by Sarah Bammel

Created on: February 23, 2011

“And Then There Were None” written by Agatha Christie is a mystery story that will have you wondering who did it.

The story starts with ten people who have been gathered at an old cottage on an island recently come under a new owner by the name U. N. Owen. This is actually a unique way of signing Unknown. Those gathered are accused in one way or another of being responsible for the murders of people in their past. They must quickly find who really is U. N. Owen before they are all killed. Each murder happens according to a rhyme posted in each of their rooms called “The Ten Little Indians”. The guests also find ten Indian figurines on the dining room table. One figurine disappears after each murder which only heightens the fear of the guests in the cottage.

Christie takes the reader on a wild journey and makes the reader feel as if they are there watching everything at the cottage as it happens. Even though she says who it is, you are left wondering how they do each murder as they are usually with someone else when the murder occurs. Until later they die themselves, presumably at the hands of U. N. Owen, but the killings continue until all ten people are killed. It’s not until the epilogue that the reader learns how it all was done.

This novel is wonderfully written and you won’t be able to put it down. Agatha Christie will hold you captive for the full 272 pages. You will find yourself stuck on an island, accused of murder yourself, with a killer hidden among you, wondering who will be next.

First published in the United States in 1940, the book actually started in the UK under the title “Ten Little Niggers” published in 1936. Agatha Christie may be known better as the author who gave us the great Hercule Peroit and Miss Marple. This novel has neither but shows Christie’s great creativity as she gives us a group of characters, each with their own background and makes it so the reader can relate to each one.

“And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie has sold over 100 million copies. You can pick up a copy at your local library or bookstore, and if you should choose to take a chance with this book you will find you will not regret reading it.

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