And Then There Were None: A thrilling murder mystery by Agatha Christie, published in 1939 and inspired by the poem “Ten little soldier boys” by Frank Green. The story begins as ten strangers arrive on an island, all with one looming shadow hanging over them: they have all killed people, and they have all gotten away scot free. Among them is Vera Claythorne, the mysterious school teacher who drowned her boyfriend, Hugo’s, nephew, to grant him an inheritance. She is an example of the blurred line between murderer and victim, and despite her innocent introduction, she is eventually proved to be murderous. After a dinner and tense conversation, a recording begins to play that details each of the passenger's various crimes, shattering any sense of security shared amongst …show more content…
Agatha Christie foreshadows the murders from the beginning with the title and poem alone, yet she puts her own creative spin onto each victim's cause of death, and creates a thrilling world that seems so close to our own. Despite being nearly a century old, this novel certainly retains its ability to captivate readers. Christie makes the murder entirely solvable from the beginning, with a hint in each word everyone says, and yet your jaw is still hanging low as you read the final sentences. Christie's skill in character development is also a notable aspect of why her novels are so appealing. For example, Vera Claythornes gradual character development, from the innocent school teacher we see her as to the cold murderer she is revealed to be, are why Christie's characters are different from those of your average novel. Christie is the master of exposition, and knows just how to tap into the minds of her readers. This book shows us that the human race is flawed, but sometimes a murderous venture with a dramatic flair is all it takes to bring untold crimes to