And Then There Were None Author:Agatha Christie 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. ... more »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.« less
This quick read is highly, highly enjoyable. I'm not a fan of British mystery, but this could change my mind. It plays out like a Friday the 13th film, but following a foreboding poem. You have a strange feeling that just like the poem, the characters will start to drop one by one, until none are left. For me, it was impossible to guess the culprit. Recommended for mystery lovers as an absolute classic.
This is one of my favorite mysteries!!! I will not give you a synopsis but only this: if you want a good introduction into mystery books, then pick this one up. A classic!!!!
This was a great mystery. I'm usually pretty good at figuring out "who-done-it" but this time I was not at all on the right track. It was a quick moving page turner. Though I will admit that the language that it's written in took a bit to get used too.
I've only read one other Christie novel and after this one I'm hooked. It's no wonder that she's such a popular author.
I did not really like this book. It was too wordy and wasn't suspenseful at all with all of the accusations thrown around by those still among the living. It was further ruined by who I actually figured out was the murderer. There was no climax, no fear, nothing. The poem sounded so suspenseful, but didn't deliver.
Everyone is so flat. And it's hard to remember who is who, and I felt like I spent half of the book trying to remember who each one was. Sometimes Christie reminds you, but most times she doesn't. I found myself hopelessly flipping through pages of repetitive dialogue to get to the next murder, only to be disappointed it was no big spectacle. I understand that things were more "conservative" when she wrote it, but I've read more suspenseful things during that time period than this.
Needless to say, I will not be picking up another of her novels.
This is a classic, with all the positive elements (and of course some of the negative ones) of Christie. I got it because I found I didn't actually possess a copy, although I had read it several times. That means it passed the test: if I can re-read it (usually multiple times) it gets shelf space (always in short supply). Now that I have it, I wouldn't dream of re=posting it--I'm going to keep it all for myself!
This is my favorite Agatha. It kept me guessing all along. Kind of a version of the locked room with ten people alone on an island in a gothic setting. They meet their demise one by one until the survivor is left to face the consequence of being prosecuted for nine deaths. But, who will be the last one standing? Suspicion swings back and forth. If you pay attention you may be able to outwit the author: maybe not.
One by one, the guests arrived at the mansion on Indian Island, summoned by a mysterious host. And one by one, with terrifying meticulousness, they were stalked by a cunning murderer...(previously published as Ten Little Indians)
This takes place on an island that is separated from the mainland. A group of supposed murderers/criminals/thieves, who have all gotten away with their crime, have been invited by post. No one knows anyone else. There are servants there to attend to their needs. They are all to spend the weekend there in order to get the prize but instead one by one, they begin to die. Is it murder? And who is the murderer? And why isn't their host there to greet them? Or is he/she?
One by one, the guests arrived at the mansionon Indian Island, summonened by a mysterious host. And, one by one, with terrifying meticulousness, they were stalked by a cunning murderer.
Ten bodies are found by Scotland yard inspectors on a deserted island-ten murder victims,yet no murderer in site,and no way the murderer could have escaped.
10 people come to an island under mysterious circumstances. One by one they are murdered.
A decent read. A little disappointing as it's not really a murder mystery to solve so much as a 'kill everyone off one by one'. I would have liked to have seen the action after the discovery of the 10 dead people on the island. I would have preferred the police inspection and the 'whodunnit' discovery.
Agatha Christie at her best! If you've read a lot of "whodunit" mysteries, it may seem like you've seen this premise before: Several unconnected people end up together in an unusual situation only to have them start dying off mysteriously.
However, this is the original and probably the masterpiece of this type. It sets the standard and is often imitated and rarely duplicated.
There is a classic movie that was based off of this book. If you liked the movie, you will enjoy the book although I warn you: the ended is a little different!