And Then There Were None (novel) | A Must Read

Agatha Christie has written some fantastic murder mysteries. ‘And Then There Were None’ is one of her best. First published in 1939 this novel is timeless. This book is the evidence that Agatha Christie is the queen of mystery! Agatha Christie, described ‘And Then There Were None’ as the most difficult of her books to write. I don’t doubt that statement.

The plot: Ten people receive a letter of invitation to a remote island from someone they don’t know. After arriving, they try to figure out the connection between them. They find a framed copy of a nursery rhyme, “Ten Little Niggers” in every room. They decide they will leave when the ferry comes back to take them back. Each guest suddenly starts getting killed/died. They find that the way that each of them was being killed was according to a poem. Who is doing everything and Why!

It is a remarkable reading. The plot will keep you bound to the book. I still have a blurred memory of my first reading. I felt trapped as those people on that island. I have been always a fan of Agatha Christie. I started reading her books when I was 13 or 14. Since then I have been a fan and I have recommended her books to every reader I met. Now I recommend ‘And Then There Were None’ to you too. It is a wonderful page turner.

Ten Little Niggers/Ten Little Indians

It was first published in the United Kingdom by the Collins Crime Club on 6 November 1939, as Ten Little Niggers. The title was taken from the children’s counting out rhyme ‘Ten Little Indians’ (1869). The revised title ‘And Then There Were None’, is also taken from the same song. Yes, this song has something to do with this novel.

“Ten little Indian boys went out to dine;
One choked his little self and then there were nine.
Nine little Indian boys sat up very late;
One overslept himself and then there were eight.
…
Two little Indian boys sitting in the sun;
One got frizzled up and then there was one.
One little Indian boy left all alone;
He went and hanged himself and then there were none.”

The book is said to be world’s best-selling mystery novel, with over 100 million copies sold. Read it, you will know why.