Book Review of And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie

I finished And Then There Were None, and I can't believe I used to shun murder mystery books before… Honestly I feel like I was missing out because my mom used to read so many Agatha Christie books in summer when we were camping and the sort. I used to make my poor grandmother bring me to the library every week to check out five books. (Oh yes I'd read all five!) Had I known I would've ventured into my mother's book shelves more often and discovered more authors that I could read. Needless to say I'm sure you can tell that I really loved And Then There Were None - but if you want read my full book review!

And Then There Were None
By
Agatha Christie

         I’ve never read an Agatha Christie novel before, and I’ve never read a murder mystery book either. Needless to say I couldn’t have been happier than when I chose to read this novel by Christie before any other of the same genre. Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None is a story in which ten individuals are brought to Soldier Island off the coast of Devon, England. One by one those same individuals are being murdered - and one of which is the killer themselves. Christie follows the viewpoint of each individual throughout the book, therefore as a reader you get to view it from different perspectives. 

I would love to mention the most prominent characters, but I don’t want to give away to much information - after all there’s ten characters and one is a killer. I do want to say though that Christie did an amazing job swapping from one person’s viewpoint to another. The different viewpoints were all distinct, and never forced. As a reader I got a distinct impression of the characters and felt that I was getting to know them in the way that Christie introduced them throughout the book. I will say that none of the characters seemed forced or faked - and that is something I will always appreciate. 

I find that Agatha Christie did an amazing job in writing And Then There Were None, there really wasn’t much in the way I can critique this work. And Then There Were None led me to believe one thing, only to leave me guessing until the very end. In one sense I guess the second to last chapter would be my only gripe about her work, and it was only because the dialogue seemed forced as opposed to realistic. However one small chapter doesn’t diminish the whole of a book - especially one in which it was strong throughout. 

In the end I loved this book, and I can’t wait to indulge in another Agatha Christie novel down the road. I will say that this book will shock you with the ending, and you’ll actually sift through the whole thing over again trying to pick up on something that could have clued you in from the get go. I guess for anyone looking to try a new genre like this, then there’s a good chance this should be the book you start with.  

My rating: 4.75 out of 5 Stars. 

I really liked this book, it reminded me of the board game/movie Clue. (Although not remotely humorous.) I think this is a great book to start with for those of you who have never read a murder mystery book - because it's very easy and straightforward. Yet And Then There Were None isn't so easy and straightforward that it becomes boring. It's a book that makes you want to keep reading to find out the big answer of -whodunit!?

I hope to catch you all tomorrow as I introduce my next book! It's gonna be takin' place somewhere in the South ya'll - I want me some spicy food!

Lizzie Borden References - Make for Good Recipes

This is going to be a short and sweet post. Mainly cause I'm tired, and I'm looking forward to bed!

Tomorrow I plan on making a Lebanese Flavored Cottage Pie! This all stems from a Lizzie Borden reference that was mentioned in And Then There Were None, and it's ironic because my boyfriend Ricky has Lizzie Borden genes! You may wonder why I'm going to make it Lebanese, but it's because Ricky also has Lebanese genes.

Therefore I'm making Lebanese Cottage Pie - essentially a Shepard's Pie with Hamburg instead of lamb. 

I'm way too tired to keep muttering on.... So why don't we catch up tomorrow instead! (With food!)

Honey, Honey, Honey - You're the Death of Me!

There's just something about bees and their honey that can make some dishes pop. I have a vague idea of what type of dish I'll be making that uses honey - but not 100% sure yet!
I do know that the reason I want to do a honey dish is because of how the next dinner guest will be going. Oh what joy! Another murder you say? Certainly the hysteria is settling into the remaining individuals from And Then There Were None!

"And that's why I'm asking - do they keep bees on this island? -  Isn't it funny? - Isn't it damn funny…?"
She began laughing wildly again. Dr. Armstrong strode forward. He raised his hand and struck her a flat blow on the cheek." (Christie, Ch. 11).

So tune back in tomorrow for some sort of dish involving honey!

To know, or not to know? That is the question...

Sometimes the most frightening thing of all for an individual, is to not know. That's certainly the case thus far in And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. The question is is it truly that frightening not to know? Or is it more of an adventure to find out as you're going along?
Certainly the characters in Chritie's novel would much rather know than not, and then again facing imminent murder is likely to changes things up a bit.

"I don't know. I don't know at all. And that's what's frightening the life out of me. To have no idea…."(Christie, Ch. 10).

Of one thing I am certain of though, and that is that I don't know what the heck I'll be cooking tomorrow. Most certainly it will be an adventure rifling through my kitchen cabinets trying to think of something. I do know that it will be based on one of my favorite things - using what may be going bad soon! (I wonder why no one stays for dinner - it's because they read those things…)

One thing I can guarantee though is that not knowing something in life certainly brings out more tasteful ingredients. (Harder won in my opinion!)
So stay tuned for tomorrow's mystery dinner!

What Have I Always Wanted To Do? Have Afternoon Tea with Scones!

I'm a huge tea drinker, and here in Maine we have an amazing tea shop owned by my friend Sarah called Homegrown Herb and Tea. (Seriously, you should buy some for holiday gifts!) I have some lovely blended tea from her that I am going to enjoy for my own afternoon tea tomorrow - with some traditional scones.



I find the reason of mine for doing a traditional British Afternoon Tea is because of the small lunch the guests had from And Then There Were None. Needless to say their tea break was not much in the way of calming to say the least - however it does leave one to more questions!

"That's just it, sir. Last night, when I was clear ing up, there wasn't but nine, sir. … There's only eight, sir! Only eight! It doesn't make sense, does it? Only eight…." (Christie, Ch. 6).

I am loving this Agatha Christie novel right now, and I'm still entirely engaged. I keep trying to determine who the killer is but I'm just not certain! Needless to say, I think I've found a new genre that I like - Mystery!

I hope you all tune in tomorrow for a simple day of tea, and scones. Mayhap you'll tell me some choices you'd put into an afternoon tea?

Death by Whiskey? Well I'll Partake Anyway!

There's nothing like a book with a lot of drinking involved. I never truly understand the undertakings of British writing and how they always seemingly include liquor in their writings. (Granted I've only read a few British books, so I can only make a generalization.) I just find there always appears to be an alcohol beverage involved in more than a few individuals refreshment choices. (I say drink on to that!)

I still am not quite sure what I'll be cooking up tomorrow, but you can be guaranteed that it will be whiskey oriented! I honestly am thinking of possibly Toad in the Hole. It was a dish I had wanted to make in March for my old blog, but I never ended up having the time for it. It is more of a homey dish, and I personally am looking forward to it!

I'm going to leave you all with one quote from And Then There Were None:

"He thought: Best of an island is once you get there - you can't go any farther … you've come to the end of things.
He knew, suddenly, that he didn't want to leave the island." (Christie, Ch. 5).

Perhaps A Wee Bit British Now

I have no idea what it is about 'fanciful' dialect, however I must say that I do love myself a book with that same type of dialogue for characters. It's seemingly so proper and I must admit I'm a sucker for the British talk. (Or a Scotsman's!)

I feel that I shall be making a lot of more fancy foods, or just small things that pair well with the more fanciful attitudes dictated from the characters.
I know thus far they all seem to love their brandy (or the men do). The woman seem to have a certain rigidity about them as well, especially Miss Brent. Nevertheless expect to be bamboozled with English flair cooking for the next month!

I feel like another dainty meal is in order, or maybe a more classy affair on a traditionally sloppy American dish… I'm not quite sure what, but perhaps a Yorkshire Pudding…?

Stay tuned tomorrow to find out!

You Know What The Best Cooking Is? Leftovers.

Okay so maybe leftovers aren't the best "cooking" per se, however they shan't be wasted! (Not in this house!) The other reason I'm "making" leftovers tomorrow is because of the simple fact that I have made a lot of food this past week, and quite frankly I need to eat some before it goes bad. I also feel it's pointless (and expensive) constantly going to the grocery store when I already have perfect meals pre made at home. (It's also convenient for hectic days!)

I do believe a cheese plate may be in order tomorrow, and a homemade sauce would go well for something of that sort. I just don't feel justified making a large meal when my fridge is already full. Not to mention it would suit the little guests so far on Soldier Island in  And Then There Were None.

I want to state that thus far this Agatha Christie novel has held up much better than I had expected, and I do very much like the characters so far. It's amazing the differences in authors and how they choose to develop (or not develop) characters in books. Christie has thus far managed to give each character an exceedingly decent development for us to all relate to, and without forcing it.
The one thing I find funny is how much this particular book is starting to remind me of the board game and movie Clue. (Oh yes, it's true!)

I guess I'll be enjoying this novel a bit more too because I can relate it to that childhood game, and come on, who doesn't remember playing Clue as a child? If you can't just picture reading something like this:

"Ten Little 'Ingredients' Went Out To Dine"

Tomorrow night I decided to take the rhyme from the book and use the first part for my recipe's inspiration. I also wanted to do what I always do (I.E. being cheap) and using whatever has been in my fridge for a bit and needs to be used. Some call it frugal I call it wise!

This little nursery rhyme is our first introduction to And Then There Were None, and I mean to use it right off the bat in my first recipe which will be a homemade cheese ravioli. I plan on using ten ingredients or less - including the dough to make it. I think it'll turn out wonderful, and honestly there's so many amazing things you can do with a small amount of ingredients. I personally think sometimes people doubt the "less is more" concept, but I firmly believe in it. Tomorrow I'm putting it to the test quite literally though, and I hope the truth will be in the dough! (Oh I'm so full of cheesy jokes this evening…)

Stay tuned for tomorrow evenings meal!

Book Intro: And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie

I've never read a mystery novel before, and I couldn't help but start with an Agatha Christie novel. After all, she's supposed to be the Queen of Mystery.
I'd be lying to you all though if I didn't mention the real reason I decided on an Agatha Christie novel… It's all because of this little show right here. -->
After all the character Jessica Fletcher lives in "Cabot Cove, Maine". (How could I resist.)

Now I know the show Murder, She Wrote is actually based on the Miss Marple books by Agatha Christie, however I wanted to start with another well-known book by her. This is how I ended up choosing And Then There Were None.

And Then There Were None

By

Agatha Christie

"Ten people, each with something to hide and something to fear, are invited to a lonely mansion on Indian Island by a host who, surprisingly, fails to appear. On the island they are cut off from everything but each other and the inescapable shadows of their own past lives. One by one, the guests share the darkest secrets of their wicked pasts. And one by one, they die…"

Intriguing to say the least. I'm excited to read this book, and I hope you guys will scope it out. Heck at the end of the day I just leave you with this (cause I'm sure it'll happen within the first 20 pages).