Big Read events mark 120th anniversary of writer's birth

North Yorkshire County Council has organised four Big Read events to mark the anniversary of the birth of the author, who famously vanished for 11 days in 1926, only to be found staying at a spa hotel in Harrogate.

Her legions of fans will be given the chance to discuss the classic thriller Murder on the Orient Express with the acclaimed crime writer Martyn Waites next month.

The first two events, which form part of the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, will be staged at Skipton and Knaresborough libraries at 2pm and 7pm respectively on Tuesday, June 8.

The final two events will be held the following day at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway's station in Pickering at 10am and then at Richmond Library at 7pm.

The county council's executive member for adult and community services, Chris Metcalfe, said: "Our library and information service has been supporting the very successful Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival since its inception, and we are delighted to be hosting four thrilling Big Read events in the county as part of the festival."

While she is famed around the world for her crime novels, one of the most intriguing aspects of Mrs Christie's life was her mysterious disappearance in December 1926 at the age of 36.

She was already a successful author when she left her home in Surrey on December 3 and her car was found hanging precariously over the edge of a chalk cliff later the same day.

After her disappearance, one of the largest manhunts the country had ever seen was launched.

Then on December 14, 1926, the author was found, safe and well, staying in a Harrogate hotel, the Swan Hydro, which is now the Old Swan Hotel.

She had checked in under a pseudonym, and had seemingly enjoyed her stay, joining in with the balls and dances.

She was eventually recognised by Bob Tappin, a banjo player at the hotel who alerted the police.

While Mrs Christie's marriage was troubled and her mother had recently died before she vanished, the real reason for her disappearance remains a mystery that she took to the grave in 1976.

Tickets for the Big Read events cost 2.50 and are available from the venues involved.