And Then There Were None: Book Review
And Then There Were None is a mystery novel by Agatha Christie, published in 1939. It was originally published under a different title but officially changed to its present title in 1985. The title originates from the last line of an 1869 minstrel song by Frank Green, which serves as a great plot element. And Then There Were None is the best-selling mystery novel ever.
The novel begins with eight vastly different people travelling to a small remote island called Soldier Island. Lately, there seems to have been a lot of chatter about this specific island in the paper, something about an American actress or millionaire. Whatever it was, the rumours must be wrong, they think. There is nothing to worry about, they say. But as they all hop on the boat together, they become increasingly suspicious of the reasons they're travelling there to begin with. We soon understand they are all going to this mysterious island for various reasons, no one like the other. Yet, they brush it off at first, making up logical reasons for their odd companions.
They arrive at the island and meet the servants of the house, Mr. and Mrs. Rogers. The servants explain that their hosts aren’t present as of yet, but that they in the meantime can enter their rooms to get ready for dinner. Alone at last, they all think and finally get settled. Vera, one of the passengers who is a young teacher, notices something hanging on the wall. It is a nursing rhyme that she remembers singing during her governess days. Vera chuckles and quickly forgets about it. The minstrel song went something like this:
Ten little Soldier Boys went out to dine; One choked his little self and then there were nine
Nine little Soldier Boys sat up very late; One overslept himself and then there were eight.
Eight little Soldier Boys travelling in Devon; One said he’d stay there and then there were seven.
Seven little Soldier Boys chopping up sticks; One chopped himself in halves and then there were six.
Six little Soldier Boys playing with a hive; A bumblebee stung one and then there were five.
Five little Soldier Boys going in for law; One got in Chancery and then there were four.
Four little Soldier Boys going out to sea; A red herring swallowed one and then there were three.
Three little Soldier Boys walking in the zoo; A big bear hugged one and then there were two.
Two little Soldier Boys sitting in the sun; One got up and then there was one.
One little Soldier Boy left all alone; He went out and hanged himself and then there were none.
You can clearly distinguish a pattern, one by one the soldier boys perish. Eight newcomers to the island alongside the two servants, ten little soldier boys. It’s just a matter of time; who will be next? They all go to dine eventually. Finally, we’ll get to meet the hosts, they think. But there aren’t any hosts there to greet them. Instead, a video recording is played with a voice accusing every one of them of serious crimes. The person behind the voice intends to kill everyone because of their wrongdoings. And so the rhyme begins. One by one, until there is none.
In the very first chapter, we get all eight perspectives, making it quite hard to keep track of all the characters. Although, once you wrap your head around everyone’s personalities and backgrounds, it is both thrilling and compelling. I’ve always been good at guessing ‘the who’s done it’, but this one was too complex and mind-boggling. I highly recommend this novel as Agatha Christie is incredible at devising plot twists and intricate characters. Christie said herself that this novel took a lot of planning and thought, as it wasn’t an ordinary murder mystery.
