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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
I liked the first one in this series fine. But many of the things that made the first one work are reasons the second one was inferior.
I liked Susan, and I liked her "not a detective but still compelled by the plot to investigate" style- but this was ridiculous. Because she edited the book, please come and investigate this disappearance? No.
I like portrayals of non idealized adult relationships, but also, I didn't like take on unhappiness and boredom being directed at your partner (Could be true, still not fun). Also, the relationship saved by a literal lifesaving tackle WHAT?
I liked the first story's book-in-book technique, going back and forth between Susan and the novel, but this story's take of PLOT-BOOK-PLOT didn't work as well- too contrived.
A lot of lampshading for convenience, ie Susan calling all the suspects together.
Susan Plotwise: Fine. I called two of the four murders before the reveal. Solid ending.
Atticus Plotwise: it read like an old novel, in a bad way. Didn't like the big murder, did like the heist story.
Audiobook reader: excellent.
I liked Susan, and I liked her "not a detective but still compelled by the plot to investigate" style- but this was ridiculous. Because she edited the book, please come and investigate this disappearance? No.
I like portrayals of non idealized adult relationships, but also, I didn't like take on unhappiness and boredom being directed at your partner (Could be true, still not fun). Also, the relationship saved by a literal lifesaving tackle WHAT?
I liked the first story's book-in-book technique, going back and forth between Susan and the novel, but this story's take of PLOT-BOOK-PLOT didn't work as well- too contrived.
A lot of lampshading for convenience, ie Susan calling all the suspects together.
Susan Plotwise: Fine. I called two of the four murders before the reveal. Solid ending.
Atticus Plotwise: it read like an old novel, in a bad way. Didn't like the big murder, did like the heist story.
Audiobook reader: excellent.
This is the second book in the series, and I thought it was just as good as the first. I think it is super clever that Horowitz incorporates a book within a book, and I love reading both the Susan Ryeland mystery and the Atticus Pund mystery.
In Moonflower Murders, Susan takes a break from Crete to return to Britain to help look for a woman who went missing after possibly discovering, via an Atticus Pund book, that the wrong man is in prison for a murder committed 8 years ago. It's a great dual mystery involving plenty of betrayals, lies, and alter egos.
In Moonflower Murders, Susan takes a break from Crete to return to Britain to help look for a woman who went missing after possibly discovering, via an Atticus Pund book, that the wrong man is in prison for a murder committed 8 years ago. It's a great dual mystery involving plenty of betrayals, lies, and alter egos.
Really it’s 3.5 stars because I enjoyed it but thought too much was left till the end for the big reveal... I would have liked more clues to have been dropped through the book for there to have been a chance to guess the killer. Too much was left unseen until the reveal. I liked the idea of a mystery within a mystery. I’m still happy I read it. I think it paced itself really well even though it’s a longer book. It was easy to keep track of all the characters. But 4 are reserved for book I really like and 5s are for books that I LOVE!
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I enjoyed Magpie Murders, so was looking forward to this one and it did not disappoint! It is a similar book within a book style, and has a lot of characters to keep up with, but both stories are engaging and keep you trying to figure everything out.
Such a classic British murder mystery! Everything I hoped for. Including, a full 250 page book within a book! I wasn’t sure how the long page count would be justified, but since it is really 2 books in one, it makes sense and doesn’t feel nearly as long. My only real complaint is the odd way Susan relationship with Andres was handled - it felt a bit blip. But when you’re in the mood for Agatha Christie in the modern day, this (and Magpie Murders) should be a first grab! Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I loved this book for what it is: an entertaining whodunit. This is a great read for anyone who wants a classic mystery, but wants something a little more modern than Agatha Christie. There are many nods to classic mystery writers, but Horowitz adds some modern flare to keep it relevant. This book, in contrast to its prequel, leans more into the protagonist's flaws and gives some slight character development. I thought that there were a few too many clichés and some minor plot points were predictable. Overall, I was surprised at the ending and felt satisfied. This is a perfect book for a rainy afternoon (or two).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Murder
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Bullying, Cursing, Car accident, Abortion, Alcohol
I couldn’t stop reading this. I’m so glad I did the audio version because Leslie Manville’s performance was impeccable. I love this complex literary murder mystery. The book within a book, the colorful cast of characters, and the homage to classic British mystery writers and novels. Anthony Horowitz is one of my new favorite authors.