Reviews

The Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz

emilyslater's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

sophia_she1's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

could not put this down!! so incredible

missyjohnson's review against another edition

4.0

This is one that I would like to 4.5 stars. It was a very creatively done mystery. I have never read one that used a whodunit as only one part of the mystery. Then it was used as a clue to the second part of the mystery. As I was reading, I even forgot that the Magpie mystery was really a manuscript that was being read by the editor Susan Ryeland. Fun story, that had me guessing all the way to the end. The author did a good job of writing in the voice of a woman, as it was believable. Lots of good references to other authors and writing styles. The way that various incidents appeared and then worked out were quite believable.

ceejay63's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

caperi's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

earthtomimi's review against another edition

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

claudia_is_reading's review against another edition

3.5

Okay, I'm a bit conflicted about this book. Part of it is because it is, in actuality, two books, mixed.

It's a clever idea, having a mystery book inside a mystery book, a primary? book in which the author has been killed and, somehow, his last book holds the answer to his murder. Yeah, cleaver.

But.

It makes it easy to forget that you are actually trying to solve two murders while you are listening to the 'fictional' part. And Susan's reincorporation into the storyline is almost jarring at times.

Add to that that I didn't much like the fictional detective and, well... that lessened my enjoyment quite a bit.

And yes, the ending was surprising and suspenseful (although I keep wondering why Susan was left conscious by the killer and therefore, risking everything on a bet that she wouldn't be able to escape and tell her tale), but it also was too 'Deus-ex-machina' to my taste. But then, that might be just me :P

In short, it's entertaining, it kept me guessing until the end and I liked Susan very much (who deserves better than Andreas) so I will listen to the second in the series :D

maggiebook's review against another edition

4.0

A cozy mystery in two parts. Loved the unusual way this book was set up and found it very engaging. Perfect for a rainy day, wrapped in a quilt with a hot beverage of choice.

kmyers105's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

sheena_00110101's review against another edition

Not my thing. But happy for those who do enjoy this type of book.