Agatha Christie historian and speaker
Gray and I are really pleased to be returning to the International Agatha Christie Festival’s Spring Gathering event in Torquay on 11 April 2026, presenting a new live episode of The Swinging Christies. Tickets are limited and bound to sell out again so grab one now!
Very excited to say that HarperCollins’ event A Christie for Christmas is returning for its second year, and I’ll be a part of it again. This time I’m chairing a panel with Ben Miller and Chris Chibnall about murder mysteries on page and screen. Elsewhere there are more great guests including Poirot and Marple continuation writers Sophie Hannah and Lucy Foley. Tickets sold out even before I could post about it, but keep an eye out for more events coming soon 👀
Our first video episode of The Swinging Christies is now available – recorded LIVE in front of a sold-out crowd at the International Agatha Christie Festival, filmed and edited by the brilliant Emberlense Productions! Video available on YouTube and supported podcast apps, including Spotify (audio only elsewhere).
I’m thrilled to say I’ll be making an appearance at the Murder, She Wrote Festival in Mendocino, California (aka Cabot Cove!) in May next year. Tickets available here but they will sell out VERY fast!
On 30 April I was thrilled to head to Claridge’s for the launch event for BBC Maestro’s new Agatha Christie course. I spent two years on the project, leading the research and writing, and it was a thrill. BBC Maestro and Agatha Christie Ltd took a huge amount of care over the process. You can learn more about it here.
Also, Gray and I have been busy with our Swinging Christies podcast, including piggybacking on a US research trip to record a couple of episodes. They’ve gone down really well, so have a listen if you haven’t yet!
I’m also really looking forward to returning to the International Agatha Christie Festival in September, ready to discuss Witness for the Prosecution and (with Gray) some Swinging Christies images – maybe see you there..?
Just a quick note to say that I’m heading back to beautiful Belfast for this year’s book festival. I’ll be chatting with the fab Jan Carson all about Agatha Christie and Miss Marple on Monday 9 June – and signing books afterwards. Last year was SO fun – don’t miss out!
You can get your tickets here – available on a pay what you can afford basis.
Just a quick update to say what a fantastic day I had at the Agatha Christie Festival Spring Gathering, which included the unveiling of the new statue of Christie on Torquay Harbour. Don’t miss it if you’re in the area!
Gray and I had a wonderful time speaking in front of such a warm audience about our ‘Story so far…’ – we can’t wait to return in September for our live recording of a new episode. I’ll also be speaking about Witness for the Prosecution in my own talk, sharing some lovely and rare images and information. Tickets for both talks are still available but selling fast!
I’m writing this update happily ensconced in the guest room at Greenway while I work on my next book, as I’m taking the chance to visit for a few days while I work on my book. Talk about atmospheric!
The programme has now been announced for 2025’s Agatha Christie Festival, and it looks like it’ll be another great year!
I’ll be appearing at two events. One is a special live recording of The Swinging Christies, my podcast with Gray Robert Brown. We will be looking at the most Swinging images of the decade!
Then I’m also giving my own talk, about Witness for the Prosecution, in which I talk about the journey of Christie’s greatest short story* from page to stage and screen. I’ll be sharing some rare treats!
You can book your tickets at the festival’s website – hope to see you there!
(*as voted for by the festival’s audience in 2023!)
What a busy few months it has been! I’ve been busy working on some new projects, one of which should be announced in a month or two, while some others have now come to fruition.
It’s great to see that Travels with Agatha Christie & Sir David Suchet has now launched on Britbox US and Canada. I was consultant for the series, and pop up in the first episode wishing David luck with his voyage, and showing him some press cuttings. It’s a fascinating series that shows how the world has changed since Agatha and Archie’s 1922 ‘Grand Tour’. It’ll be on Channel 4 in the UK later this year, and I believe it has been picked up by an Australian broadcaster too.
Also, I’ve recently given a few talks to kind and generous audiences, including at Hampshire WI’s annual meeting, where I think I converted a few members into Christie readers!
The Swinging Christies podcast, which I produce and present with Gray Robert Brown, has gone from strength to strength, with some great bonus episodes (even if I do say so myself!) covering everything from Muriel Spark to the new Miss Marple stories. You can catch us on any major podcast app. We will also be speaking at the celebrations surrounding the unveiling of the new Agatha Christie statue in Torquay on 12 April, and at the time of writing there are still a few tickets left for what promises to be a memorable day.
I’m also pleased to see the publication of the book Reassessing Murder, She Wrote, edited by Eva Burke and Jennifer Schnabel. I contribute a chapter exploring the influence of Agatha Christie on the show (of course!).
There is, of course, much more to come – tomorrow sees the schedule announced for the 2025 International Agatha Christie Festival, and you can be sure I’ll be there! More about that very soon…
Finally, a quick word about social media. I’m no longer on X/Twitter, but you can still find me on Instagram and Bluesky.
On 8 February I’ll be giving my Miss Marple talk at Bromley Little Theatre, in between performances of their production of The Mirror Crack’d. Tickets are £5 and I’ll be signing books afterwards – you can book your ticket here!
Dr Mark Aldridge 