“And Then There Were None” is a classic mystery novel by Agatha Christie, published in 1939. The book is widely regarded as one of her best works and a masterpiece of suspense. It tells the tale of ten strangers invited to a secluded island, each with a dark secret and a past they want to forget. Soon, they find themselves caught in a deadly game, each accused of crimes they committed in the past. The story explores themes of guilt, justice, and the inescapable nature of one’s sins.
Arrival at Soldier Island
Ten individuals receive mysterious invitations to Soldier Island, a remote location off the coast of Devon, England. The guests are:
- Justice Lawrence Wargrave – a retired judge
- Vera Claythorne – a schoolteacher
- Philip Lombard – a former soldier
- Emily Brent – a religious woman
- General John Macarthur – a retired army officer
- Dr. Edward Armstrong – a doctor
- William Henry Blore – a former police officer
- Anthony Marston – a wealthy playboy
- Thomas Rogers – the butler
- Ethel Rogers – the maid and Thomas’s wife
Each person accepts the invitation for different reasons, but none of them knows the host, U.N. Owen, which is a play on the word “Unknown.”
The Strange Accusations
As they settle in on the island, the guests notice ten little soldier figurines on the dining table, which resemble a nursery rhyme called “Ten Little Soldiers.” After dinner, a gramophone recording plays, accusing each guest of a serious crime they allegedly committed but evaded justice for. The accusations are shocking and make each guest feel uneasy and exposed. They begin to realize that they were brought to the island not for a vacation, but as part of a plan for retribution.
The First Deaths
The following day, Tony Marston suddenly collapses and dies after drinking a poisoned cocktail. His death shocks the group, but they initially believe it was an accident. However, when the guests notice that one of the soldier figurines on the table has disappeared, they start to believe in a sinister connection to the nursery rhyme.
Later, Mrs. Rogers, the maid, is found dead in her sleep. The guests begin to realize that someone is killing them according to the rhyme. Panic and suspicion grow as they realize the deaths might continue until they are all gone.
Paranoia and Growing Tension
The guests, now aware that the killer is among them, start questioning and suspecting one another. Each of them has a dark secret connected to the crimes they are accused of, and this adds tension and mistrust to the group. General Macarthur is killed next, found dead by the sea. The remaining guests are now certain that their lives are in immediate danger.
Justice Wargrave takes charge, and the group decides to search the island for a possible hiding place, believing that someone else may be on the island. However, they find nothing, and it becomes evident that the killer is one of them.
The Deaths Continue
The next victim is Mr. Rogers, the butler, who is found dead while chopping wood. The guests now start to turn on each other, with suspicion mounting and nerves fraying. Emily Brent, the religious woman, soon dies as well, apparently poisoned with a syringe.
With each death, another soldier figurine disappears from the dining table, symbolizing the fate of the remaining guests. They realize that the killer is following the verses of the nursery rhyme precisely. The remaining guests try to stay awake and vigilant, but they are filled with paranoia, knowing they cannot trust anyone.
The Final Four
With only four guests left, the tension is at its highest. Justice Wargrave is the next to be found dead, shot in the head while wearing a judge’s wig, seemingly symbolizing a twisted form of justice. The three remaining guests—Vera Claythorne, Philip Lombard, and Dr. Armstrong—become increasingly desperate and suspicious of each other.
One night, Dr. Armstrong goes missing, and Vera and Lombard assume that he must be the killer. However, when Dr. Armstrong’s body washes up on shore the next day, they realize they were wrong, and the killer is still among them.
The Last Two: Vera and Lombard
Only Vera and Lombard remain alive. Both are tense and ready to kill the other if necessary. In a final confrontation, Vera manages to take Lombard’s gun and shoots him, believing him to be the murderer. Alone and exhausted, Vera returns to the house, relieved that the ordeal seems to be over.
The Twist Ending
Once inside, Vera sees the last soldier figurine and feels a strange compulsion to re-enact the final line of the nursery rhyme, which ends with “and then there were none.” In a trance-like state, she hangs herself, bringing the tale to a shocking end.
The Final Revelation
After the police arrive and investigate the scene, they are baffled by the mysterious deaths and the absence of any living suspects. They discover a letter in a bottle thrown into the sea, which reveals that Justice Wargrave planned and orchestrated the murders as a twisted form of justice. Wargrave, who had a strong sense of right and wrong, wanted to punish those who had escaped justice. He carefully arranged each murder and faked his own death to carry out his plan. In his last act, he left a record of his motives and actions.
Main Points of the Summary
- Arrival on Soldier Island: Ten strangers are invited to a secluded island, each with a dark past.
- Accusations and Unease: A gramophone recording accuses each guest of crimes, creating tension and suspicion.
- The Murders Begin: Guests start dying according to a nursery rhyme, with each death reflecting a line from the poem.
- Growing Paranoia: The survivors become increasingly distrustful, realizing the killer is among them.
- The Final Confrontation: As the numbers dwindle, Vera Claythorne and Philip Lombard face off in a final showdown.
- Shocking Conclusion: Vera hangs herself, believing she has survived the killer’s game.
- The Twist Ending: A confession reveals that Justice Wargrave planned the murders as a twisted form of justice.
Conclusion
“And Then There Were None” remains one of Agatha Christie’s most compelling works, a chilling exploration of justice, guilt, and the darkness within. With a perfectly crafted plot and a shocking twist, it leaves readers questioning the true meaning of justice and the nature of guilt. Each character’s backstory and personality add depth to the mystery, making it a timeless piece that has captivated readers for decades. The novel’s unique structure and suspenseful pacing continue to inspire and intrigue audiences, proving Christie’s mastery in the genre of mystery.