Susan Ryeland, a seasoned editor at Cloverleaf Books, receives the latest manuscript from the publishing house’s star author, Alan Conway. His new novel, Magpie Murders, is the ninth installment in the beloved Atticus Pünd detective series. Conway’s books, set in the 1950s, are known for their intricate plots and homage to the golden age of crime fiction, reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s works. But as Susan delves into the manuscript, she finds herself drawn into a mystery far more complex than she anticipated.

The manuscript itself presents a classic whodunit. In the quiet English village of Saxby-on-Avon, a wealthy and disliked man, Magnus Pye, is brutally murdered at his estate, Pye Hall. Atticus Pünd, a brilliant yet ailing private detective, is called upon to investigate. As he interviews the villagers, secrets begin to unravel, revealing hidden resentments, betrayals, and motives for murder. However, just as the mystery is about to be solved, the manuscript ends abruptly—its final chapters missing.

Perplexed and frustrated, Susan contacts Alan Conway, only to learn that he has died under mysterious circumstances. Initially ruled as a suicide, his death begins to raise suspicions. Susan starts to believe that the missing chapters of Magpie Murders may hold the key to understanding what really happened to Conway. As she retraces his steps and investigates his life, she uncovers a series of unsettling clues that suggest he may have been murdered.

Susan’s journey takes her deep into the world of publishing, where she discovers that Conway was not as well-liked as his fame suggested. He was known to be arrogant, difficult, and had strained relationships with colleagues, friends, and even his own family. More troublingly, his books often contained thinly veiled references to real people in his life, which may have given someone a motive for revenge.

As Susan pieces together Conway’s life and death, she realizes that the missing chapters of his manuscript are crucial. Within them lies the resolution to both the fictional and real-life mysteries. She eventually uncovers the truth—Alan Conway was murdered, and the culprit had tried to erase the evidence hidden within his final book. But with her determination and sharp editorial instincts, Susan solves both puzzles, bringing justice to Conway while also discovering the ending of Pünd’s final case.

Magpie Murders is a brilliantly crafted novel that seamlessly weaves together two mysteries in one. Anthony Horowitz masterfully plays with the conventions of crime fiction, offering readers a meta-textual experience that challenges them to unravel not one but two cleverly constructed puzzles. With its intricate storytelling, unforgettable characters, and homage to classic detective fiction, Magpie Murders is a must-read for fans of the mystery genre.