Recordings

Below are the links to the recordings of some of the VIMF events:

The Marble House Mystery - short mystery/comedy play reading

Written by Jaclyn A. Lurker

https://youtu.be/IDd7nqR2m2k

Clue-Don’t - Two Act mystery play reading 

Written by Jamie Bernthal-Hooker

https://youtu.be/TX-W2na9i48

Scott Wallace Baker’s Virtual Tribute Tour

Australia’s Biggest Agatha Christie Fan - 2013

https://youtu.be/eeHvmqn9BDw

Virtual Tea at Heathcliff House

Scone baking demo with Juliette Ede

https://youtu.be/nykOlw1fEPk

Gary Cooper’s Adventures in Location Detecting

A look at Agatha Christie book, TV and film adaptation locations

https://youtu.be/uPMt4lTwoow

Brad and John Talk Christie

Bloggers Brad Friedman and John Harrison have an informal discussion about their favorite mystery author

https://youtu.be/GHNz7wsyJCk

Winners and Contest Answers

Let's congratulate our winners of the contests for the Virtual International Mystery Festival!

Styles Cover Contest

https://mysteryfestival2020.blogspot.com/2020/09/styles-cover-contest-voting.html

1st Place - Wilma Clark (Entry G)

2nd Place - Linda Halischuk (Entry A)

3rd Place - Mike Linane (Entry E)

Birthday Card Cover

https://mysteryfestival2020.blogspot.com/2020/09/birthday-card-contest-voting.html

1st Place - Marco Amici (Entry G)

2nd Place - Michael Linane (Entry D)

3rd Place (Tie) - Anne Birch (Entry C)

3rd Place (Tie) - Jaclyn Lurker (Entry A)

 I Spy - Piers Cardon 

(See answers below)

Torbay Mystery Trail

1st Place - Andrew Wilson

2nd Place - Anne Birch

3rd Place - Jaclyn Lurker

4th Place - Joann Prout

 (See answers below)

Agatha Christie Book Trivia

1st Place - Carol McBride

2nd Place - Steven Garner

3td Place - Kate Bolsover

 

Golden Age Trivia

Winner - John Harrison

 

Best-dressed at Styles Event:

Winner - Lesley Kerl

I Spy Answers:

1. You will find this object near the waterfront at Greenway – it was used in Ordeal by Innocence starring Donald Sutherland.

G------- Q--- B--- 

Greenway Quay Bell

 

2. This was painted by US servicemen during World War II.

G------- L------ F-----

Greenway Library Frieze

 

3. This person handles the publishing for the Agatha Christie estate (among others).

D---- B----

David Brawn

 

4. Agatha, on the advice of her mother, stayed here for a few days whilst she finished The Mysterious Affair at Styles.

M------- H----

Moorland Hotel

 

5. You can find 7 of these dotted around Torquay – collectively known as:

T—A----- C------- M---

The Agatha Christie Mile

 

6. A fun way to get around Torquay if your feet are hurting.

L--- T----

Land Train

 

7. Only place in the world to house an Agatha Christie gallery.

T------ M-----

Torquay Museum

 

8. Agatha’s family home (sadly no longer there) – but there is a plaque.

A------

Ashfield

 

9. Hotel where Agatha and Archie spent their honeymoon night.

G---- H----

Grand Hotel

 

10. Location where Marlene Tucker met her end in Dead Man’s Folly.

G------- B--------

Greenway Boathouse

 

11. Where Poirot and Hastings alighted in the ABC Murders to investigate the murder of Carmichael Clarke.

C------- S------

Churston Station

 

12. Station where David Suchet as Poirot and Joan Hickson as Miss Marple met.

T------ S------

Torquay Station

 

13. Built in 1890, Agatha spent many happy hours here.

P------- P---

Princess Pier

 

14. Where can you find the Agatha Christie Poison garden?

T---- A----

Torre Abbey

 

15. Amyas Crayle from Five Little Pigs died in this real life location.

G------- B------

Greenway Battery

 

16. Agatha Christie’s Grandson

M----- P-------

Mathew Prichard

 

17. Torquay hotel used (with a name change to the Majestic) in Peril at End House.

I------- H----

Imperial Hotel

 

18.  Kent’s Cavern in Torquay was used and renamed as Hempsley Cavern in this book.

T-- M--I- T-- B---- S---

The Man in the Brown Suit

 

19.  What was the name of the family who lived at Torre Abbey – Agatha was friends with them. 

C---

Cary

 

20. Name the church in Churston with the stained glass window depicting Jesus as the Good Shepherd, for which Agatha paid. 

S---- M--- T—V-----

Saint Mary the Virgin

 

21.  The Princess Gardens in Torquay are beautiful – name the book they appeared in.

 _ _ _ M-----

ABC Murders

 

22.  Name the street in Torquay where you can see the Agatha Christie bust. 

P--- S-----

Palk Street

 

23. He has been to Agatha's house more than most.

 B------ t—G------- b--

Barnaby the Green bus

  

24. Robert passed this at least twice a day last year.

 T—A----- C------- S----

The Agatha Christie Suite

 

25. It's a steep climb to buy an ice cream here from Meg Joliffe.

 T—L----- T------

The Little Theatre

  

26. Is it working? No, all normal then.

G---- H---- L---

Grand Hotel Lift

  

27. The last successful invaders of Britain landed here.

B------ H------

Brixham Harbor

 

28. You have to operate a signal here to continue your journey.

G------- H---

Greenway Halt

 

29. It was built as a defense against Napoleon.

 T—B------

The Battery

  

30. An example of a famous prop in a Christie story can be found at Greenway.

R------- B-------

Rotating Bookcase

Torbay Mystery Trail Answers:

The sign on the door of room 216 in the Grand Hotel says this: 

The Agatha Christie Suite

 Now go to where a character from Cat Among The Pigeons is named after:

Vansittart Road

Solve the mystery of the ecstasy oven: 

Antsey’s Cove

Now go to where a singer got the needle:

Oldway Mansion

Now innocently start you ordeal from this pub. 

The Ferry Boat Inn

Now go to the place that connects Agatha Christie, Queen Victoria, Mariah Carey and the Beatles:

The Imperial Hotel

Now go to the place named Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice Award Best B&B in the world for the last two years running:

The 25 Boutique B&B

Go to the hotel built in the area known to be popular with smugglers even to this day:

Cary Arms and Spa

This adults only place has been awarded the RHS Green Flag and is a sanctuary of calm away from the hustle and bustle of every day life. Beware - no dogs allowed!

Tessier Gardens

Now go to this former Tudor Mansion that has been in the hands of the Seymour family sine 1547 where people have been known to bang their heads on the "Mind your Head" sign.

Berry Pomeroy Castle

If you're little, you will have felt welcome here since Tom Dobbins opened it in 1963: 

Babbacombe Model Village

Go to where Agatha and Archie Christie spent the first night of their honeymoon and name the date they checked in: 

The Grand Hotel on December 14, 1914

 

 

 

Book Trivia - Part 2

 Agatha Christie Book Trivia - Part II 

Please submit your final answers through the following link:

https://forms.gle/C5Px86Vp8WfKFMyk8 

Questions may be addressed to Edward.Catchpool@outlook.com

Answers for Parts I and II should be submitted by September 15 at 5pm UK time.

Below are the questions for Part II.

Book 6: Iris Marle was thinking about her sister Rosemary.

1.1 Book:

1.2 Murderer:

1.3: Weapon:

1.4: Location:

1.5: USA Title:

Book 7: Old Lanscombe moved totteringly from room to room, pulling up the blinds.

1.1 Book:

1.2 Murderer:

1.3: Weapon:

1.4: Location:

1.5: USA Title:

Book 8: It was in June of 1935 that I came home from my ranch in South America for a stay of about six months.

1.1 Book:

1.2 Murderer:

1.3: Weapon:

1.4: Location:

1.5: USA Title:

Book 9: Mr. Satterthwaite sat on the terrace of 'Crow's Nest' and watched his host, Sir Charles Cartwright, climbing up the path from the sea.

1.1 Book:

1.2 Murderer:

1.3: Weapon:

1.4: Location:

1.5: USA Title:

Book10: Mrs. Van Rydock moved a little back from the mirror and sighed.

1.1 Book:

1.2 Murderer:

1.3: Weapon:

1.4: Location:

1.5: USA Title:

Book Trivia

Agatha Christie Book Quiz

Can you solve the Agatha Christie Festival Clues based on her books?

You do not need to have read the books or have them to hand. The answers can be found on the Amazon website, using the ‘Look inside’ feature, and on Wikipedia using book tiles or Agatha Christie’s name. If the story is taken from a collection of stories, it would be the first story in the collection. If there is more than one murder in the story, it is the first murder used for the answer.

There are five questions, and each has five parts. Points are awarded in the order of 5, for the first part and reducing to 1 for the final part. Total of 75 points. Where there is a tie for the highest score, the individuals with the most points will be presented with a timed final question.

Additional clues can be provided at the cost of one point deduction, let’s hope you don’t need too many of them.

Good Luck!

Final answers should be submitted via the following electronic form:

https://forms.gle/Wzg2hR7UvFWKx5yW8

Questions may be directed to Edward.Catchpool@outlook.com.

Part 2 will released tomorrow.

All questions follow the same format:

1 Name the book title from this opening sentence. (5 points)

2 What is the name of the murderer? (4 points)

3 What was the murderer’s weapon of choice? (3 points)

4 Where is the story located? (2 points)

5 What is the USA title of the British version of the novel, (if applicable)? (1 point)Virtual International Mystery Festival 2020

Questions 1 - 5 that will appear on the link.

Book 1: Mr Morley was not in the best of tempers at breakfast.

1.1 Book:

1.2 Murderer:

1.3: Weapon:

1.4: Location:

1.5: USA Title:

Book 2. Major Burnaby drew on his gum boots, buttoned his overcoat collar round his neck, took from a shelf near the door a hurricane lantern, and cautiously opened the front door of his little bungalow and peered out.

2.1 Book:

2.2 Murderer:

2.3: Weapon:

2.4: Location:

2.5: USA Title:

Book 3. ‘Penny for the guy, sir?’

3.1 Book:

3.2 Murderer:

3.3: Weapon:

3.4: Location:

3.5: USA Title:

Book 4. The man behind the desk moved a heavy glass paperweight four inches to the right.

4.1 Book:

4.2 Murderer:

4.3: Weapon:

4.4: Location:

4.5: USA Title:

Book 5. Miss Arundell died on May 1st.

5.1 Book:

5.2 Murderer:

5.3: Weapon:

5.4: Location:

5.5: USA Title:

Birthday Card Contest - Voting

Send your votes for best Birthday Card to Edward.Catchpool@outlook.com !

Vote for your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices.  If you have only submitted your first choice, please submit your 2nd and 3rd choices as well.  Three points will be given for 1st choice, 2 points for 2nd, and 1 point for 3rd.

 -  Entry A

 -  Entry B

 - Entry C

 -  Entry D

  -  Entry E

 - Entry F

-  Entry G

Styles Cover Contest - Voting

Vote for your favorite fan-designed cover of Agatha Christie's The Mysterious Affair at Styles!

Send the letter of your pick to mysteryfestival2020@mail.com. 

 -    Entry A

 -   Entry B

-  Entry C

   -    Entry D

-  Entry E

  -  Entry F

   -   Entry G

I Spy - Virtual International Mystery Festival Quiz

By Robert Jackson & Anne Birch

Winner to be announced at the festival after-party on September 15 (time to be determined).

Using the clues given, see if you can work out the location/item/object/person.  

Double points if you submit a photo of the location/item/object/person.

Please email your entries to Anne at ISpyMysteryFestival@mail.com before 9am (Torquay Time) on September 15.

1. You will find this object near the waterfront at Greenway – it was used in Ordeal by Innocence starring Donald Sutherland.

G------- Q--- B--- 

 

2. This was painted by US servicemen during World War II.

G------- L------ F-----

 

3. This person handles the publishing for the Agatha Christie estate (among others).

D---- B----

 

4. Agatha, on the advice of her mother, stayed here for a few days whilst she finished The Mysterious Affair at Styles.

M------- H----

 

5. You can find 7 of these dotted around Torquay – collectively known as:

T—A----- C------- M---

 

6. A fun way to get around Torquay if your feet are hurting.

L--- T----

 

7. Only place in the world to house an Agatha Christie gallery.

T------ M-----

 

8. Agatha’s family home (sadly no longer there) – but there is a plaque.

A------

 

9. Hotel where Agatha and Archie spent their honeymoon night.

G---- H----

 

10. Location where Marlene Tucker met her end in Dead Man’s Folly.

G------- B--------

 

11. Where Poirot and Hastings alighted in the ABC Murders to investigate the murder of Carmichael Clarke.

C------- S------

 

12. Station where David Suchet as Poirot and Joan Hickson as Miss Marple met.

T------ S------

 

13. Built in 1890, Agatha spent many happy hours here.

P------- P---

 

14. Where can you find the Agatha Christie Poison garden?

T---- A----

 

15. Amyas Crayle from Five Little Pigs died in this real life location.

G------- B------

 

16. Agatha Christie’s Grandson

M----- P-------

 

17. Torquay hotel used (with a name change to the Majestic) in Peril at End House.

I------- H----

 

18.  Kent’s Cavern in Torquay was used and renamed as Hempsley Cavern in this book.

T-- M--I- T-- B---- S---

 

19.  What was the name of the family who lived at Torre Abbey – Agatha was friends with them. 

C----

 

20. Name the church in Churston with the stained glass window depicting Jesus as the Good Shepherd, for which Agatha paid. 

S---- M--- T—V-----

 

21.  The Princess Gardens in Torquay are beautiful – name the book they appeared in.

 _ _ _ M-----

 

22.  Name the street in Torquay where you can see the Agatha Christie bust. 

P--- S-----

 

23. He has been to Agatha's house more than most.

 B------ t—G------- b--

  

24. Robert passed this at least twice a day last year.

 T—A----- C------- S----

 

25. It's a steep climb to buy an ice cream here from Meg Joliffe.

 T—L----- T------

  

26. Is it working? No, all normal then.

 G---- H---- L---

  

27. The last successful invaders of Britain landed here.

B------ H------

 

28. You have to operate a signal here to continue your journey.

G------- H---

 

29. It was built as a defense against Napoleon.

 T—B------

  

30. An example of a famous prop in a Christie story can be found at Greenway.

 R------- B-------

 

 (As this festival is virtual, prizes for contests will be "virtual" as well.)

Happy Birthday! Send a Card to Agatha

Birthday Card Contest

Rules and Guidelines.

 §  You are tasked with creating the front page of a birthday card to celebrate Agatha Christie’s birthday on September 15.

§  The subject can be anything suitable for publication. Entries that are considered unsuitable will not be accepted or published.

§  You can use any software program that you like to create your entry, but video will not be considered.

§  The size of the birthday card should be A7-standard (5”x7”). Any alternative size will be modified by the organizers of the competition, so that all entries are the same size for blog posting.

§  Individuals must submit their entry by midnight on September 12, GMT, to the organizing committee. No late entries will be accepted.

§  Entries to the competition should be sent to Piers Cardon and Edward Catchpool via edward.catchpool@outlook.com.

§  All acceptable entries will be given a coded number, that is known only to the organizers of the competition.

§  All birthday cards that have been accepted into the competition will be posted on this blog for viewing.

§  Viewing for voting purposes will be from Thursday, September 3 until Wednesday, September 9, 2020.

§  Voting for favorite card is open to all Virtual International Mystery Festival attendees. Individuals can cast their vote by email to edward.catchpool@outlook.com. Voting will close at midnight on September 9. No late votes will be accepted.

§  Individuals can vote for their favorite card using the card’s assigned code. Votes should be clearly identified as 1^st choice, 2^nd choice and 3^rd choice – a minimum of one vote will be acceptable – only one entry per individual is allowed:

o   1st choice - 3 points

o   2nd choice - 2 points

o   3rd choice - 1 point

The result of the competition will be announced on September 15, 2020, at the After-Party of the 2020 Virtual International Mystery Festival.

Any questions regarding the competition may be forwarded to the competition organizers at mysteryfestival2020@mail.com as soon as possible but must be 1) before the closing date of entries to the competition, regarding entries and 2) before the closing date of voting, regarding voting procedures.

Good luck with your entry!

(As this festival is virtual, prizes for contests will be "virtual" as well.)

Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover? Styles Book Cover Contest

 

Agatha Christie books have had many, many different covers over the years - some good, some not so good, and some that simply had nothing to do with the book’s content!   

This is your opportunity to put your creative skills to work and design your very own cover for Agatha's debut book The Mysterious Affair at Styles.  You can design it any way you wish - create an online graphic, draw or paint, use a photo...the possibilities are endless!   

Be inventive and let your creative juices flow!   All entries must be emailed to mysteryfestival2020@mail.com by September 10; then vote for your favorite during the September 12 kick-off event.

(As this festival is virtual, prizes for contests will be "virtual" as well.)