Julie's Review: And Then There Were None

Summary: Considered the best mystery novel ever written by many readers, And is the story of 10 strangers, each lured to Indian Island by a mysterious host. Once his guests have arrived, the host accuses each person of murder. Unable to leave the island, the guests begin to share their darkest secrets--until they begin to die. ~amazon.com

Review: What is there to say about a book from the Queen of Mystery? A lot. I was first exposed to this book in 7th grade and I remember reading it and then watching the movie in class. I also remember calling it "Ten Little Indians" and not the new politically correct title. Nonetheless, And Then There Were None is a perfect mystery for the rainy weather we've had this week but you don't need that to be engrossed.

When I read this book back in 7th grade, I fell in love. It was my first introduction to mysteries and I was hooked. It's probably why mystery is a go to genre for me still. While I still enjoyed the book, I found the writing to be a bit old-fashioned. Not that I'd change that but, it was just something that stuck with me through the book.

What Ms. Christie does so well is make you think. I couldn't stop shifting my focus between the characters and wondering "who dunnit". She made each of the 10 so convincing as the murderer, that I kept changing my mind every other chapter.

There were so many things that came flooding back to me. The 10 little Indian china figurines that go missing either before or after someone dies. The reasons they were all collected and accused of. The little hints that are given to you throughout the book that hit you over the head at the end.

It is a masterful story and one that I'm pleased I read again. I will warn you, it is one of those books that reveals "who dunnit" in the very last page. So if you don't want to be spoiled, don't look. :)

I can't wait for my daughter to be old enough so I can introduce her to this book and maybe hook her on mysteries as well.

Final Take: 4/5