The Center of the American West at the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ at Boulder will host a panel discussion titled, "Western Whodunits: Place in Crime," on Tuesday, May 4, at 5:30 p.m. at the Boulder Public Library Auditorium.
The event is free and open to the public.
Mystery writers have long used the grandeur and diversity of the western United States as the backdrop for their works. Many are intrigued by the physical and cultural landscape of urban and rural western areas. Five local mystery writers will read excerpts from their work and discuss how the West plays a vital role in spurring their imaginations and the plots of their books.
Mimi Wesson, one of the featured writers, is a CU-Boulder Law School faculty member and longtime Boulder resident. Her books include, "Render Up the Body," and "A Suggestion of Death." She is currently working on her third book.
Rex Burns, an English professor at CU-Denver, believes that the language and dialects of the West are a vital part of the "intriguing setting" requisite of mystery writing. He is the author of several mystery novels and short stories including "Blood Line" and "The Leaning Land."
Manuel Ramos, an attorney and teacher of Chicano literature at the Metropolitan State College in Denver, writes the Luis Montez mystery novels that highlight the Chicano perspective on the West. In addition to writing, he is involved in creating an organization that will focus on the unique quality of Chicano crime fiction.
Ramos is the author of "The Ballad of Rocky Ruiz," "The Ballad of Gato Guerro," and "The Last Client of Luis Montez."
Robert Greer, a surgical pathologist, research scientist and professor of pathology at the CU-Health Sciences Center, is the editor of the High Plains Literary Review. In his spare time he writes the C.J. Floyd mystery series.
John Stevenson, chair of the English department at CU-Boulder, has recently written the encyclopedia entry for "Crime, Detective and Mystery Novels," in the Encyclopedia of the Novel. He also recently spoke on the history of detective fiction as part of a faculty seminar series.
The authors' books will be available for sale at the event and a book signing will follow. For more information about the event, call 303-492-4879.