A Review: “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie

How is it that I have been a reader my entire life and have never managed to read an Agatha Christie novel until now? I bought this tiny paperback at least a year ago and had never managed to bring myself to read it, but I’m trying to get around to reading books in my backlog, and this one really needed to either be read or donated. I’m so glad I finished this one!

Last weekend, I saw the movie See How They Run, which takes place as if it were written like an Agatha Christie novel. It was a pretty cute comedy mystery with some well-known actresses and actors!

Here is the book’s description:

“First, there were ten—a curious assortment of strangers summoned as weekend guests to a little 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. A famous nursery rhyme is framed and hung in every room of the mansion:

‘Ten little boys went out to dine; One choked his little self and then there were nine. Nine little boys sat up very late; One overslept himself and then there were eight. Eight little boys traveling in Devon; One said he’d stay there then there were seven. Seven little boys chopping up sticks; One chopped himself in half and then there were six. Six little boys playing with a hive; A bumblebee stung one and then there were five. Five little boys going in for law; One got in Chancery and then there were four. Four little boys going out to sea; A red herring swallowed one and then there were three. Three little boys walking in the zoo; A big bear hugged one and then there were two. Two little boys sitting in the sun; One got frizzled up and then there was one. One little boy left all alone; He went out and hanged himself and then there were none.‘

When they realize that murders are occurring as described in the rhyme, terror mounts. One by one they fall prey. Before the weekend is out, there will be none. Who has choreographed this dastardly scheme? And who will be left to tell the tale? Only the dead are above suspicion.“

Since this book is a classic, I don’t necessarily think I can give it much of a review. It’s a classic for a reason, and I understand why this book is so well-known. It kept me guessing the entire time. I truly thought there had to be another 11th person there committing all the killings. I won’t give away who committed the crimes, but I thought the murderer’s overall reasoning was plausible, even though it was absolutely diabolical.

Although I would not read this book again, I recommend it is worth reading to at least say you’ve read it. There are so many works that were inspired by this book, and so many references that I thought it was a good idea to read this, and since I’m branching out into thrillers and mysteries, I felt it was necessary to read a book from the Queen of Mystery herself.

Other popular works by Christie are Murder on the Orient Express, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, and Death on the Nile.

As always, thanks so much for reading!