Mystery solved over Harrogate’s literature festival – The Yorkshire Post says

THERE IS no great secret behind the success of the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival.
By YP Comment
Published 26th Sep 2020, 16:36 BST
Legendary crime writer Agatha Christie.Legendary crime writer Agatha Christie.
Legendary crime writer Agatha Christie.

It is the quality of the authors willing to talk about their love of books in a town that became the centre of a literary mystery in 1926.

Crime novelist Agatha Christie, creator of Miss Marple, had vanished from her Devon home, sparking one of the country’s largest manhunts. Yet, while the public became captivated by the 11-day case, she had, in fact, checked into the Swan Hydro, now the Old Swan Hotel, with almost no luggage, under the name of Theresa Neele, her husband’s mistress, after seeing an advertisement for the spa town at a London station.

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A story stranger than fiction which explains Harrogate’s links with crime literature, the forthcoming festival will be a different affair with author events having to take place online.

Harrogate Hydro in Yorkshire, later to become the Old Swan Hotel, pictured circa 1890. It was here that British crime novelist Agatha Christie was found, following her eleven day disappearance in 1926.Harrogate Hydro in Yorkshire, later to become the Old Swan Hotel, pictured circa 1890. It was here that British crime novelist Agatha Christie was found, following her eleven day disappearance in 1926.
Harrogate Hydro in Yorkshire, later to become the Old Swan Hotel, pictured circa 1890. It was here that British crime novelist Agatha Christie was found, following her eleven day disappearance in 1926.

That there’s so much interest is testament to this event’s prestige and so many people wanting a distraction from the mystery of Covid.

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Thank you

James Mitchinson

Related topics:Yorkshire PostHarrogateDevonLondon

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