Mystery over killed-off event

By Laura Joint
BBC Devon

Greenway House - a perfect setting for a murder mystery

The scene was set for a murder mystery evening at the perfect venue - Agatha Christie's sumptuous home at Greenway.

The drama would unfold in the majestic dining room at the Queen of Crime's home overlooking the River Dart at Galmpton in South Devon.

But then, all of a sudden, the plug was pulled by the National Trust which was bequeathed the house and grounds.

"We haven't had the take-up for it," said Belinda Smith, Greenway's visitor services manager. "I'm amazed really."

The event was due to take place on Saturday, 24 October 2009, with diners paying £50 a ticket.

Agatha Christie would unveil her latest book to her family at Greenway

For that, they would have pre-dinner drinks before sitting down to a three-course meal and witnessing a murder mystery take place around them.

The entertainment was to have been provided by Candlelight Theatre Company.

Belinda said it would have been a unique event: "We left it as long as we could before making the decision to cancel it," she told BBC Devon.

"It was gutting because I knew how wonderful it would be.

"The dining room can take a maximum of 24 people and we haven't sold enough tickets."

The trust hopes to reschedule the evening in the New Year.

Greenway was Torquay-born Agatha Christie's family home. She would read her latest whodunnits to her family at Greenway and get their feedback.

The National Trust opened the gardens to the public in 2000 and this year, the house was thrown open for the first time.