And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Ten strangers are lured to an island mansion on an isolated rock near the Devon coast. Cut off from the mainland, with their generous hosts mysteriously absent, they are each accused of a terrible crime. When one of the party dies suddenly, the guests realise they may be harbouring a murderer among their number.

The ten strangers include a reckless playboy, a troubled doctor, a formidable judge, an uncouth detective, an unscrupulous mercenary, a religious spinster, two restless housekeepers, a highly decorated general and an anxious secretary. As one by one they are picked off, the dwindling group must stay one step ahead of their deadly stalker. Who will survive? And who is the killer?

And in every room hangs a copy of an ominous nursery rhyme, foreshadowing the awful fates of ten people doomed to die…

For the first time ever, this unique edition of Agatha Christie's masterpiece presents her story in a format that is entirely faithful to her original conception, with the final solution presented in a letter that can only be revealed once you have finished the story and discovered if you have solved the deadly puzzle correctly.

---

And Then There Were None is widely regarded as one of Agatha Christie’s finest works, and it’s not hard to see why. The story is a masterclass in suspense and tension, bringing together ten strangers who are gradually picked off in accordance with a sinister nursery rhyme. With each murder, the noose tightens as paranoia sets in, and everyone starts to suspect one another.

One of the novel's great strengths is how Christie manages to give each of the characters enough depth and distinct traits that they stand out, despite the fact that they’re all doomed from the start. Each is guilty of a crime, whether through malice, negligence, or circumstance, and the island becomes a place where justice is served—though not in any form they could have imagined. The isolated setting creates an eerie atmosphere, amplifying the sense of entrapment as the characters' numbers dwindle.

What makes And Then There Were None so brilliant is how Christie plays with the reader’s expectations. The pace of the killings, the growing paranoia, and the way in which she drops clues and red herrings ensure that you’re constantly trying to solve the puzzle, second-guessing yourself until the final shocking twist. Even those familiar with the conventions of the mystery genre may find themselves surprised by the end.

The nursery rhyme motif that runs throughout the novel is a stroke of genius, adding a darkly playful tone to the unfolding horror. Every death mirrors the verses in the rhyme, creating a grim sense of inevitability that keeps you turning the pages. The methodical nature of the murders and the underlying question of whether there’s any justice being served make this much more than a simple whodunnit—it’s a haunting exploration of guilt, accountability, and fate. The fact that we're left unsure of some people's guilt or innocence adds an uneasy layer to the story. Christie's writing style is notably direct and to the point, eschewing the in-depth character development and world-building often found in modern fiction.

This particular edition, with its sealed letter revealing the solution only after the reader finishes, adds an interactive element, making the experience feel almost like a puzzle that you’re invited to solve alongside the characters. Even if you’ve read the story before, this version adds a fresh layer of fun.

---

For recommendations:

• Book: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides – For its psychological tension and masterfully built suspense with a surprising twist.
• Movie: Clue (1985) – For a murder mystery with a twist of dark comedy and an isolated setting where the cast is whittled down one by one.

And Then There Were None publishes in this version on the 10th of October, 2024, but is available in older versions. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.