And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Online book recommendations, like all other ‘bot’ recommendations, fall short because they are too aligned with one’s revealed interests. One of the best ways I’ve discovered new books is to ask friends for recommendations. I’ve found that book preference isn’t highly correlated amongst my friends if I take out the majority group – those who don’t read at all. Somehow I had never heard of Agatha Christie before. According to Wikipedia, she is the best selling novelist of all time. Part of that is her prolificacy, but I’d have to say this is one of the best mystery novels I’ve read. The plot was fast-paced, and I really couldn’t figure out the murderer.

The most genius part of the book is the Epigraph at the beginning, so I’ll just make that my ten points.

1) Ten little soldier boys went out to dine; One choked his little self and then there were Nine.

2) Nine little soldier boys sat up very late; One overslept himself and then there were Eight.

3) Eight little soldier boys traveling in Devon; One said he’d stay there and then there were Seven.

4) Seven little soldier boys chopping up sticks; One chopped himself in halves and then there were Six.

5) Six little soldier boys playing with a hive; A bumble bee stung one and then there were Five.

6) Five little soldier boys going in for law; One got in Chancery and then there were Four.

7) Four little soldier boys going out to sea; A red herring swallowed one and then there were Three.

8) Three little soldier boys walking in the Zoo; A big bear hugged one and then there were Two.

9) Two little soldier boys sitting in the sun; One got frizzled up and then there was One.

10) One little soldier boy left all alone; He went and hanged himself

And then there were None.