Steven Womack, Chester D. Campbell, Maggie Toussaint, and Sheila L. Stephens break down the many branches of crime fiction, from cozy mysteries to noir, romantic suspense, and thrillers. They explore how tone, pacing, character, and reader expectations change from subgenre to subgenre, while also revealing what all crime stories share at their core.
Traditional Mysteries: The Power of Place and Community
Neighborhoods and close knit communities are central to many traditional mysteries. In this session, authors discuss how setting shapes their stories, influences character relationships, and creates the atmosphere that defines the genre.




