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And Then There Were None

And Then There Were None is a 1939 mystery novel by Agatha Christie, set on an isolated island where ten strangers are accused of past crimes and killed one by one.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

And Then There Were None is a 1939 mystery novel by Agatha Christie, set on an isolated island where ten strangers are accused of past crimes and killed one by one. It is widely regarded as one of Christie’s best-known and most influential works, and it has inspired many adaptations.

Plot

The novel follows ten people invited to an isolated island by a host they have not met. Cut off from the mainland, they are accused of prior wrongdoing and are murdered one by one.

Themes

The book explores guilt, punishment, justice, and fear under pressure. Critics and study guides often describe it as an examination of moral judgment and the breakdown of trust.

Publication and reception

Published in 1939, the novel became one of Agatha Christie’s most famous works. It is frequently described as one of the best-selling mystery novels of all time and a major achievement in puzzle plotting.

Adaptations

The story has been adapted repeatedly for film, television, radio, and stage. The 1945 film adaptation is among the best known.

Key facts

  • The novel is structured around ten strangers brought to a remote island under different pretences.
  • Each guest is accused of a serious past crime, and the deaths begin to follow a nursery rhyme pattern.
  • The story’s final revelation identifies Justice Wargrave as the mastermind behind the murders.
  • The novel is a major example of the locked-room mystery and reverses the usual detective-story structure.
  • Themes commonly associated with the book include guilt, justice, morality, and paranoia.
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Canadian context

The novel is widely read in Canadian schools, libraries, and general literature collections as one of the most famous English-language mystery novels.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote And Then There Were None?
It was written by Agatha Christie, the English crime novelist.
When was And Then There Were None published?
It was first published in 1939.
What is the story about?
Ten strangers are invited to an island, accused of past crimes, and killed one by one.
Who is the killer?
The novel reveals Justice Wargrave as the mastermind behind the deaths.
Where is the novel set?
Most of the action takes place on an isolated island off the coast of Devon, England.
Is it a detective novel?
It is a mystery novel, but it differs from many detective stories because there is no traditional detective protagonist.

References

  1. SparkNotes — https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/andthenthere/summary/
    Supports: Plot overview, island setting, and final revelation
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037515/plotsummary/
    Supports: Remote-island setup and adaptation context
  3. eNotes — https://www.enotes.com/topics/then-there-were-none
    Supports: Plot summary and identity of the killer
  4. Audible — https://www.audible.com/blog/summary-and-then-there-were-none-by-agatha-christie
    Supports: Publication date, popularity, and adaptation history
  5. SparkNotes — https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/andthenthere/plot-analysis/
    Supports: Genre analysis and themes of guilt and justice
  6. SparkNotes — https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/andthenthere/
    Supports: General study-guide overview and publication context