The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
A thrilling weekend celebrating murder and mayhem–at 9,000 feet
Three titillating days investigating all things murder and mystery, including author conversations and readings; Longmire film screening and discussion; a mystery writing workshop on suspense; true crime podcast discussion; youth forensics workshop, Noir in the Bar reading and book signing; murder mystery dinner of the wild west; Tour de Daggers dinner with visiting authors; and more. Guest authors include: New York Times bestselling author of 14 full-length novels in the Walt Longmire mystery series Craig Johnson; award winning mystery and suspense writer Christine Carbo; bestselling crime writer Barbara Nickless; and reporters Jakob Rodgers and Lance Benzel of the true crime podcast, “Colorado Cold Case.”
A full schedule with prices, times, locations and other details, as well as full bios on presenting authors, can be found at www.crestedbuttearts.org/Murder-in-the-Mountains. Tickets to individual events available, as well as full festival passes available.
Friday, February 21
Murder in the Mountains Kick-off Reception: Gather with other festival goers and meet best-selling and award-winning authors Craig Johnson, Christine Carbo, Rachel Monroe, Barbara Nickless, Lance Benzel, Jakob Rodgers and others for happy hour, bites, teaser readings and a bit of mystery. Complimentary drinks and appetizers. This event is free and open to the public thanks to the generous support of your public libraries. Location: Elk Mountain Lodge. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Free.
Tour de Daggers Dinner: Join us for a private, multi-course dinner by a private chef and the captivating company of best-selling and award-winning author of the Walt Longmire series Craig Johnson; author of the award-winning and best-selling Glacier Mystery series Cristine Carbo; Rachel Monroe, author of crime novel Savage Appetites; and #1 Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Barbara Nickless. Enjoy sumptuous conversation and decadent cuisine in a private, intimate location. Space is limited, so book ahead to avoid disappointment. Location: private residence in Crested Butte. Price includes dinner, drinks and an intoxicatingly good time. Location provided upon registration. 7:30 p.m. $125.
Saturday, February 22
Coffee + Cold Cases: A Discussion with “Colorado Cold Case” Reporters Lance Benzel + Jakob Rodgers. Enjoy locally roasted coffee, fresh baked goods and a riveting discussion with Colorado Springs Gazette reporters Lance Benzel and Jakob Rodgers. Hear about some of the most gruesome, thrilling and mysterious cases they’ve reported from their true-crime podcast, “Colorado Cold Case.” Learn about the process, ethics and experience of investigating and writing true crime. Price includes coffee and breakfast baked goods. Location: the Center. 10 to 11 a.m. $20.
Junior Forensic Workshop: Dust for fingerprints, case footprints and solve the crime scene mystery in this wonderful introduction to forensic science. Suitable for late elementary and middle school students. In partnership with the Crested Butte Marshal’s Office. Price helps cover top-secret detective supplies. Location: Crested Butte Marshal’s Office. 10 to 11:30 a.m. $15.
Bloody Suspense: Creating thrilling suspense with Christine Carbo: Sip handcrafted Bloody Marys and learn to write vivid and gripping settings with Christine Carbo, author of the award-winning and best-selling Glacier Mystery series. Powerful settings take on a life of their own and draw comments like “Your settings seem like characters themselves!” Hone skills in strengthening atmosphere and description and keep readers absorbed in your fully created worlds, rather than skipping over descriptions to get to the dialogue. Price includes workshop and a Bloody Mary bar. Location: The Center. 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. $40.
High Tea & High Crime–Women on Crime Writing over Lunch: Join us for a riveting author panel on writing true and fictional crime with award-winning authors Rachel Monroe, Christine Carbo and Barbara Nickless. Get the scoop on how they use research, inspiration, plot, character and pacing to create pulse-pounding prose. Your ticket includes lunch and tea service. Location: the Center. 1 to 2 p.m. $20.
Longmire Live Screening with Craig Johnson: Live screening of the very first Longmire episode, with special guest Longmire writer himself Craig Johnson. Join the New York Times bestselling author of 14 full-length novels in the Walt Longmire mystery series for afternoon drinks, screening and discussion on writing one of the most celebrated series in modern history, and its jump to the silver screen. Location: The Majestic Theater. 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. $20.
Noir in the Bar: Meet ‘n’ mingle with literary lions (and lionesses) reading their work live: bestselling authors Craig Johnson, Christine Carbo, Barbara Nickless, Rachel Monroe and more. Scintillating cocktail specials, appetizers and book giveaways. This is event is free and open to the public thanks to the generous support of your public libraries. Location: The Center. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Free.
Old West Murder Mystery Dinner: Join us for a dangerously fun evening of murder and mystery in the Old West. See if you have what it takes to be the night’s top deputy, or the shadiest desperado around. This thrilling and immersive evening is space limited, so book ahead to avoid disappointment. Price includes dinner … and murder. Location: The Slogar. 6:30 p.m. $55.
Sunday, February 23
Murder + Mystery in the Gunnison Valley: Join us for a lively and absorbing discussion of murder, mystery and intrigue in the Gunnison Valley with county coroner Michael Barnes, Gunnison County sheriff John Gallowich and local historian Duane Vandenbusche and more. Learn about the gunfights, disappearances, mysteries and gruesome bloodshed—from first settlers, up to contemporary criminal cases. Chaired by director of Western’s MFA program in creative writing Mark Todd. Location: the Gunnison Arts Center. 10 to 11:15 a.m. $10; $5 with student ID at the door.
