ŷ������

A masterclass in locked room mysteries from the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie.

"It was my ambition to invent a murder that no one could solve …��.... I determined to commit not one murder, but murder on a grand scale".

On Soldier Island the deaths of the ten visitors coincides with the famous nursery rhyme ‘Ten Little Soldiers��, until "one little soldier boy was left all alone; he went and hanged himself and then there were none".

Intense, oh so clever, and gripping.

The Plot

I can provide a few insights to this book without spoiling the plot, the ultimate twist at the end, and the rationale. It is that good and brilliantly conceived.

For example, we know from the book title, that the killing spree continued over a few nights until there were ‘none��. In addition, all the guests were brought to the island sharing two things in common. First of all, they had all caused the death of someone else which is then revealed in front of the other guests, on the first night. All this using a gramophone message - I love it.

Secondly none of them had ever been found guilty of the crimes they committed. In some cases, it wasn’t even obvious that a crime had been committed at all. So how did the killer assemble these guests? none of whom knew each other, except the ‘Rogers��, a husband and wife team.

Invited by U.N Owen, cleverly disguising the fictious name ‘Unknown�� the killing spree starts with the death of Tony Marston who dies of cyanide poisoning after finishing his drink. His death is then followed by the death of the housekeeper, Mrs Rogers. As suspicion grows among the remaining eight people, more deaths occur even under the watchful eye of those 'trapped'. And in true Agatha Christie style everyone is portrayed at the potential killer. Afterall, they have all killed someone already!!!

Review and Comments

I will start with the great characterisation and the ten people stranded at Soldier Island. Whilst we don’t have an in-depth view of every character there is enough of the personality to make this such a great cast. They are all so different and relevant for the characteristics they exhibit.

Ten in total which may sound like a daunting number to follow through the story. I did it by their job title not their name!!! (Doctor, Housekeeper, Judge, and the General, to name but a few) and so could keep track easily enough plus we have effective signposting throughout if you lose a few before their time!!!.

The setting is wonderful. The island escape, and then stranded with no transport to flee. Although this has been done many times since, when it works it is superb.

If this had been an old house with creaking wood, and dark shadows, and heavily panelled walls there might have been more obvious signs for its new inhabitants that they were part of a murderous plot to even the scales of justice. But there were no dark corners. The house was the essence of modernity.

As AC says about the house ‘There was nothing hidden. Nothing concealed. It had no atmosphere about it’��. Somehow this was the most frightening thing of all.

If there is such a thing as the perfect crime novel, then this is it. A timeless book that set the bar extremely high in the ‘locked room mystery�� subgenre.

We have symbolism and clues everywhere. The most illogical logical puzzle where the reader can do nothing else but laud the plot twists, red herrings, and skillfully cunning plot that is meticulously planned. A very very clever book.