Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz

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I have just finished listening to the audiobook of Anthony Horowitz’s Magpie Murders, narrated by Samantha Bond and Alan Corduner.

Synopsis

‘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.’

My thoughts

I always go in with high expectations when it comes to Anthony Horowitz. He is after all a very accomplished and prolific writer. In my day job I see his books devoured by eager children who are swept away by the action and adventure of his Alex Rider series. I have watched countless episodes of his Agatha Christie adaptations on the television and Midsummer Murder, to name but a few. Oh yes, the man knows a thing or two about suspense. I even met him once, at a literary event I attended for Lovereading back in the day and he certainly was an imposing presence in the room. Magpie Murders has also now been adapted for TV and this time I wanted to first approach the story via the novel that came first. I find audiobooks convenient and enjoyable. I read an awful lot and have many books already on my tbr pile but audiobooks are a luxury I can enjoy whilst doing some needlework, driving, walking, in the bath, and also those moments when I can’t sleep but don’t want to put a light on or pick up my kindle to read. It’s almost the most relaxing form of reading I can imagine. You can literally lie back and enjoy being read to with minimum effort.

I was so glad I did as the narrators did a wonderful job. As did Anthony Horowitz. He, of course, did not disappoint and I thought it rather clever that he featured the telling of a book within a book. He pulled it off rather well and I felt I was getting two mysteries for the price of one. The characters are well written and the plot is engaging with plenty of red herrings along the way. The Atticus Pund storyline is set in the 1950s and Susan Ryland who is Alan Conway’s (Pund’s creator) editor is set in modern day. As well as creating a who-dunnit, Horowitz is analysing the classic murder mystery genre. With nods to Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie, it felt like a celebration of this genre that continues to stand the test of time. Never out of fashion, and always a twist to be found in each and every new tale. Why do we love murder mysteries? Is it because we can explore the evil in the world, perhaps even try and make sense of it in the safely of our own comfortable chair. Safe from harm ourselves. The truth is these stories never really go out of fashion. Writers long gone are still read greatly, they continue to inspire creators of today with new stories as well as adaptations of their own. It would seem we just can’t get enough. I would recommend Magpie Murders? Absolutely. I shall also look forward to watching the TV adaptation. There are more books to enjoy too. Anthony Horowitz has an impressive and this, along with all the Agatha Christies I still have yet to read and reread, well I shall never be short of reading material. I am a great fan of Agatha Christie. What an author! What a mark she has made on the world of fiction. The fact that her work (and the likes of Conan Doyle) still inspire after all this time – well it is incredible. How fortunate we are now to be able to enjoy not only those original creators, but now the likes of Anthony Horowitz and all the others following in their (rather impressive) foot steps. Thank goodness it’s the autumn and I can enjoy those long nights curled up with a good book (or two).

If you’d like to find out more about the writer and his work, please visit his website: https://anthonyhorowitz.com/

Thank you for visiting Tales Before Bedtime today – happy reading!

Murder by Invitation by Verity Bright

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Today I am delighted to be taking part in the blog tour for the fifteenth book in The Lady Swift murder mystery series. Murder by Invitation sees Eleanor and Clifford back home at Henley Hall preparing for the King’s forthcoming birthday celebrations, that is until brutal murder by bunting puts a hold on the festivities.

Book Description

Lady Swift has been cordially invited to a huge royal celebration in Little Buckford to toast the King’s birthday… but wait, is that a body in the village hall?

Lady Eleanor Swift and her loyal butler Clifford are busy lending a hand with preparations for the big day. The grand dining room at Henley Hall is overflowing with home-sewn flags, paint and royal rosettes. Even Gladstone the bulldog and his new friend Tomkins the ginger cat are invited!

But just days before the event Mr Prestwick-Peterson, the chairman of the celebrations committee, is found dead in the village hall: strangled with handmade red, white and royal blue bunting.

With the village hall in total disarray and a key part of the decorations missing, Eleanor wonders if someone dastardly is sabotaging the King’s birthday celebrations?Teaming up with her handsome beau Detective Hugh Seldon to question the local butcher, baker, and pub landlord it becomes clear that the meddlesome busybody Mr Prestwick-Peterson was not universally liked in charming Little Buckford. Indeed, the only mystery is why he wasn’t murdered before…

Searching Mr Prestwick-Peterson’s pristinely organised rooms, Eleanor is surprised to find a faded photograph of a beautiful young woman hidden within the pages of a novel. Could this be the key to untangling this very village murder? And can Eleanor catch the killer before the party is over for her, too?

A totally charming, unputdownable Golden Age murder mystery with characters readers will adore. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey and Lee Strauss.

My thoughts

This is without doubt my favourite of the series so far. It’s good to be back at Henley Hall and the village of Little Buckford. Eleanor and Clifford were their usual entertaining selves and with the addition of Gladstones furry friend, Tomkins and Eleanor’s fiance, Hugh, the investigative team just seem to get better and better. As much fun as these stories are there are also serious historical events running through them and it’s always a delight to get a taste and the handy accompanying notes at the end.

This time Eleanor is trying to track down person or persons unknown who have murdered the most hated man in the village. It seems that they are swamped with possible suspects and are finding it hard to see the wood for the trees. Before long another body is found and certain clues suggest that the murders are being conducted by an anti-royalist. Hugh is under increasing pressure to make an arrest before the King’s birthday. With tensions increasing, and Eleanor desperate to make sure an innocent man isn’t held accountable events take an incredibly dangerous turn. I must admit I couldn’t quite see how she and Clifford would get themselves out of danger. Could book 15 be the final Eleanor Swift mystery? You’ll have to read to find out. I really enjoyed it and I love the way Verity builds her relationships between her characters. Each book has seen them grow and has made me feel even closer to them. With plenty of peril, laughter, adventure, and the odd reference to food thrown in (how does this woman stay so slim!), Murder by Invitation has been another welcome escape from the modern world.

Thank you so much to the lovely team at Bookouture for inviting me to join this book tour and for sending me the digital copy to read. This series is just crying out to be made into a television series. 🙂

About the author

Verity Bright is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing partnership that has spanned a quarter of a century. Starting out writing high-end travel articles and books, they published everything from self-improvement to humour, before embarking on their first historical mystery. They are the authors of the fabulous Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, set in the 1920s.

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Verity Bright here: https://www.bookouture.com/verity-bright

Buy Link:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0C85XKDNVsocial

You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you’ll love at: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

I awoke

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I awoke this morning with all these thoughts

With a jumble of noise running through my head

The worries and fears that lay underneath

the surface of everything else.

How heavy it sits when the world is silent.

When all else sleeps and rests.

The mind that managed a little calm is tormented once again.

So many thoughts, so many fears, how can one person bare it?

No holiday can cure an anxious mind, one that has so much to process.

Calm and quiet for a little while,

only to awaken with the force

of a storm in the night whilst the world sleeps on.

A storm that batters and bruises

an island that feels so alone.

Out of reach of the mainland to weather the storm in silence.

Too much is the wind and rain,

the dark cloud that settles all over

letting no light in.

Letting no light in.

When hope feels so far away

and a tumultuous mind wins over

how small we feel,

like a tiny ship

cast away

on an endless sea.

Soothing is the pen on paper

bleed onto the page instead

Dampen the flame of anxiety

with gentle tears as you return to bed

Sleep a little more to soothe the soul

drift off on to calmer seas

The light will return eventually

and all is as it is meant to be.

And you danced

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And you danced

Just for a moment you were lost to the music

Lost to a memory, a different place and time

The melody moving through your body the lyrics caressing your lips

Loneliness is banished as you become part of the song

Eyes closed, head tilted towards the sky, the years fall away. Your solitude disappeared and you were there and alive again

For a short while.

On the cusp of something new…

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I sit and write this in my last few hours of being in my 40s. Part of me is quietly in shock that time has passed so quickly. But here I am indeed and this and quite a few other things of late have caused me a great deal of reflection. It’s not just me getting older but it is the steady march of time that we are all trying to hold on to. But through our fingers it slips and the days turn into weeks, into months and then before we know it into years.

Only yesterday I was walking reluctantly into school, travelling to college, work, a wedding (or two), having a baby, moving house, changing jobs, career choices….now here I am and I try to live in the moment but the moments slip by so,so quickly.

Does turning 50 bother me? A little I suppose. I am grateful for the life I lead though and the wonderful people I share it with. If I could tell my younger self anything it would be to not worry so much and to slow down. Enjoy the sunrise and the sun set, the birds singing and the wind blowing. Life is so incredibly precious and no matter where I am on my journey I know that I enter the next chapter a little wiser and very grateful.

A few pictures from a rather lovely day – my last day of being 49. 😊