Member Reviews

In Christie's 'And Then There Were None' 10 people are lured to an island off the coast of Devon. They have all committed a crime but have not faced justice. One by one they are killed. Who is the killer? Christie's brilliant plot guards the identity of the killer and in this edition the reader is invited to guess who it is before the ending is revealed,
The plot and island setting has several modern imitators but no-one does it quite like Chistie - the Queen of Crime.
A masterpiece.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

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An absolute classic, probably one of the best mysteries ever written.

Ten people are invited to Soldier Island under various guises, they have all been written to by the mysterious Mr Owen, once they are all assembled a a recording is played accusing them of various crimes. One by one people start to die.

Timeless

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And Then There Were None is widely regarded as one of Agatha Christie’s finest works, and it’s not hard to see why. The story is a masterclass in suspense and tension, bringing together ten strangers who are gradually picked off in accordance with a sinister nursery rhyme. With each murder, the noose tightens as paranoia sets in, and everyone starts to suspect one another.

One of the novel's great strengths is how Christie manages to give each of the characters enough depth and distinct traits that they stand out, despite the fact that they’re all doomed from the start. Each is guilty of a crime, whether through malice, negligence, or circumstance, and the island becomes a place where justice is served—though not in any form they could have imagined. The isolated setting creates an eerie atmosphere, amplifying the sense of entrapment as the characters' numbers dwindle.

What makes And Then There Were None so brilliant is how Christie plays with the reader’s expectations. The pace of the killings, the growing paranoia, and the way in which she drops clues and red herrings ensure that you’re constantly trying to solve the puzzle, second-guessing yourself until the final shocking twist. Even those familiar with the conventions of the mystery genre may find themselves surprised by the end.

The nursery rhyme motif that runs throughout the novel is a stroke of genius, adding a darkly playful tone to the unfolding horror. Every death mirrors the verses in the rhyme, creating a grim sense of inevitability that keeps you turning the pages. The methodical nature of the murders and the underlying question of whether there’s any justice being served make this much more than a simple whodunnit—it’s a haunting exploration of guilt, accountability, and fate. The fact that we're left unsure of some people's guilt or innocence adds an uneasy layer to the story. Christie's writing style is notably direct and to the point, eschewing the in-depth character development and world-building often found in modern fiction.

This particular edition, with its sealed letter revealing the solution only after the reader finishes, adds an interactive element, making the experience feel almost like a puzzle that you’re invited to solve alongside the characters. Even if you’ve read the story before, this version adds a fresh layer of fun.

For recommendations:

Book: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides – For its psychological tension and masterfully built suspense with a surprising twist.
Movie: Clue (1985) – For a murder mystery with a twist of dark comedy and an isolated setting where the cast is whittled down one by one.

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This is an original and old-fashioned Agatha Christie book, and the twist is that you don't find out who did it until you have made a guess as to the identity of the murderer.
I have never worked out the villain in an Agatha Christie book yet, but a fun concept for readers who might enjoy this concept.

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Agatha Christie at her best!
A gripping, complicated murder mystery set on Soldier Island. Ten guests invited who have played some part in a murder in the past. One by one they are all murdered.
To find out the identity of the murderer, there is a sealed envelope in the back of the book with the final chapter. Will you guess right?
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for an ARC.

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I am not going to review this, I was expecting a reimagining of the novel as a murder mystery, not a simple reprint with the end cut off.

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I don't read a lot of mysteries but I love this book. The setting is haunting and I was gripped till the end

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I watched the series of this ages ago but I couldn’t remember what happened so it was fun trying to figure out the killer all over again.

A select group of individuals are invited to Soldier Island. But not for the purpose they think and one by one, they meet their demise. I will say at the start it was abit confusing. A lot of characters with backstories, it was hard to keep track but I feel like this was done on purpose so you couldn’t figure out who the killer was too quickly. But such a great story with twists turns and really gets you thinking on every page. The killer isn’t who you think but it is who you think. They are in plain sight but hidden as well. Brilliant book.

I absolutely loved this edition. Being given the whole book except the last chapter such a unique experience. This reprint adds a twist with an electronic reveal; I imagine the hard copy edition with the solution in the envelope will be a gem. Such a Christiesque thing to do. Brilliant, sneaky and mysterious.

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Even though I have read the previous iteration of this many years ago I could not remember what happened so I got to enjoy it all over again.

There are many characters and initially it was difficult to keep track of who they were and what they had done, intentional I am sure.

A very clever story as one would expect from this very great author. I liked the quirky qr code and vote for the final chapter. It added extra anticipation and a bit of added interest.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the DRC

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An engrossing mystery novel where ten strangers meet on an island. All have caused the death of others in the past lives and one of their number goes about bumping them off until there are none. I didn’t guess the killer…

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And Then There Were None was the very first Agatha Christie book that I read and it is still my absolute favourite. She was a fantastic writer and it is so sad that there will never be any new stories from her. Still, it was lovely to revisit this wonderful story again, thank you NetGalley and the publishers.

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Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None is a literary masterpiece that has captivated readers for generations. While the language can be challenging due to its historical context, the remarkable depth and complexity of the narrative truly shine through. The effort and meticulous thought that Christie put into crafting this story is nothing short of extraordinary.

The intricacies of the plot and the attention to detail elevate this mystery to one of the best in literary history. Each character is meticulously developed, with layers that gradually unfold as the story progresses, drawing readers into a web of suspense and intrigue. Christie’s ability to weave together the various threads of the plot creates an engaging experience that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

The setting—an isolated island with a chilling atmosphere—serves as a perfect backdrop for the unfolding drama. As tensions rise and the stakes grow higher, the sense of dread becomes palpable. The carefully constructed narrative leads to an unexpected and thrilling conclusion, solidifying the book's status as a classic.

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I first read this probably some 50 years ago and reading it again reminded me why Agatha Christie’s books have endured. This is a true crime classic, it’s a premise which has proved the basis for numerous books, plays and films since. A select group of individuals are invited to Soldier Island. But not for the purpose they think and one by one, they meet their demise. The story is so carefully crafted; Christie writes with elegance which hardly seems dated in many respects. It’s easy to visualise her characters and her motivations are appropriate. This reprint adds a twist with an electronic reveal; I imagine the hard copy edition with the solution in the envelope will be a gem.

I really enjoyed this and it’s prompted me to look again at a few more of her titles, just an amazing author. .

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I really enjoyed this one and it put my detective skills to the test! Although I had heard a lot about this classic I had never engaged and this this would be the perfect opportunity!

I managed to guess the culprit correctly which is always a confidence boost!

Overall a solid classic murder mystery

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Well that was a fun read.

Didn’t expect to enjoy the story that much. Probably because I am still constantly reminded of how much my family did not enjoy Mousetrap when I booked us West End tickets a couple of years backs.

Anyway, very easy and enjoyable read.
And the little digital scan & reveal at the end was a very nice modern twist on a classic.

Thank You NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for a Review Copy.

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And Then There Were None tells the story of a group of ten strangers who are all summoned to Soldier Island for the weekend. A strange message is played to the group, letting them know that they are united by having committed misdemeanours in their past. One by one, the guests are murdered in line with the nursery rhyme in each of their bedrooms. Soon, there will be none left alive, but who has cleverly planned and carried out these murders?

This is the ultimate murder mystery! I can't believe that I've never read an Agatha Christie book before; this may be my first but certainly won't be my last.

I absolutely whizzed through this book, devouring every word. It is so well written, especially considering it's age, it has certainly stood the test of time.

This edition is a re-released version, The Ultimate Mystery Edition, which contains the final solution in a sealed envelope. This is such a great extra touch and is totally in keeping with the theme of the book.

My thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.

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I'm sure I've seen And Then There Were None on TV and maybe also read the book but fortunately did not remember the ending so really enjoyed this short book by Agatha Christie written in 1939.

Eight people are summoned to an island where they find Mr and Mrs Rogers who are working for the owners. After a shock voice broadcasts a chilling message to all ten of them it quickly becomes apparent that no one, including the Rogers', has actually met the new owner of the island.

There are ten little china dolls who seem to represent the characters in the sinister poem Ten Little Soldiers which is displayed in the property. Seemingly mimicking the poem the ten guests soon start to die one by one. With so many characters I found it hard to remember who was who and what their past story was. In the end I made notes and it was easier. I really enjoyed the constant mysteries and did not successfully guess the ending.

This new edition has a little gimmick in that the final chapter is to be concealed in an envelope on the back cover. For the digital version I was reading I had to email to get the final chapter. I was also invited to name the killer but I got that wrong. That was fun but also a little frustrating as the final chapter came in image form which I couldn't read on my Kindle as the contrast between the text and background was poor and I was unable to increase the size of the text to make it readable. I was able to find a laptop on to read it.

With thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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A Flourishing Touch…
A glorious new edition of the classic murder mystery. A group of people, seemingly strangers, are tricked into coming to stay in a large house on a remote island. Murders begin...one by one...it seems, in order of their own personal guilt, culminating, finally, with the murder of the most culpable. The mounting tension and ominous feeling of intense claustrophobia is palpable throughout the book. In the new hardcover edition the final solution to this fiendish mystery will be secreted in an envelope at the back of the book. Can you solve the crime correctly? A flourishing touch for a perfect murder mystery.

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Accidentally left the wrong review before from a different book! Heres the right one.

I loved this book. I have read this before and it was the perfect re read, enjoyed as much as the first time I read it. I love all the twists and turns in this book. It's a perfect who did it. . Highly recommended.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity.

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And Then There Were None is the classic mystery that reminds us all why Agatha Christie is still known as the "Queen of Crime." Originally published in 1939, the story follows ten strangers invited to a remote island, where they are killed one by one, following the pattern of a creepy nursery rhyme. Trapped with no escape, the survivors try to figure out who the killer is before they're all gone.

I love the interactive twist, asking us to guess the murderer before revealing the final chapter!!

This was a fast-paced and engaging read, perfect for those who enjoy puzzles, mysteries, and psychological thrillers. Whether you’re new to Christie or a long-time fan, this is an absolute must-read!

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