Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
And Then There Were None summary
Brief summary
And Then There Were None is a gripping whodunit by Agatha Christie. Ten strangers, with dark secrets, are invited to an isolated island. As the guests start dying one by one, the survivors must uncover the killer's identity before it's too late.
Table of Contents
And Then There Were None
Summary of key ideas
An Invitation and a Mystery
In Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, ten people are invited to the secluded Soldier Island off the coast of England. Each of them has received an invitation from a Mr. or Mrs. U.N. Owen, but as they arrive, they realize that their hosts are nowhere to be found.
The guests, all coming from different backgrounds, are intrigued by a children's nursery rhyme about ten little soldiers that hangs in each room on the island. Disturbingly, a set of ten solider figurines placed in the dining room begins to correspond with the rhyme as guests start dying one by one.
Fatal Events Unfold
As the guests settle in, they each find a phonograph recording that accuses them of past crimes that have gone unpunished. Soon after, the first guest, Anthony Marston, dies suddenly after choking on his drink, matching the first verse of the nursery rhyme.
More deaths swiftly follow, each eerily mimes the verses of the nursery rhyme as their ten soldier figurines continue to decrease in number. The characters find themselves trapped, with no way of leaving the island and an unseen mastermind killing them one by one.
The Tension Peaks
The guests, dwindled down to just a few, become increasingly paranoid as they suspect one another. Amidst the chaos, Vera Claythorne, a former governess, and Philip Lombard, a soldier of fortune, kindle a romantic relationship.
With every passing event, it becomes evident that the murderer had an intimate understanding of their past misdemeanors and is executing a carefully planned scheme. Dr. Armstrong, previously thought to be a victim, is revealed to be the killer’s accomplice, only to be murdered himself.
A Bleak Conclusion
The mystery reaches its zenith when Lombard, presumed to be the murderer, is shot by Vera. Left alone, Vera hangs herself, following the final verse of the nursery rhyme. When the police eventually discover the closed-scene murders days later, they are baffled.
The novel concludes with a postscript about a confession in a bottle by Justice Wargrave, the mastermind behind the deadly plot. It’s revealed that he meticulously planned his suicide to look like a murder as part of his scheme. In And Then There Were None, Christie delivers an engaging and suspenseful narrative where everyone is a suspect, and no one is safe.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is And Then There Were None about?
Ten strangers are invited to an isolated island by a mysterious host. As they start to die one by one, the remaining guests realize that the killer is among them. With no way to escape, they must uncover the murderer's identity before it's too late. Agatha Christie's classic mystery novel keeps readers guessing until the very end.
And Then There Were None Review
And Then There Were None (1939) is an intriguing murder mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Here's why this book is definitely worth reading:
- With its clever plot twists and suspenseful atmosphere, the book takes readers on a thrilling rollercoaster ride, ensuring they can't put it down.
- The diverse cast of characters and their hidden motives create an engaging and intriguing puzzle that keeps readers guessing until the final reveal.
- Agatha Christie's masterful storytelling and attention to detail ensure that the book is anything but boring, captivating readers with each clue and revelation.
Who should read And Then There Were None?
- Mystery enthusiasts looking for an engaging and suspenseful read
- Readers who appreciate clever plot twists and intricate storytelling
- Fans of Agatha Christie's works or classic crime fiction in general
Categories with And Then There Were None
Book summaries like And Then There Were None
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
33 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
And Then There Were None FAQs
What is the main message of And Then There Were None?
Discover the chilling truth behind murder and deception in the captivating And Then There Were None.
How long does it take to read And Then There Were None?
Reading time for And Then There Were None varies. The Blinkist summary is available for a quick read in minutes.
Is And Then There Were None a good book? Is it worth reading?
With its suspenseful plot and brilliant twists, And Then There Were None is a must-read for mystery lovers.
Who is the author of And Then There Were None?
The author of And Then There Were None is Agatha Christie.
What to read after And Then There Were None?
If you're wondering what to read next after And Then There Were None, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Coaching for Performance by Sir John Whitmore
- Influence by Robert B. Cialdini
- The Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto
- Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
- The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs by Carmine Gallo
- Selling the Invisible by Harry Beckwith
- You Can Negotiate Anything by Herb Cohen
- Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
- Pitch Anything by Oren Klaff
- Getting to Yes by Roger Fisher, William Ury & Bruce Patton
Featured Titles
- 4 Essential Keys to Effective Communication
- A Burning
- Advanced Selling Strategies
- Against Interpretation
- And Then There Were None
- Better Presentations
- Communication Miracles for Couples
- Contract Drafting and Negotiation for Entrepreneurs and Business Professionals
- Creating Effective Teams
- Do You Talk Funny?