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1. The Sittaford Mystery (1931)
Set in the fictional village of Sittaford, near Sittaford Tor on Dartmoor. Okehampton features as Exhampton and Exeter appears by name. Six guests huddle together for a seance during which they receive a chilling message about one of their neighbours, six miles away across the snowy moor. The Sittaford Mystery became The Murder at Hazelmoor for American audiences. |
2. And Then There Were None (1939)
Burgh Island is the inspiration for Soldier Island, where the guests are cutt-off from everything except the inescapable shadows of their own past lives. Ten people are invited to a lonely mansion on Soldier Island by a host who fails to appear. One by one, the guests share the darkest secrets of their wicked pasts. And, one by one, they start to die. This is the best selling mystery novel of all time and the most adapted of all Agatha Christie's works. |
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3. Evil Under The Sun (1941)
Smugglers' Island in Leathercombe Bay is clearly Burgh Island, in Bigbury Bay. The hotel in the novel is named The Jolly Roger. Hercule Poirot is enjoying a well-deserved holiday at Smugglers' Island resort when the strangled body of actress Arlena Stuart is found. Burgh Island is connected to the mainland by a tidal causeway, accessible on foot when the tide is out and by sea tractor transport over the waves when the tide is in. |
4. The Mysterious Affair At Styles (1920)
Christie's first novel introduced Hercule Poirot, inspired by Belgian refugees during World War I. It was completed at Moorlands Hotel at Haytor on Dartmoor where she retreated to find peace and quiet to write. Captain Hastings is convalescing at Styles Court. When someone is poisoned, he is fortunate to bump into his old friend, famous detective Hercule Poirot. Christie's knowledge of poisons was acquired during World War I while working at the dispensary in Torquay's town hall. |
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5. The Regatta Mystery (1939)
This short-story features in The Problem At Pollensa Bay, and describes the regatta and fair in Dartmouth. Diamond merchant Isaac Pointz and his guests come ashore at Dartmouth after the yacht races. When Pointz's famous diamond disappears, Parker Pyne investigates. It is likely that the Royal Castle Hotel in Dartmouth is represented by the Royal George Hotel. |
6. Towards Zero (1944)
A Devon clifftop is the setting for this intriguing mystery where Kingsbridge has become Saltington, and Salcombe is represented as Saltcreek. A house party gathers at Gull's Point, where earlier events in the individuals' lives come to a dramatic head. It's all part of a carefully laid plan - for murder. The 2007 television adaptation was filmed around Salcombe in South Devon. |
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7. Peril At End House (1932)
Torquay's Imperial Hotel becomes the Majestic Hotel here, located in the fictional town of St Loo (clearly Torquay). End House was based on a building that once existed at Rock End in Torquay. Hercule Poirot's relaxing holiday takes an unexpected turn when he meets young Nick Buckley, whose life he believes to be under threat. The 1990 television adaptation was filmed around Salcombe, Devon. |
8. Postern Of Fate (1973)
Torquay is shown here as Hollowquay, Corbyn Head is Baldy's Head, and The Laurels represents Ashfield, her childhood home. A blue plaque marks Ashfield's former location near Barton Road. Tommy and Tuppence retire to their new home, The Laurels, but adventure finds them when they discover that the old house holds many forgotten secrets. This was the last book Christie wrote, although not the last to be published. |
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9. The Body In The Library (1922)
The Imperial Hotel becomes the Majestic Hotel again, this time located in the town of Danemouth in the county of Glenshire. A young woman is found dead in the Bantry's library, while another's remains are later discovered in a quarry. Miss Marple is invited to solve the mystery. The chest found in the hallway of Greenway House also features in The Body In The Library. |
10. Sleeping Murder (1976)
The Imperial Hotel is once again featured, this time as itself. The 1987 Joan Hickson adaptation was filmed in Lympstone, Devon and the 2006 Geraldine McEwan version was filmed at Sidmouth. Miss Marple is called upon to solve a 'prfect' crime committed many years before. This was published as Miss Marple's last case, although Christie had actually written it during World War II, along with Poirot's last case, Curtain. |
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11. The Man In The Brown Suit (1924)
Agatha's father, Fredrick Miller, belonged to Torquay Natural History Society and supported Pengally's excavations of Kent's Cavern - the inspiration for Hampsley Cavern here. Anne Beddingfeld sets about unravelling a mystery linking a diamond robbery, a tube station and a murder in a country mansion. Fredrick Miller was president of Torquay Cricket Club and a regular at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club which overlooks the ladies-only beach at Beacon Cove. |
12. Dead Man's Folly (1956)
Greenway and its surroundings feature heavily in several novels. Here it formed the inspiration for Nasse House, and its boat house provided the setting for murder. Sir George and Lady Stubbs host a village fete with a mock murder mystery, but a shocking turn of events requires Poirot's detective skills. The nearby village of Galmpton features as Nassecombe, and Hoodown Youth Hostel is based on Maypool Youth Hostel. Brixham features as Brixwell. |
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13. Greenshaw's Folly (1960)
Greenshaw's Folly features in The Adventure Of The Christmas Pudding. Christie donated the proceeds from this work to the commissioning of the stained glass window in Churston Church. The lady of the house at Greenshaw's Folly is murdered just days after drawing up a new will. Can Miss Marple solve the case ? Agatha was acquainted with Lord and Lady Churston and regularly dined with them. |
14. Five Little Pigs (1943)
Greenway features here as the house of the murdered philanderer Amyas Crale. A daughter tries to clear her mother of murdering her father and presents Hercule Poirot with a brilliant challenge : to find the fatal flaw in the perfect crime. The inspiration for using the name Amyas came from a romantic picnic the young Agatha once had with one Amyas Boston at Anstey's Cove in Torquay. |
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15. The Murder At The Vicarage (1930)
The Murder At The Vicarage is said to have been inspired by Torquay, and was the first appearance of Miss Marple in a full length novel. The tranquillity of St. Mary Mead is shattered when Lucius Protheroe is found dead. Inspector Slack is at a loss. Perhaps Miss Jane Marple, the local village busybody, can help ? Agatha Miller was christened at All Saints Church in Torquay. |
16. Mrs McGinty's Dead (1952)
This novel is set in the vague South Devon location of Broadhinny. Reference is made to a place called Cullenquay which seems to represent Torquay. When Mrs McGinty dies, suspicion falls on her lodger - but he doesn't look like a murderer. Poirot believes he can save the man from the gallows. First published in 1952, this novel was adapted by MGM in 1964, and released as 'Murder Most Foul". |
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17. Why Didn't They Ask Evans ? (1934)
Agatha dedicated this book to Christopher Mallock of Cockington Court, Torquay. Bobby Jones loses his golf ball over a cliff edge. On the rocks below, he finds the body of a dying man, who, with his final breath, says, "Why didn't they ask Evans?". The young Agatha Miller would take part in amateur theatricals with the Mallocks at Cockington Court. |
18. Ordeal By Innocence (1958)
Greenway is represented here as Sunny Point House, while the Greenway Quay bell (still there today) is used to summon the ferry to Drymouth (Dartmouth). While serving time for killing his mother, Jacko Argyle dies in prison. Two years later, a possible alibi suddenly appears. It seems that Jacko was innocent and that the murderer is part of the surviving family. The 1985 film starring Donald Sutherland was filmed at Dartmouth. |
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19. Murder On The Links (1923)
Christie was a keen, if nervous, golfer who played regularly at the Churston and Torquay courses. Her knowledge of golf inspired this 1923 mystery. When millionaire P.T. Reynauld is found stabbed to death, Poirot looks no further than the family. Where there's inheritance to be gained, there's motive. It was on Torquay golf course that Agatha Miller received a marriage proposal from suitor Reggie Lucy who lived in Hesketh Crescent in Torquay. |
20. The ABC Murders (1936)
The village of Churston features in this novel. The third murder takes place at Elberry Cove, and Poirot and Hastings journey from Paddington to Churston station to investigate. Princess Gardens in Torquay also appear. Ascher in Andover, Barnard in Bexhill, Clarke in Churston : all dead, with an ABC Railway Guide found beside their bodies. A serial killer is playing games with Poirot. Agatha regularly enjoyed bathing at Elberry Cove. |
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