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