While many self-catering properties have already been booked up there are still a few late deals to be found. A spot of sleuthing could uncover the perfect deal for the Festival, which also marks the 75th anniversary of Murder on the Orient Express.

View all details on events taking place during Agatha Christie Week

Top of the self-catering sleuth's list is Paignton, located on the coast just three miles to the South of Torquay. We've a number of properties still available that are half the price of many properties in Torquay, including:

10 Marine Court, Paignton, sleeps 4 - £109* per person per week (£436 per week).
A stylish top floor apartment, 10 Marine Court is less than a minute's walk from Preston Sands beach and the town's green. One of the most popular destinations for families on the English Riviera, Paignton has a host of attractions, restaurants, cafes, bars, cinemas and beautiful golden sands for visitors to enjoy. View details

Avocet Lodge, Paignton, sleeps 5 - £101* per person per week (£507 per week).
Situated in a quiet residential area, Avocet Lodge enjoys views over Paignton and out towards Brixham. The property is spacious and well appointed throughout with a large dining and living area. The town centre and beach are a short drive away and local attractions include Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts Coastal Zoo, local boat trips, fishing trips, Paignton Beach and the town's Pier.
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For visitors looking to find the last available self-catering properties in Torquay itself, we've a variety of high-quality apartments including:

4 Corbyn Lodge, Torquay, sleeps 8 - £238* per person per week (£1,909 per week).
This luxury reverse-level mews-house has stunning views across the English Riviera as well as a private balcony dining area. Situated in a central sea-front location, Torquay Harbour and the town centre are just a 20 minutes stroll away. Guests are able to enjoy leisure facilities at the nearby Grand Hotel and the complimentary Leisure Club membership card, which admits two, also provides 10% off any meals taken in the hotel restaurant. Living Coasts, Bygones and Kents Cavern are close by making Corbyn Lodge the perfect location for a large family getaway. View details

About Agatha Christie Week

Coinciding with the birthday of Mrs Christie, the week of celebrations, co-ordinated by the Torbay Cultural partnership, runs from 13th - 19th September 2009. The official Festival launches with 'A Fete Worse Than Death' which will be held on the green in Torquay beside Agatha Christie's statue from 11am on 13th September. Based on the detailed description of a quintessentially English fete in the Hercule Poirot classic, Dead Man's Folly, the event has a range of traditional attractions and, just possibly, the odd murder or two. Guests dressed in period costume are very welcome.

Other attractions during the week include a guide to Agatha Christie's Potent Plants at Torre Abbey: Head Gardener, Ali Marshall will provided a special guided tour of the poisonous and medicinal plants that feature in Agatha Christie stories including opium poppy (opium), castor oil plants (ricin), almond trees (cyanide) and willow (aspirin) on 15th and 17th September.

Visitors fascinated by many of the places that featured in Christie's books can experience the Agatha Christie Mile, which pinpoints places associated with her, ranging from the Grand Hotel where she honeymooned, through to the Imperial Hotel where Miss Marple and Poirot had tea on the terrace.

Fans of the murder-mystery Queen can also visit Agatha Christie's former home, Greenway House, which was opened to public by the National Trust for the first time earlier this year.

View all details on events taking place during Agatha Christie Week