The book that conquered the top spot in an international online vote held on the 125th anniversary of Agatha Christie, to discover which of her 80 detective novels was the world's favorite. 1939. Europe balances on the brink of war. Ten strangers are invited to visit Soldier Island, an isolated rock near the coast of Devon. Cut off from the mainland, with their generous hosts, Mr. and Mrs. U.N. Owen, mysteriously absent, each is accused of a terrible crime. When one of the group suddenly dies, they realize that a murderer may be among them.

The 10 strangers include a reckless playboy, a troubled Harley Street doctor, an imposing judge, a rude detective, an unethical mercenary, a God-fearing spinster, two restless servants, a highly decorated general, and an anxious secretary. One by one they fall. Who will survive? And who is the murderer? Copies of a threatening children's rhyme hang in every room, the murders mimic the gruesome fates of the "Ten Little Soldiers."

The clear winner in an international online vote held to discover Agatha Christie's favorite book, this new paperback edition also coincides with a new three-part BBC television adaptation featuring an outstanding cast: Douglas Booth, Charles Dance, Maeve Dermody, Burn Gorman, Anna Maxwell Martin, Sam Neill, Miranda Richardson, Toby Stephens, Noah Taylor, and Aidan Turner.