As readers may or may not know Sophie Hannah has been authorised by the Agatha Christie Estate to produce these new novels. As a Big Agatha fan as many in Harrogate are (due to her history here when she vanished without a trace to be found here at The Old Swan Hotel) I was curious to see how these new additions would fit into the established works. I am happy to report I was very pleasantly surprised and the side kick of Catchpool makes a nice replacement for Inspector Japp and Hastings. Harrogate thanks to its history and pleasant setting is home to the #Theakstons Old Peculior Crime Writing Festival enabling avid fans to step back in time to the Golden Age of Crime writing as well as see the modern take. However back to Open Casket - in true Agatha Style the reader is kept well in the dark until the big reveal, in this book its the sheer number of suspects keeps you guessing with pretty much all of the cast at the houseparty having a strong motive for murder both for money or personal reasons. I also indulged in the Audio book read by Julian Rhind-Tutt who inhabited the characters with style. All in all a good winter read.

Sophie Hannah has brought new life to the Agatha Christie Character Hercule Poirot with a new series of Murder Mystries in the style of what is known as the Golden Age of Murder. Set in 1920's England in this book Poirot has a new side kick Police Detective Catchpool. I listened to this book as its a handy format for a busy BNB owner and found it well acted and fit into the world of Agatha Christie well. All in all a recomended read for the Agatha Fan and a warm cosy read - I would also say and I am not doing spoilers that there are enough red herrings and twists in the plot to keep you interested until the traditional big reveal at the end. There are also some teasers for the next book so we will see what happens with our hapless police officer in the future.

19-22nd October 2023 The Crown Hotel is the location for all events
19th October -
Lunch with Rosemary Shrager 12-2.30pm £40
Alison Weir - Henry VIII: Brilliant, Romantic & Ruthless 5.30pm £15
Across the Mediterranean with Victoria Hislop - 7pm £15
Carrie & David Grant's Very Modern Family - 8.30pm £15

20th October
Behind The Screen with Rosie Holt - 5.30pm £13
Spreading the Joy with Gaby Roslin - 7pm £15
An Evening with Andy McNab - 8.30pm £15

21st October
What's next for the NHS? 12.30pm £15
13 Years of Tory Rule with Ben Riley-Smith 4pm £13
How to be a politician with Sir Vince Cable - 7pm £15

22nd October
Charlotte Graham's Yorkshire People 10am £13
Robert Hardman - From The Queen of our Times to the King of a New Era 2.30pm £15

All events are held at The Crown hotel 10 minutes walk from us and all tickets are avaliable from www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
or phone 01423562303 or in person from the festivals office at 32 Cheltenham parade.

Having bought the Times today this article gave me some food for thought - the jist is the author who remains nameless pinches things from places they think deserve it and claims this isn't stealing. As a small business owner I wonder if they ever think to see this from the other side of the window. All over the accommodation industry groups more and more owners are having to take a hard look at their expenses with one of the largest bills being Energy. I hear from Self Catering cottage owners who are having to pay to put in pay per meters due to situations where they are comming to their properties with the heating on full blast, property empty and all windows open - this means prices are put up for the next customer to cover that extra cost. The number of businesses myself being one of them who report towels stolen, refillable toiletries and for ourselves a limited edition Yorkshire Tea Teapot taken leaves a sour taste behind. As a small independant operator - if you want to help the sector thrive and keep costs down for everyone - its simple things you can do to help. (1) leave shower doors open so the cubicle dries (2) use only what you need towels wise and please don't put them on the radiators we are washing them straight away and it damages the paintwork (3) turn off the lights when you are out (4) Don't leave taps running on departure (5)throw any rubbish in the bin or close to it (it really helps the cleaners) and last but not least do a final check of your room for phone chargers and jewellery - hosts in remote locations especially struggle to post back lost property and it is an extra cost for you between postage, VAT, Packaging and time - save yourself money and hassel by doing a final sweep.

For those "Die Hard" fans (do you like my pun?) of the christmas classic Harrogate Theatre brings you Yippee Ki Yay from its premier at the Edinburgh Fringe and London Transfer. Essential viewing for those fans of the 80's classic - Harrogate enjoys visit here on the 2nd of October 2023 at Harrogate Theatre.
(Harrogate Theatre is only 5 minutes walk from us)

6th October 2023 sees the untimate Queen Tribute comes to the Royal Hall Theatre and tickets are from www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk
2 hours of all the greatest Queen hits.

Sunday 24th March 2024 sees Count Arthur Strong in part 1 of his Farewell tour of the world www.countarthurstrong.com

Thursday 9th November 2023 sees a fabulous line up of Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Diana Ross, Earth,Wind and Fire, Sister Sledge, Chic and Chaka Khan.
Relive the magic of the music of the 1970's and a journey straight into Disco.
The Royal Hall Theatre is only 5 minutes walk from us.
Tickets from www. harrogatetheatre.co.uk

11th Nov 2023 sees the music of Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton - a fabulous night celebrating country music superstars with hits like Jolene, ruby, 9 to 5, and here you come again to name but a few. Tickets from www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk
The Royal Hall Theatre is only 5 minutes walk from us.