Mayhem in the Midlands

I think we've finally recovered from a fun and exciting weekend in Omaha. If you've never been, we highly recommend attending Mayhem in the Midlands. Held each year over the Memorial Day weekend, Mayhem is a small friendly mystery conference run by the tireless Omaha and Lincoln librarians and the local Sisters in Crime chapter. We made new friends and met up again with those we had met last year: Betty Webb (do not miss reading her book Desert Wives), Radine Trees Nehring (who moderated a wonderful panel on the value of murder), Beth Groundwater (a fellow Five Star author), Chris Grabenstein (funny guy and talented writer), Evelyn David, Sandra Balzo -- to name just a few (check out the links to these great authors). Mayhem is small enough that you'll call your favorite authors friends and be able to indulge your favorite pasttime with other mystery fans from all over the country.

This year was my friend Wendy's first Mayhem conference. I had to leave her to fend for herself one morning and was feeling guilty because she had to breakfast alone. I didn't have to worry -- I found her sitting with Margaret Maron and Nancy Pickard. These two gracious and talented ladies had asked to join her and were having a lovely conversation. Of course, Wendy had no idea who they were but had charmed them as she does everyone she meets.

And I can't leave out the great location -- Omaha. Held at the Embassy Suites, the Old Market is right across the street. Filled with great restaurants (the Persian sidewalk cafe is my favorite), funky shops and art galleries, street musicians and carriage rides across cobbled stone streets, this area is not to be missed. And of course there's the Henry Doorly Zoo where you can get up-close and personal with a silverback.