|
|
AGATHA CHRISTIE
MYSTERY WRITER EXTRAORDINAIRE
Maypool
Park
is surrounded by the Greenway Estate, purchased by Agatha Christie
in 1938. Greenway House was gifted to the National Trust at the end of
1999.
Greenway House has featured in at least two of Agatha Christie's books in
'Dead Man's Folly' it appears as 'Nass House', and in 'Five Little Pigs' as
'Albury'.
|
|
The steam train
line, running from Paignton to Kingswear, and passing within sight and
sound of Maypool Park,
was used by Hercule Poirot on more than one occasion - most particularly in
'The ABC Murders' and 'Dead Man's Folly'.
Galmpton village itself features again in 'Dead Man's Folly' under the name
of Nassecombe, though clearly recognisable. Maypool Youth Hostel, just a
stone's throw from the hotel, was also mentioned in 'Dead Man's Folly', as
'Hoodown Youth Hostel'.
|
|
Torbay
is the Capital of 'Agatha Christie' Country.
The world's most famous mystery writer was born in the town in 1890 and
used many places in Devon in her best selling mysteries!
|
On the 'Agatha
Christie Mile' one can see the scene of Miss Marple's detective work,
stay at Agatha Christie's honeymoon hotel, vist unique exhibitions of her
life at Torquay Museum and Torre Abbey and solve a mystery of
your own!!
|
Additionally there
are three fabulous trails around the coast and countryside of South Devon,
completely devoted to the life and work of Agatha Christie.
Leaflets and books giving more information are available at the Torquay
Tourist Information Office
|
|
Brief History
CHRISTIE, Agatha (1890-1976). Her first manuscript, 'The
Mysterious Affair at Styles', was rejected at least six times by publishers
before finally getting accepted. Its publication in 1920 introduced the
world to Hercule Poirot, one of the most famous of all names in detective
fiction. Persistence, as well as her ingenious plots, made Agatha Christie
the foremost writer of detective novels in the 20th century.
She was born Agatha Miller on September 15, 1890, in Torquay, Devon,
England, and educated at home by her mother.
While working as a volunteer nurse during World War I, she began her first
book. Major recognition came with the publication of 'The Murder of Roger
Ackroyd' in 1926. There followed about 75 successful novels, 25 featuring
Poirot. Her other famous detective, Miss Jane Marple, first appeared in
'Murder at the Vicarage' (1930). Performance of Christie's mystery play,
'The Mousetrap' (1952), set a world record for the longest continuous run
at one theatre. Among works adapted for film were 'Witness for the
Prosecution' (published 1953), 'Murder on the Orient Express' (1934), and
'Death on the Nile' (1937).
|
|