Eight people are traveling to Sticklehaven

Eight people are traveling to Sticklehaven, where they will catch a boat to Indian Island. They have been invited to spend a week on holiday on the island, but for each it was a vague invitation. Each is curious about what awaits them, and they have very diverse expectations. Most are traveling by train; Marston and Dr. Armstrong are driving. There are eight in all: Vera expects to be employed as a secretary; Blore is a private investigator hired to come to the island for a week; and the rest are guests. Several arrive in one train, and are surprised when they are all greeted by a single cab. A man named Fred Narracott ferries them from Sticklehaven to Indian Island. Dr. Armstrong, who does not drive very quickly, arrives late, and is taken over to the island on a second trip. When they arrive at the island, they find that their hosts have been delayed. Vera finds her room very large for that of a secretary, decorated in a modern styleit is a very modern house. There is a marble bear on her mantle, and a nursery rhyme is hanging on the wall. It is about "ten little niggers," and she recognizes it from her youth. In it, the "niggers" die off one by one, until there are none. The butler and the maid, a married couple (the Rogers), are providing for the guests despite the hosts' absence, and they soon serve dinner. The guests enjoy a delicious dinner, and loosen up somewhat. Suddenly they hear a mechanical voice. It accuses each of them of being responsible for someone's death. The guests are shocked and infuriated. The maid, Mrs. Rogers, faints and then is taken to her room to sleep. They discover that the voice came from a record player. The butler had been given directions to set it to play. After the guests help Mrs. Rogers, they begin to discuss their situation. Each explains his or her invitation to the island. The group is shocked that whoever masterminded the invitations was able to impersonate various old friends and spec...