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hb_bookworm's review against another edition
dnfing at 10% for now - I really think I just like watching British murder mysteries vs reading them.
lpierce_livin_fierce's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
arianatee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What a wonderful surprise it was to find this book! I had not even really I think heard of the author-or if I had, I'd not taken note of it and forgotten the name quite quickly. I simply was looking to find another book to complete a challenge in StoryGraph and stumbled across Magpie Murders. I love a murder mystery--both of the cozy kind and the thrilling kind. I'd read the synopsis, thought "good enough for me" and carried on several months before even picking it up. I was in desperate need of another audio book and saw this one on my TBR was available now so I checked it out and then found myself incredibly confused at the beginning.
I'd forgotten this was essentially a book inside a book. A mystery layered on top of another mystery. All very complex and incredibly intriguing. I instantly found myself in love with the writing. There was one thing that was very clear from the beginning, and that was that Anthony Horowitz is an expert craftsman when it comes to creative a believable world with nuanced characters. I loved the setting for the 1950s small town novel and could not stop thinking about this book and its many mysteries. I loved the audiobook narrators as well, but found myself needing to also read the print version to keep clear the cast of characters since I had no idea who was who and wanted very deeply to pay attention to the story.
Halfway through I knew that the mystery alone was a five star read, but then I became frightened of the second half. What if I didn't like the characters from the modern day setting? What if I found it all that much less believable since it's set in present day? Luckily, I didn't need to worry because those skills in crafting a complex world and characters that Horowitz has transferred easily to the modern day detective novel. I loved the way the literary world of the 1950s Magpie Murders was interwoven with that of the modern day and found it fairly seamless. I had guessed the murderer of the 1950s fictional mystery after certain clues were revealed, but had not seen various twists and turns along the way in both worlds! I found this book so incredibly delightful and am in awe of the Horowitz's capabilities in creating such fantastic stories. I most definitely now need to check out more of his work-and it's no wonder that the book was adapted to a show as it feels like a perfect cozy Sunday evening program! An easy 5/5 for me and I look forward to checking out the second book in the series (hopefully sooner rather than later!).
I'd forgotten this was essentially a book inside a book. A mystery layered on top of another mystery. All very complex and incredibly intriguing. I instantly found myself in love with the writing. There was one thing that was very clear from the beginning, and that was that Anthony Horowitz is an expert craftsman when it comes to creative a believable world with nuanced characters. I loved the setting for the 1950s small town novel and could not stop thinking about this book and its many mysteries. I loved the audiobook narrators as well, but found myself needing to also read the print version to keep clear the cast of characters since I had no idea who was who and wanted very deeply to pay attention to the story.
Halfway through I knew that the mystery alone was a five star read, but then I became frightened of the second half. What if I didn't like the characters from the modern day setting? What if I found it all that much less believable since it's set in present day? Luckily, I didn't need to worry because those skills in crafting a complex world and characters that Horowitz has transferred easily to the modern day detective novel. I loved the way the literary world of the 1950s Magpie Murders was interwoven with that of the modern day and found it fairly seamless. I had guessed the murderer of the 1950s fictional mystery after certain clues were revealed, but had not seen various twists and turns along the way in both worlds! I found this book so incredibly delightful and am in awe of the Horowitz's capabilities in creating such fantastic stories. I most definitely now need to check out more of his work-and it's no wonder that the book was adapted to a show as it feels like a perfect cozy Sunday evening program! An easy 5/5 for me and I look forward to checking out the second book in the series (hopefully sooner rather than later!).
sweetpeamarie's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
ploopl's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
rosalyn007's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
namrata_jain's review against another edition
5.0
Really fun read - I'll admit, I couldn't guess the murderer, too many red herrings.
Loved the unique plot design. It's like getting 2 murder mysteries for the price of 1!
Loved the unique plot design. It's like getting 2 murder mysteries for the price of 1!
themillonthefloss's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
silviasbookreviews's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
No puedo apenas describir lo que este libro ha sido. Es que estoy sin palabras. Este título me lleva llamando la atención desde hace muchos meses, creo que desde que lo vi por primera vez en mi tienda, pero es de esos títulos que vas aplazando hasta que, bueno, cuando te quieres dar cuenta, ha acabado sepultado bajo una lista enorme de libros por leer. Sin embargo, lo encontré en uno de mis últimos viajes a la biblioteca y decidí llevármelo a casa para por fin darle una oportunidad. He de decir que no me arrepiento de nada.
Para empezar, se nota que este es un libro escrito para los amantes de la novela criminal (yo), pues hay constantes guiños y referencias a clásicos del género. La historia en sí es bastante original, pues contiene un libro dentro de un libro, ambos increíblemente adictivos y que te dejan con ganas de saber más. La trama comienza ya rompiendo la cuarta pared, puesto que la narradora se dirige directamente al lector para avisarle de por qué el libro que van a leer es tan importante y por qué se convirtió en algo tan dañino. El libro que se nos presenta es el de Sangre de urraca, el último título dentro de una saga protagonizada por el detective Atticus Pünd, que bebe mucho de Agatha Christie. Este manuscrito queda incompleto y, poco después de que la protagonista lo lea, se descubre que el autor ha fallecido, lo que lleva a una investigación por saber qué ha pasado realmente...
Ya solo con estos apuntes, nos podemos dar cuenta de lo increíble que es. Se nos presenta el libro en su totalidad (lo cual ha sido un dolor de cabeza para registrar mi progreso en la lectura jajaja), por lo que el lector se ve involucrado también en esa novela de misterio ficticia tan reminiscente de Poirot (aunque más sangrienta). Los personajes que se presentan en ambas tramas son difíciles de quitarse de la cabeza, por lo que vives obsesionado con el libro y con resolver los dos misterios que se plantean. Además, los dos están estrechamente vinculados, puesto que life imitates art y el crimen acometido en el libro ficticio se medio repite en el vida real... Los paralelismos son difíciles de obviar, más teniendo en cuenta que el autor era un gran aficionado a ellos. Nuestra protagonista hace de detective para resolver el misterio del autor muerto, siendo una representación de los lectores de novelas de crimen, siendo bastante fácil identificarte con ella y avanzar hacia la resolución final.
Simplemente, me parece un libro brillante, uno que me ha fascinado por completo y que me ha hecho enamorarme de nuevo de la novela criminal. De verdad, no creo que vaya a superar este libro en mucho tiempo.
Para empezar, se nota que este es un libro escrito para los amantes de la novela criminal (yo), pues hay constantes guiños y referencias a clásicos del género. La historia en sí es bastante original, pues contiene un libro dentro de un libro, ambos increíblemente adictivos y que te dejan con ganas de saber más. La trama comienza ya rompiendo la cuarta pared, puesto que la narradora se dirige directamente al lector para avisarle de por qué el libro que van a leer es tan importante y por qué se convirtió en algo tan dañino. El libro que se nos presenta es el de Sangre de urraca, el último título dentro de una saga protagonizada por el detective Atticus Pünd, que bebe mucho de Agatha Christie. Este manuscrito queda incompleto y, poco después de que la protagonista lo lea, se descubre que el autor ha fallecido, lo que lleva a una investigación por saber qué ha pasado realmente...
Ya solo con estos apuntes, nos podemos dar cuenta de lo increíble que es. Se nos presenta el libro en su totalidad (lo cual ha sido un dolor de cabeza para registrar mi progreso en la lectura jajaja), por lo que el lector se ve involucrado también en esa novela de misterio ficticia tan reminiscente de Poirot (aunque más sangrienta). Los personajes que se presentan en ambas tramas son difíciles de quitarse de la cabeza, por lo que vives obsesionado con el libro y con resolver los dos misterios que se plantean. Además, los dos están estrechamente vinculados, puesto que life imitates art y el crimen acometido en el libro ficticio se medio repite en el vida real... Los paralelismos son difíciles de obviar, más teniendo en cuenta que el autor era un gran aficionado a ellos. Nuestra protagonista hace de detective para resolver el misterio del autor muerto, siendo una representación de los lectores de novelas de crimen, siendo bastante fácil identificarte con ella y avanzar hacia la resolución final.
Simplemente, me parece un libro brillante, uno que me ha fascinado por completo y que me ha hecho enamorarme de nuevo de la novela criminal. De verdad, no creo que vaya a superar este libro en mucho tiempo.