Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz is a clever and fun ode to old-fashioned mysteries, one that two other librarians here on staff beat me to. I’m glad I finally read this!
Susan is an editor at a press in London that publishes the incredibly popular Atticus Pund mysteries. She receives the latest manuscript, only to find it incomplete, the final chapters (and solution!) missing. Soon after, the author Alan Conway apparently commits suicide. Susan finds herself inside her own murder mystery as she quickly realizes that the details about Conway’s apparent suicide do not add up.
This is a mystery lover’s mystery–a commentary on the genre, chock-full of references, and a supremely well-constructed mystery all on its own. Horowitz is a screenwriter for mysteries and his insider knowledge shines through right along with his affection. As you’d expect from a screenwriter, the dialogue is great as is the pacing and the scene-setting. There are lots of deftly handled moving parts here, and the ending is satisfying.
If you enjoy who-dunnits in the classic style, give this one a look!
–Marie
CPL Readers Corner 