for "the new york times book review" (25 february 1940), isaac anderson has arrived to the point where "the voice" accuses the ten "guests" of their past crimes, which have all resulted in the deaths of humans, and then said, "when you read what happens after that you will not believe it, but you will keep on reading, and as one incredible event is followed by another even more incredible you will still keep on reading. the whole thing is utterly impossible and utterly fascinating. it is the most baffling mystery that agatha christie has ever written, and if any other writer has ever surpassed it for sheer puzzlement the name escapes our memory. we are referring, of course, to mysteries that have logical explanations, as this one has. it is a tall story, to be sure, but it could have happened."