The sixth session of the Agatha Christie crime festival dedicated to theme of Trains and Murders in Agatha Christie’s works was organized at Shan-e-Bhopal rail restaurant car. The event was held on Sunday.
Trains have frequently been the scene of crime in Agatha Christie’s novels. The luxurious South African Blue train and the Orient express feature in two of her most famous works- Murder in the Orient express and Mystery of the Blue train. Paddington station finds mention in many of Christie’s novels including the novel 4.50 from Paddington.
Such interesting facts about the most popular Crime writer of the century- were part of discussion on Agatha Christie.
“As for trains, what can beat a train especially before the diesels and their smell arrived. A great puffing monster carrying you through gorges and valleys, by waterfalls, past snow (sic) mountains, alongside country roads with strange peasants in carts. Trains are wonderful; I well adore them. To travel by train is to see nature and human beings, towns and churches and rivers in fact, to see life” wrote Agatha Christie in her autobiography.
Curator of the festival, Arun Singh gave detailed insight into the use of trains as part of the fast paced Christie’s plots. The session was followed by quiz on Agatha Christie novel covers with winners walking away with festival merchandise.
An added attraction of the session was enactment of the climax scene from the novel- Murder on the Orient express by students of Billabong international school and members of Club literati.
Speaking about the session, President Club literati, Seema Raizda said in every session of the festival, we are trying to explore an unique aspect of Christie’s works. The students thoroughly enjoyed playing the role of twelve murder suspects from the novel.
Guests were later served muffins and cookies, which are Miss Marple’s favorite tea time snacks.