January 13, 2026
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Picture This: Mystery fans flock to Ashland for whodunit weekend

Top cozy book influencers Courtny (left) and Spencer chat about how they built their communities around cozy mysteries during a panel at the Columbia Hotel on Friday. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
October 20, 2025

Third annual Ashland Mystery Fest drew 300 sleuths from nearly 30 states for four days of meet-and-greets, author panels, and other themed activities

By Bob & Tracy Palermini for Ashland.news

Cozy mystery fans from 27 states gathered in Ashland last weekend for the third annual Ashland Mystery Fest, a four-day immersive event produced by Travel Ashland. The historic Ashland Armory served as Mystery Fest headquarters, and programs were held at several local venues. More than half of the 300 participants were first-time attendees.

Inspired by renowned cozy mystery author Ellie Alexander, the festival gave attendees the chance to connect with 17 returning, new, and debut cozy mystery authors during meet-and-greets, author panels, opening and closing parties, and a variety of themed activities.

Cozy mysteries, known for their amateur sleuths and stories free of graphic violence, offer a gentler take on suspense. This year’s festival embraced that spirit with a real-life interactive mystery, written by author Emmeline Duncan, that led participants on a downtown Ashland clue hunt.

With its blend of community, creativity and cozy intrigue, the Ashland Mystery Fest continues to be a favorite destination for fans of the genre.

Attendees were challenged to solve a crime using clues at the Ashland Armory that led sleuths to further investigate at businesses around town. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
Cozy Mystery authors (from left) Gretchen Rue, Eryn Scott, Gigi Pandian and Esme Addison pose for a photo after their panel on what it’s like to get a book published. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
Author Tamara Berry takes notes during an hourlong session where authors and audience members brainstormed a murder mystery which was read at a dinner, later that day. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
Websters hosted an opportunity for Mystery Fest attendees to “craft a mystery cozy” along with festival authors Thursday afternoon. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
The Ashland Armory was headquarters for the 2025 Ashland Mystery Fest, which drew about 300 fans of the cozy mystery genre. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
Author and Mystery Fest founder Ellie Alexander, assisted by her father, teaches a cooking class featuring a recipe for pear sourdough bread pudding from one of her books at the Ashland Food Co-op classroom. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
Audience members applaud at the end of an authors panel in the Ashland Armory. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
Ashland author Jennie Englund (left) and Mia Manansala, from Chicago, talk about writing mysteries for young readers during a panel at the Ashland Public Library Saturday. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
Allison Victoria-Wolfe (center) hosts a cooking class for kids at the Ashland Food Co-op classroom. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini
Authors Esme Addison (left) and Gretchen Rue share selected readings from their works during tea service at Lovejoy’s. Ashland.news photo by Bob Palermini

Related stories:

The third annual fest begins Oct. 16; attendees will meet favorite writers and help solve crimes in immersive events (Sept. 30, 2025)

Bob & Tracy Palermini are residents of Ashland, where he is staff photographer for Ashland.news. Email Bob at bobpal@gmail.com.

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