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embey's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
katiegilley's review against another edition
5.0
“It felt strange. I was about to read one murder mystery while sitting inside another.”
You might remember that I read Magpie Murders earlier this year and immediately got on the waiting list for this, the sequel. This book features the fearless editor, Susan Reyland. It opens in Greece, where she’s living with her fiance and running a hotel. She’s approached by an obviously wealthy couple who tell her that someone has suggested that she can help them find their missing daughter, Cecily. After further discussion, Susan learns that – yet again – the cantankerous (and quite dead) author Alan Conway is behind the connection. He based a detective novel on a murder involving the missing girl’s family years previously – a novel that would help Susan understand what happened to Cecily.
The books in this series are cleverly structured. Both are built so that we read a novel within a novel and we use the clues from one to solve the mystery in the other. They are a lot of fun and help unpack the complexities of mysteries while building the most intricate plots. I was completely captivated by both books! I hope Horowitz writes more of them.
You might remember that I read Magpie Murders earlier this year and immediately got on the waiting list for this, the sequel. This book features the fearless editor, Susan Reyland. It opens in Greece, where she’s living with her fiance and running a hotel. She’s approached by an obviously wealthy couple who tell her that someone has suggested that she can help them find their missing daughter, Cecily. After further discussion, Susan learns that – yet again – the cantankerous (and quite dead) author Alan Conway is behind the connection. He based a detective novel on a murder involving the missing girl’s family years previously – a novel that would help Susan understand what happened to Cecily.
The books in this series are cleverly structured. Both are built so that we read a novel within a novel and we use the clues from one to solve the mystery in the other. They are a lot of fun and help unpack the complexities of mysteries while building the most intricate plots. I was completely captivated by both books! I hope Horowitz writes more of them.
books_and_cream_cheese's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Das Konzept des Buchs, eine Kriminalgeschichte in einer Kriminalgeschichte einzubetten und beide zu verknüpfen, finde ich fantastisch - leider lässt die Umsetzung meiner Meinung nach noch etwas Potenzial offen. Die beiden Elemente hätten an der ein oder anderen Stelle besser verknüpft werden können. Die Handlung, die leider einige problematische Entscheidungen und Beschreibungen seitens des Autors enthält (so sind z.B. sämtliche homosexuellen Charaktere als verachtenswert und pervers dargestellt), aber zwischenzeitlich durchaus spannend ist, führt leider zu einem etwas enttäuschenden Ende.
Für mich persönlich war es auch sehr offensichtlich, dass hier ein männlicher Autor aus Sicht einer Frau erzählt. Die Art und Weise, wie die Protagonistin die Männer und ihre Beziehung zu ihnen beschreibt sowie einige seltsame Formulierungen lassen das sehr offensichtlich werden.
Alles in allem ein spannendes Konzept, das in der Ausführung jedoch enttäuscht. Daher leider nichts für mich.
Für mich persönlich war es auch sehr offensichtlich, dass hier ein männlicher Autor aus Sicht einer Frau erzählt. Die Art und Weise, wie die Protagonistin die Männer und ihre Beziehung zu ihnen beschreibt sowie einige seltsame Formulierungen lassen das sehr offensichtlich werden.
Alles in allem ein spannendes Konzept, das in der Ausführung jedoch enttäuscht. Daher leider nichts für mich.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Sexism, Death, Homophobia, and Murder
Minor: Toxic relationship, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Suicide, and Body shaming
ilsaibodie65's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
claudia_is_reading's review against another edition
2.5
Yep, I still have issues with the structure even while I'm enjoying both stories (yes, I'm annoying like that), although that wasn't the case here. And, please, give me a break! Andreas has become the titular knight-in-shinning-armour and I truly dislike him. Susan seems to think that having him following her to England is a good thing and I strongly disagree. Not that she would give a toss about it, mind you :P
But! I liked the main mystery a lot even when the resolution was dragged out for too long. This is, in part, because I wasn't invested, at all, in the Pündt's story. As a matter of fact, I dislike its main character even more than I dislike Andreas. And I resent Horowits' portrait of gay characters which are either morally corrupt and/or frankly disgusting.
I might read the next novel because I like Susan... but it'd take me a while.
But! I liked the main mystery a lot even when the resolution was dragged out for too long. This is, in part, because I wasn't invested, at all, in the Pündt's story. As a matter of fact, I dislike its main character even more than I dislike Andreas. And I resent Horowits' portrait of gay characters which are either morally corrupt and/or frankly disgusting.
I might read the next novel because I like Susan... but it'd take me a while.
bookish_emily's review against another edition
4.0
Moonflower Murders is the second novel featuring Susan Ryeland, a former book editor who has ridden off into the sunset with her partner Andreas. However, things have gotten a little rocky in paradise, so when Susan is approached by a couple whose daughter has gone missing in connection with a novel from one of Susan's former authors she agrees to head back to England to look into the matter. As she gets pulled back into the sordid universe of Alan Conway and the damage he caused, she begins to wonder whether taking this case may have been a huge mistake.
This book is a well-written and well-plotted mystery that will appeal to readers who appreciate a complex story. The novel within a novel adds a unique element and demonstrates the author's skill. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it in closer proximity to the first book in the series, because I didn't remember enough about it to fully appreciate and understand all the references to the events from it in this book. It was still interesting to read, and kept me guessing until the end!
This book is a well-written and well-plotted mystery that will appeal to readers who appreciate a complex story. The novel within a novel adds a unique element and demonstrates the author's skill. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it in closer proximity to the first book in the series, because I didn't remember enough about it to fully appreciate and understand all the references to the events from it in this book. It was still interesting to read, and kept me guessing until the end!
bookph1le's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this, as far-fetched as I found it. I also still think the story-within-a-story is a bit jolting. Going from Susan's perspective to the Pund novel wasn't bad in the beginning, but switching back to Susan's perspective after the Pund novel ended was a big leap for me. I'm aware that these books are a homage to a certain style of mystery novel, but the way the endings are set up doesn't work all that well for me. Still, if you're a fan of the style, I can see how it's a lot of fun.
mollyhyland's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
christinevellis's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
carlabear's review against another edition
4.0
The story inside a story was so original! It felt almost like an Agatha Christie.