And Then There Were None

Summary

«And Then There Were None» is a detective novel by Agatha Christie, which tells the story of ten people invited to an island under various pretexts. They soon discover that they have been summoned by an unknown host who accuses each of them of committing a murder for which they previously escaped punishment. One by one, the characters begin to die, with the manner of their deaths mirroring a nursery rhyme displayed in each room. Their deaths follow the rhyme's scenario, and the survivors try to determine who among them is the killer, until it becomes clear that no one else is left on the island. At the end of the book, it is revealed that the murderer was Judge Lawrence Wargrave, who orchestrated the killings to punish the guilty according to his own sense of justice. He meticulously planned his own death to appear as a suicide, leaving behind a confession note that is eventually discovered.

Main Characters and Their Development

• Sir Lawrence John Wargrave - a retired judge known for his strict sense of justice. He is revealed to be the mastermind behind the mysterious murders on the island, aiming to punish criminals not convicted by the legal system.
• Vera Elizabeth Claythorne - a young woman who worked as a governess. She struggles internally with guilt over the death of a boy she once cared for. Her character is portrayed as deeply emotional yet cold-blooded.
• Philip Lombard - a mercenary with a dubious reputation, who brought a revolver to the island. He has a past involving African expeditions where he made morally questionable decisions.
• Dr. Edward Armstrong - a gullible and kind-hearted doctor, whose trusting nature ultimately leads to his demise on the island.
• William Henry Blore - a former police inspector who always follows the letter of the law but has committed an injustice in his past by accusing an innocent man.
• Emily Brent - an old maid, strict and religious, who feels no guilt over the death of a servant she dismissed for moral misconduct.
• Thomas Rogers and Ethel Rogers - the island's servants, husband and wife. Both hide their guilt over the death of their previous employer, whom they neglected in her final days.
• General John Macarthur - a retired military man who feels guilty over the death of a subordinate, whose demise he orchestrated due to a love affair.
• Anthony Marston - a young wealthy man living for pleasure, who feels no remorse for the deaths of two young people he accidentally ran over with his car.

Style and Technique

«And Then There Were None» by Agatha Christie is a detective novel written in the third person. A distinctive feature of the work is the use of a closed setting, confining the action to an island, which creates an atmosphere of isolation and tension. The plot revolves around sequential murders in accordance with a nursery rhyme, adding elements of dark irony and inevitability to the story. Agatha Christie masterfully employs the technique of 'red herrings,' misleading the reader and diverting attention from the true killer, while maintaining a high level of intrigue and suspicion among the characters. The narrative structure is carefully crafted so that the revelation of each new murder adds complexity to the mystery, simultaneously unveiling the characters' personalities and motives. Elements of psychology and the analysis of human behavior under stress play a key role, making the novel not only a gripping detective story but also a profound psychological thriller.

Interesting Facts

• The book is considered one of the best-selling detective novels of all time, with over 100 million copies sold.
• The original title of the book was changed due to racial connotations, and it is known by different titles in various countries, such as «And Then There Were None» and «Ten Little Indians».
• The plot of the book is based on a nursery rhyme that gradually leads to the disappearance of all the characters.
• Each of the ten characters in the book dies in accordance with the rhyme, making the plot particularly tense and captivating.
• The book has been adapted for theater, film, and television numerous times, testifying to its enduring popularity.
• Agatha Christie considered this book one of her best works and was very pleased with the result.

Book Review

«And Then There Were None» by Agatha Christie is one of the most famous and popular detective novels in the world. Critics praise Christie's skill in creating a tense atmosphere and intrigue that keeps the reader on edge until the very end. The plot, centered around ten strangers invited to a remote island where they begin to die one by one, is admired for its originality and psychological depth. Christie expertly confounds the reader, offering numerous false leads and unexpected twists. The novel's ending, revealing the true murderer, is considered one of the most shocking and memorable in the detective genre. Critics also note that the book raises important questions of morality and justice, prompting the reader to reflect on the nature of human guilt and punishment.