![]() How to explain its perennial popularity? It’s a gripping page-turner, of course, and there is the shock value of its plot twist for those unfamiliar with the story. Oliver Reed points the pistol of guilt at Elke Sommer in the 1974 film adaptation. The twin pyschological torments of guilt and suspicion are recorded in just enough detail in this short but satisfying volume. After fruitlessly searching the island for the mysterious Mr Owen, they have to acknowledge that the unknown assailant is in fact one of their number. The remaining guests realise that the killer is murdering them according to the sinister nursery rhyme displayed in each of their rooms. The first guest dies soon afterwards of poisoning, and others swiftly follow. ![]() Using a prerecorded gramophone, Owen accuses each of his guests of past murders that the law was unable to punish, and promises to avenge the victims. Once there, they realise that none of them know their unseen host, who has identified himself only as AN Owen. Ten unrelated strangers are invited to spend the weekend on this island just off the English coast. This is the epitome of the locked-room or country mansion mystery, even though the actual location is a whole island, cut off from the mainland by a storm. You may not have forgotten its ingenious solution, which really shocks first-time readers, but you will be gripped anew by the claustrophobic atmosphere and the masterly manipulation of a broad cast of characters. It’s a chilling psychological thriller with no likeable characters and no comfortable solutions. Another distinguishing feature is that it does not feature either Miss Marple nor Hercule Poirot, and in fact it’s not cosy at all. That has not prevented it from being translated using words equating to ‘blacks’ or ‘indians’ in other languages. ![]() This title was soon deemed too offensive and changed to And Then There Were None. The book is also notorious for its controversial original title, Ten Little Niggers (or Indians), named after a vaudeville song which is key to the plot. The original was considered too grim during World War II, although it follows the good old tradition of Shakespeare’s tragedies, strewn with corpses. With over 100 million copies sold worldwide, it’s said to be the best-selling crime novel of all time and is generally regarded as the most technically accomplished Golden Age mystery.įirst published in 1939, it was adapted for stage by Christie herself in 1943, albeit with a happier ending. This classic novel doesn’t need much by way of introduction – it’s just been voted the most popular Agatha Christie book ever.
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