Writing Crime Fiction in a House Visited by Agatha Christie

Sun Sep 21 2025 at 07:30 pm to 09:00 pm UTC+01:00

Spring Bank Arts | New Mills

New Mills Festival
Publisher/HostNew Mills Festival
Writing Crime Fiction in a House Visited by Agatha Christie
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James Ellson lives in an old hunting and shooting lodge once owned by the Watts family. Sir James Watts was Lord Mayor of Manchester in 1855. His grandson, also James Watts, married Madge Miller who was the sister of Agatha Christie.
James Watts (grandson) was good friends with Agatha Christie, and she spent time him with at Christmas and on other occasions.
Agatha Christie had a rollercoaster life, some of which she used to create the stories in her books. James Ellson’s life as a detective, mountaineer, and beekeeper has also worked its way into his crime fiction.
This talk explores the connections between two crime writers and explains why James often feels there’s someone looking over his shoulder as he writes.
Bio
James Ellson was a police officer for 15 years, finishing as a Detective Inspector at Moss Side in Manchester. He now wears three hats of writer, smallholder, and speaker.
His debut novel The Trail was published in 2020, and the sequel Cold Dawn in 2022. Base Line is the fourth book in the DCI Castle series.
James lives on a smallholding in the Peak District, which includes bees and an orchard.
Tickets
£5 from Eventbrite - link below - or on the door
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Spring Bank Arts, Spring Bank,New Mills, United Kingdom

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