BoucherCon!
The social event of the crime calendar each year is BoucherCon, named after the great writer/reviewer Anthony Boucher. This year the tribes gather in Raleigh, North Carolina for Murder Under the Oaks.
The events page has just gone up, and I’m scheduled for two panels:
Preventing a Mystery Series “Jumping the Shark”
Oct 9, 1:00
Moderator Francine Mathews (Stephanie Barron); Nancy J. Cohen; Candace Robb (Emma Campion); Lisa Unger; Laurie King
The Games Afoot : Under the Shadow of Holmes and Watson
Oct 10, 10:00
Moderator Les Klinger; Laurie King; Peter E. Blau; Michael Robertson; Bonnie MacBird
And before you ask: No, none of us on the panel yet know what the title of the first one means, although I’m guessing Francine will come up with something before October 9, and: No, I don’t know if the title of the second should have an apostrophe in Games or if we’re treating it as a plural–again, Les Klinger will no doubt make his ruling.
BoucherCon is really a great conference, filled with writers new and established, readers from the shy to the passionate, editors similarly ranging from eager to jaded. Basically 1500+ potential Best Friends.
Read all about it here. And I’ll see you in the bar.
I would read the “Jumping the Shark” to be a reference to a phrase used for TV shows. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jump_the_shark
However, having read this article, I may start using “nuke the fridge” as a more fun equivalent!
I noticed that “Beekeeper’s Apprentice” is a notable novel on Goodreads list, as it should be.
Indeed, “Jump the Shark” is that moment when a previously good television show descends from its previous heights into absurdity or simply is no longer good. The expression refers to a moment in the old “Happy Days” TV show when Fonzie was waterskiing and literally “jumped a shark.” For me, “House’s” Jump the Shark moment was when he drove his car into Cuddy’s house, but arguing about when (or if) a series has “jumped the shark” is a popular activity for TV fans. I have to say I’d never thought of asking the question about a long-running mystery series, but it certainly should lead to some interesting discussions!
Of course, I’d like to attend both of these panels, but I might have to settle for one, the second one. I’m looking forward to seeing you again, Laurie, as part of the Virtual Book Club. You made my first Bouchercon in Albany amazing. Raleigh will be my second.
Merrily, I think I have to agree with you about the “jump the shark” moment in House, although I stayed loyal until the end.