Published: June 6, 2017
Publisher: Harper
Series: Susan Ryeland #1
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 498 (Hardcover)
My Rating: 4.0/5.0
Synopsis:
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.
I love a good murder mystery and seeing The Magpie Murders described as being an Agatha Christie-style mystery totally made me want to read it. I admit, I’ve only seen the tv and movie adaptations of Christie’s books, but I love them! The Magpie Murders was described quite accurately and I really enjoyed it, plus, the narration was awesome!
This book starts out a bit oddly. Susan Ryeland, is a book editor and she’s reading through the manuscript for the latest installment in one of their most popular book series. The first maybe 25% is actually the text of this manuscript so you’re getting two stories in one almost. I legit forgot that this wasn’t the actual story until it came to the end and picked back up with Susan Ryeland and the real mystery – who killed the author, Alan Conway? Susan thinks something is just not quite right with his apparent suicide, even though it makes sense why he would have thrown himself from his tower, as he was terminally ill. The last chapter of his manuscript for the Magpie Murders was missing and as Susan spoke to his acquaintances, lawyers, lovers, etc. to find the missing pages she also inquired about Alan. Did he give any indication that he might kill himself? Did he have enemies? Susan proves to be quite the detective as she slowly makes sense of events and relationships.
The Magpie Murders was a delightful read despite the serious plot. It’s not overly dark and I like the fact that we kind of got two stories for the price of one as both were well fleshed out and well written. This works perfectly well as a standalone, though there is a second book in the series that is even more highly rated by readers than this book.
Powder & Page 
Good review! I been meaning to read Magpie Murders for quite a while now, since I also like Agatha Christie’s books.
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