Pleasant Valley Library Online Book Group discussion

Post your thoughts and comments about Agatha Christie's classic mystery And Then There Were None here!

"First, there were ten—a curious assortment of strangers summoned as weekend guests to a little private island off the coast of Devon. Their host, an eccentric millionaire unknown to all of them, is nowhere to be found. All that the guests have in common is a wicked past they're unwilling to reveal—and a secret that will seal their fate. For each has been marked for murder. A famous nursery rhyme is framed and hung in every room of the mansion:

"'Ten little boys went out to dine; One choked his little self and then there were nine. Nine little boys sat up very late; One overslept himself and then there were eight. Eight little boys traveling in Devon; One said he'd stay there then there were seven. Seven little boys chopping up sticks; One chopped himself in half and then there were six. Six little boys playing with a hive; A bumblebee stung one and then there were five. Five little boys going in for law; One got in Chancery and then there were four. Four little boys going out to sea; A red herring swallowed one and then there were three. Three little boys walking in the zoo; A big bear hugged one and then there were two. Two little boys sitting in the sun; One got frizzled up and then there was one. One little boy left all alone; He went out and hanged himself and then there were none.'

"When they realize that murders are occurring as described in the rhyme, terror mounts. One by one they fall prey. Before the weekend is out, there will be none. Who has choreographed this dastardly scheme? And who will be left to tell the tale? Only the dead are above suspicion."

I just started the audiobook - it’s very well done! I may need to drive around extra to finish it up quickly!

A quick & engaging listen which I very much enjoyed. This was my first foray into Agatha Christie and will definitely listen to a few more. While I was not ultimately surprised by the perpetrator, I did not anticipate how the scheme would ultimately unfold,

Shannon wrote: "A quick & engaging listen which I very much enjoyed. This was my first foray into Agatha Christie and will definitely listen to a few more. While I was not ultimately surprised by the perpetrator, ..."

I'm re-reading the book now (haven't read it since I was a teen, so there are definitely some remembered parts but also other parts that I'd forgotten. It's definitely an absorbing puzzle!

I also ordered the eaudiobook version, so I'm looking forward to listening. What audio version did you get - who was the reader (or readers)?

I read this book about 30years ago so it’s a reread for me. Just grabbed it from the library so I can dig in soon.

I listened to the HarperAudio version with Dan Stevens narration that is available through Libby.

Shannon wrote: "I listened to the HarperAudio version with Dan Stevens narration that is available through Libby."

Thanks, Shannon. I really like Dan Stevens - I'll check it out!

If anyone is interested in reading more Christie this is a great companion book. I've had it for years and refer to it every time I read one of her books.

PugMom wrote: "If anyone is interested in reading more Christie this is a great companion book. I've had it for years and refer to it every time I read one of her books.
[bookcover:The New Bedside, Bathtub and A..."

This looks really good - I'll have to check it out!

I have it! Will read it when I shut down work for the holidays. Hope everyone is having a great holiday season 💜

Kacie wrote: "I have it! Will read it when I shut down work for the holidays. Hope everyone is having a great holiday season 💜"

Thanks, Kacie! Hope everyone is having a good season too!

Linda wrote: "PugMom wrote: "If anyone is interested in reading more Christie this is a great companion book. I've had it for years and refer to it every time I read one of her books.
[bookcover:The New Bedside..."

It's really neat.

Kacie wrote: "I have it! Will read it when I shut down work for the holidays. Hope everyone is having a great holiday season 💜"

I'm off from work after the 21st so I'll be reading lots!!

If anyone is interested in watching some movie adaptations of And Then There Were None, there are 2 good ones available through the library system.

I just re-watched the 1945 movie - I remember first seeing it on TV when I was in middle school. I remember the manor house and island setting of the black and white movie were really eerie, and the story blew me away - it was my first experience of Agatha Christie, and got me into reading many of her mysteries. (I remember being surprised that the ending of And There Were None was different from the movie!) I think the movie is well-done for its time.
It's available on Kanopy - check your library's website to see if they carry the service, and if so, you can borrow streaming movies with your library card.

Also, BBC made a 3-part series in 2015 - I watched that too, and it's very good. It has a great ensemble cast, including Charles Dance, Maeve Dermody, Sam Neill, Miranda Richardson, Toby Stephens and Aidan Turner. It keeps the 1939 isolated island setting, but has a more modern, bloody style - and the story has been expanded with flashbacks and some extra scenes, but also is closer to the book.
It's available on Hoopla - with each streaming episode to borrow separately
https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/1...\

Both are worth watching!

I’m still working on this! Was gone for a week and didn’t have time to read it. I should be done today :)

Just finished!! Will chat about it when I get in my computer. My fingers are too cold to type on my phone while I’m waiting at the mechanics 😆

I definitely want to watch one of the movies.

I really loved this book. I did read it once before about 30 years ago.
It's really interesting to read a Christie without Poirot or Miss Marple but it was just as good as her others. I did remember who the mastermind behind the murders was but I had forgotten the details and how he accomplished the whole charade.
I found one of the movies on Hoopla so I will be watching soon.

Just finished it! Holy moly this was a busy month. Glad to read my first Agatha Christie novel, but I’ll be honest… I’m really not into mystery novels at all. It was good, for sure but just not my thing.

Plus I kept picturing Clue which just made me laugh.

Happy new year everyone!

Kacie, your comment about Clue made me curious, so I checked Wikipedia, and it says that it was invented in the UK in the 1940s by a board game designer who was inspired in part by Agatha Christie novels!

Happy New Year, everyone! Thanks for a great year of reading and discussions! :)

PugMom wrote: "I really loved this book. I did read it once before about 30 years ago.
It's really interesting to read a Christie without Poirot or Miss Marple but it was just as good as her others. I did remembe..."

I agree that it's interesting that the story doesn't have one of the usual Christie detectives, or even an actual protagonist to root for. All of the characters are pretty awful people, so I couldn't relate to any of them. But it's a good read as more of a puzzle to solve or figure out. I also remembered the mastermind, but re-reading after many years was a good reminder of how he pulled it off.

Enjoy the movie on Hoopla!