And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

January 12, 2015     erinbook     Book review

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie


Release Date: Originally published in 1939
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
275 Pages
Received: Owned
Format: Mass Market Paperback


Rating: 

5 Nuts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Description: First there were ten–a curious assortment of strangers summoned as weekend guests to a private island off the coast of Devon. Their host, an eccentric millionaire unknown to all of them, is nowhere to be found. All that the guests have in common is a wicked past they’re unwilling to reveal–and a secret that will seal their fate. For each has been marked for murder. One by one they fall prey. Before the weekend is out, there will be none. And only the dead are above suspicion.
Review: Originally published with a title that I would not write here, And Then There Were None is also found under the title Ten Little Indians. The text however, remains unchanged and has endured as one of Agatha Christie’s most well known stories. It is also the story that I have reread the most out of all of her novels, a collection I own almost all of. There is definitely a reason Christie is known as the Queen of Mystery and this novel shows that off best.
All of of the Agatha Christie novels I own, this was the one that grabbed my attention first. Judging by how often (and how fast) I have reread it, that fact has not changed. I am usually pretty good at figuring out whodunits and mysteries of all sorts but this book keeps you guessing til the end (unless you have read it as many times as I have). I never suspected the actual culprit here, and the explanation at the end is actually extremely ingenius.
True, some of the characters are less complete than others, but they don’t hang around for very long so I always thought that it was because of the short time they actually spend living. Strangely, I’ve never actually seen a TV or film adaptation of this particular novel, though I know they exist. It would be interesting to see how they tackled all of the characters and their varied backstories.
If you haven’t read this book, I highly recommend it. Especially for those who have never read an Agatha Christie novel. It’s a good jumping off point for beginners and old fans alike.
What did you think of the book? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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4 responses to “And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

  1. I love this one! I also love many of the retellings it has inspired. I found a YA one once involving kids invited to an author's mansion after a horror-writing contest, but I can't recall the title. Maybe you've read it?

  2. Many many years ago, in 1969, we actually studied this book in Grade 7 English class. As I remember, it sparked some very interesting debates. Mr. Wallace was a rather progressive teacher for the time in suburban Montreal. I still have my copy and I have reread it more than once. I think it's one of the best books of its genre. 🙂

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