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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
*3,5 stars*
The first half of this was 5 stars and the second was 3 stars. I loved the mystery within a mystery, which it's told in the first half. It was very reminiscent of Christie, who I love, it was entertaining, it had compelling characters and an interesting story. Unfortunately, when we switch to the storyline set in modern times, I found it really hard to get invested in that story since I was enjoying the other one so much, I didn't found the characters as compelling and I guess the resolution to the "real life" mystery early on. Also, once we finally go back and learned the resolution of the "fictional" mystery, I didn't felt as invested. Still, overall it was an enjoyable read and I will continue with the series.
The first half of this was 5 stars and the second was 3 stars. I loved the mystery within a mystery, which it's told in the first half. It was very reminiscent of Christie, who I love, it was entertaining, it had compelling characters and an interesting story. Unfortunately, when we switch to the storyline set in modern times, I found it really hard to get invested in that story since I was enjoying the other one so much, I didn't found the characters as compelling and I guess the resolution to the "real life" mystery early on. Also, once we finally go back and learned the resolution of the "fictional" mystery, I didn't felt as invested. Still, overall it was an enjoyable read and I will continue with the series.
okay now i'm a big fan of stories within stories which is obviously why i picked this book up but i feel like if you are going to have two full books to read like they have here, rather than just excerpts of the story-within-a-story. both of them need to be good. i have to admit i skimmed all the atticus pund stuff. it just was not my thing. but when we got to the ACTUAL story i really enjoyed this book. i love susan and i love james taylor and i love all the weird publishing intrigue and i love some meta genre aware shit. bit too british for me though
I truly am fascinated by the way the author sets a book within a book. However, that creates a trickier storyline to follow and a whole heck ton of characters to keep track of which hurt my brain a little. A fun mystery if you are up for the commitment.
This was a fun story within a story. It was confusing at first as an audiobook.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fun, light murder mystery that is a book within a book which I forgot about until the book within the book was over and I was pushed back to "present day".
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Rarely are both parts of a “novel within a novel” equally enjoyable, but this was a fun and satisfying read that checked all my whodunnit boxes ☺️
“As far as I'm concerned, you can't beat a good whodunnit: the twists and turns, the clues and the red herrings and then, finally, the satisfaction of having everything explained to you in a way that makes you kick yourself because you hadn't seen it from the start.”
Ah yes, the whodunnit: Brit. Lit’s favorite past-time. Like the U.S. and baseball. Whodunnits are made up of motives and suspects, each the spoke of a bicycle wheel, turning and turning, rattling down the lane. “Magpie Murders” takes this genre to a deeper, meta level: a book within a book, a mystery within a mystery, and…you get the point. Self-aware editor turned detective justifies the answer being in front of you the whole time, as she cautiously reminds herself, and readers, she’s not a professional. Gum can stick to anyone’s shoe and I’m pleased to inform you: I’ll be reading the next Susan Ryeland case.
4.5/5 The magpies didn’t even murder anyone and I had to Google where Crete is
Ah yes, the whodunnit: Brit. Lit’s favorite past-time. Like the U.S. and baseball. Whodunnits are made up of motives and suspects, each the spoke of a bicycle wheel, turning and turning, rattling down the lane. “Magpie Murders” takes this genre to a deeper, meta level: a book within a book, a mystery within a mystery, and…you get the point. Self-aware editor turned detective justifies the answer being in front of you the whole time, as she cautiously reminds herself, and readers, she’s not a professional. Gum can stick to anyone’s shoe and I’m pleased to inform you: I’ll be reading the next Susan Ryeland case.
4.5/5 The magpies didn’t even murder anyone and I had to Google where Crete is
Well, that was a fun ride and very much Agatha Christie-esque.
This was a book in a book and I loved both of those books and when I get excited I can't form real sentences.
I've been a huge reader since I was a kid, but this is the first book that's ever made me want to write one. I'm not going to, I have zero creativity, but this book made it seem so cool and interesting.
Also the nods to Agatha Christie were so cool, and it was even cooler that I noticed them before they were brought up later on. This probably makes no sense. As I said before, I'm incoherent when I'm really excited about something.
Read this, it was so good. Loved.
I've been a huge reader since I was a kid, but this is the first book that's ever made me want to write one. I'm not going to, I have zero creativity, but this book made it seem so cool and interesting.
Also the nods to Agatha Christie were so cool, and it was even cooler that I noticed them before they were brought up later on. This probably makes no sense. As I said before, I'm incoherent when I'm really excited about something.
Read this, it was so good. Loved.
Ах свърши. Раздвоена съм. Можеше да бъде с 1/3 по-кратка. Препратките към най-първата книга на Алън Конвой и сравнението с открадната от него, ми се сториха излишни. Също беше ясно кой е убиецът му. Изморителни ми бяха всички имена и анаграми, кодове. От друга страна, интересно вплетени две истории. Книга в книгата. Но така мога да я сравня с подобната The Nothing Man, също история която се случва паралелно с реалност от книга, която протагониста чете, и Magpie Murders отстъпва по-находчивост. Не ми беше достатъчно хитра.