#ReadChristie2021: August - And Then There Were None

 August meant it was another Agatha Christie read for me, and I was really torn over which book I was going to choose!  

The prompt for August was: a story set by the seaside

The official Agatha Christie choice was Midsummer Murders, but I really wanted to get stuck into a novel, so I had a little look at the other options out there. Two of my absolute favourite Christies were on that list - Evil Under the Sun and And Then There Were None. 

It's been a while since I've read both, and I really couldn't decide which to return to. A huge thank you to everyone on bookstagram for helping me finally settle on And Then There Were None! 

There's a reason why this is one of the most famous and most popular of Christie's novels. The idea is so interesting and so well executed that it really stands the test of time. I enjoyed it just as much this time reading as I did the first time. 

My full wrap-up is below. You can find more information about the #ReadChristie campaign on the official Agatha Christie website.

The Idea

Agatha Christie is so clearly a fan of a riddle or rhyme to base a story on. One, Two, Buckle My Shoe, A Pocket Full of Rye and Hickory Dickory Dock are just a few examples! The idea for And Then There Were None is similar, based off a rhyme that helps to tell the story of the crime. 

It would be so easy for such stories to be a little simplistic and disappointing, but I find that Christies does them so well. She knew how best to highlight the fun in the rhymes, but build them into really interesting stories. And Then There Were None has to be the most iconic, and that's because it paved the way for so many similar thrillers, showing how to push the boundaries of a murder mystery.

The Story

And what a story it is. Each little detail is perfectly executed, in a way that all comes full circle and wraps up perfectly. The narrative, focusing on past misdemeanours as well as the present, really takes the reader on a journey that's atmospheric, tense, and fast-paced. 

Watching each death is (morbidly) very enjoyable, because the build up is so significant and fun. There's the little tease of the rhyming couplets, and the pay-off felt incredibly satisfying every time. But obviously, watch out for the little red herring...

The Characters

I think one of my favourite parts of this book is how easy it is to read. There need to be enough substantial characters to pull the story off, but with that comes the danger that it'll be too confusing to follow. However, each character is given just enough attention that they are easy to follow, and it doesn't take too long to be invested in the story. 

It's an unusual one, because it's hard to root for any characters when it is indicated that they are all going to die. Yet I did have particular favourites. Philip Lombard and Vera Claythorne were two who I found myself really rooting for, in a hopeless kind of way. It's a testament to Christie's writing that I was still endeared towards certain characters in such a short book with limited attention on each!

Overall Rating

Rating: ✫✫✫✫✫

I know this was a re-read, but it's absolutely five stars for me. Every time I read it, I find it more and more enjoyable. The idea is fun and original, the story is fast-paced and engaging, and the characters are diverse and interesting. But more than that, this story is a classic because of its influence on other books of the genre. This is a must for any crime fiction or thriller fan.