Friday, January 13, 2023

Books and PBS chatter

Nothing but book and PBS chatter today.

I love Jane Harper's books but weirdly, could not finish The Survivors.  Couldn't connect to any of the characters.  This isn't the first time a favored author didn't rock my reading world. So, DNF for this one but am looking forward to the next book with Aaron Falk.


I read Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz in 2017 and thought it was a good twisty mystery.  The author of a popular book series turns in his manuscript for editing but.....surprise - he suddenly dies and the last chapter is missing.  And then the bodies start to fall.  (This was not a spoiler)


To my delight Magpie Murders has been made into a very short television series (6 episodes) with alternating viewpoints from present day to the 1950s.  The fictional detective Atticus Pünd comes to life as the editor Susan Ryeland is reading the manuscript.  Both story lines are excellent.  In both the real time mystery and the fictional account you'll find quite a few suspects who had motive to murder.

Currently reading 1979 by Val McDermid and am certain to read the follow up book.



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26 comments:

  1. Magpie Murders sounds good, but it turns out that my husband has already watched it so I guess it won’t work for me. Obviously I could watch alone, but that’s not how we do it!

    best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    1. Mae, I guess your husband made an exception to that rule if he watched 6 episodes of 4 and a half hours!

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  2. Looks like some entertaining reading on your part. I'm not much of reading mysteries but I do like to watch them.

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  3. Haven't read Magpie Murders yet but it's been sitting on my TBR for a while. I've read a couple McDermid books, but not this one. Off to check it out. Have a great week.
    Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys

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    1. Terrie, it's been years since I read the Magpie book so most of the tv series was a surprise. This is my first McDermid book.

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  4. I used to read Jane Harper but haven't read her books in years. I hope you enjoy 1979. Have a great weekend!

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    1. Thanks, Cindy, hope you have a good week as well

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  5. I have other Jane Harper books on my TBR but haven't read anything by her yet. Too bad about this one. I just DNF'd a mystery yesterday and am kind of proud of myself for it. I didn't hate it but I also just didn't care so why force myself to read it - especially since it wasn't a review book. I have the Magpie Murders book on my shelf and am looking forward to reading it.

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    1. Oooh..start with The Dry! The Lost Man was fabulous too. Hey, I am getting where a DNF happens more often as there are so many authors I want to read!

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  6. I probably should have given up on The Survivors since I thought it was terribly boring. Gave it a 2/5 star rating. (Reviewed here)

    I read Magpie Murders a few years ago and thought it was very good. I'm glad you enjoyed the tv series. I'll add it to our list, since I know my mom and Rod both enjoyed the book, too.

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    1. Les, I will check out your review of Survivors. Pity it was so boring as her other work is excellent. Oh, get the tv series, you'll love how well done it is and the actors are great!

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  7. I enjoyed Magpie Murders on PBS as well. Really need to read the author's books - that one or any of them.

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  8. I know Anthony Horowitz as the author of a series for young adults called Alex Rider. It was very popular with kids.

    My husband is a huge fan of mysteries, and a limited series is perfect for us. I'll bookmark Magpie Murders for the future.

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    1. Deb, I saw that Alex Rider series when I went to look for more of his work. Yes, this is short series of six 45 minute episodes.

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  9. Thanks, Vicki. I would read more of the adult books by Horowitz. Turns out he has a childrens series as well. The Magpie tv series was great!

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  10. My husband and I read The Magpie Murders together and then just finished watching the mini series this past week. So good.

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    1. I thought it was excellent! We enjoyed the PBS show.

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  11. I really should watch some of these Britbox shows. they look totally like my thing. :)

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    1. Greg, if you like mysteries they are well donw. I love the police procedurals.

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  12. Magpie Murders looks good -- I like both actors that are featured on the cover.

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    1. Joy, I had not seen the actors in anything before but I certainly am looking forward to the next one in the series.

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  13. Magpie Murders look good - haven't heard of them. Very good find. Here's my latest:
    http://www.lyndonperrywriter.com/2023/01/review-of-feast-of-fools-anthology.html

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