Murder mystery weekends will be held at the White House Hotel this summer.

A CLASSIC hotel by the sea, waves crashing on the rocks.

The guests are gathered in the lounge, diamonds and black tie. Champagne is poured. Champagne … or sparkling cyanide?

No, it isn’t the plot of a long-lost Agatha Christie novel, it is the setting for Herm’s new murder mystery weekends, which will be taking place at the White House Hotel this summer.

UK-based events company It’s Murder has arranged two weekends on the island, complete with actors and well-planned mystery stories.

Friday 26 to Sunday 28 March will feature Dying To Tell You. Guests are all actors and actresses at a star-studded 1940s film gala.

But beware who you speak to – they could be a bloodthirsty murderer, just waiting for the right moment.

Friday 15 to Sunday 17 October is Murder He Wrote, where a party is being held to celebrate Willy Rich’s latest expose novel, Village Life.

But who at the party has the most to lose by his revelations, and just how far will they go to protect themselves?

The White House lends itself perfectly to this kind of story. While walking through the lounge in summer, hearing the chink of china teacups and the tinkle of silver and glass, you can almost expect to see Miss Marple sitting in the corner with her knitting.

The timeless quality of the hotel is what brings guests back year after year, but events such as this are a modern way to enjoy the hotel’s surroundings and location mixed with a little more excitement than you’d normally expect to find in Herm.

Each weekend will include a welcome drink before the evening meal, breakfast and three-course dinner for each night.

As well as exercising their gastronomic muscles, guests will be invited to use their wits and sleuthing skills to follow the clues, dismiss the red herrings and deduce who is the killer.

It’s Murder organises events and private parties all over the UK and islands. Visit www.itsmurder.co.uk for details.

Although we are all aware of the need to maintain many of the island’s traditions, it is also important to keep moving forward.

Part of this is embracing the popularity of the web and of social networking sites.

Herm now has its own Facebook and Twitter pages, both of which have become popular very quickly, with staff as well as guests.

Work is also ongoing on a new-look website, which will be more interactive.

The Facebook page now has more than 2,500 fans, despite starting only two weeks ago.

These new projects – and events such as the murder mystery weekends and Annette Henry’s new island walks – are a perfect way to keep the island moving forward, while still respecting the traditional, peaceful qualities that we all love.