Reviews with content warning for Infidelity - And Then There Were None

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And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie

10 reviews

kasialipa's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

This was the first Agatha Christie novel I read and it didn’t disappoint! It was so well-written, it was hard to pick the culprit; still I ended up being wrong when it was revealed 😅

However, I will say I found the epilogue to be a waste given that

Spoiler

the confession letter explained everything

. I was also pleasantly surprised Vera was technically the only one who made the connection between the killings and the nursery rhyme as it was obvious from the start.

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dosxhime's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

When people said that Agatha Christie is a master at thrillers, I was curious. But, after reading And Then There Were None I have no doubts that about it. She crafted such an intricate murder plan with complex characters that constantly left me at the edge of my seat.

The beginning was slightly slow since we are first introduced to the characters, but it quickly becomes apparent that there is a killer in their midsts. I will admit that I (accidentally) spoiled myself and I did not see that twist coming. However, it was a brilliant way to explain how to find the identity of the killer.

The epilogue of the novel was especially gripping and it was such a romantic way to explain the murders on Indian Island.

4.5 / 5 A-

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lavenderlilacs1912's review

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dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

And Then There Were None is a stand alone mystery by Agatha Christie that is perhaps her most well-known. Ten visitors arrive on a seemingly deserted and isolated island at the invitation of their mysterious host. What looks to be a relaxing weekend in a modern home turns into a deadly game as each guest is accused of murder by an unknown voice. Then their pursuer starts to pick them off, one by one, all according to a children's nursery rhyme.

I've heard it said that And Then There Were None is one of Christie's best stories and I'd have to agree. It's also one of her darkest, as

Spoiler

none of the main characters make it out alive in the end and the murderer is never caught

. The setup and unfolding of the mystery is unique I can't say I've read any other mystery like it. Christie usually writes cozy murder mysteries, but I would argue that nothing about ATTWN is "cozy." Whereas her Poirot and Marple stories usually have a main character (usually the detective) who is, for the most part, above reproach, ATTWN is different. All the main characters are quite unsympathetic, each being guilty of individual crimes, in the killer's mind. This is quite a psychological murder mystery, where the reader is thrown into each character's head as they reflect on their situations and indeed their own perceived guilt or innocence. And in the end the ambiguity dissipates a little, as each person reveals that they were in fact guilty of their respective crime...they just didn't think so.

The events of the book read like a typical murder mystery, but I also think that ATTWN can also read like a precursor to the modern day slasher films. A cast of morally ambiguous characters getting picked off one by one is definitely a trope in modern horror, with a dash of mystery and psychological thriller thrown into the mix (in this case, though, the characters in ATTWN behave in more intelligent and resourceful ways than the characters in your run of the mill slasher). Yet, that comparison is complicated by the fact that

Spoiler

the "final girl" of ATTWN, Vera Claythorne is 1. Never shown confronting the killer and 2. Is the most damnably guilty and remorseless of them all, her death serving as the final act in the novel before the two epilogues

.

Which brings me to the ending. That ending is probably the best ending to a book like this, it explains everything yet also offers up more opportunities for discussion, namely about the characters and the themes present throughout the book, namely murder, guilt, and innocence. In conclusion And Then There Were None is a classic for a reason and it's one I can return to and enjoy over and over again

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kerriw's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0

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prananas's review

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

This book has blown my mind. Truly. After reading this, my trust issues are through the roof, and I probably won’t be able to sleep for days. Agatha Christie’s mystery genius blows me away every time, and I can tell how much work she put into this tense and intricate novel.

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kekeli's review

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I can appreciate this book for what it is - revolutionary for its time, politically piercing and gripping.

I had my predictions for who dunnit. I finished it in a single sitting.

I just don't think plot-driven murder mysteries with a huge ensemble cast are my thing. I prefer character-driven development and I really want to care about the fate of the people I'm spending time with.

It was an easy read, but not super satisfying.

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