Meet mystery writers in person

The Forest Hills Library and the New York Chapter of Mystery Writers of America (MWA) will host a free Whodunit Slam event this week on November 13, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Participating authors include Jason Starr, Stephanie Pintoff, Megan Abbott, S.L. Linnea, M.J. Rose, Jane K. Cleland, Lorenzo Carcaterra and Jonathan Santlofer. They will share their work with mystery lovers.
Cleland will explore the work of Carcaterra, who is a screenplay writer and bestselling author of over a dozen crime novels.
Featured novels will be reviewed in a panel-based discussion between authors and fans. Books will be available for purchase, followed by a book signing at the branch located at 108-19 71st Avenue.
“We never know how many people will attend, but I imagine it will be popular,” said Joanne King, associate director of communications of the Queens Library. “This is the first time we’ve offered it to Queens Library customers.”
Lisa Cotoggio, a Queens resident and chairperson of the MWA- NY Library Outreach Committee, coordinated the event with the Programs and Services Department of Queens Public Library.
“I thought it would be a good choice for us to expand our program from our monthly events at the New York Public Library Mid-Manhattan branch,” said Cotoggio. “If the Whodunit Slam goes as well as we expect, we will be coordinating additional events with the Queens Library at other branches.”
Cotoggio explained she went through a vetting process “to see which mix of authors were not only available, but would work best for the first event.”
MWA member and international bestselling author M.J. Rose joined the organization over 10 years ago. Her father was born in Forest Hills, so this event is a special one for her.
“I’m proud to belong to such a great group of writers,” said Rose, whose last book, The Hypnotist came out in May. “I’m currently working on a new novel but it won’t be out till the winter of 2012.”
Visit www.mwa-ny.org to learn more. If you would like to attend this event, please visit www.queenslibrary.org or call 718-268-7934.