Barbara Fister, Julia Keller, Michael A. Black, Michael Wiley, and Sara Paretsky explore why Chicago is such a compelling setting for crime fiction. They discuss how the city’s history, neighborhoods, and moral complexity shape stories where place is inseparable from crime.
The Value of Humor in Mystery Writing
In this session, panelists discuss how writers balance suspense with humor, using wit and levity to deepen characters, relieve tension, and keep readers engaged while the mystery unfolds.




