This is giving me the idea that And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie, intentionally crafted in an abrupt manner to set a mysterious undertone to it, and to develop curiosity at every turn. Based on an isolated island off Devon, England, it is interesting to witness characters with distinctly different beliefs and backgrounds.
The plot otherwise flows in a simple manner with initially acquainting the reader with eight invitees to Mr. Owen's newly bought Soldier Island; introducing, Justice Lawrence John Wargrave - a senior interested in a colloquy with friends, Vera Elizabeth Claythorne - searching a job; a notable post, Philip Lombard - a spontaneous man out to earn, Emily Caroline Brent - an eccentric woman wanting to meet friends, General John Gordon Macarthur - up for some old conversations, Dr. Edward George Armstrong - a doctor hoping some prosperous patients, Anthony James Marston - a young man with business ventures, and William Henry Blore - on island for "security". Later acquainting their housekeepers: The Rogers.
It is later understood that all are accused of a murder they confidently deny. They story features a rhyme, Ten Little Soldier Boys, an interesting symbol in the story is its presence in all rooms, ten figures on the dinner table; representing the ten soldiers in the rhyme. With tension lurking around, Marston was poisoned and Ethel Rogers died in her sleep; similar to the rhyme:
"Ten little soldier boys went out to dine;
one choked his little self and then there were nine,
Nine little soldier boys sat up very late;
one overslept himself - and then there were eight."
It is interesting to see how a madman decides to take revenge on ten forgotten criminals through this rhyme. It is now clear that all will die and it is easy to make predictions based on this poem. I look forward yo finding out if the characters are forewarned and realize the similarity between these deaths and the rhyme and find the murderer before death knocks them at the door.
