Explore the Art of Misdirection: A Free Panel Discussion
Join us on October 18 for an engaging, free event all about the craft of deception in mystery writing. False leads, hidden truths, and the thrill of the chase keep readers guessing—how do writers weave those elements into their stories? Discover how red herrings can build tension and momentum, and hear firsthand about the challenges and rewards of using them effectively.
This event, featuring three accomplished mystery authors, is open to both MWA members and the general public.
📅 Date: October 18
🕐 Time: 1:00–3:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Lee Memorial Public Library, 500 Crescent Avenue, Allendale, NJ
Moderator
Carol Binkowski (writing as Caryl Janis) is the author of To Sketch a Killer and Research Can Be Murder, two cozy mysteries set in New York City. A musician and writer of nonfiction about music and history, she has appeared on panels at major mystery conferences including Bouchercon, Malice Domestic, and ThrillerFest. Carol is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and Liberty States Fiction Writers.
Panelists
Tom Coffey grew up on Staten Island and spent much of his career in journalism, working at publications such as The Miami Herald, The Los Angeles Herald Examiner, New York Newsday, and The New York Times, from which he retired in 2023. His novels include The Serpent Club, Miami Twilight, Blood Alley, and Bright Morning Star. His most recent work, The Devine Trilogy—published by Level Best Books—follows a New York law enforcement family from the 1980s to today, with Public Morals (2023) and Special Victim (2024) earning strong reviews. The concluding novel, Stop and Frisk, is due in 2026.
Peggy Ehrhart, a former English professor with a Ph.D. in medieval literature, writes the Knit & Nibble Mysteries for Kensington Books. The series follows amateur sleuth Pamela Paterson and her New Jersey knitting club. The twelfth book, Last Wool and Testament, was released in May 2025, and a new novella, An Eggy Way to Die, will appear in the 2026 anthology Easter Egg Murder. Peggy is also the author of the Maxx Maxwell Mysteries, featuring a blues-singer detective.
Charles Salzberg is the author of numerous crime novels and nonfiction works. His debut, Swann’s Last Song, was nominated for a Shamus Award, and his later books, including Second Story Man and Canary in the Coal Mine, earned additional recognition. His novel Devil in the Hole was named one of the top crime books of 2013 by Suspense Magazine. A longtime writing instructor, he has taught at Sarah Lawrence, Hunter College, and the New York Writers Workshop, where he is a founding member. His newest release is Man on the Run.
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