North Carolina

Agatha Christie, Classic Film Mysteries & Sherlock Holmes’ Legacy

Program No. 22387RJ
Delve into a week of mystery at Montreat Conference Center as you discover the secrets of the lives and works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Alfred Hitchcock and more.

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At a Glance

Beneath Graybeard Mountain in western North Carolina, surrounded by 4,000 acres of hardwood and laurel forests, Montreat Conference Center is a mountain retreat in a tranquil setting ideal for pursuing matters of the mind. Make your way to this peaceful hideaway and lodge at its recently renovated, stone-built Assembly Inn as you delve into a fascinating, all-mystery program covering the life of Agatha Christie, classic mysteries from the Silver Screen and the legacy of Sherlock Holmes.
Activity Level
Easy Going
All facilities are in one building, with approximately 300 yards walking required; a few stairs. Outside areas are mountainous, with inclines and uneven terrain.

What You'll Learn

  • Explore the world of Dame Agatha Christie and discover what she enjoyed and endured during an extraordinary life with enough twists and turns to rival any of her cast of characters.
  • Look back on the mystery movie repertoire and analyze the well-crafted plots, heady suspense and thematic variety of great films made by the likes of Barbara Stanwyck and Alfred Hitchcock.
  • Crack the case with the most famous detective in literature — Sherlock Holmes — and examine the wondrous imagination that created him, that of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

General Notes

The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for early morning exercise, interaction with the local community for insight into local life, an authentic farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, a live performance or event and a value-priced single room. Opportunities are available for traveling companions to attend a different program at Montreat during the same week.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Barbara Pell
Bobbie Pell, the "Moonstone Minstrel," has been telling stories and writing fiction/poetry for over 30 years. She is a lifelong lover of story who incorporates folklore, myth and faerie lore into her writing, workshops/courses, and storytelling performances. She holds master's degrees in library science/technology and English literature/composition, and an MFA in creative writing. This modern-day minstrel unites song and story in delightful images and universal themes. She lives on Avalon Ridge with her husband Ron and their many golden retrievers.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Barbara Pell
Barbara Pell View biography
Bobbie Pell, the "Moonstone Minstrel," has been telling stories and writing fiction/poetry for over 30 years. She is a lifelong lover of story who incorporates folklore, myth and faerie lore into her writing, workshops/courses, and storytelling performances. She holds master's degrees in library science/technology and English literature/composition, and an MFA in creative writing. This modern-day minstrel unites song and story in delightful images and universal themes. She lives on Avalon Ridge with her husband Ron and their many golden retrievers.
Profile Image of Tracy Bailey
Tracy Bailey View biography
Tracy has been on the program staff of Montreat Conference Center since 1986. She began working with Elderhostel programs in 1989, and in 1997 assumed the additional role of on-site coordinator. A native of the area, she graduated from Asheville-Buncombe Technical College in 1981. Her favorite hobbies are hiking, pottery and reading. Tracy married Sam in 2007, and added three daughters to her family. In addition to her own grown children, she and Sam have been foster parents since 2010. They have four grandchildren.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.





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