Book Review: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
October 24, 2025
There is not much I can say about this classic other than that it is a classic. It is the inspiration for so many other books and movies that the story feels worn out (which kind of feels wrong of me to say). Because of its level of classic-ness, I will say, I knew what was coming. If only I had read this before getting really into the mystery genre as a whole. But Agatha Christie is a murder mystery icon, and I am so glad that I finally read one of her books.
We follow the story of 10 strangers that have been invited to an island off the coast of Devon by a wildly wealthy “friend” who owns the small island. When a storm hits and the guests start dropping like flies, panic sets in. Who is the killer? Why are they killing? Who is the person that invited them to this island and why were this, seemingly random, group of people placed together on the island? Fear and suspicion builds and alliances form as the guest learn that their deaths are an awful lot like the nursery rhyme:
"Ten little boys went out to dine; One choked his little self and then there were nine. Nine little boys sat up very late; One overslept himself and then there were eight. Eight little boys traveling in Devon; One said he'd stay there then there were seven. Seven little boys chopping up sticks; One chopped himself in half and then there were six. Six little boys playing with a hive; A bumblebee stung one and then there were five. Five little boys going in for law; One got in Chancery and then there were four. Four little boys going out to sea; A red herring swallowed one and then there were three. Three little boys walking in the zoo; A big bear hugged one and then there were two. Two little boys sitting in the sun; One got frizzled up and then there was one. One little boy left all alone; He went out and hanged himself and then there were none."
Will any of them make it out alive? Who can they trust?
A classic I am happy I read, and I am excited to read more my Christie, but I will say, I feel like I knew what was going to happen the whole time just due to all of the times I have seen it recreated.
