Lesley Manville plays book editor Susan Ryeland who gets drawn into a web of intrigue and murder when she receives Alan Conway’s unfinished manuscript of an Atticus Pünd mystery. Based on an Anthony Horowitz mystery novel of the same name, Magpie Murders is a PBS series that follows the death of best selling Alan Conway and the repercussions on Susan Ryeland and her publishing company. Horowitz wrote the scripts to the six episodes.
Ryeland’s publishing company is about to be acquired, but the deal hinges on Alan Conway’s last mystery novel, Magpie Murders, projected to be a best seller like his previous mysteries. Ryeland discovers her manuscript is lacking the final chapter. That could ruin her chances of being CEO of the publishing company and threaten her career as an editor. So Ryeland starts investigating Alan Conway’s death and decides it’s not a suicide as the police think it is. Ryeland thinks Conway–an arrogant, narcissistic prig–was murdered by one of the many people who hated him. And the missing final chapter may reveal who murdered Alan Conway.
Like the novel, Magpie Murders runs on two tracks: Susan Ryeland investigating Alan Conway’s death, and Conway’s fictional detective, Atticus Pund, investigating the beheading of Sir Pye. The story within a story format might annoy some viewers especially when Ryeland speaks to the fictional Pund. I’ve watched three of the six episodes and I’m enjoying what I’m seeing. Are you a fan of Anthony Horowitz and his mysteries? GRADE: B (so far)
I love his Christie adaptations and the scripts he wrote for Midsomer Murders. John is reading THE MAGPIE MURDERS right now, so we might give this a look-see.
Deb, I’m always astounded by writers like Anthony Horowitz whose productivity and quality go hand in hand. I’m sure you and John would enjoy this PBS series.
Heavy preference for the Susan story line. It’s much more dynamic than Pund’s investigation.
Patti, I prefer the Susan story line, too. Much more drama with her suspicious boy friend and her family problems.
Haven’t read him, but it is a gimmick/approach that lends itself to drama.
Todd, Anthony Horowitz rivals James Patterson in productivity!
What Patti said. As I understand it, the book goes through the entire Pund story first, then when she discovers the last chapter is missing, they go into the “real” part. The constant back and forth annoys me, and the story within the story i just not very interesting to me. I find Manville and Claire Rushbrook not believable at all as sisters – though they did a much better job as sisters in the much better SHERWOOD.
I loved FOYE’S WAR, which Horowitz created and wrote most of the episodes for. He also did well with the early MIDSOMERS and several POIROT scripts. But this one leaves me pretty cold.
A B- at best, tending lower.
Jeff, it’s ironic that Susan complains to Conway about the flashbacks in his books!
FOYLE’S WAR
I listened to the book on audio, and enjoyed it. I am recording the series and will try to watch it in large chunks at the end. I think I have some arcs of his books, but the length is somewhat daunting, which is why I go for audio books.
My next binge watch is the game of thrones prequel
Maggie, I’ll be interested in your opinion of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON. I’ve read mixed reviews.
I liked Magpie Murders (the novel) but didnt much care for its followup. I like his other series where Horowitz himself is a character.
Steve, I have several of Horowitz’s works on my shelves. Like you, I enjoy the mysteries where he’s a character.
I have only watched the first episode and found it confusing. I echo some of the negative comments about the back and forth. Probably will give the second episode that I recorded a chance. I have not read the book, but a copy is somewhere in my collection. Also plan to watch the second episode of the Karen Pirie series based on the Val McDermid books in the hope that the sound quality will be better.
Kent, I watch TV with the Closed Captions on. The sound quality of many of the shows I watch is abysmal. And, too many actors mumble.