In The Bookcase: Book Review: And Then There Were None

And Then There Were None

written by Agatha Christie

247 pages // published in 1939 // classic mystery

BOOK 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.

Wow. What can I say? It's definitely my favorite Agatha Christie novel that I've read so far (and I doubt there's very many that can overpower this one for me). This one will get you hooked, for sure!

After reading “And Then There Were None,” I can now see the same plotline has been used in many other books and movies. Because it's a good one – with depth. And no matter how you change the characters and the setting, it's still gripping.

Ten seemingly random people are invited for a stay at Soldier Island; they don't know each other, and they don't even know their host, but the vacation time and social house party is alluring. But then... death strikes! And in short order, death again. What's taking place is methodical murder. All of the remaining victims can see it happening before their eyes, yet they can't run away, and they can't prevent their own murders. Timed with precision, it's a struggle to the very end, as the truest of human emotions come out... when you're the one being hunted.

And such memorable characters too. I love them all. Christie did such a striking job of pairing just the right personality with each name. If any of them had been missing from the book, it just wouldn't have been the same story.

If you're interested in listening to the audiobook, be sure to listen to Dan Steven's. His British accent adds so much volume to an already amazing story.

Note to the discerning reader: There is quite a bit of mild swearing.

Overall? It's an engaging mystery with lots of twists. It may be on the dark side, but... it's definitely intriguing. And it just may make your heart pound a bit wilder as you read.

Oh, and I've got to get a print to hang up on my wall of the “Ten Little Indians” rhyme. It's so ominous, but strangely I want to memorize it word for word.