Murder, mystery and mayhem are on the cards as the English Riviera prepares for its annual Agatha Christie Festival, the biggest event of its kind in the world. This September will see an extra special celebration of the life and works of the prolific author, for it is the 120^th anniversary of her birth.

A huge number of events are set to take place over the week-long celebration including all-star theatre productions, a 1930s ‘village’ fete, guided walks, book signings, murder mystery dinners, train and boat trips, garden parties and a very special charity open-water swim. There will also be a birthday fireworks display on Torquay seafront on Wednesday 15^th September, the day of her birth.

The festival is in fact a triple birthday celebration. The world’s most famous Belgian – Hercule Poirot - first exercised his “little grey cells” in Agatha Christie’s very first book, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, back in 1920, making this year his 90^th anniversary. Miss Jane Marple also made her first appearance in a full-length novel in The Murder at the Vicarage in 1930.

To celebrate Christie’s 120^th anniversary there will also be a very special treasure hunt with amazing prizes. Can you find the 120 red herrings cunningly hidden across Torquay, Paignton and Brixham? There’s an amazing prize up for grabs for the winner!

This year, fans of Christie will also be able to meet up and discuss stories as Breezes Café at the Princess Theatre in Torquay opens its doors for the duration of the festival.

Festival Programme

The official Agatha Christie Festival 2010 programme can be downloaded here: