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Magpie Murders cover art

Magpie Murders

By: Anthony Horowitz
Narrated by: Allan Corduner, Samantha Bond
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Summary

Once again, Anthony Horowitz proves to be a captivating storyteller in this mysterious crime caper with an old-school twist. Crafting a narrative that is fuller and more intimate at second glance, there is much more than meets the eye.

When editor Susan Ryeland is given the tattered manuscript of Alan Conway's latest novel, she has little idea it will change her life. She's worked with the revered crime writer for years, and his detective, Atticus Pund, is renowned for solving crimes in the sleepy English villages of the 1950s.

As Susan knows only too well, vintage crime sells handsomely. It's just a shame that it means dealing with an author like Alan Conway....

But Conway's latest tale of murder at Pye Hall is not quite what it seems. Yes, there are dead bodies and a host of intriguing suspects, but hidden in the pages of the manuscript there lies another story: a tale written between the very words on the page, telling of real-life jealousy, greed, ruthless ambition and murder.

From Sunday Times best seller Anthony Horowitz comes Magpie Murders, his deliciously dark take on the vintage crime novel, brought bang up to date with a fiendish modern twist.

Read by Samantha Bond and Allan Corduner.

©2016 Anthony Horowitz (P)2016 Orion Publishing Group

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What listeners say about Magpie Murders

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Sorrowful, joyless

I usually enjoy Anthony Horowitz - whether it's his novels or screenplays, he creates sympathetic central characters and brings a strong sense of time and place to each story, with immersive, carefully woven plots and a good dose of humour - but here he has fallen into the maudlin pit many writers descend when they attempt a novel about their own profession: it is depressing beyond measure, and worse than that, in its satire, does everything it can to undermine rather than celebrate the genre so many people love to read and watch. Ugly characters, unrewarding denouement, a gear change which borders on laziness or simply clumsy handling of an attempt to tell two stories in one: I'm sorry to say I didn't enjoy it, and probably only hung on until the end because I was laid up with flu all week and of course hoped for a much stronger ending. Disappointing.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

An page turning whodunit

Another masterpiece from an excellent writer. A thoroughly enjoyable page turner.
Couldn't stop listening. Well narrated and expertly performed

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Just Brilliant

one on the most engaging frustrating exciting and slick writers of the modern age. Anthony Horowitze keeps you guessing whilst paying homage to the greatest crime writer of our time. this is charming and intelligent and narrated with such feeling and warmth.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Massive twist where you don't expect it

Any additional comments?

There is a massive twist half way through the book, which initially is irritating because it causes a huge interruption to the flow, but once you settle to the idea, it is incredibly clever.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Lightens your afternoons

I enjoyed this for its.two in one storyline. It's very Agatha Christie style whodunnit. It's enjoyable and you do want.to.keep.listening, even when you have worked it out for yourself

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great who dunnit

compelling story, well read. kept me on the edge of my seat right to the end even though all the clues are there in the story. I really enjoyed it,

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Could have been shorter

The first part of the story is gripping and keeps you guessing and wanting more. The second part set in the present time is dragging and making you want to fast forward. Still a very good plot and interesting way of mixing two stories / mysteries.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Wow

Amazing story, loved it. But still a few unanswered questions as the end seemed rushed

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

This is very good

Two stories, one after the other, coming together at the end, very clever and nicely done. From start to finish, both narrators do an excellent job(though, I have a serious soft spot for Samantha Bond, slight bias there). You WILL scream it at, after the first part, but stick with it, it worth it. I'll be checking out more Horowitz after this......

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story line

Such an original story and very well narrated. Enjoyed it throughout. Throughly recommended to all.

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