Name: Patrick Book's review of Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
Item: Magpie Murders
Rating: 3
Author: Patrick Book

Anthony Horowitz

"Magpie Murders is a double puzzle for puzzle fans, who don't often get the classicism they want from contemporary thrillers." --Janet Maslin, The New York Times A New York Times Bestseller | #1 Indie Next Pick | NPR Best Book of 2017 | Amazon Best Book of 2017 | Washington Post Best Book of 2017 | Esquire Best Book of 2017 From the New York Times bestselling author of Moriarty and Trigger Mortis, this fiendishly brilliant, riveting thriller weaves a classic whodunit worthy of Agatha Christie into a chilling, ingeniously original modern-day mystery. When editor Susan Ryeland is given the manuscript of Alan Conway's latest novel, she has no reason to think it will be much different from any of his others. After working with the bestselling crime writer for years, she's intimately familiar with his detective, Atticus Pünd, who solves mysteries disturbing sleepy English villages. An homage to queens of classic British crime such as Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, Alan's traditional formula has proved hugely successful. So successful that Susan must continue to put up with his troubling behavior if she wants to keep her job. Conway's latest tale has Atticus Pünd investigating a murder at Pye Hall, a local manor house. Yes, there are dead bodies and a host of intriguing suspects, but the more Susan reads, the more she's convinced that there is another story hidden in the pages of the manuscript: one of real-life jealousy, greed, ruthless ambition, and murder. Masterful, clever, and relentlessly suspenseful, Magpie Murders is a deviously dark take on vintage English crime fiction in which the reader becomes the detective.

A Novel

Magpie Murders

Jemima Scott

‘Whodunnits are all about truth: nothing more, nothing less.’

Fiction merely allows us a glimpse of the alternative. Maybe that's one of the reasons we enjoy it. 

'Want to read a great whodunnit? Anthony Horowitz has one for you: MAGPIE MURDERS. It's as good as an Agatha Christie. Better, in some ways. Cleverer.' Stephen King 'The finest crime novel of the year' Daily Mail ***** Seven for a mystery that needs to be solved . . . Editor Susan Ryland has worked with bestselling crime writer Alan Conway for years. Readers love his detective, Atticus Pünd, a celebrated solver of crimes in the sleepy English villages of the 1950s. But Conway's latest tale of murder at Pye Hall is not quite what it seems. Yes, there are dead bodies and a host of intriguing suspects, but hidden in the pages of the manuscript lies another story: a tale written between the very words on the page, telling of real-life jealousy, greed, ruthless ambition and murder. From the creator of Midsomer Murders comes a fiendish mystery perfect for fans of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. ***** Praise for Magpie Murders - the gripping Sunday Times bestselling crime thriller: 'Ingenious' Sunday Times 'Thrilling and compelling with a stunning twist' Daily Mail 'A stylish thriller' Sunday Mirror 'A cunning reinvention of the thriller' Mail on Sunday

Lynn

Julia Morrison

From the New York Times bestselling author of Moriarty and Trigger Mortis, this fiendishly brilliant, riveting thriller weaves a classic whodunit worthy of Agatha Christie into a chilling, ingeniously original modern-day mystery. When editor Susan Ryeland is given the manuscript of Alan Conway’s latest novel, she has no reason to think it will be much different from any of his others. After working with the bestselling crime writer for years, she’s intimately familiar with his detective, Atticus Pünd, who solves mysteries disturbing sleepy English villages. An homage to queens of classic British crime such as Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, Alan’s traditional formula has proved hugely successful. So successful that Susan must continue to put up with his troubling behavior if she wants to keep her job. Conway’s latest tale has Atticus Pünd investigating a murder at Pye Hall, a local manor house. Yes, there are dead bodies and a host of intriguing suspects, but the more Susan reads, the more she’s convinced that there is another story hidden in the pages of the manuscript: one of real-life jealousy, greed, ruthless ambition, and murder. Masterful, clever, and relentlessly suspenseful, Magpie Murders is a deviously dark take on vintage English crime fiction in which the reader becomes the detective.

Patrick Book

Theres a decent book inside this book, but it’s not this book. Too clever by half, don’t be embarrassed if you just want to write an Agatha Christie story!

Laura Mauler

** spoiler alert **
           I thought that having the boyfriend randomly show up to drag her out of the burning building was lame. There was no logical reason for him to be there and to look for her in someone else's office, of all places. Very weak plot point in an overall strong and smart book.

"Magpie Murders is a double puzzle for puzzle fans, who don’t often get the classicism they want from contemporary thrillers." --Janet Maslin, The New York Times *A New York Times bestseller *#1 Indie Next Pick *NPR best book of 2017 *Amazon best book of 2017 *Washington Post best book of 2017 *Esquire best book of 2017 From the New York Times bestselling author of Moriarty and Trigger Mortis, this fiendishly brilliant, riveting thriller weaves a classic whodunit worthy of Agatha Christie into a chilling, ingeniously original modern-day mystery. When editor Susan Ryeland is given the manuscript of Alan Conway’s latest novel, she has no reason to think it will be much different from any of his others. After working with the bestselling crime writer for years, she’s intimately familiar with his detective, Atticus Pünd, who solves mysteries disturbing sleepy English villages. An homage to queens of classic British crime such as Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, Alan’s traditional formula has proved hugely successful. So successful that Susan must continue to put up with his troubling behavior if she wants to keep her job. Conway’s latest tale has Atticus Pünd investigating a murder at Pye Hall, a local manor house. Yes, there are dead bodies and a host of intriguing suspects, but the more Susan reads, the more she’s convinced that there is another story hidden in the pages of the manuscript: one of real-life jealousy, greed, ruthless ambition, and murder. Masterful, clever, and relentlessly suspenseful, Magpie Murders is a deviously dark take on vintage English crime fiction in which the reader becomes the detective.

Lara Engle

Magpie Murders is clever in a way I would think I would find annoying, but I didn't. I found it fun and original. I enjoyed both the classic Agatha Christie-ish country house mystery and the modern day publishing house mystery. It was like Agatha Christie and P.D. James decided to co-write a book. There are multiple distinct voices represented in the writing, and it is done well. I found it delightfully entertaining.

Rohit Arondekar

I enjoyed the book and loved the setting of 1950s England. The nested plot is not just a gimmick and the two plots are connected nicely. Everything comes together in the end and makes the book a satisfying read.

THE NUMBER ONE EBOOK BESTSELLER 'Want to read a great whodunnit? Anthony Horowitz has one for you: MAGPIE MURDERS. It's as good as an Agatha Christie. Better, in some ways. Cleverer.' Stephen King 'The finest crime novel of the year' Daily Mail ***** Seven for a mystery that needs to be solved . . . Editor Susan Ryland has worked with bestselling crime writer Alan Conway for years. Readers love his detective, Atticus Pünd, a celebrated solver of crimes in the sleepy English villages of the 1950s. But Conway's latest tale of murder at Pye Hall is not quite what it seems. Yes, there are dead bodies and a host of intriguing suspects, but hidden in the pages of the manuscript lies another story: a tale written between the very words on the page, telling of real-life jealousy, greed, ruthless ambition and murder. From the creator of Midsomer Murders comes a fiendish mystery perfect for fans of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. ***** Praise for Magpie Murders - the gripping Sunday Times bestselling crime thriller: 'Ingenious' Sunday Times 'Thrilling and compelling with a stunning twist' Daily Mail 'A stylish thriller' Sunday Mirror 'A cunning reinvention of the thriller' Mail on Sunday

the Sunday Times bestseller crime thriller with a fiendish twist

rumbledethumps

Didn't do much for me. The frame story felt gimmicky, and I found myself skimming pages at a time and not missing anything. I never got hooked into either story, and reading felt like a chore after a while.

i spent two nights staying up reading this. it’s certainly a enthralling and captivating read and i fucking enjoyed the formatting of book. unlike ahorz, i have no problem using swear words. and i deeply loved he unreliable narrative used with susan that unhinged spiralling really feels like what happens when i try to solve something

although for a sort of queer narrative (for atticus pund’s story) it’s so very painfully obvious it’s written by a cishet man (anthony). also for (alan) to put james as fraser partnering and having a close relation to a ‘cunt’ is. an interesting choice??? 

archie

i spent two nights staying up reading this. it’s certainly a enthralling and captivating read and i fucking enjoyed the formatting of book. unlike ahorz, i have no problem using swear words. and i deeply loved he unreliable narrative used with susan that unhinged spiralling really feels like what happens when i try to solve something

although for a sort of queer narrative (for atticus pund’s story) it’s so very painfully obvious it’s written by a cishet man (anthony). also for (alan) to put james as fraser partnering and having a close relation to a ‘cunt’ is. an interesting choice??? 

Adeline

Courtney

I read And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie ages ago and hadn’t picked up a mystery novel since! Magpie Murders has served as a gateway back into a world of intrigue and mystery for me! I was in gripping suspense throughout this whole novel! I really liked the novel within a novel aspect of this story as well! I’ll definitely be picking up more mysteries within this year because of reading this!

Colleen

3.5 Stars

*This review contains general spoilers about the setup of the book.*

Anthony Horowitz is the first author to be authorized by the Arthur Conan Doyle Estate to write official Sherlock Holmes books. Magpie Murders is completely separate from that series, but knowing that fact gave me high expectations for this book. On the one hand, Magpie Murders is a new take on a traditional murder mystery. On the other hand, there were certain aspects about the writing that failed to meet my expectations. 

This is a Mystery within a Mystery. The story starts in present times with a prologue about Editor Susan Ryeland who begins by reading a manuscript of Mystery writer Alan Conway, author of a successful Mystery series. The series stars a man named Atticus Pünd who, other than being German, completely follows the model of other literary murder investigators such as Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot right down to the awestruck sidekick. So with some ominous foreshadowing about how (little did she know) her life would never the same, Susan begins reading Magpie Murders (which is also the title of the book-within-the-book; not to confuse you…)

I’m explaining this because I myself was a bit confused about how the different parts tied together.

After that, the first half of the book is the story of Magpie Murders (the book-within-the-book). That story follows Atticus Pünd through a typical English house murder mystery and is set in 1955. It borrows heavily from Agatha Christie. The narration will even tell you that it is heavily borrowed from Agatha Christie. While interesting, it did have a generic feel to it. Which, I suppose, was the point. 

The second half goes back to the story of Susan. Just after turning in his manuscript, Conway is found dead of apparent suicide. But aspects of his death are reminiscent of the manuscript she just read. So Susan suspects foul play and decides to play amateur sleuth. Both parts kept me guessing, but I thought the solution would mirror the story more. Instead, I was disappointed in the ending. After the intricate layers of the rest of the book, the solution to Susan’s part of the story was rather anticlimactic.

There were two parts of the writing that frustrated me. First, at times it felt like the story was too clever for itself and therefore the author felt the need to explain everything in the most basic terms to the audience. And not just the typical wrap-up at the end of the case where the whodunit is explained. No, every little joke and reference to other mysteries is blatantly spelled out. Easter Eggs are not must fun when the narrator feels the need to point them all out and explain them in dumbed down verbiage. It felt condescending at times.

Second, there was far too much heavy-handed foreshadowing. Lots of “If only I knew then…” and “Little did I know how it would all change…” Once or twice in a book is ok, but lines like that were used relentlessly throughout the book. They set my teeth on edge. It’s like an obnoxious, blinking neon sign saying “RED HERRING!” It really pushed me out of the story.

Magpie Murders was an interesting twist on traditional mystery but not a mind-blowing story in the end. It was well-written but heavy-handed. I’m still interested in reading some of Horowitz’s other works at some point, but I’m not going to rush out and buy them.


RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 4 Stars
Writing Style: 3 Stars
Characters and Character Development: 3 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 4 Stars
Level of Captivation: 4 Stars
Originality: 3 Stars

Sarah Selvaratnam 

A wonderful blend of the golden age of mysteries and the modern whodunnit! The pacing for the dual narrative was exquisite, never slow or mundane, and always interesting. I couldn’t read this book fast enough and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Arturo Hernández

This is a fun mystery novel. I listened to it on Scribd. Got enough to pass the time…

Cheri McElroy

This is a book within a book, which is a hit or miss trope for me. I liked the book itself, reminiscent of the Agatha Christie era. I didn’t much care for the surrounding mystery of the author who was killed, and his editor, who solved that crime. But, it was a fine read and I would pick up more from this author.

Celeste Richardson

Actual rating: 4.5 stars, rounded up.

Magpie Murders is another of those books that I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about, to the point that I was a bit nervous to pick it up even though I had high hopes and the physical book sitting on my shelf, waiting for me to give it a shot. I’m so glad I have friends like TS and Eon to talk me into biting the bullet and finally reading things that I’ve been excited but trepidatious about for so long. This was an absolute delight. Magpie Murders is the first book I’ve read from Horowitz, but it certainly won’t be the last.

I’m a sucker for a story within a story, and Magpie Murders delivers that more than anything else I’ve ever read. It’s actually two entire books that could, in my opinion, stand on their own. But thankfully, they don’t have to, because they’re even stronger together. The story begins at Crouch End, where Susan, our narrator, is snuggling down to read Magpie Murders, the newest installment in a series she edits for Cloverleaf Books. As she digs in, we get lost in Alan Conway’s newest Atticus Pünd mystery right alongside her. I love how it’s presented as its own separate book, complete with a brief bio of the author and praise for his earlier works. 

Pünd finds himself pulled into a murder investigation at Saxby-on-Avon, a quaint little English village housing quite an eclectic cast of characters. I was incredibly impressed at the nuance of characterizations here, and completely caught up in all of the small dramas surrounding the greater mystery. The crime itself is multifaceted, as well. I was reminded so strongly of classic whodunnits by Doyle and Christie, especially. The characters, the setting, the crime, and Pünd himself gave me strong Holmes and Poirot vibes, as did the writing itself. I loved Pünd and could happily read the other eight novels in his fictitious series. 

I was so invested, as a matter of fact, that I completely forgot that it was in fact a fictitious novel within another novel until I was jerked out of the story with our narrator. It was a jarring transition, as I’m positive Horowitz intended it to be. From here, Susan must not only find the missing chapters of the book, but solve another murder, this one in her reality. While this mystery was also compelling, it didn’t have quite the same sparkle as the unfinished Pünd novel. But that’s okay, because it forced me to share Susan’s obsession with finding the rest of the book. I was also very impressed by how different the two stories were in style and voice, which has to be a difficult balance to strike. The writing was brilliant, and not only did it make me deeply respect Horowitz as a craftsman, it made me far more enthusiastic about reading more of his work. The only reason this book isn’t a full 5 stars is that I wanted to rush through Susan’s story in hopes of getting back to Pünd. But that’s a me thing, not a failing on Horowitz’s part in any way, which is why I had not a single qualm about rounding up my rating.

Magpie Murders impressed me in a multitude of ways. Not only did I find by stories compelling, the inclusion of an entire book within another made for an incredibly immersive reading experience. I deeply wish that the entire fictional Pünd series existed, because I feel like Pünd could absolutely hold his own with Holmes and Poirot. I found Magpie Murders , in a word, classy. Which isn’t a term I generally equate with more recently published mystery novels, but it absolutely suits this book. I can see why Horowitz was sanctioned by the Conan Doyle estate to continue the legacy of Sherlock Holmes, and after reading Magpie Murders I am even more excited to see what he does with the fictional detective I love most in the world. If you’re a love of Agatha Christie and Conan Doyle, I can’t recommend this book enough.

Cindy Lieberman

A mystery wrapped in a mystery wrapped in a mystery! This wonderfully plotted murder mystery pays homage to Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur’s Conan Doyle and other writers whilst being its own unique and entertaining novel. Or two novels, really. One set in the late 1940s and the other present day. As with The Word is Murder, the only other of his books I’ve read so far, there are enjoyable insights into the literary world and the life of a writer woven into the stories. So glad to have found his books!

Rucha Phatak

Loved this stunning novel within a novel!

Santosh Singh

A brilliant whodunit. Very intelligent and you get to read two brilliant whodunits in one books which are so brilliantly linked..

Jordan Robinson

Katrina White

My husband questioned why I gave this 4 stars instead of 5. I said my criteria for 5 is that I'll want to go back to the world and visit (like I do with Game of Thrones, The Magicians, and Outlander or recommend to everyone. He said I had come back to this world (I read the second book first accidentally). That made me pause. But I don't know if continuing in a series means the sames as comfort rereading a series. And so I think this still gets an excellent 4 star... Maybe 4.5. If you love Old fashioned Who Dunnits (Agatha Christie's grandson even shows up as a character in this story) , books within books, English country sides with lots of murder (like Midsomer Murders) layered more modern type mysteries and drama... This is the book (series) for you.

So this was a book in a book - which I still am unsure whether I enjoyed. Also the auhtor is a man writing a female voice - which he doesn’t do a bad job at but it’s still very noticeable. There is two whodunnits solved in this book, which some may find satisfying, yet it felt a bit like overachieving to me. Because of this the book was long, however it never dragged - so props for that. It has nicely wrapped up endings, and interesting but not surprising plotlines. This did have me staying up late to finish the last 80 pages. But I personally think there’s better mysteries out there. 3 stars for the effort, detail and originality, but lacking the two stars for authenticity and shock factor.

Virginia Su

Valentina Cherednichenko

"I had been the detective and now I was the murderer.
And do you know? I think I liked it more."

Don't. Be. Fooled. I picked up this book, looked at the page count "236, huh? I can do that quick." No. No its not 236 pages. Double that. It's a book within a book. Magpie Murders by Conway was 241 pages and Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz was 236, making this book nearly 500 pages. You fooled me, you sneaky bastard.

Anyways, rant over. This is a fantastic whodunnit murder book (well, two of them actually) with a few minor weaknesses in my opinion. All of the characters are great, but I kept picturing Sarah as a 25 year old, not in her 40s. She was written a bit young for her age. Also, I really had to drag myself thru the mud at some points that just never ended. I guess that's what you get when there's TWO BOOKS IN ONE. Okay, I'm done now. Not salty at all. I feel like this book could have been shorten by like 10% and it would have been a 5. A lot of time was spent on things that really didn't add much to the story. Also, wow, way to make me hate a whole village. Also, the priest plot reveal, ehh, weak.

Do I recommend this book? Sure, if you have the time. Otherwise, get yourself an Agatha Christie novel and you'll be just as pleased.

Judy Hudgins

Horowitz writes Magpie Murders as a book within a book. Kind of a Neverending Story approach.

The premise of the book is fairly simple - to start. Alan Conway is a best selling author and Susan, his editor. Problem is, he is more than a bit of a jerk, but a huge money maker for her publishing house. Susan settles down to read his latest manuscript. And then the trouble begins!

The 'book' within the book is a great tribute to the Christie style. Set after WWII in a small village in England, it comes complete with the lord of the manor, the village busybody, a foreign detective with troubles of his own, and a couple of murders. That story alone is worth reading the book for.

At the end of the book (or is it), Susan discovers fiction is mirroring life and is soon on her way to solving her own mystery.

Since the page count is different based on which 'story' you are reading, I can't tell you the page count, but it's probably about 500 pages. So not a one day read. Which is just fine. You'll want to draw this out. The book within the book makes me want to go back and reread Agatha this summer if nothing else. 

Of course, a cup of tea would be required.

Heather

Great detective novel.
A crime mystery within another.
Cannot wait to read more from  Anthony Horowitz !

Ben Nathan

Fun little murder mystery with an extra murder mystery within it. I enjoyed it, but it won't really stick with me.

Julia Morrison &
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz

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