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Magpie Murders - Anthony Horowitz

Magpie Murders

By Anthony Horowitz

  • Release Date: 2017-06-06
  • Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers
Score: 4
4
From 891 Ratings

Description

Don’t miss Magpie Murders on PBS's MASTERPIECE Mystery!

"A double puzzle for puzzle fans, who don’t often get the classicism they want from contemporary thrillers." —Janet Maslin, The New York Times

New York Times Bestseller | Winner of the Macavity Award for Best Novel | NPR Best Book of the Year | Washington Post Best Book of the Year | Esquire Best Book of the Year

From the New York Times bestselling author of Moriarty and Trigger Mortis, this fiendishly brilliant, riveting thriller weaves a classic whodunit worthy of Agatha Christie into a chilling, ingeniously original modern-day mystery.

When editor Susan Ryeland is given the manuscript of Alan Conway’s latest novel, she has no reason to think it will be much different from any of his others. After working with the bestselling crime writer for years, she’s intimately familiar with his detective, Atticus Pünd, who solves mysteries disturbing sleepy English villages. An homage to queens of classic British crime such as Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, Alan’s traditional formula has proved hugely successful. So successful that Susan must continue to put up with his troubling behavior if she wants to keep her job.

Conway’s latest tale has Atticus Pünd investigating a murder at Pye Hall, a local manor house. Yes, there are dead bodies and a host of intriguing suspects, but the more Susan reads, the more she’s convinced that there is another story hidden in the pages of the manuscript: one of real-life jealousy, greed, ruthless ambition, and murder.

Masterful, clever, and relentlessly suspenseful, Magpie Murders is a deviously dark take on vintage English crime fiction in which the reader becomes the detective.

Reviews

  • Very Good

    4
    By Becmgs
    It’s a bit long winded but it flows. Overall, a very good read.
  • Excellent!

    5
    By carocross
    Intricate and very entertaining. Can’t wait to read more by this author.
  • Doesn’t work

    1
    By Adynonymous
    A disappointing book trying to mimic the great English detective novel, but doesn’t come within ten miles of any. I wanted to read this book for a while after seeing it on many shelves and finding out the author worked on the Midsommer Murders tv show. I can say unequivocally that it was the worst book I’ve ever read, not just in the mystery genre. The plot falls flat. Whatever the author was trying to do by changing the story half through the book did not have the intended effect. The characters are uncharismatic, stupid and without motivation for anything that they do. Labeling this book a mystery is falsification because there’s none at all. Even as a standalone, uncompared to Agatha Christies work - which I believe was the intention, it fails to keep the reader interested. I would believe it if someone told me this book was a patchwork created by 8th grade kids in English class. I would urge any reader to steer clear because I don’t want anyone to waste precious time reading this.
  • Midsomer Fans

    5
    By Kmillerca
    If you like a the old-school Agatha Christie-style murder you’ll really geek out.
  • Interesting But

    3
    By Discerning Reader
    It is interesting but way too long, I think there are shorter, more crisp ways to get the point across, for all that the writing and story are good. That’s why 3 stars instead of 1.
  • Slow read

    2
    By Odie092
    Interesting plot, but the storyline is slow to develop and ended up feeling very dragged out.
  • Entertaining on multiple levels

    5
    By TheSchlDoc
    This book was so original in that it possessed multiple layers of mystery. Multiple time zones, varied intelligent perspectives, yet continuity to keep you turning the pages. Moreover, as a bibliophile, it was informative to learn the thoughts of a publisher/editor. Highly recommend.
  • Magpie murders

    1
    By Pottymouthforever
    As clever as a bug seeking a shoe for shade as it descends to the ground. Not esp well written and as toothless of an old lady trying to chew a perfect steak. Avoid at all costs.
  • Magpie murders

    1
    By MAM MPLS
    What's up with stupidity. Worst reading experience
  • Terrific!

    5
    By Tillymydog
    I rarely pay full price for new releases (I wait for paperbacks or the library!) but this was worth it. I loved it. If you love the classic British whodunits, then you will enjoy this. Don't read too many reviews! Best if you read it with no knowledge of what's coming.

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