“Ten little soldier boys went out to dine; one choked his little self and then there were nine…”
Thus starts the nursery rhyme that serves as the premise of the novel, which can I just say– a nursery rhyme? This was told to kids? Honestly.
That aside, I relished every minute I listened to this book. The story begins by introducing the ten people who have been beckoned to Soldier Island: each under different pretenses, each with a story they’re hiding. ‘Mr. Owens’, the alleged owner of the island, holds a vigilante court of his own in what has to be one of the worst summer holidays to ever exist.
Due to the rhyme providing a blue-print for the story, I felt as though I was sitting in a wing-backed chair smoking a pipe, simply observing the novel taking place around me. It was my favorite kind of mystery novel: a focus on the intellectual ingenuity of the killer without loads of gore and suspense. I feel I can’t say it was ‘peaceful’ because it is a murder mystery after all, but I was able to become steeped in the ‘whodunit’ without being on edge with the anxiety of jump-scares and overwhelming suspense.
While you might think the soldier boy rhyme gives away too much of the story, you would be wrong. Christie expertly weaves the story in such a way you’re still surprised by the events and the stories that are slowly disclosed as the story unfolds. I cannot believe this was my first time reading an Agatha Christie novel, but after reading And Then There Were None I know it won’t be my last.
I almost don’t want to suggest Googling the rest of the soldier boy nursery rhyme, but I also want company in my horror – so if you need more reasons for procrastination…
Personal rating: 8.5/10
Recommend? Absolutely
Re-read? It was such a quick listen I almost want to start it again now
Time: 1:47