Harrogate - or "Donna, don't take this the wrong way, but I can really see you in a brothel."

[Donna Moore]

Well, that's me just returned from Harrogate where a good time was had by all at the Harrogate Crime Festival. This time I didn't get to see many events, spending most of my time hanging out, chatting and eating...lots of eating. The panels that I did go to were good, and the evening events were great fun, even if our quiz team - The Masturbating Hamsters - came somewhere in the middle of the pack in an undistinguished manner.

It was great to catch up with everyone, and spend loads of time with my partners in crime - sister Jools and little brother Vincent, as well as the newly-rebearded Russel McLean (who was the originator of the comment in the title of this post. (Don't take this the wrong way? Is there a RIGHT way to take that comment?!)), the musky Lord Kevin "I gave my ticket to a poor person" of Wignall, world's best agent Al "Im so hard I've been thrown out of the hotel TWICE" Guthrie and his always lovely wife Donna...and it's excellent to catch up with people seen far too fleetingly once or twice a year - I shall stop with the names but you know who you are - sorry for all the hugging :o)

Some random bullet point thoughts:

- The more Al Guthrie is convinced of the correctness of an answer to a quiz question, this is inversely proportional to how correct it will, in fact, be.

- Lord Kevin "Jobs are for people who have something to give to society" of Wignall is one of the world's best huggers, but if he ever tells you "You're looking well" make an appointment with a medical professional immediately.

- Vincent Holland-Keen will one day regret giving Auntie Jools and Auntie Donna a magazine called The Oldie.

- Nothing tastes nicer than a bag of chips in a bus shelter at 2.30am.

- Lizzie Hayes and Zoe Sharp are, officially, the most elegant women in crime fiction.

- Robert Crais has lovely eyes, Sir Kevin has lovely shoes.

- Any panel that has Natasha Cooper on is always well worth going to see.

- Crime fiction readers and writers are the friendliest, loveliest, nicest people imaginable.

[Julie Lewthwaite]

Wasn't it fab! Always a treat to meet up with Madame Sin and the gang... he's brave, that McLean bench-dweller. But it was very funny! :)

And yes, crime fiction readers and writers are indeed the friendliest, loveliest, nicest people imaginable. To which I can only add, 'Mmmm, chips!' ;-)

[Donna Moore]

It was indeed funny Jools. And he knows he's paying for that for some time to come :o) Mmmmmm chips indeed. And now, I am not going to eat for at least a week. Lovely to see you m'dear. See you at the Fringe!

[Daniel Hatadi]

You people and your damned writeups, always making me jealous, grumble, grumble.

Thanks for sharing! :)

[Donna Moore]

LOL - you're welcome Daniel!

[Ray Banks]

Let me guess - Guthrie came up with the team name?

[Donna Moore]

Kuncks - let's just say he was the inspiration :o)

[Grant McKenzie]

"Inspiration"
Oh, dear ;-)

Wish I could have been there, and with my book launching in the UK in November, hopefully I can fly over next year.

Chips in a bus stop at 2:30 a.m. can only taste better when it's pissing down rain and you have an extra pickled onion ;-)

[Donna Moore]

Grant - hopefully we will see you there next year. Are you going to Bouchercon?

[Grant McKenzie]

I've been very torn about Bouchercon. The book isn't out until after the convention, I don't have a U.S. publisher yet, and I'm broke — but I'm still contemplating the possibility.

[Kevin Wignall]

Robert Crais has lovely eyes and I have lovely... SHOES! Oh, now I feel blessed.

Seriously, great fun, but I've seen some pics and they're not flattering. It appears I can't get by on two hours sleep after all. Next year, it's mint tea and early nights... ahem.