ning for the SinC Breakfast to be held at (mwa) First Crime Novel October 15 Malice, including special guests in atten- Contest rules and guidelines will be posted. Rules for the 2013 competition will be dance and plans to honor individual chapter tinyurl.com/qyvt7e . posted. tinyurl.com/kkb6gq . presidents. ALA Report pwa Best First Private Eye William F. Deeck-Malice Domestic Planning continues for ALA, which will be Novel Competition Grants Program for held in Chicago the last weekend of June. July 13 Unpublished Writers Cari Dubiel and Mary Boone updated the Sponsored by the Private Eye Writers of Usually mid-November Board on all aspects of planning, including America and St. Martin’s Press, the compe- Grants to two unpublished writers in the tote bags, book donations, and a Kindle Fire tition is open to any unpublished author of malice domestic genre. giveaway. a private eye novel. tinyurl.com/dxd3pn4 www.malicedomestic.org/grants.html Strategic Planning Session Golden Donut Hank Philippi Ryan continues to organize August 19 the agenda for this summer’s Strategic Plan- ning Session, to be held in Chicago on June Short story contest sponsored by the 27 and 28. The Board will explore goals for Writers’ Police Academy. tinyurl. the future of SinC and ways we can best sup- com/9wbc2av port our members going forward. inSinC -15- June 2013 Common Law Marriage Law & Fiction—Getting the Facts Straight by Leslie Budewitz

e careful about that “common law” Differences characterization. Many people have Common law marriage isn’t distinct from Bthe misconception that if a couple legal marriage—it’s simply another way to lives together for a certain number of become legally married. The traditional years, they magically become married in way–with a license and a proceeding the eyes of the law. Common law marriage before a judge or clergy member—is called has specific requirements, and is recog- solemn, ceremonial, or statutory marriage. nized in Alabama, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, If a couple forms a common law marriage Montana, Rhode Island, South Carolina, in one state then moves to another, they are Texas, and Utah, and in the District of legally married in the second state, even if it does not allow common law marriages Columbia. About two dozen states have to be formed there. Similarly, a couple who abolished it, and some have never recog- formed a common law marriage in a state nized it. that later abolished it (e.g., Ohio, which protest. New Hampshire allows common abolished it in 1991, or Pennsylvania in law marriage claims only in that situation. Requirements 2005) is still legally married in all states. Generally speaking, common law marriage Divorce requires that each person intend to be mar- Intent to be married will not create a mar- By the way, there is no common law divorce. ried and to have legal capacity to marry— riage the state would not recognize. So it’s To legally end a common law marriage, a not a way for same-sex couples to marry that is, they are of legal age and not already couple must go through regular divorce legally in states that do not recognize married. Some states require cohabitation, proceedings. Of course, many don’t–but it same-sex marriage. representing themselves as married, or con- can be necessary in resolving property and summation. Intent is demonstrated by the custody disputes. circumstances as a whole, e.g., holding a cer- Issues For specifics on state marriage and divorce emony, referring to each other as husband Common law marriage typically becomes laws, see Cornell University’s Legal and wife, wearing wedding rings, using the an issue after one spouse dies and the other Information Institute tables at tinyurl. same last name, and so on, although there’s tries to establish the marriage and claim a com/7wfgenv. no one definitive criterion. As one court share of the estate. Other beneficiaries— said, marriage can’t just sneak up on you. such as the decedent’s adult children—may (Adapted from Books, Crooks & Counselors, by Leslie Budewitz)

Leslie Budewitz is a practicing lawyer and a fiction writer. Her book for writers, Books, Crooks & Counselors: A Fiction Writer’s Guide to Getting the Law Right (Quill Driver RIP Robin Hathaway Books) won the 2011 Agatha for Best Nonfiction, and was nominated for the 2012 Anthony and Robin Hathaway Keisman, a mystery author and SinC member who began . Death al Dente, first in “The writing novels in her 50s and whose first book was published 10 years later, Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries”, will debut from died Saturday, Feb. 16, of cancer. Berkley Prime Crime in 2013. For more help getting the law right in your stories, visit her In the 1980s, with some prodding by her husband, she began a novel. “He said website, www.LawandFiction.com and blog, to me, ‘You always wanted to write. Don’t you think it’s time to get started?’ “ www.LawandFiction.com/blog .

She wrote three novels in three years and received rejection after rejection from publishers. At a daughter’s urging, she entered a mystery-writing con- test sponsored by St. Martin’s Press. In nine months, she was told that her first novel, The Doctor Digs a Grave, had won the Malice Domestic Award for best traditional mystery. A year later the book won an Agatha.

inSinC -16- June 2013 Spree vs. Serial Killer? by Katherine Ramsland

long as they can. They are similar, however, ecently, people have asked me how to many mass murderers. to distinguish between serial and Rspree killers, so it seems like an Finer definitions appropriate topic for this column. While it was once the case that any incident Remember Christopher Dorner, the former (or set) that involved a number of murders cop who went on a rampage in California was called “multiple murder,” “multicide,” earlier this year? Many media outlets called or “mass murder,” eventually law enforce- him a serial killer. Although it’s true that he ment officials believed that finer distinc- killed several different times, researchers tions were needed. The earliest editions on criminality say he was a spree killer. That of the fbi’s official Crime Classification is, he had the mentality of a mass murderer, Manual defined serial murder as at least but he stretched out his rampage across three different murder events at three dif- a greater geographical range and over a ferent locations, with a cooling off period longer period of time. For understanding between events. his development, attitude, and motivation in detail, the right label matters. However, some serial killers brought their victims to the same location, so having at Let me first note that during a conference in least three distinct locations was clearly an 2005, the fbi elected to drop the classification unworkable criterion. Also, some crimi- of “spree killer,” because law enforcement nologists believed that offenders who in this general area. The incident lasts no officers thought it had little practical value as were caught after two incidents, but who more than twenty-four hours. a category between mass and serial murder. might otherwise have continued, should • A spree killing involves a string of three Spree killers, they decided, had many things be studied as serial killers. In 2005, the fbi or more murders in several distinct loca- in common with a mass murderer, so there simplified its definition of “serial killer” to tions, arising from a key precipitating seemed no need for a distinction. someone who commits at least two mur- factor that continues to fuel the need to ders in two separate incidents. However, researchers who are interested kill. The time period is significantly longer than that of a mass murderer, but the driv- in sophisticated developmental and psy- This is rather broad, but this is where it ing motivation is similar. chological issues recognize value in study- stands today. Some experts still reserve ing how spree killers differ from other the notion of serial murder exclusively for • Adding to the FBI’s simplified definition, multiple murderers. Even if differences sexually compelled offenders, while others serial killers murder at least two people are subtle, they can be important for early also include nonsexual goals like financial in separate incidents, with the propensity intervention. gain. The fbi thought that trying to classify to kill again. They psychologically wind according to motive was confusing, since down between incidents, and may either Christopher Dorner motive can be elusive during an inves- move around or lure successive victims Dorner had been fired from the lapd for tigation. As well, there could be several to a single locale. They view victims as a cause that angered him and he’d penned motives. objects for the satisfaction of their goals. a rambling, 6,000-word “manifesto” that described how he was going to target cer- Motives Although some cases might still elude tain people to clear his name and exact As with mass murderers, the motives of classification and some are mixed types, revenge. Alienated and enraged, he was on spree killers are generally clear: anger or moving form one category to another, a suicide mission of “asymmetrical” vio- desperation, fueling revenge or the need to this basic categorization of multicide has lence, with a long grudge list. In addition, punish on a large scale. worked for me. his identity was known, from start to finish, and the most likely outcome was his violent For my own research, I devised a basic Katherine Ramsland is a professor of foren- demise, by suicide or suicide-by-cop. guideline: sic psychology, has published 47 books and more than 1,000 articles, and writes a blog Most of Dorner’s behaviors contrast • Mass murder involves at least four fatali- for Psychology Today. Her latest books are sharply with those of predatory serial kill- ties and occurs in one basic locale, even Seizing Blood and Ghosts and The Mind of ers, who generally operate in secret for as if the killer travels to loosely related spots a Murderer.

inSinC -17- June 2013 The Docket

January Elise Sax, An Affair to Dismember**, Barb Goffman, Don’t Get Mad, Get Even, Elaine J. Anderson, Priority # 1, Code Ballantine Wildside Press Name: Marty, iUniverse, Inc. Mari Sloan, Road Trip, It’s ME! Ink Press Diana Gould. Coldwater*, Gibraltar Mary Burton, The Seventh Victim, Phoebe Wray, In Aam’s Fall*, Wolfsinger Road/A Vireo Book Kensington/Zebra Publishing Dorothy St. James, Oak and Dagger, Jim Guigli, Bad News for a Ghost*, Kindle Berkley Prime Crime J.A. Hitchcock, True Crime Online: March Clea Simon, Parrots Prove Deadly, Shocking Stories of Scamming, Stalking, Craig Faustus Buck, “2 is for Taboo” in Poisoned Pen Press Murder and Mayhem**, CyberAge Books Fifty Shades of Decay**, Angelic Knight Michael Stanley, Deadly Harvest, Harper Sue Hallgarth, On the Rocks: A Willa Press Collins – Bourbon Street Press Cather and Edith Lewis Mystery**, Arbor Dana Cameron, Seven Kinds of Hell, 47 Suzi Weinert’s Garage Sale Stalker is being Farm Press North filmed for Hallmark as “Garage Sale Nancy Kopp, Some Like ’em Dead**, Jess Faraday, The Left Hand of Justice**, Mystery.” CreateSpace & Kindle Bold Strokes Books Marian Lanouette, Burn in Hell, a Michael Guillebeau, Josh Whoever, Gale/ May Jake Carrington Mystery*, MuseItUp Five Star Mysteries Maggi Andersen, The Folly at Falconbridge Publishing Erin Hart, The Book of Killowenm, Hall**, Knox Robinson Publishing Sam Thomas, The Midwife’s Tale: A Mystery Scribner Duffy Brown, Killer in Crinolines**, Minotaur Terri Herman-Ponce, Covet** Berkley Prime Crime Sharon Sterling, The Well* Kindle, Crimson Romance Tess Collins, Notown, BearCat Press Smashwords, Nook Arthur Kerns, The Riviera Contract* Diane Fanning, Sleep My Darlings, St. LynDee Walker, Front Page Fatality**, Diversion Books, Inc. Martin’s Press Henery Press Liz Lipperman, Shattered, Story Vault Roberta A. Isleib/Lucy Burdette, Topped Lois Winston, Revenge of the Crafty Corpse, Sylvia A. Nash, Paths in Time, A Book of Chef, NAL/Penguin Midnight Ink Short Stories* Liz Lipperman, Heard it through the Kris Neri, Revenge on Route 66**, Grapevine, Midnight Ink February Cherokee McGhee Mystery , A Tine to Live, a Tine to Winter Austin, Relentless*, Crimson Kathryn Leigh Scott, Down and Out in Die**, Kensington Publishing Romance (F&W Media) Beverly Heels**, Montlake Pamela Triolo, Death Without Cause**, S.X.Bradley, Unraveled, Evernight Teen Patricia Smith Wood, The Easter Egg Post Oak Imprint of Wyatt-MacKenzie Chrystle Fiedler, Scent to Kill: A Natural Murder, Aakenbaaken & Kent Publishing Remedies Mystery, Gallery Books/Simon Laurie Stevens, “Kill Joy” in Last Exit to , Board Stiff: A Dead-End Job & Schuster Murder Mystery**, Obsidian S. Furlong-Bolliger, Murder for Bid, Martin John Turney, Innocent Blood: Equinox of Sisters Publishing Reckoning**, Oak Tara docket Submission Guidelines Lily Gardner, A Bitch Called Hope*, Kristen Valentine, Gone Cold*, Diversion Books Smashwords • Enter information online. From SinC Nora Gaskin, Time of Death: A True Tale Diane Vallere, Buyer, Beware**, Polyester home page, scroll to the bottom and look for “Quick Links.” Click on “The Docket.” of a Quest for Justice* Lystra Books & Press Literary Services • No titles older than six months from Sara J. Henry, A Cold and Lonely Place***, April inSinC issue. Crown Laura Alden, Curse of the PTA, Obsidian • Titles may be announced only one time. Linda O. Johnston, Oodles of Poodles, Elizabeth Buhmann, Lay Death at Her Berkley Prime Crime Door, Red Adept Publishing • Do not use all capitals! Lynn Kear, Relative Innocence, CreateSpace S. Furlong-Bolliger, “A View to Justice,” Leslie Meier, Easter Bunny Murder, • Capitalize first and major words in title Woman’s World Magazine (i.e., The Case of the Missing Letter). Kensington Donna Fletcher Crow, An Unholy Barbara Corrado Pope, The Missing Italian Communion, Lion Fiction • Check your information before hitting Girl**, Pegasus Books Hallie Ephron, There Was an Old Woman, “submit.” Wm. Morrow • For a short story, put quotes around title. *E-book Michelle Gagnon, Strangelets, SoHo Teen Always give the anthology or magazine **e-book and print title. For an anthology, list editor. ***e-book print, and audio inSinC -18- June 2013 Nominations & Awards

Maggi Andersen’s The Folly at Falconbridge D. P. Lyle’s More Forensics and Fiction: The Docket - continued Hall**, Knox Robinson Publishing, has Crime Writers’ Morbidly Curious been nominated for a rone Award. Questions Expertly Answered was nomi- June Susan M. Boyer’s Lowcountry Boil won the nated for both the Edgar and Agatha Joelle Charbonneau, The Testing***, Agatha Best First Novel Award. Awards. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Ellen Byron (who joined SinC at Malice) Margaret Maron was named mwa Grand Master. Sheila Connolly, Monument to the Dead, won a William F. Deeck Malice Domestic Berkley Prime Crime Grant for Unpublished Writers. Ruth Moose’s Doing it at the Dixie Dew won the Minotaur Books/Malice Shelley Costa, You Cannoli Die Once , Dana Cameron’s “Mischief in Domestic Competition. Simon and Schuster Pocket Books Mesopotamia” won the Agatha Best Short Louise Penny’s The Beautiful Mystery won Lori Rader Day, The Black Hour, Seventh Story Award. the Agatha Best Novel Award. Street Books Rebecca Cantrell’s A City of Broken Glass Hank Phillippi Ryan’s The Other Woman Theresa M. Jarvela, Home for the Murder, was nominated for the Mary Higgins won the Award. North Star Press of St. Cloud, Inc. Clark Award. Wendy Corsi Staub’s Sleepwalker was July Kim Fay’s The Map of Lost Memories was nominated for the Mary Higgins Clark nominated for an Edgar Award. Award. Helen Macie Osterman, Locked Within, an Rosemarie Keenan and husband Vince Emma Winberry Mystery, Oak Tree Press Penny Warner’s The Code Buster’s Club, (writing as Renee Patrick) won a William Case #2: The Haunted Lighthouse won Jessie Chandler, Pickle in the Middle F. Deeck Malice Domestic Grant for Murder**, Midnight Ink the Agatha Best Children’s/Young Adult Unpublished Writers. Novel Award Kathleen Delaney, Murder by Syllabub**, Steve Liskow’s “Hot Sugar Blues” in Mystery Camel Press Catriona McPherson’s Dandy Gilver and Writers of America Presents: Vengeance” an Unsuitable Day for Murder won the Terry Shames, A Killing at Cotton Hill, was nominated for an Edgar Award. Agatha Best Historical Novel Award. Seventh Street Books/Prometheus August Zoe Burke, Jump the Gun: An Annabelle Lemons to Lemonade Starkey Mystery**, Poisoned Pen Press by Molly Weston Shelley Freydont, Cold Turkey a pointed—as were the mystery fans! As we Celebration Bay Mystery *(novella), or several years I gave monthly Berkley Prime Crime (September—May) afternoon pro- discussed options, we had simultaneous Michelle Gagnon, Don’t Look Now, Harper Fgrams at the Cary Public Library (a brainstorms: We’d ask to move the pro- Teen branch as opposed to a regional). We filled grams to the Page-Walker. Again, Kris was Christine A. Wenger, Do or Diner, the small children’s theater mostly with retir- agreeable and the armchair sleuths were Penguin/Obsidian ees or people who worked non-traditional delighted (there was much more parking schedules. I talked about 15–20 authors available at the center). To ensure access September whose books fell under a particular umbrella to books on the program, I took stacks of Christine DeSmet, First-Degree Fudge**, and made handouts from my slide program. copies I’d already read and attendees chose New American Library Librarian Karen Kiley pulled books from from them—and they brought them back Shelley Freydont, Silent Knife, Berkley those authors for quick checkout. Prime Crime faithfully to share with others! When I brought visiting author panels October which would draw larger crowds, Karen At our May meeting—the last for this arranged for evening programs at the Town season—Kris agreed to house the myster- Sheila Connolly, Golden Malicious, Berkley of Cary’s nearby Page-Walker Cultural Prime Crime ies in her office so folks could continue Arts Center. The Center’s director, Kris sharing. I’ve already begun a new stack to Julie Anne Lindsey, Deceived, Merit Press Carmichael, is a voracious mystery reader take to the Page-Walker so there will be a Cathi Stoler, Keeping Secrets**, Camel Press and she was happy to provide additional continuing interest when we begin meet- programming for the community. November ing in September. Christina Freeburn, Cropped to Death**, Last spring, our North Carolina county Henery Press changed direction: Branch libraries would The Mother Superior in The Sound of Music Judy Hogan, Farm Fresh and Fatal, no longer provide programming. Needless was right: When a door closes, surely, some- Mainly Murder Press to say, Karen and I were horribly disap- where, a window will open! inSinC -19- June 2013

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Treasurer Kathy Wall Steps Down For a little better than a year, I had charge with the irs, and all the other tribulations hen then president, now of publicity, a subject on which I was woe- that any national organization encounters, Goddess, Patty Sprinkle first fully ignorant. I jumped in with both feet, the all-volunteer board has guided us to approached me about joining W learning as I went, until the treasurer’s a position of financial strength and firm the board of Sisters in Crime, I had no idea post became vacant. Now I usually try not commitment to our mission statement. what that might entail. Truth to tell, as a to tell people that I used to be an accoun- newly-published writer, I was just flattered tant, because inevitably I get asked to be Of course none of this would have been to have been asked. treasurer of every organization to which I possible without the indispensable Beth belong. But this was Sisters. How could I Wasson, our tower of strength and reposi- say no? tory of all Sisterly history and knowledge. She has been an unwavering help to me, In the intervening years, I have grown and I owe her a huge debt of gratitude. It to love not only the purpose of Sisters in has been an honor to serve with this fine Crime—the emphasis on lifting women to group of women and men. equality in the profession of crime writ- ing—but the people with whom I have I have every confidence that the coming been privileged to work. The treasurer’s years will see even more progress toward post isn’t covered by a term limit, so I have achieving our goals. I’ll continue to be a seen officers and board members turn supportive member of Sisters in Crime, over every couple of years, and I’ve been just cheering from the sidelines now. My amazed at the expertise and dedication thanks to all of you for your kindness and each of them has brought to the task of encouragement during my tenure as your keeping SinC on track. Through the lean treasurer. years, the explosion of Authors Coalition Kathy Wall funds, the struggle for tax exempt status