Book Club

Non-Series Novels & Stories

For those of you wanting to discuss Agatha Christie's standalone books, such as And Then There Were None. 

Beware spoilers and remember we'll be able to add the most insightful comments to the stories section. 

If you can't find your favourite one, don't worry, we'll be adding them in the coming weeks.

Warning: These discussions may contain spoilers!

And Then There Were None

Jemma 05 Sep 09 at 12:14 p.m. GMT

Acknowledged as one of Christie's best novels, this complex plot challenges the reader like no other.

Did you, as the reader, pick up on the carefully planted clues or simply guess at the character who was psychologically most likely to be the killer?

Did the outward lack of commonality of the people assembled on Indian Island confuse you as the reader? Is it possible to guess at why they have been singled out for murder?

When the novel was adapted for the screen, critics complained that the film had not stuck to the book. It was soon realised that Christie herself had written this "new" ending. Which is better?

When has a nursery rhyme ever been that sinister?!

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74 replies

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avicker 27 Jan 12 at 4:13 p.m. GMT

This was my first Agatha Christie book.  I loved it way back then and it's still my favorite today. I could read it over and over and over. 

mumbojumbo 24 Jan 12 at 1:33 p.m. GMT

Regarding the movies, I have seen two of them, the 1945 and the one from the 70s where the are in the mountains and I think that they both fail to capture the dark angle of the book partly because of the change in the ending but also because of the general atmosphere.

In my opinion this is one of AC's darkest books, along with Crooked House but for different reasons. In ATTWN all characters are villains, 9 of them have gotten away with murder with most of them feeling no remorse at all, the other one is a sadistic self appointed executioner. The lead female character is a child murderer, the lead male character has killed more than 20 people and feels absolutely no remorse. Yet at times I found myself sympathising with those people. The confession letter at the end is amazing at capturing the reasoning of a twisted mind.

A few years ago in London, they put on a play based on the book where they kept the original ending (unfortunately I did not manage to see it). I hope that they will make a new movie with the original ending, I would love to whatch that.

Swati_GGN_India 20 Jan 12 at 2:19 p.m. GMT

This book was one of the first few Agatha Christie books I read. Although I have read a lot many after that and sometimes not able to recall the stories by name, but this book is one such book that I can visualise the story once I hear or read the nameeven after so many years. Such is the effect of this book. One of Christie's best and a must read and must have for all Agatha Christie fans.

jakat 28 Nov 11 at 5:17 a.m. GMT

this is the 2nd best novel ever i cant belive that the doctor was so stupid to help the killer fake his death 

wsded 26 Nov 11 at 1:16 a.m. GMT

Personally I prefer the ending in the book, however being a motion picture the producers probably believed, as they still seem to, that the public cannot handle the ending as it was written and changed it to smooth our poor nerves.

Epsilon14 08 Nov 11 at 7:35 a.m. GMT

Oh god! I have heard this nursery rhyme but never thought it would be this bad. The ending of the book was too good but the ending letter left me baffled. This is the best book I have ever read. A true masterpiece.

kavya12 27 Oct 11 at 8:15 a.m. GMT

i thought that agatha christies poirot stories were the best but when i read and then there were none my impression changed. i loved the book.

PeterAM 24 Oct 11 at 9:09 a.m. GMT

I just received an e-mail form Harper Collins, informing me that they cancelled the publication of "and then there were none" in the facsimile edition. A lot of people are / were collectioning these volumens in order to acquire the entire collection and are very dissapointed. Is there anything we could do as a group of Agatha Christie fans to make them change their minds?

Would be great though.

murder_is_easy123 16 Oct 11 at 9:55 a.m. GMT

I love And then there were none!  I was in an all-male teenage production of it at my school (I had to become Emily Brent!)

My favourite adaptations have to be the 1965 and 1974 films.  Take my advice and definitely avoid the 1989 film.  Although it's OK, it is not as good as these two!

de_misteri 14 Oct 11 at 8:22 a.m. GMT

Why are all the forums filled with selling stuff!?!?!?

sonia24 26 Sep 11 at 10:03 p.m. GMT

hi every one i have the game AND THEN THERE WERE NONE AND I NEED SOME CLUES CAN SOME BODY HELP ME 

CaTEyeS 23 Sep 11 at 7:04 a.m. GMT

ِAnd There were none !

it's my 2nd Favoraite novel of Agatha..

Did you, as the reader, pick up on the carefully planted clues or simply guess at the character who was psychologically most likely to be the killer?

Yes I did, and was  almost sure about it!

But I change my mind after some events..

After all, this the most interestig point in agatha's novels..

azumangadaioh 20 Sep 11 at 1:39 p.m. GMT

I heard the plot of this book from a classmate, and I somehow got interested. Then I looked for this book in bookstores, but I couldn't find it. Luckily I was able to buy one from ebay, and after reading it, I can say this is one of Agatha Christie's best mysteries. A very good book with such an unexpected ending--a real twist.

Quension 15 Sep 11 at 10:49 a.m. GMT

My elder brother bought this book in 1999 or 1998. I was 12-13 years old. "Bro, you got to read this novel" he said. I replied, "okay okay". I had started reading the book unwillingly but as soon as I finished the book; she made me her fan. I said to myself "How could a person type these kinds of bad things in a way which is kind of extraordinary" This is the first Agatha book ever I have read. Actually, I can't say that this book's my favourite; because my favourite book is "Death comes as the end" but this is really amazing. I have 2 different editions of the book though :)

Read more about this story: And Then There Were None

ace_of_spades 08 Aug 11 at 2 a.m. GMT

I love watching old black and white movies, so after seeing the dramatic 1945 version of And Then There Were None, I was determined to read Christie's work. The novel itself was much superior, forever mysterious with twists and turns that I hadn't seen coming, and I was spellbound until the end! Over the years I have read most of her novels... Christie still has me under her spell!

MsBuckley 24 Jul 11 at 2:29 p.m. GMT

popbubble

I personally think that Vera was a little bit mad!!! It was a bit weird that I suspected almost everyone to be the killer, except the actual killer!!! The book soooo good. I think that it is one of the BEST books AC ever wrote. I like the way that she uses the rhyme for the story line. The end is quite sad though!!!      

I agree!

MsBuckley 24 Jul 11 at 2:28 p.m. GMT

This was my first book of hers. Completely amazing, by the way! Since the begining I suspected of Judge Wargrave, he was so calm all the time, in such a situation, I don't know if I'd be calm like that, and he knew so much about the happening! Anyways, the plot is fantastic, I almost cried when Vera killed Lombard! If she knew how much he loved her, I bet she did like him too. Incredibly amusing, thrilling and sensational, another of Agatha's masterpiece. And the part where Scotland Yard finds the letter from Lawrence, just amazing. 

agathasgreatestfan 24 Jul 11 at 12:13 p.m. GMT

Although I am a genuine fan - this book is flawed.  How can we continue to suspect Vera, when the judge was left alive downstairs (just before his death).  Vera goes upstairs, screams (seaweed alert) and the others run after her . . . .  she could not have killed the judge

anitneil 24 Jul 11 at 11:53 a.m. GMT

i had a huge respect for poirot and miss marple. but now the person i respect more is Wargrave. can't wait to see the movie

popbubble 15 Jul 11 at 6:05 p.m. GMT

I personally think that Vera was a little bit mad!!! It was a bit weird that I suspected almost everyone to be the killer, except the actual killer!!! The book soooo good. I think that it is one of the BEST books AC ever wrote. I like the way that she uses the rhyme for the story line. The end is quite sad though!!!