Magpie Murders

A Novel

Narrated by Samantha Bond

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, 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.

Brilliant!

Incredible plot twists and ingenious book within a book device. Excellent characterizations as well. Will read more from this author!

Inventive Plotting and Narration

What made the experience of listening to Magpie Murders the most enjoyable?

The readers deftly deliver the characters. The plotting is original and genuinely interesting. I wasn't dying to know whodunit or surprised that much to find out, but the journey was truly enjoyable. I really don't even like Whodunit's very much. But this one was, as billed, exceptional.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The first narrator - the editor. She's a believable struggler, and not whiny in the least. It's great that to have female characters that are strong and smart in mainstream work.

What about Samantha Bond and Allan Corduner ’s performance did you like?

Their excellent voice quality, timing, weaving in and out of characters. I love Audible's sound quality across the board.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

What's in a name? More than you might want to know.

Any additional comments?

Some of the names of the Magpie Murders characters are too awful - then you get it. Highly recommend.

A very clever who-dunnit

There is a whole lot to like about this audiobook. I really enjoyed the narration. This is one of those stories that the less you know about it the more you will enjoy it. As I have mentioned in other reviews, I have impeccable taste in audiobooks and if I tell you it's good...it's good.
As you listen to the story, you will have no problem figuring out who has influenced Mr. Horowitz and he honors those that came before him in a most masterful way. Treat yourself to this audiobook. I promise that you will enjoy it as much as I did.

Two mysteries for the price of one: Failed concept

Would you try another book from Anthony Horowitz and/or Samantha Bond and Allan Corduner ?

I have enjoyed Mr. Horowitz's revivals of Sherlock Holmes and James Bond and yes I will definitely continue to follow him despite his failure here.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Discard the 2015 story of the literary editor playing at detective chasing down the author's killer - it just isn't credible that she would be able to do this. Keep the Christie-like Magpie Murders yarn from 1955 with the rather interesting Atticus Pund. It's a bit forced, but it's still enjoyable.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Both narrators did a fine job. One had good material to work with, and the other didn't.

Did Magpie Murders inspire you to do anything?

Revisit Agatha Christie.

Any additional comments?

The 2015 narrative seemed to have forgotten all about modern police and detection methods and technologies, which I thought was ridiculous. There is no way the police would have been so casual in not looking into the suspicious death of a wealthy and successful writer. There is no way a total amateur like Susan Rylande could have figured things out. Her narrative is a failure, and hence the book itself is a failure. Just let the Pund story stand on its own, and you would have a perfectly delightful English mystery. In fact, Mr. Horowitz might want to try his hand at creating the preceding 8 Atticus Pund mysteries, they might be a real pleasure.

75% through I was ready for it to be over.

Samantha Bond is an excellent narrator. The book itself is mediocre, pretentious and way too long.