The Hamptons Whodunit Mystery Festival is returning to East Hampton this Thursday, April 11th for the second year in a row. The event will kick off with a cocktail party at the Maidstone Club on Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. before a full weekend of thrilling and true crime events.
The festival features bestselling authors who will speak about the ins and outs of the genres, be participating in signings, and other educational programs and tours will be taking place. There will be escape rooms, graveyard tours, and whodunit trivia night, along with fireside chats and wine & crime for all the murder mystery lovers and true crime aficionados on the East End.
President and Co-founder of Hamptons Whodunit, Carrie Doyle, spoke about what to expect from the exciting weekend ahead and what she is most looking forward to about bringing this event back to the Hamptons for another year.
What is the Hamptons Whodunit festival all about?
CD: Hamptons Whodunit was founded during brainstorming sessions around Mayor Jerry Larsen’s kitchen table. Our mission was simple: we wanted to create exciting and affordable off-season programming for the East Hampton community. It is our priority to work with our local schools, restaurants, inns, and businesses, and remain true to our initial concept: Hamptons Whodunit is a festival for the residents of East Hampton, and not merely a festival that takes place in East Hampton.
What are you most looking forward to about the event?
CD: We have 34 participants who are experts in their fields. From bestselling mystery authors to true crime and forensics experts. I am excited to hear their panels and also have them all meet each other!
Are there any standout activities or panels on the schedule that are particularly anticipated this year?
CD: After the success of last year’s “Who Killed the Mayor?” Forensics World Crime Scene Challenge is returning as well. For added thrills and chills, this event will take place at the Sea Spray Cottages, a mysterious, exclusive location that will be open to the general public for the first time in 40 years. These 14 cottages, once part of the Sea Spray Inn infamously destroyed by fire in 1978, were also the site of a hushed-up murder attempt in the 1800’s. This spooky backdrop is the perfect spot for amateur sleuths to put their skills to the test and immerse themselves in a realistic crime scene whodunit. It will be open to ticketed guests after 100 East Hampton High School students first take a stab at solving the crime. We are excited to build up our educational component.
How will this year differ from last year’s festival? Is it rising in popularity each year among the community?
CD: We have more events this year based on last year’s success. People like interactive events so we added Fiction Trivia Night, a Wine and Crime night, as well as a lunch at Kumiso with true crime experts. Mysteries are not passive, you have to problem solve and they are puzzles. So, we have found this audience wants to be engaged and participate in the event.
Do you have any book recommendations from authors that will be featured this year?
CD: I loved listening to Barbara Butcher’s book What the Dead Know on Audible. It was fantastic. I thought I would just sample it and I could not stop, she is an amazing storyteller and has a new show called Homicide on Netflix. I also really enjoyed Rejkavik by Icelandic author Ragnar Jonasson. It was so evocative I felt like I was there.
What makes holding this event in the Hamptons special and how does the area play an important role in bringing the event together?
CD: We have a beautiful historic village that is an incredible setting for any event. It is the perfect backdrop for this event, and we love showcasing it.
Can you discuss any links between the Hamptons and mystery/true crime?
CD: Mayor Larsen is hosting a panel on Saturday to discuss crimes in the Hamptons! Make sure you stop by that one.
What do you love most about the East End of Long Island and how does it inspire you?
CD: I love it most in the off season. It is just a beautiful small town.
Carrie concluded by saying that there is something for everyone at the event and she hopes people will stop by to participate! For more information about the highly anticipated festival and to get tickets for the event, visit https://hamptonswhodunit.org.
