Sunday 15 November, 11.30am – 12.30pm, Dulverton Heritage Centre

Andrew Wilson

Marilyn Monroe is one of the most recognisable faces of the 20th century. From an uncertain childhood she transformed herself into the ultimate goddess of the silver screen. Men lusted after her, women wanted to be her, but all she wanted was to be loved. A hundred years since her birth, acclaimed biographer Andrew Wilson discusses his new book I Wanna Be Loved By You, offering a fresh and revealing portrait of the woman behind the Hollywood legend. Drawing on new research and previously overlooked sources, Andrew explores Marilyn’s extraordinary journey from the troubled childhood of Norma Jeane Baker to global superstardom. Along the way, he examines the intelligence, ambition and vulnerability that lay behind her carefully crafted public image, revealing a woman far more complex than the enduring myth suggests.

Andrew Wilson

Andrew takes a fresh look at Marilyn’s life through 100 captivating snapshots. Featuring a wealth of previously unpublished material and rich in Hollywood glamour, he presents the actress in a startling new light, portraying a highly intelligent and well-read woman, desperate to forge her own path and dismantle the perception that she was a dumb blonde. He concludes with a chapter investigating the rash of conspiracy theories that surround her final moments.

We are delighted to welcome Andrew to Dulverton – renowned for his acclaimed biographies on Agatha Christie, Patricia Highsmith and Sylvia Plath – his thoughtful approach to the story of Marilyn Monroe brings new depth to one of the twentieth century’s most celebrated icons.

Tickets £12 adults £6 children (under 17)

Sunday 15 November, 3.00 – 4.00pm, All Saints Church, Dulverton

Cathy Rentzenbrink with Gaby Huddart

Fifty years after Agatha Christie’s death, and a century after her famous disappearance, bestselling author Cathy Rentzenbrink offers a fresh and deeply personal perspective on the world’s best-loved crime writer through her remarkable new book, The Agatha Christie Cure: What Reading the Queen of Crime Taught Me About Life.

Cathy Rentzenbrink

Cathy first fell in love with the books of Agatha Christie at the age of nine, when her grandmother introduced her to them and paid her 10p for every Agatha mystery she finished. An avid reader ever since, Cathy went on to work as a bookseller at Waterstones and as the Books Editor at The Bookseller, before becoming the Sunday Times top ten bestselling author of The Last Act of Love and many other titles. When she was facing the end of her marriage around her 50th birthday, Cathy sought relief in Agatha’s books once more, and found them giving her the emotional glue she needed. What began as an escape soon became something much deeper: a journey through Christie’s life and work that revealed unexpected lessons about resilience, creativity, renewal and hope.

This promises to be a fascinating author talk – not only for devoted Christie fans, but for anyone who has ever found comfort, companionship or inspiration in a great book.

Gaby Huddart

Cathy will be in conversation with Festival supporter, award-winning journalist, columnist and celebrity interviewer Gaby Huddart.

Tickets £12 adults £6 children (under 17)

Sunday 15 November, 4.30 – 5.30pm, Dulverton Heritage Centre

Iain MacGregor

We are delighted that historian, presenter and award-winning author Iain MacGregor is returning to Dulverton following his appearance last year with The Hiroshima Men. Iain has been described by bestselling author Peter Caddick-Adams as “one of our finest writers of military history. Whenever he puts pen to paper, the result is guaranteed to make you sit up and reconsider what you thought you knew”.

Why did some armies fight on when defeat seemed certain? How did leaders like Alexander the Great, Robert the Bruce and Horatio Nelson change the course of history? Join Iain for a thrilling journey through 3,000 years of conflict, drawing on his new book Battle: The Moments That Transformed Warfare from Ancient Greece to Ukraine.

From the shield walls of ancient Greece to the drone warfare of modern Ukraine, this fascinating talk explores the five forces that have shaped victory and defeat throughout history: Morale, Leadership, Innovation, Subterfuge, Timing & Numbers. Travel from Marathon, Alesia and Bannockburn to the Spanish Armada, Stalingrad and Kyiv, discovering the dramatic moments when battles changed not just wars, but the course of civilisation itself.

Perfect for anyone who loves military history, great storytelling and the epic characters who shaped our world.

Tickets £12 adults £6 children (under 17)

Sunday 15 November, 6.00 – 7.00pm, Dulverton Town Hall

Michael Lewis and David Musgrove

The Festival is extremely proud to welcome Michael Lewis, Curator of the forthcoming Bayeux Tapestry Exhibition at the British Museum and one of the world’s leading experts on the Tapestry, alongside historian, author and HistoryExtra content director David Musgrove to discuss their fascinating new book, The Story of the Bayeux Tapestry: Unravelling the Norman Conquest.

Michael Lewis (top) and David Musgrove

Together, Michael and David will reveal how this remarkable masterpiece tells the dramatic story of the events leading up to 1066 and the Battle of Hastings, while exploring the mysteries, artistry and historical significance embroidered into every scene. Blending the latest scholarship with compelling storytelling, they will explain why the iconic Tapestry continues to captivate audiences almost a thousand years after it was created here in England and why its return here for the first time in almost a thousand years is such a significant and awe-inspiring cultural landmark.

Whether or not you are hoping to see the Tapestry in situ at the British Museum (September 2026 to July 2027), this author talk will be an outstanding opportunity to gain further insight into one of history’s greatest treasures.

Tickets £12 adults £6 children (under 17)

Monday 16 November, 2.30 – 3.30pm, Dulverton Town Hall

Harriet Rix with Sarah Lutyens

Harriet Rix’s acclaimed debut, The Genius of Trees, invites us to rethink everything we thought we knew about trees. Blending cutting-edge science, history and vivid storytelling, she reveals how trees have shaped the natural world over hundreds of millions of years, using astonishing strategies to survive, adapt and transform their environments. From prehistoric forests to the giant sequoias of California and the cloud forests of the Canary Islands, Harriet presents trees not as passive features of the landscape but as remarkable agents of change. Described by the Telegraph as “a true masterpiece” and by the Guardian as “mind-blowing and erudite”, the book was also named one of The New Yorker‘s best books of the year so far.

Harriet Rix

Raised in Devon, Harriet studied biochemistry at the University of Oxford and the history of science at the University of Cambridge before working in landmine clearance and later for The Tree Council, researching tree diseases and urban forestry. She has written for the London Review of Books, the Times Literary Supplement and other leading publications.

Sarah Lutyens

Harriet will be in conversation with Festival supporter Sarah Lutyens. After a career in publishing, Sarah co-founded the Lutyens & Rubinstein literary agency, representing acclaimed writers across a wide range of genres. Together, Harriet and Sarah, will explore the hidden genius of trees and what they can teach us about the natural world and our future.

Tickets £12 adults £6 children (under 17)