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Alejandro's Reviews > And Then There Were None

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
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it was amazing
bookshelves: novel, detective, horror

Extraordinary and gripping novel!

I knew that the best way to start reading the literary work by Agatha Christie was choosing her most known book. And There were none is the best-selling mystery novel of all time with 100 million of copies, and the fifth book in the list comprehending all genres. That is something to give to Agatha Christie the respect that she deserves.

Initially this novel on UK was titled Ten Little Niggers, only because the original nursery rhyme was called that but it was obviously seen as racist, then in USA was decided to change the title to Ten Little Indians, but again obviously as seen as racist again, so at the end the title was changed to And There were none, and the nursery rhyme inside the book was changed to "Ten Little Soldiers", curiously enough none member of any army so far as pointed out as racist that final change. I mean, the title was just because a widely known nursery rhyme and none character on the book was afro-american or native-american.

To this, I want to comment that it's lucky that not many children would had more nightmares since a lot of nursery rhymes have truly scary lyrics. No wonder in stuff like A Nightmare on Elm Street and Saphire and Steel were used nursery rhymes with truly scary effects.

Returning to the novel, it was a remarkable reading. Great atmosphere where you feel as trapped as those people on that island.

I want to comment that at some point I figured it out who was the murderer, don't worry, I won't tell it, and I have no doubt that some would say: "Oh, sure! I believe you Sherlock!". However I do indeed discovered it. This is not my first mystery story. I have read several books in the genre and I have watched a lot of TV shows like Murder, She Wrote, Columbo, Criminal Minds, CSI: Miami, etc... And while that doesn't turn me into a detective, in my defense, I knew who was only because I focused on the "why" and not the "how" that certainly I didn't know that. You can say that I did an amateur criminal profile and that helped me to have a suspect of my own that it resulted true. Also, I had some advantage for being Spanish speaking since there is a clue that only can be detected due that not matter that I read the novel on English, but taking in account the very detail that it's indeed a printed novel, I catched something and putting together some clues. Well, I figured it out. Believe or not. It doesn't matter.

Anyway, I think that many of the fun of reading this kind of mystery novels is trying to figure out the culprit during the process of reading the book. Not matter if you guess right or not, always it's rewarding when the mystery is explained. A delicious way to make your neurons to exercise.

Again, knowing who was, or at least thinking that I knew who was, since obviously I couldn't confirm it until reading the whole book, it didn't help me to know how everything was made until it was explained on the novel. Definitely, Agatha Christie is the queen of mystery!

Certainly, this novel isn't only a marvellous detective mystery book but also a truly scary horror story. Priceless setting for a scenario and fantastic twisted character developing.

Appendix: (July 23rd, 2014)

The clue that I found thanks that I am a born Spanish-language speaker:

WARNING!!! WARNING!!! WARNING!!! WARNING!!!

Read ONLY if you already read the novel, since this is a mega-spoiler telling who the culprit is!

I seldom put spoilers in my reviews, but I wrote this appendix basically since I was contacted by several readers asking me about the "big clue" and well, while I don't mind to share it, well, also I don't want to find out later that it was written down in some other review as theirs, taking in account that it seems that only me were the one who noticed that.

(view spoiler)

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Reading Progress

April 8, 2014 – Started Reading
April 8, 2014 – Shelved
April 10, 2014 – Shelved as: novel
April 10, 2014 – Shelved as: detective
April 10, 2014 – Shelved as: horror
April 10, 2014 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-50 of 65 (65 new)


message 1: by Henry (new) - added it

Henry Avila Good review,Alejandro. I too have read this book, being a fan of hers.She had class, in the sleazy genre of mystery novels.


Alejandro Henry wrote: "Good review,Alejandro. I too have read this book, being a fan of hers.She had class, in the sleazy genre of mystery novels."

Thanks! :)


message 3: by Tania (new)

Tania Cool review.


message 4: by Otherwyrld (new)

Otherwyrld Great review, and thanks for the call out on Sapphire & Steel, one of the all-time creepiest shows ever, and these days sadly neglected.


Jeff Terrific review, Alejandro! I would recommend Murder on the Orient Express or The Murder of Roger Ackroyd if you want to read some more Christie.


Anne Sleeping Murder was one of my favorite Christie novels besides Orient Express.


Tammie This is our book club pick for May so I'll be reading this soon. It's good to hear that you liked it.


Carol You must be an excellent detective to figure out the murderer in this one! Great review!


Alejandro Tania wrote: "Cool review."

Thanks, Tania!


Alejandro Otherwyrld wrote: "Great review, and thanks for the call out on Sapphire & Steel, one of the all-time creepiest shows ever, and these days sadly neglected."

Truly glad of finding anothe fan of that excellent sci-fi British show! I watched when I was a kid and I had nightmares!!! But still I keep watching it! ;)

Some years ago, I ordered the complete DVD Box with the whole TV series :D

Saphire and Steel rules!!!


Alejandro Eve wrote: "This was my first Agatha Christie book. I read it when I was 12. It lead to a ongoing obsession with her work. Love her!"

Cool, Eve! :D I have no doubt that I will develop a similar obsession from now on ;)


Alejandro Jeff wrote: "Terrific review, Alejandro! I would recommend Murder on the Orient Express or The Murder of Roger Ackroyd if you want to read some more Christie."

Hi, Jeff! Great minds! ;) Definitely I want to read those two books! :D Most likely I will read the first novel of Poirot first just to get to know better the character and then, definitely I'll read those two books.


Alejandro Anne wrote: "Sleeping Murder was one of my favorite Christie novels besides Orient Express."

Good to know! I will add it to the TBR book list!


Alejandro Tammie wrote: "This is our book club pick for May so I'll be reading this soon. It's good to hear that you liked it."

Awesome! I want to read your comments about the novel when you read it! :D


Alejandro Carol wrote: "You must be an excellent detective to figure out the murderer in this one! Great review!"

:P Hahaha, as I commented it, I focused on the "why" and my suspect was the only one who fit on the amateur profile :P Hehehe

Sometimes I am right, sometimes not, all part of the fun of reading detective novels ;)


Brenda Excellent review! I read this book many, many years ago, and you've convinced me to read it again, even though I remember the outcome.


Alejandro Brenda wrote: "Excellent review! I read this book many, many years ago, and you've convinced me to read it again, even though I remember the outcome."

That's cool. Definitely even if you remember the outcome I have no doubt that you will enjoy the re-reading experience :) In my case, I have quite good memory but it seems that I have an innate defense mechanism since sometimes when I am re-watching a movie, tv episode or novel, I tend to of not remembering who the culprit is! :P


Ivonne Rovira I, too, think you were a great detective, Alejandro. I sure didn't know who it was.


Alejandro Ivonne wrote: "I, too, think you were a great detective, Alejandro. I sure didn't know who it was."

Hehe ;) :P I was lucky, I think. And certainly while I picked the right suspect, definitely I hadn't a clue of how was done the things.


Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* Great review, it really is one of her best. I love the ending too and the wrap-up. The book really gets in your head after awhile, especially toward the end with the one woman's POV, very surreal feeling.


Gary A classic favorite.


Alejandro Gary wrote: "A classic favorite."

Great ;)


Alejandro Erin (Paperback Stash) wrote: "Great review, it really is one of her best. I love the ending too and the wrap-up. The book really gets in your head after awhile, especially toward the end with the one woman's POV, very surreal f..."

Thank you! Indeed it's a fantastic novel.


Florence (Lefty) MacIntosh What a great review Alejandro - had no idea you were a super sleuth!


Alejandro Florence (Lefty) wrote: "What a great review Alejandro - had no idea you were a super sleuth!"

Hahaha :P Thank you! I think I had luck this time!


Alejandro Cheryl wrote: "Great review, Alejandro. This is one of my favorite Christie mysteries."

Excellent to know! :)


Wendy Absolutely LOVE your review of this book, but to be honest I always enjoy reading your reviews. You are always spot on!


Alejandro Wendy wrote: "Absolutely LOVE your review of this book, but to be honest I always enjoy reading your reviews. You are always spot on!"

I appreciate a lot your kind comments. Truly glad that you enjoy to read my reviews. Thanks so much for reading them. :)


message 29: by Kim (new)

Kim Bailey Great review!


message 30: by Sharon (new)

Sharon Great review, Alejandro. I'm adding this one to my TBR :)


Alejandro Kim B wrote: "Great review!"

Thank you, Kim!


Alejandro Sharon wrote: "Great review, Alejandro. I'm adding this one to my TBR :)"


Thank you!

Excellent news! I'll hope that you'd enjoy it as much as me! :D


message 33: by Lela (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lela Excellent review as always! I'm a very long-time Christie fan. Read them all more than once! Her novels are classic! Because of her, I am a British mystery addict. She whisks me back in time and I love the journey! Haven't reread one of her books in ages. I think I will soon all because of you!


Ivonne Rovira Lela wrote: "Haven't reread one of her books in ages. I think I will soon all because of you! "

Good idea! I think I'll re-read this book, too, this summer. I read it decades ago, and I wonder how I'll feel about it when I know the resolution and now that so many years have gone by.


Alejandro Lela wrote: "Excellent review as always! I'm a very long-time Christie fan. Read them all more than once! Her novels are classic! Because of her, I am a British mystery addict. She whisks me back in time and..."

Thank you Lela. Wow! You read them all?! Excellent! :D I'm truly glad of "helping" you to consider to re-read them ;) At least the ones that you enjoy the most, I suppose :D


message 36: by Jonathan (new) - added it

Jonathan Peto I've been thinking of giving her a try for awhile now. Thanks for helping me find the one.


Alejandro Jonathan wrote: "I've been thinking of giving her a try for awhile now. Thanks for helping me find the one."

Hi, Jonathan. I think that indeed this is the best option to try the author if you haven't read her before.

Good reading!


message 38: by Lina (new) - rated it 5 stars

Lina Also, I had some advantage for being Spanish speaking since there is a clue that only can be detected due that not matter that I read the novel on English, but taking in account the very detail that it's indeed a printed novel, I catched something and putting together some clues.

Gaaaah, now you made me curious! >__< And it bugs me - I had three years of Spanish in school and I can't remember much and it seems I didn't catch anything related to that in the novel. Would you mind telling me? Otherwise I'll have to judge you, you know. *puts on judge robe* û_u


Ivonne Rovira Alejandro, may I suggest your next Agatha Christie novel? Either The Murder of Roger Ackroyd or 4:50 from Paddington.


Alejandro Ivonne wrote: "Alejandro, may I suggest your next Agatha Christie novel? Either The Murder of Roger Ackroyd or 4:50 from Paddington."

You may recommend as much as you wish, Ivonne ;)

I appreciate a lot your recommendations! I'll read those indeed. Hopefully in the near future! Thanks!


Alejandro Lina wrote: "Also, I had some advantage for being Spanish speaking since there is a clue that only can be detected due that not matter that I read the novel on English, but taking in account the very detail tha..."

Sure, Lina. I send you a friend-vite. It's not big deal that clue that I found but I'd wish to be fellow reader friends too.

Once reader friends, I will tell you about in a private message just to avoid spoil in an open message here.


Alejandro Lina wrote: "Also, I had some advantage for being Spanish speaking since there is a clue that only can be detected due that not matter that I read the novel on English, but taking in account the very detail tha..."

I decided to write an appendix with a "spoiler" warning, so you may read it there. Still I hope you may wish to accept the friend-vite.

Happy reading.


Alejandro Lauren Prye wrote: "One of my favorite Agatha Christie mysteries. Cool review :)"

Thanks, Lauren! ;)


Jokoloyo Excellent review, Alejandro. I read the spoiler at the end of review, and I am interested to check it myself. Thanks for the clue.


Alejandro Jokoloyo wrote: "Excellent review, Alejandro. I read the spoiler at the end of review, and I am interested to check it myself. Thanks for the clue."

Thank you! :D


Licha Aha! Cool deduction, Mr. Alejandro. Thanks for adding how you came to that conclusion.


Alejandro Licha wrote: "Aha! Cool deduction, Mr. Alejandro. Thanks for adding how you came to that conclusion."

Hi, Licha, until now I noticed your message here. Sorry for delaying so much for doing a reply.


Licha Never too late. No worries.


Arvind GB Short and fast. A good weekend novel


Alejandro Godan wrote: "Short and fast. A good weekend novel"

Yes, indeed it's quite a quick reading and quite enjoyable ;)

Thanks for your feedback!


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