And Then There Were None – my thoughts

Author: Agatha Christie

Blurb (from Goodreads):

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. 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.

My thoughts:

Agatha Christie has been one of my most favourite crime/mystery/thriller authors. But for the past few years, I somehow did not pick a book of hers, for reasons I don’t even know. But thanks to the 2016 Monthly Motif Reading Challenge, The theme for January being “Who Dunnit” I had no second thoughts on who I would read for this one. AND THEN THERE WERE NONE is also one of the author’s top 10 favourite books of her own. 🙂

In this story, the series of event (read: murders) follow this verse –

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 frizzled up and then there was one

One little Soldier Boy left all alone;
He went out and hanged himself and then there were none.

A total of 7 men and 3 women arrives in a private island and each have been tricked to be there, unknowingly. On the day of their arrival, post-dinner, a voice echoes in the house which accuses each of the 10 guests of some wrongdoings of their past. Soon-after one of the guests dies and along with it disappears one of the ten soldier figurines on the dining table. With this the ball of mystery drops and the series of murders ensue. While I was guessing who the killer might be, at the same time, I was trying hard to figure out how the verse would be applied in the next murder. What a remarkable piece of work this one is….it was pure thrill for me, after a really long time! And I am really happy I chose this one for the challenge. 🙂

Final words –

Once again, I was reaffirmed about why Agatha Christie is called the Queen of Crime/ Queen of Mystery! 🙂

Note:

1. Image & blurb has been taken from Goodreads
2. This review is linked to my 2016 Monthly Motif Reading Challenge & Goodreads Reading Challenge, 2016.