About

After the sell-out success of the inaugural Spring Gathering in April 2025, we are delighted to be able to invite you to our Spring Gathering for 2026. We are looking forward to sharing a day of murder, mystery, fun and intrigue with you all. So do please join us in celebrating the Queen of Crime with this exclusive and exciting Spring Gathering.

The Day’s Events
The day begins in the Pengelly Hall at Torquay Museum with talks from best-selling mystery author Tom Mead discussing locked room mysteries, as well as very special guests Val McDermid and Abir Mukherjee. We are also delighted to welcome back Dr Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown presenting a live recording of the hugely popular Swinging Christies podcast. Throughout the day there will be opportunities for book signings and there will be books available for sale courtesy of The East Gate Bookshop.

Evening Events 
The evening's events take place at the Livermead House Hotel and include live music, further talks and a fun interactive game to play. There will be a welcome drink served, followed by a two-course meal and period music from vintage vocalist Terrie-May Mcnulty. We then welcome back Kelly Mullen to talk about her new book A Murder in Eight Cocktails, followed by a talk and game from Antony Johnston, author of Can You Solve The Murder. The whole evening will be relaxed and sociable, with exclusive themed cocktails available.

Ticketholders will also each receive a commemorative newspaper, an exclusive Spring Gathering 2026 pin badge, and a commemorative lanyard, all of which will only be available to guests at this mini festival.

Sunday Morning

Over the weekend we will also be launching the brand-new Agatha Christie Digital Mile app. This immersive digital guide lets you explore Agatha’s early life in Torquay right from your phone or tablet. Discover rare historic photographs, enjoy video clips, and unlock exclusive digital photo frames to snap memorable selfies along the route.

To celebrate the launch, we are bringing back our Golden Age Costumed Promenade, so why not come and walk the Agatha Christie Mile with us? Don your finest 1920s attire, grab your cloche hat, your favourite pearls or your finest moustaches and enjoy a simply marvellous Sunday morning stroll!