About Friends of Mystery

Friends of Mystery is a non-profit literary/educational organization headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Its purpose is to promote educational study in all realms related to mystery. Members are interested in fiction, true crime, how mysteries are solved, and many other aspects of knowledge that can be included in the term "mystery".

We sponsor a series of public meetings, called Bloody Thursdays, publish a newsletter, The Blood-Letter, give an annual award, the Spotted Owl, for the best mystery by a Pacific Northwest author. And, we also sponsor a local reading group.

FRIENDS OF MYSTERY BLOODY THURSDAYS XXIV

Thanks to our wonderful guest speakers and to everyone who joined us for the 2008-2009 Bloody Thursday event season. Check back soon for the 2009-2010 event schedule, taking place at our new location, Terwilliger Plaza.

In September 2009, look for Phillip Margolin, who will be receiving his Spotted Owl Award, as well as other exciting speakers.

2008-2009 Dates

Sept. 25, 2008: Kate Wilhelm and the Spotted Owl presentation (Chelsea Cain graciously joined us in Kate's stead)
Nov. 20, 2008: Det. James Lawrence - Portland Police Cold Case Unit
Jan. 22, 2009: Larry Rosson - Fingerprint Expert
Mar. 26, 2009: Barbara Pope - Debut Author of Cezanne's Quarry
May 28, 2009: Jessica Morrell - Author/Lecturer on Villains and Anti-heroes

Contact Friends of Mystery by mail at:
P.O. Box 8251
Portland, OR 97207
503-244.5271
www.friendsofmystery.org

Previous Events

Chelsea Cain

Best-selling Portland author Chelsea Cain, of the just-released Sweetheart joined us in Kate Wilhelm's place to discuss her life as a writer, mother, and wife. She gave a delightful, warm and often hilarious talk comparing being a parent and even giving birth with writing a thriller.

Detective James Lawrence

Detective Lawrence shared his fascinated work in Portland Police Bureau's cold case unit at our November 2008 meeting.

Larry Rosson

Fingerprint expert Larry Rosson appeared in January 2009.

Barbara Pope

Debut author of Cezanne's Quarry Barbara Pope joined us in March 2009.

Jessica Morrell

Jessica Morrell, noted editor and author, will discuss villains and anti-heroes, as well as her newest book, Bullies, Bastards And Bitches: How To Write The Bad Guys Of Fiction.

2007-2008

The dates for the 2007-2008 Season were:

Thursday, November 15, 2007 - Kris Nelscott, Spotted Owl award-winning author of Days of Rage.
Thursday, January 24, 2008 - Dr. Frank Colistro, forensic psychologist and serial killer profile
Thursday, March 27, 2008 - New Authors Panel, featuring Bill Cameron, Gregg Olsen, Doc Macomber, Ashna Graves and Bob Napier.
Thursday, May 22, 2008 - Steven Saylor, best selling author discussing his new book, The Triumph of Caesar

Friend of Mystery Steven Saylor

The May 22 Bloody Thursday welcomed best selling author Steven Saylor, who discussed his work and his new Gordianus novel, The Triumph of Caesar. The presentation was delightful and free-ranging, as Steven discussed the genesis of Gordianus, the re-release of the series in trade paperback, and his work on his epic historical novel Roma and its sequel.

The Triumph of Caesar is set against the background of Julius Caesar’s stupendous quadruple triumphs in Rome in 46 BC, full of color and spectacle. Caesar is now dictator for life. But Caesar’s wife Calpurnia, having fallen under the spell of an Etruscan soothsayer, is convinced of a plot on her husband’s life. Once again, murder and intrigue draw Gordianus into the vortex of history.

In a starred Review, Publishers Weekly says of The Triumph of Caesar, "Stellar...compelling...a triumph!" The Toronto Globe and Mail calls it "Superb! . . . a treat to read."

Also look for Saylor's superb historical novel, Roma, now available in trade paperback.

November 15th Blood Thursday Festivities

It will be Awards Night at the November 15 Bloody Thursday meeting of Friends of Mystery. Kris Nelscott (Rusch) will be accepting her Spotted Owl plaque for the 2006 Smokey Dalton novel Days of Rage. This is the second Spotted Owl award for Kris, having won in 2005 for a previous Smokey Dalton mystery novel. She joins Seattle author Lowen Clausen as a two-time Spotted Owl winner.

Kris has also won numerous awards for science fiction, writing as Kristine Kathryn Rusch. She won a Hugo science fiction award for both writing and editing. She writes romance novels under the name of Kristine Grayson. Her Smokey Dalton mystery series has also received the Herodotus Award for Best Historical Mystery Novel. Kris is a frequent contributor to the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. She and her author husband, Dean Wesley Smith live on the central Oregon coast.

Alaska author Mike Doogan was also named a Spotted Owl winner for his debut novel Lost Angel. This is the first Spotted Owl award for a first novel. Mike has planned to attend the November 15 meeting to accept his award. However, he is also a state legislator and was called into a special session at this time. Our own Bill Cameron presented Mike with his plaque at the September Bouchercon in Anchorage. His latest mystery, Capitol Offense has been receiving excellent reviews Mike is a native of Alaska having been born in Fairbanks and now lives in Anchorage with his wife and family.

Both of our Spotted Owl winners were short-listed for Shamus awards. Kris’s Days of Rage was nominated for best PI novel and Mike’s Lost Angel for best debut PI novel.

Forensic Psychologist Dr. Frank Colistro in January

Dr. Frank Colistro is a consulting psychologist for several law enforcement agencies including the Behavioral and Risk Services Unit of the Oregon Department of Corrections, the Cold Case Unit of the Portland Police Bureau as well as a criminal profiler for several agencies. He also works with the Oregon Board of Parole, providing psychological assessment of inmate’s potential of recidivism. Dr. Colistro has consulted with prosecution and defense attorneys on topics such as homicide investigations, major sex crimes and domestic violence cases.

As a criminal profiler, he has been involved in a number of highly publicized local cases including the Forest Park Rapist, KOIN Tower Shooter and the NE Portland Rapist. He was featured on national news as a commentator on the Ward Weaver case. He is often heard on local TV and radio.

Please join us to hear Dr. Colistro discuss his experiences of more than 25 years. It promises to be an enlightening evening. The meeting will be held in the auditorium of Good Samaritan Medical Center, 1040 NW 22nd Avenue (corner of NW 22nd and Marshall). The event will begin with a reception at 7:00 pm. The meeting is free and open to the public. Free parking is available in the parking structure adjacent to the auditorium. The Portland Streetcar and Tri Met run on nearby routes.

New Authors Panel in March 2008

Our March 27 Bloody Thursday meeting is a not-to-be missed event. We have a panel of debut mystery novel authors to tell us how they did it. It will feature:

Bill Cameron author of Lost Dog
Ashna Graves author of Death Pans Out
Doc Macomber author of Wolfs Remedy
Bob Napier author of Love, Death and the Toyman
Gregg Olsen author of A Wicked Snow and A Cold Dark Place

John Walsdorf moderated the panel.