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Magpie Murders
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February 2021 Group Read Thread - Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
I've posted my review on Goodreads. There aren't any spoilers, but it's always best to read a book before reading the reviews. I look forward to moderating and will try to check in once/day.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I enjoyed the book. I guess my comment on the way the story is structured should go in the spoiler thread so I'll head on over there.
I listened to the audio book and enjoyed it a lot. Plenty of twists and surprises. Looking forward to reading her next release soon.
Correction: His next release.
I loved this book, which I read late last year. I will post a link to my spoiler free review a little later in the month. ❤📚
I'm currently reading this book, I was looking for something different and definitely got that. ☺️
Read it last year, found it good in spite of the meta gimmick rather than because of it.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Sara wrote: "Correction: His next release."Sara wrote: "I listened to the audio book and enjoyed it a lot. Plenty of twists and surprises. Looking forward to reading her next release soon."
Glad you enjoyed it Sara! You never know with the audio version, all depends on the narrator.
Aditya wrote: "Read it last year, found it good in spite of the meta gimmick rather than because of it.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
A very thorough review. I find it interesting that you found it to be a love letter to Agatha Christie. Viewing it that way, I'm not sure if my overall opinion has softened somewhat.
Judy wrote: "A very thorough review. I find it interesting that you found it to be a love letter to Agatha Christie. Viewing it that way, I'm not sure if my overall opinion has softened somewhat."Thanks Judy, I thought the part that paid a homage to golden age detective novels was the better half of the book. I have read another Horowitz, his take on Sherlock Holmes - The House of Silk. It was similarly divided into two mysteries and the more modern narrative was equally generic there.
Horowitz can only write plot and to be fair he writes it pretty well, however his characters are cardboard cutouts. So he is only worth reading when he is when he mimicking golden age detective stories.
And I read your review if a bookstore owner feels this is the best mystery of the 2000s, I don't think he sold a lot of mysteries : )
Aditya wrote: "Judy wrote: "A very thorough review. I find it interesting that you found it to be a love letter to Agatha Christie. Viewing it that way, I'm not sure if my overall opinion has softened somewhat."..."
I think I went in expecting too much -- you know how you hear about a movie, lots of buzz, and it never lives up to the hype.
So everyone hear has read it or is in the middle even though it’s only 2/3.
About a quarter through. Like the conceit of it being a book within a book (I think) and the detective clearly being a version of M Poirot... complete with duff assistant.
Atl wrote: "So everyone hear has read it or is in the middle even though it’s only 2/3."I read ahead of time to be ready to moderate. So far, not many comments. I'm sure you're not alone in just starting this!
One book I thought of when reading this was A Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling, and that's because of the gossipy nature of the city. Did it remind anyone of any other books?
M.L. wrote: "One book I thought of when reading this was A Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling, and that's because of the gossipy nature of the city. Did it remind anyone of any other books?" I have not read any of her books (not even Harry Potter!).
Really? :) I always think everyone has read it but I know readers who haven't. There were a couple of other things that reminded me of her Robert Galbraith series, but if I had read Magpie Murders first I probably would not have noticed.Pund is sort of similar to Hercule Poirot, or maybe it's just a natural thing to compare them, but Poirot is much more colorful and entertaining.
M.L. wrote: "Really? :) I always think everyone has read it but I know readers who haven't. There were a couple of other things that reminded me of her Robert Galbraith series, but if I had read Magpie Murders ..." Really. I suppose I should try the Potter books some day but they just don't appeal to me... and the Galbraith book sold something like 600 copies and had lukewarm reviews until someone "leaked" it as Rowling. So that kind of put me off of it. I agree, Poirot is far better than Pund, and in my opinion, Christie is much better than Horowitz. I've reread some Christies and they still hold up all these years later. But reading is subjective.
Goodreads wasn't even around when HP came out and I would not have known about it but I was given a book. It had spread by word of mouth. I started with number 4 and went back and read the first three, then on to the others, and along with lots of readers waited anxiously for the next installment. Then there was The Casual Vacancy, not a favorite, but I view it as a transition to adult. The last two in the Strike series--and the last in particular, 900 pages+--were my favorites. I discovered a new immersive novel. Some novels are long and it's more a sense of relief when they are finally over, but not that one. I'm off topic now. :)Anyway, I agree Christie holds up after all these years. What drew me into Magpie Murders was the opening with two gravediggers at the grave. And then later I thought it was funny that (view spoiler)
M.L. wrote: "Goodreads wasn't even around when HP came out and I would not have known about it but I was given a book. It had spread by word of mouth. I started with number 4 and went back and read the first th..."900 pages! That's self-indulgent. If she wasn't Rowling, no one would publish something 1/2 that long. I have to think that "not worried about the ego of the author" editing could have cut a hunk of that. As Stephen King would say "Kill your darlings." And he writes a very long book!
Judy wrote: "M.L. wrote: "Goodreads wasn't even around when HP came out and I would not have known about it but I was given a book. It had spread by word of mouth. I started with number 4 and went back and read..."I've never quite understood the appeal myself, but I suppose I can't base that solely on the movies (as I've never bothered with the books.) To each his own I suppose!
Tara wrote: "Judy wrote: "M.L. wrote: "Goodreads wasn't even around when HP came out and I would not have known about it but I was given a book. It had spread by word of mouth. I started with number 4 and went ..."Tara wrote: "Judy wrote: "M.L. wrote: "Goodreads wasn't even around when HP came out and I would not have known about it but I was given a book. It had spread by word of mouth. I started with number 4 and went ..."
I haven't even tried the movies!
I never understood the Harry Potter hype. And I never checked out Rowling's mysteries because of their length. Reviews warned me they go on forever. And as Judy says I don't think the editors would have been so lax if she did not have an established fan base who would buy anything she puts out. I mean 900 pages is way too much.
Barbara wrote: "Judy wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I think the book is very clever and a wonderful homage to the golden age mysteries.I read this a while ago. This is my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Can you delete your post from here, Barbara? I am unable to do it.
Judy wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Judy wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I think the book is very clever and a wonderful homage to the golden age mysteries.I read this a while ago. This is my review:
..."
I deleted my posts Judy and moved them to spoiler thread.
Barbara wrote: "Judy wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Judy wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I think the book is very clever and a wonderful homage to the golden age mysteries.I read this a while ago. This is my review: Thank you!
..."
I d..."
Judy wrote: "M.L. wrote: "One book I thought of when reading this was A Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling, and that's because of the gossipy nature of the city. Did it remind anyone of any other books?" I have not..."Nope, a Rowling free zone here too. Childrens books are not high on my list of must-read at my age. Maybe when I truly hit second childhood? (or dementia? :) )
Christina wrote: "Judy wrote: "M.L. wrote: "One book I thought of when reading this was A Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling, and that's because of the gossipy nature of the city. Did it remind anyone of any other books..." Hi Christina, I see you rated Magpie 3 stars. Can you post a link to your review? If spoilers, use the spoiler thread. Thanks!
I was enjoying the book until almost midway through it. The abrupt and radical change in the narrative left me feeling cheated/betrayed. I almost quit on it. I'm not sure, but I don't think I've ever done that with a book. With my stubbornness in hand, I plowed on ahead. About 75% of the way through I'm glad I did. It turned out to be quite an inventive twist. So in the end I rated it 4 stars. I think the issues I have relate more to my mental makeup as opposed to the author's writing/style.
Bob wrote: "I was enjoying the book until almost midway through it. The abrupt and radical change in the narrative left me feeling cheated/betrayed. I almost quit on it. I'm not sure, but I don't think I've ev..." Thanks Bob. Can you share a link to your review (either here or on the Spoiler link)? I love reading the reviews of others. Even if you didn't post a review, then post this as a review! (And I'm stubborn too).
Judy wrote: "Bob wrote: "I was enjoying the book until almost midway through it. The abrupt and radical change in the narrative left me feeling cheated/betrayed. I almost quit on it. I'm not sure, but I don't t..."Judy, This is pretty much the same as my review.
Bob wrote: "Judy wrote: "Bob wrote: "I was enjoying the book until almost midway through it. The abrupt and radical change in the narrative left me feeling cheated/betrayed. I almost quit on it. I'm not sure, ..." Okay, it's just nice to have a link so folks can like it etc.
Bob wrote: "OK, I never considered that. Hopefully this workshttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Thanks Bob, just popped over and Liked your review. Appreciate you sharing it with the rest of us.
Thank you. I'm still trying to figure out the Goodreads/Kindle interworkings. I'd like to include my highlighted passages and notes in my reviews without retyping them.On another note. I went ahead and purchased the 2nd, and last, book in the series.
Bob wrote: "Thank you. I'm still trying to figure out the Goodreads/Kindle interworkings. I'd like to include my highlighted passages and notes in my reviews without retyping them.On another note. I went ahe..." Great that you discovered a new-to-you author. Sorry I can't help you on the Kindle stuff, maybe someone else on this thread can do that for you. Or maybe there's a Kindle group that can help you. Surely to be a few dozen of those.
Magpie Murders is two books for the price of one. I very much enjoyed this format and a traditional murder mystery. It is definitely a homage to Agatha Christie with lots of references to her work and that of other well known authors as well. I look forward to reading more Anthony Horowitz novels, this was well thought out and a very satisfying read.
Jayne wrote: "Magpie Murders is two books for the price of one. I very much enjoyed this format and a traditional murder mystery. It is definitely a homage to Agatha Christie with lots of references to her work ..."It's a nice tribute to the incomparable Agatha Christie. 😊🌺💚
Jayne wrote: "Magpie Murders is two books for the price of one. I very much enjoyed this format and a traditional murder mystery. It is definitely a homage to Agatha Christie with lots of references to her work ..."I'm so glad that you've discovered a new author! It would be great if you could post a link to your review either here or on the spoiler link. Thanks for participating.
Barbara wrote: "Jayne wrote: "Magpie Murders is two books for the price of one. I very much enjoyed this format and a traditional murder mystery. It is definitely a homage to Agatha Christie with lots of reference..."I think that's what he intended, Jayne. Thanks for participating.
This is the second book I have read for this group and I hope to continue this lucky course. This book surprised me very pleasantly. I'm not an overly huge fan of Christie, but I appreciate both her workshop and Horowitz's interpretation of it. I will certainly read his other books.You can find my full review of this book here.
fleurette wrote: "This is the second book I have read for this group and I hope to continue this lucky course. This book surprised me very pleasantly. I'm not an overly huge fan of Christie, but I appreciate both he..."Thanks for posting the link to your review, Fleurette. I agree with you on Sophie Hannah. I've only read one of her Christie books. My review of The Monogram Murders is here for anyone who is interested in reading it. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Judy wrote: "I agree with you on Sophie Hannah. I've only read one of her Christie books. ..."I tried to read The Mystery of Three Quarters, but it didn't work for me at all. I DNF it, and wrote about it in my review.
Horowitz did a much better job imitating Christie's style.
fleurette wrote: "Judy wrote: "I agree with you on Sophie Hannah. I've only read one of her Christie books. ..."I tried to read The Mystery of Three Quarters, but it didn't work for me at all. I DN..." I agree Horowitz does it better...but no question Hannah has her fans!
I guess everyone sees things differently. I just read other comments where the readers enjoyed the first half of the book and then felt somehow cheated. My response was totally different. I may have been nonplussed for a little while but then when I realized what Horowitz was doing I said to myself "This is bloody brilliant", with a suitable English accent, of course. Up until 'the change', the book was a perfectly acceptable Christie pastiche. Anthony's description of his character ("Alan had captured something of ‘the golden age’ of British whodunnits with a country house setting, a complicated murder, a cast of suitably eccentric characters and a detective who arrived as an outsider) could easily have described his own work. It was good, but not exceptionally original. Any episode of Midsommer Murders would do as nicely. But now he has given us the full Monty Python and given us something completely different, a book that I am certain I will remember for a long time. The rest of my remarks will have to be in the spoiler section. I'll see y'all over there when I have finished the book.
Hi Tom, thanks for reading and participating. I hope you'll post a link to your review (on the spoiler if needed) when done. Read on!
Always happy to find something new and different. When the original story ended for a bit I thought wait what. But then I thought very cleaver. Quickly came to love Susan's story. Liked the mix of the new with the nod to the classic Agatha Christie. The book within a book is different but works well. Then came the very satisfying ending I was waiting for. Loved the book. 5 stars. My first Anthony Horowitz. But not my last.
Ruth wrote: "Always happy to find something new and different. When the original story ended for a bit I thought wait what. But then I thought very cleaver. Quickly came to love Susan's story. Liked the mix of ..." Hi Ruth, I'm so glad I recommended this book! It seems like many have found a new author, which I'm sure is the intent of this group. If you can post a link to your review (either here or on the spoiler thread) that would be great. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Thanks everyone who participated. It was fun being the discussion leader.
The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group
Books mentioned in this topic
The Mystery of Three Quarters (other topics)The Mystery of Three Quarters (other topics)
Magpie Murders (other topics)
A separate thread has been set up for spoilerish comments. Enjoy your discussions.