A brand-new exhibition about the most widely published author of all time will open in Torre Abbey this month.

After her mother’s death, an unexpected divorce and her own disappearance, Agatha, already a world-famous author, made a pivotal decision. She needed to escape England and booked a last-minute, solo ticket, on the Simplon-Orient-Express. And with it she changed everything.

She discovered a passion for archaeology, Iraq and found love in the most unlikely of places. This uplifting exhibition uses her own words, photographs, letters and poetry to tell the story of her second marriage to archaeologist Max Mallowan. The result is an intimate glimpse into her extraordinary adventures to the Middle East.

Councillor Mike Morey, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture said: “Torre Abbey is the first place in the world to host this brand-new exhibition, which is a real coup for Agatha Christie’s hometown. I can’t wait to see this fascinating insight into the author’s travels, and I want to thank Agatha’s grandson, Mathew Prichard for working with us over lockdown to create something so enthralling and timely. At a time when many of us have been unable to travel, due to the restraints of the last 18 months, it is going to be really special to learn about Agatha Christie’s inspirational travels 90 years ago.”   

Mathew Prichard, Agatha Christie’s grandson said: “What better place to launch a new Agatha Christie exhibition than at Torquay during the Agatha Christie festival? This new exhibition covers the years after 1930 and my grandmother’s second marriage to archaeologist Max Mallowan. It is a unique bird’s eye view of one of the most affectionate and productive relationships of the twentieth century.”

John Curran, author and Agatha Christie expert said: “This is a not-to-be-missed exhibition of an Agatha Christie her fans rarely see - Agatha the Traveller, the Photographer, the Archaeologist.”

Agatha Christie: Destination Unknown. A journey in poetry, pictures and archaeology is included with museum entry and runs from 11 September to 28 November 2021. Advanced booking highly recommended, especially during the International Agatha Christie Festival (11-18 September 2021).

The exhibition is one of a number of events taking place at Torre Abbey over the week-long festival, both in the main house and the Spanish Barn. Highlights include talks by the likes of Anthony Horowitz and Kate Mosse, the premiere of a new short film shot in Devon called Agatha Swims and a family-friendly tea dance hosted by Dance in Devon.

For more information about these and all of the other events taking place across the Bay as part of the festival, visit: www.iacf-uk.org.   

More information on Torre Abbey including opening times, bookings and other exhibitions and events can be found via: www.torre-abbey.org.uk/