Review: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
24 October 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Agatha Christie, And Then There Were None, Book Reviews, Books, Mystery, Review
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Loved It, especially the reveal
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie is a book that I’ve wanted to read for some time. I bought, a few years ago, a copy of a paperback version and I think I also might have had a kindle version but when I saw this on Netgalley, well, firstly, I knew that it would give me the push I needed to pick it up and secondly, I was fascinated about this collector’s edition and the way the ending is revealed.
So, if you’re not familiar with And Then There Were None its a closed room mystery that takes place on an island where a number of guests have been invited for a mystery weekend. One by one the guests begin to die and it soon becomes apparent that a murderer is amongst the party.
I had such a good time with this.
Having read Christie before I had an idea of what to expect with the style. The writing is very easy to get along with. The style is, I suppose, dated, I think the original was probably written in the 1940s and the characters, the dialogue and the set up is reflective of that but I loved it.
As mentioned, we have a number of characters that arrive at Soldier Island to be met by the housekeeper and butler. Only ten people in total. The island is completely cut off from the mainland and stormy weather makes it impossible for the inhabitants to leave once the murders begin.
In each room is an old nursery rhyme and on the dining room table are ten pottery soldier statues – which slowly but surely disappear in line with the murders.
None of the characters know each other (apart from the butler and housekeeper who are man and wife).
Quite early in the story an ominous and intimidating record is played to the guests in which they are all accused of murder. This of course causes immediate outrage and much stomping about followed by loud declarations of innocence. Within fairly short order we have our first victim. To begin with the guests think this may have been a suicide and although they all still feel uncomfortable and wish to leave the island they don’t at this point have any other fears – until the next body appears – two dead bodies in such a short period, even though they don’t immediately stand out as murder, it’s a bit of a coincidence. And then the third body turns up and it becomes clear to all that their lives are in danger.
So, much searching of the island and the house ensues. Some of the party have taken to solitary confinement and reflection, almost with a resigned feeling of the inevitable. Of course, the island is small and practically barren with no hidey holes. Likewise the house is a modern structure, clean lines and also very little room for evasion.
What I really liked about this.
The pacing is great. There’s always something going on.
The mystery. I’m pretty certain I’ve seen an adaptation of this but if I have I still didn’t guess the ending correctly. To be fair my impatience got the better of me. I started trying to work things out methodically and, not blowing my own trumpet, I thought I’d made quite a good job of coming up with the answer – but – well, firstly I was wrong, secondly there is a rather large clue which I’d completely overlooked and thirdly, there’s an element to the solution that I was totally closed off to. Plus, as I mentioned, my impatience got the better of me and I was so excited to read the ending I just went for the first person that I thought sounded feasible. Perhaps if I’d have taken long and reasoned things through – well, I don’t know.
The characters, I don’t think any of them are particularly easy to like – which isn’t to say I strongly disliked any of them. But, they’re all keeping secrets and some of them are definitely guilty and guilt ridden. I don’t think you’re supposed to love them to be honest which is just as well because the body count rises very quickly.
I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this. If you like a fast paced murder mystery, short, snappy and full of intrigue then you need to give it a shot. The clues are all there, my only advice, don’t be like me and rush into your conclusion.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4.5 of 5 very entertaining stars
Friday Face Off : A train or tram – travelling down the track, could be old style, futuristic, overhead, down below.
2 April 2021
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Agatha Christie, Books by Proxy, Friday Face off, Hercule Poirot #10, Murder on the Orient Express
Here we are again with the Friday Face Off meme created by Books by Proxy . This is a great opportunity to feature some of your favourite book covers. The rules are fairly simple each week, following a predetermined theme (list below) choose a book (this doesn’t have to be a book that you’ve read), compare a couple of the different covers available for that particular book and choose your favourite. Future’s themes are listed below – if you have a cover in mind that you’re really wanting to share then feel free to leave a comment about a future suggested theme. I’ve also listed events that take place during the year, that I’m aware of, so you can link up your covers – if you’re aware of any events that you think I should include then give me a shout. This week’s theme:
A train or tram
I have no idea what I had in mind this week. I could come up with a couple of books with trains, or tunnels or tracks but I’m so puzzled that I didn’t go for some sort of holiday theme. Anyway. I’ve gone for a book that I’m fairly certain I’ve not used before – Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie (the 10th in the Hercule Poirot series). Here is a very small selection of covers focusing on mainly those that fit the theme.
I like a few this week:
I like the first one for the iconic font for the author’s name. The middle feels very typical ‘murder/mystery’ and makes me think of Cluedo for some strange reason. The final cover has more muted tones which are easy on the eye and I like the angle of the train smoke that fills the top of the cover. But my favourite, which feels like a modern cover with an old fashioned nod in terms of the font for the author’s name, is:
Do you have a favourite?
I’ve updated the list now to include themes for next year. If you know of an event that’s coming up let me know and I’ll try and include covers that work for the event itself so that you can link up to the Friday Face Off and, as always, if you wish to submit an idea then leave me a comment – or if you’d like to host a week then simply let me know. Also, I would just mention that it’s very possible that some of these might be repeats from previous FFOs although I have tried to invent more ‘open ended’ prompt that can be interpreted differently and also prompts that relate to emotions. Finally, don’t struggle with any of these, this is meant to be a fun way of highlighting books. If you can’t come up with a book you think fits for a particular week use a freebie – perhaps a recent read for example:
Next week –Cartoonish or graphic
2021
April
9th – Cartoonish or graphic
16th – I have to have it – a cover that gave you ‘grabby hands’
23rd – Your current read (if it has covers to compare) or any recent read
30th– A series that you love – highlight all the books in the series
May
Month of Wyrd and Wonder
7th – A Series where the cover changed midway through – which style do you prefer most
14th – The earliest fantasy you recall reading – or the first fantasy book you really loved, maybe the book that kickstarted your love of fantasy
21st – The Top Hat
28th – The Hood
June
4th – The nose boop – any animal, or human, with a close up shot.
11th – A cover that annoyed you and why
18th – Out of Perspective, or make you feel a bit dizzy
25th – Upside down, back to front or topsy turvy
July
2nd – A book with a landscape you’d like to visit
9th – A Wicked Grin
16th – Books with ‘book’ in the title
23rd – A Black Hole – could be in the universe or going deep into the ground
30th – Chaos – maybe too much going on in this one
August
6th – “They cluck their thick tongues, and shake their heads and suggest, os so very delicately!” – The Motel
13th – A favourite holiday read
20th – Dressed to kill (could be literally someone dressed to kill, or someone dressed up for a big night out
27th – Sunbathing or on the beach
September (RIP event)
3rd – 1920s feel, noir detective
10th – I’m Henry the Eighth I am – let’s look at Kings or other Emperors/rulers
17th – Books with ‘Murder’ in the title
24th – A favourite thriller
October
1st – A Halloween read
8th – Chills – anything at all that almost makes you too scared to pick up the book (your own pet hate)
15th – Your favourite book of magic
22nd – Books with ‘Queen’ in the title
29th – Must be gothic
November – Sci Fi Month
5th – Your earliest sci-fi read or the first sci-fi you reviewed
12th – A book with ‘star’ in the title
19th – Futuristic vista
26th – A Black Hole – in the universe or going deep into the ground
December
3rd – Windswept, the classic figure, stood majestically, with wind blowing out in a fetching way
10th – A fairytale retold
17th – Winter Solstice approaching – anything cold and seasonal
24th – All things fire – red hair, red covers, fire breathing dragons, simply fire?
31st – What’s your catnip – if it’s on a cover you have to pick it up
Friday Face Off : “Farewell, Aragog, king of the arachnids, whose long and faithful friendship those who knew you would never forget!
16 October 2020
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Agatha Christie, Books by Proxy, Friday Face off, Spider's Web
Here we are again with the Friday Face Off meme created by Books by Proxy . This is a great opportunity to feature some of your favourite book covers. The rules are fairly simple each week, following a predetermined theme (list below) choose a book (this doesn’t have to be a book that you’ve read), compare a couple of the different covers available for that particular book and choose your favourite. Future week’s themes are listed below – if you have a cover in mind that you’re really wanting to share then feel free to leave a comment about a future suggested theme. I’ve also listed events that take place during the year, that I’m aware of, so you can link up your covers – if you’re aware of any events that you think I should include then give me a shout. This week’s theme:
Spider web – “Farewell, Aragog, king of the arachnids, whose long and faithful friendship those who knew you would never forget!
Yes, I struggled a little with this one. I had a couple of books in mind but I know I’ve used them in the past for other themes. This week I’ve gone with a book that I haven’t read but that fits this week’s prompt very well. Agatha Christie’s Spider Web. Here are the covers:
My favourite this week:
Do you have a favourite?
I’ll be updating the list in order to include forthcoming events that I’m aware of so that you can perhaps link your themes up where possible (if you know of an event you’d like to share then let me know in the comments). As always, if you wish to submit an idea then leave me a comment – or if you’d like to host a week then simply let me know.
Next week – Ripped/torn – interpret it as you wish
Future themes: (if you’re struggling with any of these themes then use a ‘freebie’ or one of your favourite covers) (I’ve added some new themes – some of these are slightly different, in order to avoid too much repetition I’m trying to make the themes more of a suggestion that everyone can interpret how they like.
201
23th October – Ripped/torn – interpret it as you wish
30th October – Forest/jungle – ‘None of the Jungle People like being disturbed.’
6th November – Planets – “You’re on Earth. There’s no cure for that.”
13th November – Bright – ‘The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades’.
20th November – Words only – “Words are pale shadows of forgotten names. As names have power, words have power. Words can light fires in the minds of men. Words can wring tears from the hardest hearts.”
27th November – Modern sci fi
4th December – Fae – or fairy??
11th December – Lake – the mysterious lake
18th December – Highly Stylised
25th December- Freebie – or day off.
Women’s History Month: Influential Female Authors through history
8 March 2018
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Agatha Christie, Charlotte Bronte, Cupcakes and Machetes, Influential Female Authors, Mary Shelley, Women's History Momth
For the month of March the lovely Cupcakes and Machetes blog is running an event (inspired by the month of March being Women’s History Month) celebrating women’s achievements. I thought I’d join in with this by listing a few female authors throughout history who have made a great contribution to the literary scene and whose works I have loved. Below are three authors, with different styles of writing and stories that have given me much reading enjoyment over the years. Gothic romance, gothic horror and murder mystery:
1. Charlotte Bronte – best known for Jane Eyre published under the Pseudonym Currer Bell. Charlotte taught in a school and as a governess and her own experiences no doubt played into her works of fiction. Charlotte and her sisters, Emily and Anne, all published their works under male names after being repeatedly rejected for publication. She is an author who broke the mould, writing of a passionate woman who wasn’t afraid to stand up for her own desires or beliefs. Jane Eyre is a favourite of mine and a book that I have reread a few times.
2. Mary Shelley – a female writer who set out to write a ghost story and instead wrote, arguably, the first science fiction novel. Frankenstein. A gothic tale of creation and creator. A fantastic book that really begs the question of who is the true ‘monster’ of the piece. Shelley’s book was published anonymously with a foreword written by her husband – this of course led to speculation over whether she had actually written the book. Frankenstein has maintained its ability to fascinate audiences through both the book and the many adaptations which it has inspired.
3. Agatha Christie – one of the most famous mystery writers. Her two best known detectives are Poirot and Marple. For a brief spell, back in the day, she became the centre of attention when she herself disappeared for a few days following a scandal concerning her husband. Murder on the Orient Express is probably the most famous of her works but I’m very fond of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd:
Of course there are lots of influential female writers. Let me know who you would add to the list.
Mystery she wrote…
11 April 2016
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Agatha Christie, And Then There Were None, April Question, The Classics Club
As part of the Classics Club
‘Women’s Classic Literature Event 2016’
The question for the month of April is:
‘Share an interesting fact about the life of the author you’re currently reading for this event.’
My next read for the Club is going to be And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. I haven’t started yet but I’ve just picked up a copy and so decided to make Agatha Christie the author of choice for this month’s question.
Now, I could just put a bunch of facts down now that I’ve read up about Agatha being home schooled or that she wrote her first books as a challenge from her sister Madge but what I found most intriguing, particularly given her style of books which have proved so very popular over the years, is the fact that she went missing herself! Life imitating art imitating life!?!?
On the 3rd December 1926 Agatha Christie disappeared for 11 days sparking a major manhunt involving police, volunteers and even aeroplanes!
Her car was found fairly quickly by the police and didn’t seem to have any signs of foul play and yet at the same time held no clues as to Agatha’s strange disappearance!
Agatha’s husband was suspected of foul play. Arthur Conan Doyle tried to find Agatha using a medium and Dorothy Sayers visited the spot where her car was found to search for clues!
Finally, after 11 days of searching Agatha was found. Located in a hotel in Harrogate. To this day nobody has ever solved this mystery. It is believed that Agatha’s husband was having an affair and she did in fact divorce him later on. It is also suggested that she may have been in some form of car accident and suffered amnesia. Another theory is that she was in a ‘fugue’ state – brought on by depression.
Basically, it’s a mystery and perhaps only one that Miss Marple or Poirot himself can solve! Was it all a very elaborate publicity stunt?? Who knows but it really does go to show that truth is sometimes stranger than fiction!
What really happened people. Foul play or just a hoax??
Books and travelling with Lynn 