2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This is where we will discuss the book after we start reading it in August.

What is your first impression of the characters? Are they realistic or stereotypical? Who is your main suspect?

Please remember to mark spoilers by using spoiler tags: [spoiler]...[/spoiler], but replace [ by < and ] by >

*Claiming a spot to track the thread*

I have been on an Agatha Christi reading kick for a minute. I'm was so excited to see that the group was going to read one of her books. I'm definitley going to join in, just reserve my copy at library

I started reading yesterday! So far I have read the first 4 chapters, but it's gonna be a quick read.

I am trying to figure out who my main suspect is, but honestly I have no clue at this point haha!

I will be starting this in the next day or 2! Just about to finish my current audiobook :)

Already reached 26% (chapter 4)

(view spoiler)[Ahhh so we have the mystery, the murder and some suspects now.

I'm intrigued. It sounds like a few people wanted Mrs Inglethorpe dead. I also like Poirot's blase attitude towards it - like he's almost bored haha! Like 'it could be poison or it could have just been salt' *shrugs*

I'm moving through the audiobook very quickly. I expect to be done in a few days! (hide spoiler)]

Ashleigh wrote: "Already reached 26% (chapter 4)"

(view spoiler)[ When I got to that line about poison vs. salt I laughed out loud! I now see why everyone who reads Christie loved Hercule Poirot 😂 You characterized his attitude perfectly, too, he knows he’s a great detective and isn’t afraid to act like it. (hide spoiler)]

My current suspicions at 40% (through ch 5): (view spoiler)[ Like Ilona, I’m also struggling to have a real vision of who could’ve done this. There’s so many people who have motive and the writing isn’t giving away very much, at least to me. I have a feeling that it’s a woman though, because of that line from one of the nurses (?) about how you can’t ignore the fact a woman can easily poison someone or something to that effect. Her husband, Alfred, is obviously suspicious but I don’t have enough info about him to make a judgment call yet. And it seems too obvious. But Occam’s razor was even referenced by Hercule so maybe that’s what Christie wants us to think. (hide spoiler)]

Excited to read everyone’s theories and suspicions!!

I just finished listening to the audiobook yesterday. I don't know how far along all of you are but this was a roller coaster ride for me.

I started listening to the audiobook yesterday also. I'm on Chapter 4 now. The reader is very good. The audiobook is free if you have an Audible Plus subscription.

What narrator are you all listening to? My library had two versions and Scribd had about 20 so I chose one at random off Scribd to listen to!

Really enjoying the narrator at the moment.

bailey wrote: "Ashleigh wrote: "Already reached 26% (chapter 4)"

[spoilers removed]

My current suspicions at 40% (through ch 5): [spoilers removed]

Excited to read everyone’s theories and suspicions!!"

I also think (view spoiler)[a woman could have done it. (hide spoiler)]

I'm at 41% now. (view spoiler)[My suspicions are the one who seemed the most visibly upset. I don't trust them. (hide spoiler)]

I am hoping to finish today; tomorrow at the latest.

I am enjoying the book, but I must admit I am not sure who the culprit will be.

So far, I think it is either (view spoiler)[Lawrence, Mary, or both (hide spoiler)], but I have no evidence beyond gut feelings.

Edited to add:

Said feelings are based on the characters' behavior and responses at the inquest.

How dense is (view spoiler)[Mr. Inglethorp to be so surprised that he was under suspicion (hide spoiler)]!?!

I am halfway through.

Nyssa wrote: "How dense is (view spoiler)!?! "

I was thinking the same thing!! (view spoiler)[ He doesn't seem intelligent enough to pull off this crime but maybe he's just a really good actor lol! (hide spoiler)]

bailey wrote: "Nyssa wrote: "How dense is (view spoiler)!?! "

I was thinking the same thing!! [spoilers removed]"

LOL

I think he has been otherwise preoccupied.

It would not surprise me, however, if (view spoiler)[instead of having an affair, he was somehow related to the girl from outside of the village. His daughter perhaps (hide spoiler)]. Just to add another twist to things.

Half way through. I've never read an Agatha Christie before and am enjoying the book more than I expected.

(view spoiler)[I think Mr. Mr. Inglethorp did the deed with help from someone. (hide spoiler)]

Did not expect to see the "n-word". It literally took me by surprise. How upsetting!

Nyssa wrote: "Did not expect to see the "n-word". It literally took me by surprise. How upsetting!"

That took me by surprise too!

Also spoilers for who it is but last night I guessed (view spoiler)[ John and Lawrence worked together to do it and I am happy to say that I am so far at least right on the John front. I just had this feeling he was involved. I had a sense... Now to see if Lawrence is the 'missing link's. (hide spoiler)]

About halfway, end of chapter 6. Started a bit slow and ponderous as everyone, including Hastings and Poirot, were introduced as characters but the pace has certainly increased now. A few thoughts (view spoiler)[ it was the oldest son not the husband she was arguing with I believe. There is something going on between Cynthia and Lawrence. The husband is hiding/covering for someone but it’s not the farmer’s wife. Maybe the Dr bought the poison as he can be mistaken for the husband (hide spoiler)]
No real idea who did it just a few suspicions.

bailey wrote: "A Like Ilona, I’m also struggling to have a real vision of who could’ve done this. There’s so many people who have motive and the writing isn’t giving away very much, at least to me."

Glad that I wasn't the only one! I actually kept being surprised by the twists and turns.

So excited to be part of this as I was already planning to read this book. Currently in the mid of chapter 4 and so far an interesting read. I have some suspicions but not sure.

I’ll join this group read! I just downloaded a copy onto my e-reader for $0.99. I’m amazed at the price range for this book on the B&N Nook store. I’ll post again with my thoughts on my prime suspect.

Nearing the end. An excellent read.

(view spoiler)[Still think it's the husband. Maybe he had an accomplice? Ms. Howard's disappearance was well timed ... (hide spoiler)]

Maybe 10% in and omg so many people to keep straight already. Already getting people confused. I read this book ages and ages ago but remember nothing.

Wow what a book ❤️ loved it completely. There were so many details and so many small things to consider. I guess halfway through the book I guessed the murderer. And I was so happy to see the book going there and thinking that finally this time I am able to guess ‘who did it’ in an Agatha Christie book. BUT it completely turned at the end and I didn’t see it coming 😮 I was wrong and it still made so happy 😄

Ashleigh wrote: "What narrator are you all listening to?..."

Richard Armitage

Elisa wrote: "Maybe 10% in and omg so many people to keep straight already. Already getting people confused. I read this book ages and ages ago but remember nothing."

I noticed this too. Christie does a much better job in later books of introducing all the characters and differentiating them early in the story. And Then There Were None is a great example of how efficient she became.

Re-reading this (and knowing already how it ends) I've enjoyed seeing how AC plants the clues and the red herrings. It's very polished for a first novel.

Nyssa wrote: "I am hoping to finish today; tomorrow at the latest.

I am enjoying the book, but I must admit I am not sure who the culprit will be.

So far, I think it is either [spoilers removed], but I have n..."

I mean grief/traumatic experiences can do weird stuff to your cognitive abilities so maybe shock is affecting that individual? Otherwise I would expect them to know they are a suspect.

Once again, I felt like key facts that would have helped me solve the mystery earlier were left out until toward the end. I know that is often how she writes her novels but I still had hoped I might have a better chance this time. Oh well, lol. Still loved watching Poirot work - he is one of my favorite literary characters.

RJ - Slayer of Trolls wrote: "Elisa wrote: "Maybe 10% in and omg so many people to keep straight already. Already getting people confused. I read this book ages and ages ago but remember nothing."

I noticed this too. Christie ..."

And Then There were None was the first book of her's I read and one of the ones I enjoyed the most. I agree it is one of her better books writing wise.

Picking it up now! :) also I give up trying to figure out who the murderer is with Agatha Christie and just be surprised hahaha and also on top of that I say it every time I finish a book of hers (if I ever pick up any of her books here and there) and will keep on saying this: she's so freaking good at these murder mysteries that she could've really committed murder since I feel like she was that good! Like seriously, such an amazing murder mystery author and that's saying a lot for me since I personally don't really like a lot of this genre (I don't know why) but Agatha Christie is an exception for me for sure hands down.