Beginning Thursday, the international Bouchercon conference, Charmed to Death, will bring about 1,500 mystery writers and mystery lovers here for a four-day celebration of the genre. Among them: Lawrence Block, whose works span more than five decades, and Baltimore’s own Laura Lippman.

Lippman, whose new short-story collection, Hardly Knew Her, just hit stores, will be the conference’s American guest of honor. She’s also in the running for two Anthony awards: best novel for What the Dead Know and best short story for "Hardly Knew Her."

Charmed to Death is a great place to meet your favorite authors as they discuss topics including: Has CSI ruined the way we view reality? Does sex really sell books? It’s also a great resource for aspiring writers. Another reason to support the event: An auction will raise money for the Enoch Pratt Library System and Viva House.

Registration will be available at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel. If you can’t make it, catch some of the authors at public events. A group will appear at Geppi’s Entertainment Museum from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. The Roland Park, Southeast, Govans and Orleans Street libraries will host events Saturday. At Roland Park, Val McDermid, Lauren Henderson, Vicki Hendricks and Megan Abbott will talk about mystery with a female point of view.

We’ll follow the conference all week on Read Street, with some guest blogs by visiting writers, so stay tuned.