Book Review - And Then There Were None

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

This is my first (and it won't be my last after reading this) novel by Agatha Christie and I chose it because of the great recommendations it has received here on Amazon. And after finishing it I can agree with those who awarded it such great ratings because it was one of the best and most puzzling murder mysteries I have ever encountered.

The premise is simple enough, ten strangers stranded alone in an empty house on a small island off the coast of Devon and one by one they die. Christie has cleverly weaved the rhyme "Ten Little Soldiers" throughout the narrative and it leaves you with no clue about what is going on or how the murders could have ever been committed! It really does baffle you until you read the the last few pages where you begin to piece together what actually happened.

The writing is simple but sharp and each character is defined with a back story as well as characteristics and you often get a peek into their heads and find out what they are thinking but not once does Christie slip up and give away the fantastically drafted explanation as to what is going on. The thing about the ten characters is that any of them could have done it if they were clever enough but you also begin to think that perhaps someone outside of the group is doing it. Christie almost invites the reader to come up with their own guess as to what is going on, but you will be wrong! And she wants you to be!

The ending is completely ridiculous and far fetched but it doesn't matter because you believe it because Christie explains it so well and it's obvious that a lot of planning and care was put into setting it up and resolving the story. However the murderer is a logical choice, and you will think after the revelation "why didn't I guess that person was the killer?"

If you are a fan of murder mysteries read this now because you won't find anything as baffling or as clever as this anywhere. Give this a try and see if you can trump Christie.