Magpie Murders (Susan Ryeland, #1) in Around the World in 80 Books

Dec 23, 2020 Nancy rated it did not like it

Shelves: too-fishy-to-finish, mystery, worst-of-2020

The problem with this is that the mystery within the mystery is so very bad, formulaic, anachronistic and tedious. It staggers the imagination that the fictional detective ranks with the greatest. I kept plodding, knowing there should be a payoff eventually, but it took just too darned long to get there. I might have soldiered on, skimming to get the gist, except that I was listening to the audiobook. Abandoned.

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Feb 04, 2021 Sera rated it liked it

Shelves: own, mystery, kindle

3.5 stars

I enjoyed this mystery by Horowitz for the most part. The original mystery had my attention and then the book turned into a mystery within a mystery. The new mystery wasn't nearly as interesting as the original one. By the time we get back to the original mystery, I found myself not as invested as I had been previously in the outcome.

The book is at its best when it compares its mysteries to other well known authors and books in this genre. For example, when the author describes why smal ...more

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Mar 02, 2021 Diane rated it it was amazing

Shelves: era-contemporary, empty-nests-bookclub, crime-thriller-mystery, locale-england-tudors, pop-sugar-challenge-2021

Life imitates art. Susan Reyland follows the clues, both in real life and in the book. The book is the ninth in a series, one that she would usually edit before it was published. But the author is dead and Susan wants to know how and why.

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Oct 19, 2017 Julie rated it really liked it

A little slow going at first but such an interesting format! A book within a book, Christie-inspired mystery that wraps you up in a cozy sweater of a mystery. Perfect for fall!

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