Welcome to Litsy!

Twisted murder mystery with a book within a book.

It felt a bit long winded at times, probably because I had found out who the killer was very early on. Still enjoyed how Horowitz put it all together.

#EasterCrime @Leniverse

#SeriesLove2025 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

#EasterCrime @Leniverse

From #MountTBR

#SeriesLove2025 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView

This is the follow-up to Magfly Murders, and I didn't think I could like it as much as the first book, but I was wrong! She makes the book-within-a-book format work well again. Although this time, I found the Atticus Pund novel a bit less interesting than the first time around, I still thoroughly enjoyed it, and I'm excited to see the 3rd installment comes out in March.

Caught up with reading this before I dove into the series and absolutely loved it. Can‘t want to see how it is adapted as I loved season 1.
Book 59 of 2024

I enjoyed it and it was a fun distraction but ultimately I was disappointed, I'm afraid. I feel like I've had enough of British crime writers needing to make their twist, their big secret, some kind of sex/kink thing. The Atticus Pünd novel was fun but the ending fell flat for me. I can understand why others loved it, though. ⭐⭐⭐

"All" you need to get out of a reading slump is a fun book ?

Magpie Murders was excellent, but I think I loved this one even more! Atticus Pünd is a wonderful character and it was nice to get a bit more of his backstory. Horowitz really is a master - I didn‘t guess or suspect who did it or why at all. This was a chunk so it works for #TBRtarot (it‘s my “digital” shelf ?), plus #readyourkindle and #doublespin. Phew ?

#Scarathlon Photo Challenge Friday the 13th prompt: Moon

#HHC

@bookmarktavern @dabbe @liatrek @jessclark78 @chrissyreadit @thedaysgoby @vonnie862 @ladyCait84 @sresendez12 @kelli7990 @JessieKB

I give Horowitz credit for leading me to the twists in a way that I almost figure it out myself and don't feel cheated, more flabbergasted by the bits I didn't catch. That being said, perhaps it's naive of me to wish he didn't have to make his villains quite as nasty. 1/?

Another reason to abolish the prison system...

I gotta ask. Is this a well-known British last name, or did the author decide to have a little fun with the 'copyright page' of his book within the book? 🤔

🐓🤨 This paragraph brought to you by the double entendre.

The follow up to one of my all time faves, Magpie Murders, is just as twisty and fun as the first one! The clever book-within-a-book framing device is back, and while the premise of this one is so ridiculously far-fetched, I still had a great time trying to solve the mystery. I don‘t see how there could be a book 3, but if there is I‘ll certainly pick it up. Only critique is it was a little long and had some unpleasant character choices. 4.5/5⭐️

And then there's these beauties 🥰

It's been a bit of an Add to Basket kind of week...

Wohooo! I‘m so excited the next book in the series is getting a green light ✅👍🙌🥳🤩 Will definitely be tuning in!!!

#12Booksof2022 🎶 On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love read to me, sleuths Pund and Ryeland 🎶

For my twelve, I‘m highlighting my favorite audiobooks of the year. Great books that were all the more enjoyable thanks to outstanding narration &/or production.

I didn‘t think I‘d finish this today, but I did. I have yet to be disappointed in an Anthony Horowitz novel, and this book was no exception. There were twists and turns both in the Alex Pünd story and in the Susan Ryeland story. #audiowalk

It wasn‘t anywhere near as cold as it was yesterday — it was 54°, which isn‘t even that cold — but, for some reason, I was feeling it in my bones, so I only did a short walk. This is part of Mobile‘s Garden District that I walked in while waiting to pick up my daughter. #audiowalk

I definitely had to wear sweatpants and a sweatshirt on my walk today (although I did roll up the sleeves 😊). I‘m starting to mix up some of the characters in this book with ones from Magpie Murders, but I don‘t think that‘s Horowitz‘s fault. I started watching Magpie Murders last night, so I think the characters crossed over a bit in my mind. #audiowalk

I feel as if this book is much longer than Magpie Murders; I‘ve still got 11 hours left, and I‘ve already listened to 6. Not that I‘m bored — I‘m not at all. It just feels longer. A little chillier today than it has been. I almost needed a sweater. #audiowalk

Apparently, I‘m still in an Anthony Horowitz mood. Moonflower Murders is my new walking book. So far, so good. #audiowalk

A quote from this book doubles as the perfect review, “There's something very satisfying about a complicated whodunnit that actually makes sense…” Indeed. ‘Moonflower Murders‘ is a very smart, satisfying, well plotted ‘book within a book‘ mystery that should appeal to fans of Agatha Christie. This is the follow up to ‘Magpie Murders‘ and there are recurring characters.

Watching the new adaptation of Magpie Murders (Masterpiece Mystery) reminded me that I hadn‘t yet read this second in the series. Enjoyed it just as much as the first. Love a good story within a story! Really good on audio (narrated by Allan Corduner and Lesley Manville who plays Susan Ryeland in the PBS series).

Intelligent cerebral mystery ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another mystery- the second in a series- I read the first book a few years ago. There‘s a mystery novel within a mystery novel. It‘s a fun trope and there‘s a nice homage to mystery authors like Agatha Christie ( a mention of The Labours of Hercules- made me smile) This is quite long but I had to listen at every opportunity.

Such a clever series….a book within a book! This is a very well executed mystery. Susan Ryeland is a former editor living in Greece and running a hotel with her boyfriend. She‘s hired by a couple to find their missing daughter back in London. Alan Conway‘s novel Magpie Murders plays a role in solving the disappearance and a murder that happened the couple‘s hotel years past. Never a full moment with all of the characters and crimes to be solved.

Right now these three books are my weekend reads.

Listened to this mesmerizing tale while making dinner. Just loving it.

#24in4 #readathon #librarycozy #kindleunlimited #audible

Read 350 pages of Little Black Book,read 50 pages of The Body in the Transept, listened to Moonflower murders for 8 hours. Definitely 20 hours. Being snowed in all day yesterday helped!

#weeklyreport #weeklyforecast
Finished the first five this week(clockwise) some just had a few chapters left. Started the last 4-in various stages. Actually I only read a chapter of The Shooting at Chateau Rock- lost it in my house until yesterday but was now reading Little Black Book. Hope to finish that book this week.

I almost bailed when the second novel appeared in Horowitz‘s latest Susan Ryland book. I wasn‘t sure I cared enough to follow the embedded clues. I‘m glad I stuck with it. Certainly, writing “Atticus Pünd Takes The Case” was a clever device, one that leads us to the golden-age-of-mystery like conclusion. Weary at the end, it is also true that I agreed with Andreas‘ suggestion that the pages be burned as a sacrifice to the gods.

Another great listen! Lesley Manville and Allan Corduner give wonderful performances. Like the first book in the series, this book is a “who done it” within another “who done it” and features the character Atticus Pünd. If you enjoyed Magpie Murders this one will probably fun for you as well.

BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS!!!

10 from Book Outlet!!
1 from Goldsboro GSFF.
1 from Amazon.

I‘ve read five and plan to read the other seven shortly!

#BookHaul

A mystery inside a mystery inside a mystery! It‘s a turducken of mysteries! 🦃

I liked this more as I finally got towards the end. For me a marathon effort. I don‘t usually read thick books. He is clever. A prolific writer of kids books, adult books and screen scripts. I‘m warming to him. One more book of his on my TBR shelf .
#joysbooks2021
@MrsMalaprop

Susan‘s life took a drastic turn after her last adventure in Magpie Murders. Loved how her story with Andreas was woven into her crime solving attempt, which was again centered around the book within the book. The ending neatly wrapped up all the storylines in a way that didn‘t seem too convenient or contrived.

🎧 Too long. But great! A book within a book. While the Atticus book helped solve the real life mysteries, it was sooo many extra words LOL I‘m so glad I didn‘t know this was a classic Clue-like wrap up at the end. 😆 Several times I would have skipped to the reveal.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 👇🏻👇🏻

Ugh. I was in such a slump this month. Here's to a better June!

1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
1 ⭐⭐⭐
1 ⭐⭐✨

A cosy murder mystery for Agatha Christie fans. It‘s long & contains two books in one, as Susan re-reads a crime novel she published years ago that has clues to Cecily‘s disappearance. Elegantly plotted, the solution is so detailed that I would never have guessed it (& hard to believe Susan did). I didn‘t love Susan & the portrayal of gay characters felt a little dated. A fine read if you want a straight, white, Anglo crime novel.

Even though this is a book within a book, which justifies a long length, I think this should have been shorter. The lead up to Susan reading the book (and therefore the readers getting to read it) took too long and then the ending was somewhat drawn out. It was still a good experience trying to solve the case along with Susan.

Anthony Horowitz has become a must-read for me! I have torn through his two Susan Ryeland mysteries and his two Sherlock retellings & will definitely continue with his backlist.

⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Anthony Horowitz is the best. Seriously, I have loved every one of his books. This one was so clever!!! A book within a book format with clues that are right there for you to see... but I didn‘t see a single one of them until everything was revealed. Such a satisfying read!

I didn‘t know that this was the companion book the the Magpie Murders, but nonetheless it was great.
A book within a book!
#anthonyhorowitz #murdermystery

Chop chop! Number three has been axed from my stacks. The second in the Susan Ryland/Atticus Pünd
books is much like the first. Fun and fast paced with a book within a book format. Susan returns to England from her new home and job in Greece to help solve the disappearance of someone who claims to really know who killed Frank Parish 8 years before. Allegedly all the clues are in the 3rd Atticus Pünd novel which Susan edited.

#AxetheStacks April

I loved The Magpie Murders, and I loved Horowitz‘s follow-up. Reading The Magpie Murders first would be helpful, but it isn‘t necessary to enjoy the next in the series. The book-within-a-book structure is impressive. The audiobook is fabulous. Great fun!

Four murders and I guessed none of the murderers correctly. Love the mystery within a mystery format. Wholly enjoyable!

I don't know how Anthony Horowitz managed to write a book just as clever and compelling as Magpie Murders, but at this point I should just start sending him money in advance of whatever he decides to publish next. I ADORED this.

#pop21 #bookyouthinkyourbestfriendwouldlike

Another great book by Horowitz. I really enjoy the “book within a book” format he uses in this series. It was a tad long, but very entertaining.

Glorious weekend lie in

Another clever book within a book by Horowitz. I like Ryeland and I like Pund. Both books are distinctive and well written. It‘s easy to forget about Ryeland‘s world when you‘re reading about Pund‘s. To write two distinct books and then weave them together so seamlessly… It‘s impressive, to say the least.