Agatha Christie exhibition tours Novus prison libraries

Agatha Christie: A World of Mystery is touring our Novus prison libraries, bringing a national cultural exhibition to learners through the British Library’s Living Knowledge Network. The pop-up display began its tour at HMP Leeds and will visit establishments through to September 2028.

Many of our learners have low literacy levels and find reading difficult, which can make engaging with books daunting. Launching during the National Year of Reading 2026, the exhibition offers a way to spark interest in stories and encourage reading for pleasure, reflecting the campaign’s aim of helping more people discover the joy of reading.

A condensed version of the British Library exhibition, the display explores Christie’s remarkable life, writing process and enduring legacy. It introduces her best-loved detectives, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, and considers her influence on crime writers today.

The original British Library exhibition brings together letters, notebooks, photographs, personal belongings and early manuscript drafts, with many objects on display for the first time.

Highlights include Christie’s 1937 Remington typewriter, thought to have been used to write And Then There Were None, her notes for the Witness for the Prosecution theatre adaptation and a typescript of her first short story, House of Beauty. Her 1917 pharmaceutical exam study notes, family photographs from her travels and personal letters, including one about her journey on the Orient Express, offer further insights into her life beyond her novels.

Bringing cultural opportunities into prison libraries

Through this partnership, we’re giving learners access to a national cultural experience they would not otherwise be able to engage with. It strengthens our libraries as spaces for learning, enrichment and wellbeing, supporting reading for pleasure, curiosity and creative engagement alongside education, rehabilitation and personal development.

By connecting local provision with a world-class cultural institution, the project also helps raise aspirations and the profile of prison libraries, while providing high-quality, ready-to-use resources to support consistent and engaging activities across sites.

Exhibition tour and dates

The exhibition will visit 20 establishments between October 2026 and September 2028. Anyone visiting during the dates below is encouraged to explore the display, meet the library team and see how it is being used to engage prisoners in reading, writing and wider library services.

Tour dates below:

• HMP Leeds - 30 October – 19 November 2026
• HMP Wealstun – 3 – 23 December 2026
• HMYOI Wetherby – 13 January – 2 February 2027
• HMP Askham Grange - 16 February – 8 March 2027
• HMP Full Sutton – 22 March – 11 April 2027
• HMP New Hall – 25 April – 15 May 2027
• HMP Wakefield – 29 May – 18 June 2027
• HMP Low Newton – 2 – 22 July 2027
• HMP/YOI Thorn Cross – 5 – 25 August 2027
• HMP Altcourse – 8 – 28 September 2027
• HMP Risley – 12 October – 1 November 2027
• HMP Styal – 15 November – 5 December 2027
• HMP/YOI Hindley – 26 December 2027 – 15 January 2028
• HMP Buckley Hall – 29 January – 18 February 2028
• HMP Forest Bank – 3 – 23 March 2028
• HMP Humber – 6 – 26 April 2028
• HMP Lowdham Grange – 10 – 30 May 2028
• HMP Hewell – 13 June – 3 July 2028
• HMP Rye Hill – 17 July – 6 August 2028
• HMP Five Wells – 20 August – 9 September 2028

Launching the exhibition at HMP Leeds

The exhibition’s launch took place at HMP Leeds on 4 November, following considerable planning and logistical work to bring the display into the prison and ensure learners could access and benefit from it. We would like to thank the team for the time, thought and effort they have put into making this opportunity possible.

The work continues beyond the launch. While the exhibition is onsite, curriculum areas have opportunities to engage with it through related activities for learners, supported by ongoing planning and coordination. At the end of its stay, the display will be carefully deinstalled, packed and transported safely to the next site.

As Agatha Christie: A World of Mystery travels across our prison libraries, it brings opportunities to connect reading, writing and creative exploration with a national cultural experience. The tour highlights the role our libraries play beyond lending books, supporting learners’ curiosity, wellbeing and personal development.

Explore our latest news stories to discover more about the learning opportunities, partnerships and projects supporting learners across Novus.