Book Review: And Then There Were None

Book: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Edition: Paperback

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

And Then There Were None is a gruesome mystery that follows as one by one, someone is murdering ten victims on a private island.

When a group of eight random strangers (Dr. Edward Armstrong, Emily Brent, William Blore, Vera Claythorne, Philip Lombard, John Macarthur, Anthony Marston and Lawrence Wargrave) are enticed into visiting a private island off the coast of Devon, they had no idea what they were getting into. When they arrived at the mansion they were not the only ones there, a butler and maid, Thomas Rogers and Ethel Rogers, who were recently hired, were there to greet them. However their hosts, the Owens were said to be delayed and would arrive later.

Everything was going quite well for the guests as they settled in and got acquainted. However, there were a few peculiarities but nothing that would set off any alarms. It wasn't long before the murderer's plan was set into motion with each of the ten in attendance soon learned that they were all considered guilty of crimes they once committed.

The first chilling death occurred followed by two more and as the tension mounts they wonder if there was perhaps someone hiding on the island. With no evidence to that they each begin to suspect that one of them was the killer. But who?

The fast-paced story was simple and complex at the same time and that's due in no small part to Agatha Christie's vivid and engaging writing. The victims are trapped on an island and in hopes of not becoming the next victim gather together to try to find the murderer. The characters quickly start to become paranoid and began suspecting each other. And as the reader you are left to question who are these characters. The more I read the more it was easy to see that there was so much more than meets the eye regarding each of them. But which one was the murderer?

I had my suspicions but each death removed a suspect making you re-examine all the details and the remaining characters. When the end neared, the reveal was rather amazing and in hindsight it made me completely aware of things I may not have paid particular attention to.

This was my first time reading anything by Agatha Christie and it was a good read. A meticulous story filled with drama, suspense and horrific murder.