It’s been nearly a week since I finished reading the wonderful Magpie Murders, but it wasn’t until this morning that I felt able to start writing my review. I loved it – it’s one of my books of the year, without a doubt – but I’ve spent a lot of time staring at a blank screen wondering what I could possibly say about it that would explain exactly why I loved it without spoiling things for future readers in the process. The reason I’ve found this such a difficult book to write about is because it’s a mystery novel which contains not just one mystery, but two – and part of the fun was in not only trying to solve each one, but also in discovering the connections between the two.
The novel opens with Susan Ryeland, editor for Cloverleaf Books, a small, independent publisher, settling down to read the latest manuscript from bestselling author, Alan Conway. Conway has achieved enormous success with his series of Golden-Age-style crime novels featuring the detective Atticus Pünd. Susan has never liked the author but she loves his books and has high hopes for his new one, Magpie Murders.
We are then given the privilege of reading the manuscript of Magpie Murders in – almost, but not quite – its entirety. This story-within-a-story is set in the 1950s in the little English village of Saxby-on-Avon. One of the villagers, Mary Blakiston, has been found dead at the bottom of the stairs in Pye Hall, where she worked as a cleaner, and Pünd has been called in to investigate. The story has everything you would expect from a classic whodunnit – plenty of red herrings, some intriguing clues, a long list of suspects all with secrets to hide, an eccentric detective and his hapless sidekick. It’s a real treat for anyone who enjoys reading Agatha Christie!
Eventually the manuscript comes to an end and we return to the present day, where a second mystery, every bit as perplexing as the one we have just been reading, is beginning to take shape. As Susan tries to draw parallels between the fictional world of Saxby-on-Avon and the private life of its creator, Alan Conway, she finds that Magpie Murders really is one of those life-changing books which, until now, she thought were just a cliché.
This is one of the most compelling mystery novels I’ve read for a long time. Both the fictional story and the ‘real life’ one had me completely gripped, trying to figure out which clues were important and which were designed to mislead us, who had a valid alibi and who didn’t…needless to say, I failed to solve either of the mysteries and fell into most of the traps that had been set for the reader. I didn’t mind, though – I was happy just to watch everything unfold as more information came to light and secrets were revealed.
There were so many other things to enjoy…the insights into the publishing world, the little puzzles and word games woven into the plot, even the chapter titles based on the One for Sorrow nursery rhyme. My only disappointment is that the rest of the Atticus Pünd mysteries referred to in the novel don’t really exist. I loved Alan Conway’s Magpie Murders so much I’m now desperate to read Atticus Pünd Investigates, Atticus Pünd Takes the Case, Gin & Cyanide, and all of the others – apart from maybe Night Comes Calling, but I’m not telling you why!
This is the first of Anthony Horowitz’s adult novels I’ve read, although I do remember, as a child, reading one of his Diamond Brothers detective stories. His recent Sherlock Holmes novels The House of Silk and Moriarty didn’t appeal, but now I’m wondering if I should give them a try. Has anyone read them? And have I convinced you to read Magpie Murders? I hope so!
Thanks to Orion for providing a review copy via NetGalley
She Reads Novels 
Helen, you have reinforced my commitment to reading this book. It’s not a genre or an author I would normally choose but you and others have been so glowing in your praise that it has to be on my must-read list for next year. So yes – you have most definitely convinced me!
I’m pleased to hear that! I do love a good mystery novel – and this book was two in one.
You’ve definitely convinced me 😀
Great – that’s good to know!
As you know I loved it too. I’ve read The House of Silk and loved it. I’m not often keen on pastiches, prequels or sequels written by a different author from the original but this one is the exception. The House of Silk is vastly entertaining, a page-turner, full of detail and great characterisation. I have a copy of Moriarty, but haven’t read it yet.
I’m not very keen on prequels and sequels by different authors either, which is why I’ve never thought about reading The House of Silk or Moriarty. Having loved this book so much, though, I think I’m tempted to give them a try!
You have convinced me as well! I remember when I read The Magicians by Lev Grossman and Quentin, the main character was so deeply into a (ficitional) fantasy series that I wanted to read it too. For an author to do that to readers takes some extra heavy lifting if you ask me. Plus you say it is one of your books of the year!
Yes, it shows how much care and attention to detail the author has put into creating a fictional world. I could almost have believed that Alan Conway and his books really existed!
Like you, I loved this one – and also like you struggled to review it without spoiling the glorious fun of seeing how it all fits together. I loved both his Holmes world books. They’re very different from each other. The House of Silk is a reasonably traditional take on the Holmes story, and as such, being a complete Holmes geek, I did find one or two aspects of it didn’t wholly ring true to the originals. But I thought he achieved the most authentic Watsonian voice of any Holmes pastiche I’ve read. Moriarty on the other hand is not at all like a Holmes story though it’s firmly set in his world. I absolutely adored the plotting in it and thought it was as fab as Magpie Murders. I’d highly recommend both and they stand completely alone from one another. And yes, I want to read the other Atticus Pund books too – I’m thinking of starting a petition… 😉
I would sign that petition! 🙂 Thanks for the information on the Holmes books. Two more to add to the TBR, I think.
Definitely one of my favourites of this year. I would have liked a few more Atticus Pund stories to be brought out as novels.
But this is really a very clever book and a must for all those who live traditional murder mystery.
I thought the Atticus Pund story would have been strong enough to stand on its own, but the other mystery wrapped around it made it even better. I’m glad it’s one of your favourites too. 🙂
I loved your review so much Helen that I moved it up my pile and have just spent all weekend reading it. What a fantastic book! Thanks for the great review 😀
That’s great! It’s a wonderful book, isn’t it? I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
I, too, desperately want to read the whole Atticus Pund “series”! Would Anthony Horowitz please write them?!
Oh, I hope he does! It would make a great series, wouldn’t it?
Pls read The House of Silk.
You won’t be disappointed.
I’m definitely considering reading The House of Silk. 🙂