The Setting :

The action takes place in the 40's during the summer. It lasts for one week. All the events take place on “the nigger island”. This island is situated in Devon (England). It is called the nigger island because it looks like a nigger face. This island is nearly deserted. There is only one big house with a lot of bedrooms.

The Characters

Edward Georges Armstrong :

He is a very good doctor. One day, he operated a woman when he was drunk and he made a mistake. The woman died. He was invited on the island by Mister Owen. Judge Wargave , his  accomplice , makes later believe that he is dead. Armstrong will be killed by the judge.

Emily Caroline Brent :

E.L Brent is an old 65 single person. Because of her, a young pregnant woman killed herself. She’s invited by an old friend. Asleep with poison she was killed by a bee sting.

William Henry Blore

W.H Blore is a police officer who owns an agency. He’s responsible for the death of the famous Stephen Landor. He’s invited by Mister Owen to keep an eye on the jewels of his wife.

Vera Elizabeth Claythorne

She is a young nervous person. She was agoverness and she killed a child because she let him swim alone. On the island, she is Owen’s secretary. Vera killed Lombard and then hanged herself .

Philippe Lombard

He is a captain who killed 21 persons. He’s killed by Vera Claythorne

John Gordon Macarthur

He is a old general who killed his wife’s lover. He was killed by judge Wargrave and died of a skull fracture.

Anthony James Marston

He is a young  and reckless driver. He ran over two children. He is the first victim of this series of murders commited by Wargrave.

Lawrence John Wargrave

He is seemingly a great and honest judge but in reality he’s awful and crazy. He is the author of murders. He killed himself after killing nine guests.

Isaac Moris

He is responsible for the purchase of the island ,for  the food and for the organisation . He is dangerous but careful. Wargrave chose him as his last victim.

Fred Naracott

He drove the guests to the nigger island.

The story

Ten persons come from everywhere in England. They have nothing in common but they are all invited to spend a holiday on the nigger island.
When they arrive, nobody’ s there. During the pre-lunch, they listen to a voice which accuses each of them of a crime. Everybody is surprised.
Later, Anthony  Marston suffocates after drinking a whisky and  he dies. Macarthur’s body is found, his skull fractured.

There are then eight persons left. It’s not an accident but who has killed those persons?

Two days later, Thomas Rogers is found dead. All the crimes have a link with a song which hangs on the wall of all the bedrooms.
There are 10 statues on a table which disappear every time there is a murder.

Now there are seven persons left on the island.
During breakfast, Miss Brent dies and in the evening, judge Wargrave is killed by a bullet. The killer is among the survivors.
The day after, Blore is found on the terrace and doctor Armstrong is found drowned.

There are only two survivors: Vera Claythorne and Philip Lombard.Both believe that the other one is guilty.
Vera kills Philip with a gun and then she kills herself because she regrets her act.

The song

TEN LITTLE NIGGERS, by Frank Green, 1869

Ten little nigger boys went out to dine;
One choked his little self, and then there were nine.

Nine little nigger boys sat up very late;
One overslept himself, and then there were eight.

Eight little nigger boys travelling in Devon;
One said he'd stay there, and then there were seven.

Seven little nigger boys chopping up sticks;
One chopped himself in half, and then there were six.

Six little nigger boys playing with a hive .
A bumble-bee stung one, and then there were five.

Five little nigger boys going in for law;
One got in chancery, and then there were four.