The HYFYV Book & Supper Club with Cathy Rentzenbrink
About this Event
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 for a relaxed but curated evening. You can expect:
Author in conversation with How You Find Your Voice’s Jessie Huth
Audience questions and open discussion
Shared tables with prompts (to use or to ignore.)
A seasonal menu inspired by the book’s setting or the author.
The chance to meet other book-loving guests
Limited space to keep the evening intimate
No pressure to perform: you are very welcome to simply come, listen and enjoy the atmosphere.
WHO IT IS FOR
This evening is for readers who love thoughtful conversation, aspiring writers curious about process, and anyone who likes great books, food and conversation.
BUYING THE BOOK
The Agatha Christie Cure is published the day before our event, but we're delighted that attendees of the HYFYV Book & Supper Club can get their hands on an advance copy in August, giving you plenty of time to read it before we gather around the table.
Advance copies are available through our wonderful independent bookshop parter, Bookhaus.
Books will also be available to buy on the night and there'll be time for Cathy to sign them too.
ABOUT HOW YOU FIND YOUR VOICE
How You Find Your Voice (HYFYV) is a Bristol-based cultural project that brings people together to think, speak and create more freely.
Through live events, conversations, a podcast and gatherings, HYFYV explores creativity, identity and the messy process of finding your voice. The work centres women’s voices and many of the guests and contributors are women, though anyone curious about the conversation is welcome.
The project is curated and hosted by Jessie Huth, who previously co-founded and ran the literary events series 5x15 Bristol for over a decade and is now developing a new programme of salons, author conversations and cultural events across the city.
You can find out more about the project and join the mailing list for future events
Follow along on Instagram: @howyoufindyourvoice
Follow the podcast
for behind the scenes and sporadic musings on finding your voice.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 35.00 to GBP 40.00
