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 I’m back from my first CrimeCon, this one held in Nashville. For those who aren’t aware, CrimeCon varies from CrimeConn (in CT), Killer Con (from the Writer’s Police Academy), and all the other crime-related conferences in that 1. It’s almost all fans, not writers, and 2. It’s focused almost entirely on true crime. Since I’ve embarked on an extended project of writing Vacations Can Be Murder, a series of true crime travel guides, I thought it would be a good idea to meet my audience and see what makes them tick. And it’s definitely true crime, ticking like a time bomb inside them. If you are reading this because you’re an author thinking of switching from fiction to true crime, or incorporating true crime into your fiction, this could be a valuable conference to attend. If you’re attending Bouchercon later this summer at the exact same venue (The Gaylord Opryland Hotel), I’ll include some tips at the end. This is a highly engaged audience of around 5,000 attendees and 6,500 total—gratifying to see since I’m aiming my upcoming books their way. It helps if you’re well-versed in recent crimes and criminals since many of the presentations do a deep dive without giving background. For example, one panel featuring The Behavior Panel (https://www.youtube.com/c/thebehaviorpanel), analyzed an interview between Piers Morgan and Fiona Harvey, the woman on whom Martha Scott from Baby Reindeer is allegedly based. Well, I had never seen Baby Reindeer, so while enjoyable, the presentation was less meaningful to me than it would have been the next day, after I’d binged the whole seven-episode series. If you are addicted to true crime podcasts, you can meet all of your favorite creators here; Nancy Grace; the gang from Small Town Dicks, CourtTV, Dateline; the team behind Missing on NewsNation, and more. John Douglas, the profiler on whom Mindhunter is based, gave a two-hour presentation after-hours. John Walsh of America’s Most Wanted was also on hand. Some personal highlights: Susan Constantine discussing jury selection techniques; Frank Figliuzzi talking about his new book Long Haul (all about long-haul trucker serial killers); and Katherine Ramsland (who’s written 72 books!!!) discussing how serial killers recruit accomplices, all covered in her new release, The Serial Killer’s Apprentice.  Meeting fellow author Katherine Ramsland If you’re an author who is thinking of attending to sell books, there was a bookstore on hand but unlike many writer’s cons, there was also an exhibit hall where you can sell directly, and the hours extended through the entire conference. No swag room though—I appropriated a table in the main hall to distribute promo and luckily, the organizers let them be. Also present: organizations catering to the community (colleges promoting forensics courses, for example). This space adjoined Creators Row, where you could chat with all the podcast creators. There was also a section selling merchandise. My new hat reads “Be Nice, Don’t Kill People.” Of course, if people listened, I’d have nothing to write about. One sad note: a large bulletin board contained flyers from around 100 missing persons cases. It’s not just fans at the conference; it’s also families and organizations hoping to enlist the help of armchair, cold-case detectives among the attendees to help them find their loved ones. Evening activities included Sip and Sketch, where you could learn the techniques of courtroom sketch artists. However, I opted for a local tour, Nashville’s Dark Secrets: Murder & True Crime Walking Ghost Tour (around $35 plus Ubers there and back), which was quite entertaining. There are multiple price tiers for CrimeCon; I opted for the standard $399 rate, so I didn’t receive the option for priority seating (viewing the big screens was just fine) or some of the additional content. If you decide to attend next year in Denver (September 5-7, which unfortunately conflicts with Bouchercon in New Orleans), you should sign up early because host hotel rooms might go fast. And if you love traveling to learn about true crime (as opposed to traveling to visit the spots where the crime happened, the subject of my books), CrimeCon also runs a True Crime Cruise (sailing in November this year, June next, for around 600 people); and CrimeCon UK in September in London which also promises a more intimate experience with around 500 of your fellow true crime lovers. You can explore all the offerings at https://www.crimecon.com/. Now, about the Gaylord Opryland, what you should be aware of if you’re planning to attend Bouchercon in August, is that it’s huge. Expect to do considerable walking so bring comfortable shoes. And, despite the large number of dining venues, at mealtime, there are usually looong lines so plan to eat early or late or drive “off campus” to a local restaurant, bring snacks and water bottles so you don’t waste time waiting around, and make sure you have your credit card, because the entire hotel is cashless. The hotel keeps the conference rooms frigid (which inspired one of my favorite posts of the conference: “Why are the rooms so cold? We don’t need to be refrigerated, we’re not dead!”) so bring a coat, blanket, or other warming garb. And don’t worry if you are in a sister hotel like the Inn at Opryland, where I stayed, because there’s a frequent shuttle, and you could even walk. Would I go again? Sure. It was a lot of fun. As a crime/mystery/suspense writer, it’s something you might want to try, even if only to get ideas for future books. Hit me up if you have questions.  I'm heading to CrimeCon in Nashville next week and for those who will be attending, here are some true crime facts about the area: It Happened in Nashville!
While you’re there, don’t miss… Nashville’s Dark Secrets: Murder and True Crime Tour (18+, 90 min) and Nashville's Lost Spirits: Murder and True Crime Haunted Pub Crawl (ages 21+, 2 hrs., both from $35, see https://www.gonashvilletours.com)
For those visiting Bethesda for Malice Domestic or any other reason, here are a sampling of haunted accommodations, restaurants, and ghost tours to enjoy while you’re in the area. I’ve collected listings within 50 miles; they are listed from closest to Bethesda (DC is only around 7 miles away) to as far as 50 miles away (as is the case with Boonsboro and Stephensville.) The Baltimore, Ellicott City, and Annapolis locations are between 35-40 miles from Bethesda. You can read more when the Mid-Atlantic edition of Vacations Can Be Murder is published.
Accommodations: Washington DC Hay Adams Hotel 800 16th Street NW, Washington DC 202-638-6600 https://www.hayadams.com Socialite and photographer Marian “Clover’ Hooper, who was married to the grandson of John Quincy Adams, committed suicide here by ingesting th potassium cynanide she used in her darkroom. If you smell an almond fragrance on the fourth floor in conjunction with doors unlocking on their own, or a woman’s wails, it might be her ghost. Mayflower Hotel 1127 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC 202-347-3000 https://www.themayflowerhotel.com/ The resident ghost is said to be that of President Calvin Coolidge or his son. Coolidge was to host his inaugural ball here in February of 1925. He chose not to attend the ball because he was mourning the loss of his teenage son. The party went on without him. From 1925 until 1981, presidential inaugurations have been held at the hotel, and every year starting on January 27, 1937, the hotel was haunted on that day (even though the ball is held every four years.) The haunting consisted of Grand Ballroom lights flickering at 10:00 pm, followed by an elevator car becoming stuck on the 8th floor, where Coolidge had been staying on inaugural night. The elevator unsticks at 10:15, when Coolidge would have arrived at the ball. Omni Shoreham Hotel 2500 Calvert Street NW, Washington DC 202-234-0700 https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/washington-dc-shoreham Room 870, referred to at the hotel as the “Ghost Suite” is no longer open to the public. Clerks claim that the spirit of Juliette Brown, one of the resident ghosts, wouldn’t let his key work when he tried to enter. A former housekeeper, Brown supposedly died in the suite, as reportedly did the wife and daughter of the former owner, Henry Doherty. The apartment was abandoned for decades. The ghosts still make their presence known, and if you stay here, don’t be surprised to see lights flickering, or hear vacuums running, piano music, floors creaking, and televisions playing at all hours. The Kimpton Hotel Monaco 700 F Street NW, Washington DC 202-628-7177 https://www.monaco-dc.com Built in 1842 to house the General Post Office, the wails you might hear when staying here could be from the ghosts of the woman who waited for and received bad news here regarding their loved ones fighting in the Civil War. The spirits spotted by guests were wearing period clothing. Manassas The Olde Towne Inn 9403 Main Street, Manassas, VA 703-368-9191 https://theoldetowneinn.com The ghost of Miss Lucy, dating back to the Civil War, makes her presence especially known in Rooms 50-54 and in the hotel tavern. She’s said to have made guests levitate, in case you’re in the mood for an uplifting experience. Ellicott City Lilburn Mansion (Air BnB) 3899 College Avenue, Ellicott City https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/16673443?source_impression_id=p3_1664469122_gRgeGZ9euwvJ52Mg Also known as The Castle, Balderstones Mansion, or Hazeldene, the property is over 165 years old. You can rent a two-bedroom apartment here with a pool, but with a twist: after restoration following a 1923 fire, ghosts of children who died in the home are said to have started haunting the premises. Baltimore Admiral Fell Inn 888 South Broadway, Baltimore 410-422-7377 [email protected] Admiralfellinn.com Known as one of the most haunted hotels, not only in Baltimore, but in the country. Room 413, the site of a homophobic murder, as well as Room 218 are hotspots of paranormal activity. Ghosts of sailors can be seen in the halls. Guests have even seen the ghost of a dog. Lord Baltimore Hotel 20 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore 410-539-8400 [email protected] Lordbaltimorehotel.com Thought to be one of the top ten most haunted places in the city, and in the United States. During the Great Depression, over 20 people committed suicide by jumping off the roof after the market crashed. Many of their spirits apparently stuck around. A little girl named Molly, whose parents apparently jumped with her in a murder/suicide, ahs been seen on the 19th floor where they’d stayed. And that’s just a bit of the paranormal activity here. Annapolis (Note: The fact that both of these hotels are listed under the same address is not an accident. There is a large complex where both buildings are located.) Governor Calvert House 58 State Circle, Annapolis 410-263-2641 Historicinnsofannapolis.com/staty/governor-calvert-house Of the many spirits here, beware of the ghost of former employee Dominic, who apparently likes to watch guests undress. The Maryland Inn 58 State Circle, Annapolis 410-263-2641 https://www.historicinnsofannapolis.com/stay/maryland-inn Dating back to the 1770s, a navy captain named Charles Campbell and his intended brid are said to haunt the building. The captain was killed by a horse carriage outside the hotel and his bride committed suicide immediately afterwards. Boonsboro Inn Boonsboro 1 North Main Street, Boonsboro 301-432-1188 Info2innboonsboro.com https://innboonsboro.com/ The building dates back to 1790. No saying when the spirit of a cat appeared, visiting guests at night. If you hear a bell tinkling, perhaps it’s visiting your room. Stevensville Kent Island Resort (formerly the Kent Manor Inn) 500 Kent Manor Drive, Stevensville 410-643-5757 https://www.kentislandresort.com/ Thought to be haunted by former resident Alexander Thompson. He hanged himself in Room #210. Haunted Restaurants/Bars Washington DC Round Robin Bar 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC (202) 628-9100 Located inside the Willard Hotel where guests have included Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr., the ghost of a 13-year-old boy is said to haunt the hotel elevator. Wok and Roll (also a karaoke bar) 604 H Street NW, Washington DC (202) 347-4656 Serves Chinese and Japanese food, but in its former iteration, it was a boarding house owned by Mary Surratt, part of a group that conspired to murder leaders including Lincoln. After becoming the first female executed by the federal government, she took up residence here. Alexandria Gadsby’s Tavern 138 N. Royal Street, Alexandria A former hotel, dating back to the 1880s, is where a couple stayed, and the woman became ill and died. The man made the owner and doctors swear they would never reveal her name, but she reveals her presence by haunting with odd noises in what’s now a tavern. Other haunted restaurants in the area: Ellicott City The Judges Bench 8385 Main Street, Ellicott City 410-465-3497 https://judgesbenchpub.com/ This bar used to be a grocery store named Berger’s Grocery. Mart, the daughter of the owner hanged herself here in 1962 when her parents forbade her from dating a certain boy. She still hangs out at the bar. Baltimore Club Charles 1724 North Charles Street, Baltimore 410-727-8815 This dive bar is haunted by a male spirit named “Frenchie,” who, when alive, used to live in an apartment above the club. The Horse You Came In On Saloon 1626 Thames Street, Baltimore 410-327-8111 https://www.thehorsebaltimore.com/ America’s oldest continually operated saloon, dating back to 1775. This is said to be the last place Edgar Allan Poe was seen in 1849 before his death, and that his spirit has been seen walking toward the saloon, where he drinks cognac left out by the bartenders. Waterfront Hotel, Baltimore 1710 Thames Street, Baltimore 410-537-5055 http://www.waterfronthotelfellspoint.com/ Dating back to 1771, diners hear voices and footsteps from the vacant floors above. Annapolis Galway Bay Restaurant 63 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis 410-263-8333 https://www.galwaybaymd.com Two guests are said to reside here, that of a servant girl seen in the basement and the other, a bootlegger who was shot dead in the building. Middleton Tavern 2 Market Space, Annapolis 410-263-3323 https://middletontavern.com This former private residence that was built in 1740 is haunted by a ghost nicknamed Ronald, wearing Revolutionary War-era clothing. The scent of cigar smoke and the breaking of glasses and plates announces his presence. Rams Head Tavern 33 West Street, Annapolis 410-268-4545 https://ramsheadtavern.com/ The ghost of Amy, a prostitute, haunts this 1830s tavern. She died on the job. Reynolds Tavern 7 Church Circle, Annapolis 410-295-9555 https://reynoldstavern.org Haunted by the ghost of Mary Reynolds, who inherited the building in 1777 from her dead husband William. You can hear her singing Christmas carols and see objects moved without explanation. Paranormal Tours in the Area (click on individual tours for more information, age restrictions, etc.) From April 26-28, I will be at the mystery fan conference Malice Domestic, previewing the first volume of my true crime travel guide, Vacations Can Be Murder.
Here's a taste of what's happened in Bethesda and nearby that might be of interest to true crime fanatics:
And while you’re in Maryland, don’t miss these crime-related sites:
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AuthorDawn M, Barclay is an award-winning fiction and nonfiction author. Archives
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