And Then There Were None, Agatha Christie, 1939
My favorite quote: “Oh, yes. I’ve no doubt in my own mind that we have been invited here by a madman — probably a dangerous homicidal lunatic.” (A dangerous homicidal lunatic YOU created, Agatha Christie!)
Notable characters: William Henry Blore, the PI; Isaac Morris, the owner of the island; Edward Armstrong, the doctor; Emily Brent, the spinster; General MacArthur; the retired war her; Philip Lombard, the mercenary; Vera Claythorne, the former governess; Mr. Justice Wargrave, the retired judge; Thomas Rogers, the Butler; Ethel Rogers, the housekeeper; Anthony Martson, the careless young buck … and very bad driver
Most memorable scene: For me, it was when the record comes on, accusing each of the guests of their crimes. I was like, ‘Whoa … someone needs to mind their business.’ Then I was like, ‘Whoa … everyone on this island is a horrible person.’ That’s just one great scene, though. And Then There Were None is memorable throughout
Greatest strengths: No one can hide a killer in plain sight like Agatha Christie can. There’s a reason she’s the “Queen of Crime.” Even so, she outdoes herself in And Then There Were None
Standout achievements: And Then There Were None, like many of Agatha Christie’s other books, somehow manages to be both cozy and macabre — a rare feat in a genre that’s often a little too “cute” for my tastes. I mean, it IS murder, after all … I’m glad Agatha Christie appreciates that
Fun Facts: Described by Agatha Christie herself as the most difficult novel she ever wrote, And Then There Were None is the world’s best-selling mystery novel and the sixth best-selling title in any language with over 100 million copies sold
Other media: The radio, television, stage, play, and film adaptations of And Then There Were None are too numerous to get into, but my personal favorite is the 1945 version starring Barry Fitzgerald, June Duprez, and Walter Huston. It ends a little differently than Agatha Christie’s book (and I prefer her version of events) but it’s a good movie
What it taught me: From Agatha Christie in general, and And Then There Were None in particular, I’ve learned various ways of concealing my villains in situations where the baddies might be anyone
How it inspired me: And Then There Were None is the first Agatha Christie novel I ever read, which set me on my path as a lifelong fan of her work, and it remains one of my all-time favorite books ever
Additional thoughts: And Then There Were None is one of the few books I’ve reread again and again, and every time, I’m still somehow shocked by the big reveal. I don’t know how that happens. I mean, it’s not like it’s going to somehow end differently this time, right?
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Alistair Cross 