Thursday 18th September 2025, 12:00am

All About Agatha LIVE Episode! True Crime Queen: The Real-life Murders in Agatha Christie’s Fiction

Kemper Donovan


Most Christie fans are aware of a small number of high-profile criminal cases that Christie ripped from the headlines for a few of her most celebrated works (e.g. Murder on the Orient Express, The Mousetrap). In a LIVE recording of an episode for the All About Agatha podcast, host and mystery author, Kemper Donovan, will explore just how often Christie used true crime as inspiration in the creation of her mysteries over the course of her long and brilliant career. The answer just may surprise you…

Kemper Donovan is the host of the long-running podcast All About Agatha, dedicated to any and all matters Christie-related. He is also an author with two mystery novels currently published within his ongoing Ghostwriter Mysteries series: The Busy Body and Loose Lips. You can find out more about him and his work at www.kemperdonovan.com.

Venue: Spanish Barn, Torre Abbey


Accessibility

There is a drop-off point and limited parking within the grounds for disabled visitors. Entry to the Spanish Barn is relatively level, but there are a few cobble stones to cross, before entering the completely flat interior. We have space for wheelchairs, although if you let us know in advance, we can ensure that there is ample dedicated space for the number of wheelchair users. We have again raised the height of the main stage this year, so that guest speakers can easily be seen and have a hearing loop in the front half of the Barn nearest the stage. We also have two TV screens midway down the barn screening what is happening on the stage. There is a disabled toilet available to the rear of the Spanish Barn.

If you have any particular access requirements or enquiries, do please get in touch and we will do whatever we feasibly can to accommodate you. Please email admin@iacf-uk.org

Getting there

Getting to the venue

The Spanish Barn is in the grounds of Torre Abbey. This is on Torquay seafront and walkable from most hotels in the area. It is also right next to Torquay Train Station.

Parking

There is no parking in the grounds of Torre Abbey except for disabled parking. The nearest car park is Torre Valley - Torbay Council. This is a five-minute walk from the Spanish Barn.

Toilets

Toilets are available to the rear of the Spanish Barn for the duration of the Literary Festival.

Inside the Spanish Barn

Whilst we have no evening events in the Spanish Barn this year, it can get cold so please dress with this in mind.

Food and Drink

The cafe at Torre Abbey is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am till 4pm and is dog friendly.

A short 10-minute walk away from the Spanish Barn are a variety of cafes, bars and takeaways.

Dogs

Dogs, except for assistance dogs, are not allowed in the Spanish Barn.

If you have any further questions, please email admin@iacf-uk.org

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