Can a beloved book help you through a difficult season of life? Join bestselling author Cathy Rentzenbrink for supper and conversation.

For our next HYFYV Book & Supper Club we're delighted to welcome bestselling author Cathy Rentzenbrink to discuss her new book, The Agatha Christie Cure.

THE AGATHA CHRISTIE CURE: WHAT READING THE QUEEN OF CRIME TAUGHT ME ABOUT LIFE

One Christmas, Cathy Rentzenbrink finds herself drained by life's upheavals. In need of comfort and escape, she turns to her first literary love: Agatha Christie.

As Cathy delves into Agatha's novels and her mysterious disappearance in 1926, she discovers more than she expected. Beyond the hidden jewels, detectives and thrilling escapes on trains and automobiles, Cathy unearths an adventurer and innovator who hid - within the pages of her own books - the secrets of how she survived a personal crisis and started life again. With the Queen of Crime at her side, Cathy soon begins finding answers to questions she hadn't even realised she was asking.

A literary detective story and a memoir of finding hope in reading, this journey into the heart of the most successful writer of the 20th century is the perfect tonic for anyone in search of life-affirming resilience, and proof that if ever you're lonely, tired and in need of solace, getting in the bath with an Agatha Christie is always an excellent idea.

Join us for an intimate evening of conversation as Cathy shares what happened when she returned to the books she loved as a child. We'll explore the comfort of rereading, the surprising conversation she found herself having across a century with Agatha Christie, and why the stories we return to often have something new to tell us.

"A wonderfully warm, generous, wise book about getting through dark times and the mystery of life with a bit of help from Agatha Christie." — Samantha Ellis

“A hugely readable and illuminating memoir that’s ultimately about something we could all benefit from, these days: the power of the imagination to help us navigate tumultuous times” – OLIVER BURKEMAN

ABOUT CATHY RENTZENBRINK

Cathy Rentzenbrink first fell in love with Agatha Christie at the age of nine, when her grandmother introduced her to the books and paid her 10p for every mystery she finished. A lifelong reader, Cathy went on to work as a bookseller at Waterstones, become Books Editor at The Bookseller, and is now the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Last Act of Love, Dear Reader, How to Feel Better, Everyone Is Still Alive, Ordinary Time and The Agatha Christie Cure.

When her marriage came to an end around her fiftieth birthday, Cathy returned to Agatha's novels in search of comfort. What began as rereading old favourites became a journey into Christie's life, work and remarkable resilience—and ultimately the inspiration for The Agatha Christie Cure.

Known for her warmth, wit and emotional honesty, Cathy's writing explores grief, family, reading and the stories that help us make sense of our lives. Marian Keyes has said she "makes the everyday profound", while Philippa Perry has called her "Britain's answer to Anne Tyler." She lives in Cornwall.

@CatRentzenbrink | cathyreadsbooks.com

AND NOW FOR THE FOOD...

We won't be recreating one of Agatha Christie's poisonings over dinner (don't worry). Instead, our brilliant chef, Shona Graham will be cooking a delicious seasonal three-course supper designed to bring everyone around the table. More details to follow.

ABOUT OUR CHEF, SHONA GRAHAM

We are thrilled to be working with Shona Graham on the HYFYV Book & Supper Club. Shona is a Bristol based hospitality professional, producer and community organiser working across food, culture and events. She is the owner of Emmeline Cafe and the founder of FODA Food Festival and The Anti Banquet, projects known for bringing people together through thoughtful and socially conscious food experiences.

Alongside this, she is Operations Manager at Team Canteen CIC, supporting grassroots food and community organisations through catering and partnerships rooted in social responsibility. Across all of her work, Shona is committed to food justice, sustainability and strengthening local food networks.

WHAT’S THE CONCEPT?

There’s nothing better than sitting around a table discussing a brilliant book. Unless perhaps there’s a delicious dinner involved.

And because the author is there too, you can ask them everything you've ever wanted to know: about the characters, the themes, the writing process and the choices that shaped the story.

That’s the idea behind the HYFYV Book & Supper Club. Every couple of months we'll gather around a shared table with an author and a menu inspired by the book or its themes.

There’s no membership and no commitment. Come whenever a book takes your fancy. You don't technically have to read it beforehand... but it does make the conversation even more enjoyable

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE HYFYV BOOK & SUPPER CLUB

We will gather over dinner at Spike Island

Description supplied by the event organiser.