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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
A murder mystery nested in a murder mystery. "Magpie Murders" is the title of a mystery novel that the editor gets at the beginning of the book. So like the first half of the book is the nested murder mystery. Then it zooms back out and goes back to the editor's perspective. Then the author gets murdered, and the editor has to figure out how and why and how it relates to the book he wrote. The nested structure was kind of cool, but (both) mysteries were pretty generic. SPOILER: her rescue from the fire by her greek boyfriend at just the right time --> major eyeroll
In the spirit of traditional mysteries, this standout novel is uniquely structured and a true pleasure to read. Horowitz, prolific author and BBC series writer, in Magpie Murders presents a delightful mystery within a mystery complete with intricate puzzles to solve.
The first whodunit story is set in 1950s England. The country village is charming and comes complete with a vicar, a country doctor, tavern, an historic manor house, and a quirky detective. The second whodunit story is set in modern times when an editor must determine whether her star author committed suicide or was murdered. Suspicious deaths abound in both tales.
Horowitz steadily and brilliantly interweaves the two stories. Every character has a motive for murder. The satisfying conclusion ensures that readers will relish these clever double mysteries.
The first whodunit story is set in 1950s England. The country village is charming and comes complete with a vicar, a country doctor, tavern, an historic manor house, and a quirky detective. The second whodunit story is set in modern times when an editor must determine whether her star author committed suicide or was murdered. Suspicious deaths abound in both tales.
Horowitz steadily and brilliantly interweaves the two stories. Every character has a motive for murder. The satisfying conclusion ensures that readers will relish these clever double mysteries.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Can't believe why I hadn't read an Anthony Horowitz all these years!!!
I downloaded both the ebook as well as the audio book and boy! that was a fabulous experience. Part of the story is read by Samantha Bond (Ms. Moneypenny) and part by Allan Corduner, and they brought the story to life.
What do I say about the book? Read it ASAP. You'll love it!
It's 2 books for the price of one. A story within a story!
Susan Ryeland is an editor at Cloverleaf Publication. Her CEO Charles Clover gives her the latest manuscript from their best selling author Alan Conway. Alan has just committed suicide because of a terminal illness.... But he has written a humdinger of a book. A murder mystery featuring his famous detective Atticus Pünd. This is the 9th in a series and Pünd's Swan song, so to speak.
The issue though, is that the last chapters of the book are missing.
Susan decides to hunt down the missing chapters.... And as she does, various aspects of the first 8 books come to light, throwing Alan Conway in terrible light. The author had rubbed too many people the wrong way. Could his nominal suicide have been a mistake?
With suspects galore, Susan continues to pry into the mystery, putting herself at risk.... Especially when she finds the missing chapters.
As I said, you get two riveting stories in one book. And loads of trivia about Conan Doyle, Christie, Sayers and more.
Drop everything right away and hunt down a copy!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I downloaded both the ebook as well as the audio book and boy! that was a fabulous experience. Part of the story is read by Samantha Bond (Ms. Moneypenny) and part by Allan Corduner, and they brought the story to life.
What do I say about the book? Read it ASAP. You'll love it!
It's 2 books for the price of one. A story within a story!
Susan Ryeland is an editor at Cloverleaf Publication. Her CEO Charles Clover gives her the latest manuscript from their best selling author Alan Conway. Alan has just committed suicide because of a terminal illness.... But he has written a humdinger of a book. A murder mystery featuring his famous detective Atticus Pünd. This is the 9th in a series and Pünd's Swan song, so to speak.
The issue though, is that the last chapters of the book are missing.
Susan decides to hunt down the missing chapters.... And as she does, various aspects of the first 8 books come to light, throwing Alan Conway in terrible light. The author had rubbed too many people the wrong way. Could his nominal suicide have been a mistake?
With suspects galore, Susan continues to pry into the mystery, putting herself at risk.... Especially when she finds the missing chapters.
As I said, you get two riveting stories in one book. And loads of trivia about Conan Doyle, Christie, Sayers and more.
Drop everything right away and hunt down a copy!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Must read for fans of whodunnits. The text constantly nods to Agatha Christie in its first half but takes a sharp turn in tone and style in the second half. I think it’s rare for two (such different) halves of a book to be so hooking but I found this to be the case here
