Title: And Then There Were None (originally The Ten Little Indians)

Author: Agatha Christie

Series: Stand-alone

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 272 Pages (Paperback)

Original Publication Date: November 6, 1939

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Summary from Goodreads

First, there were ten–a curious assortment of strangers summoned as weekend guests to a private island off the coast of Devon. Their host, an eccentric millionaire unknown to all of them, is nowhere to be found. All that the guests have in common is a wicked past they’re unwilling to reveal–and a secret that will seal their fate. For each has been marked for murder, and one by one they begin to fall prey to an unseen hand. As the only people on the island, unable to leave and unable to call for help, they know that the only possible suspects are among their number. And only the dead are above suspicion.

My Thoughts

While I was a Freshman in college, I had the chance to see the play. I absolutely loved the play because I’ve always loved the story. However, because it had been so long since I read the book (some time in middle school or high school), I completely forgot what happened. While I was reading the book, I thought of the play as well as another book. And, when I got to the end of the main story, read the Epilogue and the letter from the murderer, I wasn’t positive whether I’d actually read the book. 8O I didn’t realize the book and the play ended differently. It was such a huge surprise!

I’ve been reading about the history of the book, which I think is fascinating. There have been four titles because of the racial controversy of the original title and the subsequent ones. The book I’m pretty sure I originally read and the play I saw in college was called The Ten Little Indians. The book has been made into a couple of movies as well as the play. Agatha Christie based the book on the song “10 Little Injuns” by Septimus Winner.

Ten little Injuns standin’ in a line,
One toddled home and then there were nine;

Nine little Injuns swingin’ on a gate,
One tumbled off and then there were eight.

One little, two little, three little, four little, five little Injun boys,
Six little, seven little, eight little, nine little, ten little Injun boys.

Eight little Injuns gayest under heav’n.
One went to sleep and then there were seven;

Seven little Injuns cuttin’ up their tricks,
One broke his neck and then there were six.

Six little Injuns all alive,
One kicked the bucket and then there were five;

Five little Injuns on a cellar door,
One tumbled in and then there were four.

Four little Injuns up on a spree,
One got fuddled and then there were three;

Three little Injuns out on a canoe,
One tumbled overboard and then there were two.

Two little Injuns foolin’ with a gun,
One shot t’other and then there was one;

One little Injun livin’ all alone,
He got married and then there were none.

I love Agatha Christie’s version of the poem the murderer uses to kill his victims.  And, for your enjoyment as a teaser, I’ve included it in my post:

Ten little Indian boys went out to dine;
One choked his little self and then there were nine.

Nine little Indian boys sat up very late;
One overslept himself and then there were eight.

Eight little Indian boys travelling in Devon;
One said he’d stay there and then there were seven.

Seven little Indian boys chopping up sticks;
One chopped himself in halves and then there were six.

Six little Indian boys playing with a hive;
A bumblebee stung one and then there were five.

Five little Indian boys going in for law;
One got in Chancery and then there were four.

Four little Indian boys going out to sea;
A red herring swallowed one and then there were three.

Three little Indian boys walking in the zoo;
A big bear hugged one and then there were two.

Two little Indian boys sitting in the sun;
One got frizzled up and then there was one.

One little Indian boy left all alone;
He went and hanged himself and then there were none.

If you’ve never read the book, you really should. It’s very suspenseful and a lot of fun.