Thursday, July 24, 2025

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie *****

And Then There WereNone by Agatha Christie

One of Agatha Christie’s most famous novels, not Poirot, not Marple, just a unique plot. Ten people were trapped on Soldier Island and murdered according to a nursery rhyme, with no murderer in sight. Classic. Other unique plots by Christie include: "Murder on the Orient Express” and “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.”

The nursery rhyme:

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 bumble bee 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 and hanged himself And then there were None.

Frank Green, 1869

 

The main characters are ten individuals who are lured to a secluded island and then murdered one by one. They include:

Justice Wargrave: A retired judge, known for his logical mind and harsh sentences.

Vera Claythorne: A young woman who is a secretary and was a governess.

Philip Lombard: A former soldier with a shady past, and his adventurous and amoral nature.

Emily Brent: Elderly, religious woman with a judgmental attitude towards others.

General Macarthur: A retired army general, haunted by a past mistake.

Dr. Armstrong: A successful doctor who has lost his confidence after a past incident.

Tony Marston: A wealthy young man, known for his recklessness and love of fast cars.

William Blore: A former police inspector, now working as a private investigator.

Thomas Rogers: The butler, who is married to Ethel.

Ethel Rogers: The housekeeper, who is married to Thomas.

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