ANTHONY HOROWITZ – MOONFLOWER MURDERS

I read this novel in advance of publication through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Although he is a household name through Foyle’s War on television this is the first novel by Anthony Horowitz I have read. Partly because, though I used to read detective and murder mysteries avidly, I became bored with them and found myself preferring other genres.

This intriguing story concerns a raft of murders: some set in a hotel in Norfolk and, others in the fictional version of itself in Devon, which is a complete book within the book.

The ‘real’ story concerns an ex-editor of fiction who edited the ‘fictional story’ years before, the author of whom is dead. He had based his setting and the characters on the ‘real’ ones in the hotel in Norfolk, where he stayed, where a murder had taken place. Within the book he writes are clues that spell out the answer to who hammered to death a not very pleasant guest at the hotel. Initially this intrigue sparked off by a ‘real’ young woman who lives there going missing. She had discovered the truth of the identity of the ‘real’ murderer through reading the fictional account set in Devon.

Both in the ‘real’ and ‘fictional’ stories, lots of characters have motives for each of the murders that take place, and it is the job of this ex-editor to sort out the clues, as well as discover what happened to the missing woman.

Put simply, if you are a murder mystery reader, this should be high on your required reading list. It is clever, perplexing, and in both ‘real’ and ‘fictional’ worlds there are surprises enough to satisfy anyone.

My only complaint is that I found it extremely difficult to put down, as reading to the end of each chapter made me want to start the next. Ideal in lockdown, of course.

Anthony Horowitz is a deceptively skilled writer, who gleefully plays with the characters and his readers: this is a book I can’t recommend highly enough. Even if, like me, you’re not really a murder mystery man.

Thoroughly enjoyed the prequel “Magpie Murders” so couldn’t wait to read the follow on:
“Moonflower Murders”. Really enjoyed the book within a book concept and the juxtaposition of the old school classic whodunnit with the modern day crime. Susan Ryeland is full of doubt as an unconventional detective but sharp and reflective. I was cheering for her all the way. Mindful of Chekov’s smoking gun, I let myself be misled by red herrings whilst I missed the signs under my nose! In the words of Atticus Pund: “Everything in life has a pattern and coincidence is simply the moment when that pattern becomes briefly visible”

Really enjoyed this book. So well written, clever and complex and a perfect blend of the two murder mysteries that Anthony Horowitz does so well. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a good who done it with lots of puzzles, clues and red herrings, a very readable book.

I haven’t read Magpie Murders, the first in this series, which now seems like a shocking oversight and one I intend to remedy as soon as possible, because Moonflower Murders was tremendous fun.

Susan Ryeland, formerly working in publishing, currently running a hotel in Crete with her partner Andreas, is approached by the owners of the Branlow Hotel to investigate a murder which happened there some years earlier, where the wrong man may have been convicted... and which appears to have a bearing on the very current disappearance of their daughter, Cecily. It’s all mixed up with a detective novel by one of Susan’s former authors, Alan Conway, now deceased. And Alan’s book, Atticus Pünd Takes the Case, appears here in its entirety.

His detective, Atticus Pünd, very much resembles a German Poirot without the moustaches, complete with mansion flat and formidable secretary, though Madeline Cain plays a bigger role than Miss Lemon ever did. (Christie - or rather, her alter ego Mary Westmacott - gets a name check within Alan Conway’s text.)

The novel-within-a-novel was tremendously engaging - the only issue for me was that by the time I’d read the entire “Alan Conway “ novel (Atticus Pünd Takes the Case) I’d almost completely forgotten what was going on with Susan’s narrative.

There’s one particular revelation at the end which I can’t believe I didn’t notice sooner... but I didn’t. I wonder if any readers did? We can’t say Horowitz didn’t play fair!

Fantastic read and I’m now off to read Magpie Murders.

I was so pleased to see there would be a new Atticus Pund novel out. I loved magpie murders and so couldn’t wait to read this one. Susan Ryeland, is yet again Surrounded by not just her story thrillers but a real life one.
I really enjoyed reading this very clever novel. Susan is running a Small hotel. she’s retired and wanting a new pace of life, when everything changes.
She gets wrapped up in what I can only describe as a web of a thrilling tale. The clues to the murder and to a ladies disappearance are all in the pages of this novel.
Another great book.

I thoroughly enjoyed Magpie Murders, the first in this duet of books so was excited to be granted an early reading copy of Moonflower Murders.. For me it didn’t quite deliver the punch that Magpie Murders did. I was slightly less engaged with the new cast of characters and found the plot less gripping or convincing in motive. That said, I still loved the Russian doll format of a book within a book, and I was still engrossed from start to finish. It’s an easy and engaging read, which had I not read Magpie murders first wouldn’t have even vaguely disappointed. On a side note these books are the only ones I’ve ever read that mention my childhood home town, Bradford- on - Avon. That makes me like them all the more 😂
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my thoughts. I can wholeheartedly recommend Moonflower Murders for a bit of escapist crime novel reading.

This is quite simply the best crime novel I have ever read. It is like a Russian doll. The main story contains the full text of an Atticus Pund novel, which in turn contains the references necessary to solve the current crime. It. Is so cleverly plotted and well written that I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Absolutely cracking read. The Magpie Murders was one of my top reads last year as I love a good ol’ whodunnit, so it was fantastic to see a return of both Susan Ryeland and Atticus Pund. It conjures up real Agatha Christie vibes of more traditional murder mysteries with a quaint little town struck by horrible events, but with a modern day twist that left me guessing.

Great characters, incredibly well written and intricate plot with more twists than even I could keep up with. Bravo!

Full review can be found on my blog: http://thatbookishgem.com

‘Moonflower Murders' is the latest cryptic murder mystery from the genius Anthony Horowitz. And is a sequel, to the hugely popular ‘Magpie Murders'.
‘Moonflower Murders’ is set two years after the final events of the previous novel. It is not necessary to have read the previous book in order to read the current story and indeed, Horowitz provides sufficient background without spoiling the novel – perhaps, providing just enough information to tantalise the read into reading ‘Magpie' aswell.
The protagonist, Susan Ryeland is now living and working in Crete. She is no longer involved with the publishing industry. Rather suddenly, she is contacted by a couple with a rather strange story – eight years ago, a murder was committed at their hotel and an employee was found guilty. Now, their daughter Cecily has read the book “Atticus Pund Takes the Case" (by Alan Conway), previously edited by Susan and loosely based on the real murder. Cecily insists that she now knows that truth about the murder at their hotel but disappears before she can reveal the truth. The family appeal to Susan for help. And so, begins a tale of murder and intrigue.

There are two murder mysteries within one in this book as the Atticus Pund novel is included with the novel and then of course, we have Susan’s investigation. As with all of Horowitz’s novels, there are plenty of clues and hints with references to Agatha Christie, Shakespeare and Mozart. Half of the fun is in trying to identify and unravel these clues but don’t expect the mystery to be easy to solve.
This is an excellent read and I absolutely recommend.

I loved the first book in this series, Magpie Murders and was glad to see Horowitz returning to this format. I always enjoy the book within a book aspect of these stories and his detective Atticus Pund is his best character yet (sorry Alex Rider!)

I enjoyed all the little crime fiction Easter eggs tucked away in this book. Anyone who loves classic crime will enjoy both Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders. They’re fun, multi layered murder mysteries.

I'm a huge fan of Anthony's and love his books and television scripts in programmes such as Foyle. So I was excited to be given the opportunity to read his next book as a follow on to Magpie Murders. Although I could hardly put it down I didn't enjoy it as much as it's predecessor. As mentioned in later chapters, the last Alan Conway book, researched at the Moonflower Hotel, would, under normal circumstances, never be a best seller. The book within a book, a nomily that I thorooughly enjoyed, was disappointing and to be honest didn't really hold the key to Stefan's innocence no matter how much you tried to read something into it. At the conclusion we are told about the inscription and all clues relating to Leo, but unless you sat with a dictionary or google search you wouldn't automatically have picked them up. Although I do hate to criticise Anthony's work, I really felt that Atticus Pund was too similar to Poirot in every way, assisting the police, the denouement at the end with all suspects present. Susan herself tells of the similarities to Agatha Christie and other authors following this same scenario, so why do it? Unfortunately I also knew at an early stage that the doctor was responsible and also that Miss Cain was not what she claimed to be, it was just too obvious. Having said all that I did enjoy reading this book and would hope for more work relating to Alan's work, a book within a book, Sadly it didn't reach the heights of Magpie Murders, which I now want to read again, so only felt able to give it 4 stars.

Really enjoyed this book, the concept makes it stand out and it being based around another book is very clever and carries the story well.

Read if you like well written whodunnits.

Another outing for Susan Ryeland, amateur investigator and previously editor of the Atticus Pünd books first appearing in Magpie Murders.
Susan is now running a hotel on Crete with her boyfriend. She has a surprising visit from an English couple because they have learned of her connection with the fictional Atticus Pünd. They tell her of a murder which occurred eight years previously in the hotel they own. The murderer was caught, confessed and imprisoned for life, even though their daughter who runs the hotel was convinced he was innocent. Recently given an Atticus Pünd novel by chance, something in it told her she was right.
Susan is asked to investigate, staying in the hotel, not just the murder but the fact that within a few days Cecily, the daughter disappeared.
It then becomes a mystery within a mystery with subplots, red herrings and further murders with even Susan in danger.
A wonderful nod to Agatha Christie with a modern twist, until all is revealed in true Poirot fashion. Clever plotting and superb writing, I enjoyed it immensely.

A Maze Of Murder....
A maze of murder, red herrings aplenty and a novel within a novel in this follow on from ‘Magpie Murders’ when the reader encountered literary detective Atticus Pund and literary editor Susan Ryeland for the first time. Ryeland is now seemingly settled on a Greek island although when mystery comes knocking for a second time she simply cannot resist the lure. Superbly and cleverly written, addictive reading with more than a nod to the Golden Age of crime fiction from Anthony Horowitz.

This is the second book of the Susan Ryland series. As with the Magpie Murders there is a book within a book, the plot and characters of which is needed to solve the original crime. I liked the fact that I knew the back story of Susan, a retired publisher and Andreas, her partner, who are now running a small hotel on a Greek island..
Susan is approached by a well-to-do couple, in her small hotel . On their daughter's wedding day, in their hotel, the celebration had been cut short and ruined when a guest was found dead in one of the bedrooms. A member of emir staff was arrested and. charged and is still serving a prison sentence for the murder.
Now, some eight years later, their daughter has disappeared, having said that she had read an Atticus Pund book and realised, from the clues therein, who the murderer really was and that a miscarriage of justice had taken place. The Pund books are full of jokes and various allusions, which he put in to amuse himself and Susan is offered £10,000 to come back to England to see if she can solve the mystery as the police are making no headway.
The plot is intricate: so much so that I defy anyone to guess, or work out whodunnit and why! That certainly does not detract from ones' enjoyment. As with his previous book (Magpie Murders), I got so intrigued with the plot of the 'inserted book', featuring Atticus Pund as a post war, German Hercule Poirot, that it was quite a jolt when I had to return to the original story and refocus!
I really like Horowitz's books. In both 'books', his characters are well rounded and developed and the period detail in the Pund books is excellent.
Much to my dismay, he seems to have left this one in such a manner that is is hard to see how he can write more in what I hoped was going to become a series.

Fantastic. Since lockdown started I've been listening to Horowitz's books as audio books and second time round they've been even more fin that when I first read or listened to them. So, I was really excited to get this book early.

Happy to say its fabulous - love the way that AH has created a book within a book novel again and how its tied back so cleverly to the characters we first met in Magpie Murders. I thought we'd seen the end of Atticus Pund, but no, he's back again and the story so cleverly crafted in the Moonflower Murders book within a book. Although Andreas only has small walk on parts - he always turns up at the right time - perhaps he's the real hero?

I read this over two days, an was simply delighted by it - I'm hoping that there are more to come - fingers crossed that this is the second of a three book deal, as there must be more mileage in the Ryland/Conway/Pund partnership.

I think that Horowitz has prodcued some great stuff recently - the two Ryland/Pund books plus the Horowitz/Hawthorne books are just fantastic - I think he should forget Alex Rider and focus on these instead

Just waiting to see what comes next - Anthony, don't make us wait a year for the next one!!

This is the 2nd book in the Susan Ryeland series by author Anthony Horowitz.
This is the follow up to the successful 'Magpie Murders' featuring literary detective Atticus Pund and Susan Ryeland as the amateur sleuth.

Susan Ryeland is no longer publisher and is running a small hotel on a Greek island with her partner Andreas. Her life is now a little too quiet and she is missing her literary life in London when an English couple come to visit and tell her of a murder that took place on the day of their daughter, Cecily's wedding. Their daughter Cecily subsequently disappeared after reading one of Susan's published books 'Atticus Pund Takes The Case'. Susan is intrigued and agrees to return to London to investigate.

This series is so clever and the books incorporate a full length Atticus Pund novel within the whodunit. Brilliantly written with excellent characters and a good sprinkling of red herrings and clues. The novels have the feel of an Agatha Christie novel and are great fun to read.

I would like to thank both Net Galley and Random House for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

#MoonflowerMurders #NetGalley
A must read. Highly recommended.
Atticus Pund and Susan Ryeland, hero of the worldwide bestseller Magpie Murders, a brilliantly intricate and original thriller
Retired publisher Susan Ryeland is running a small hotel on a Greek island with her long-term boyfriend. It should be everything she's always wanted - but is it?
She's exhausted with the responsibilities of making everything work on an island where nothing ever does. And she's beginning to miss her literary life in London.
And then an English couple come to visit, and the story they tell about a murder that took place on the same day and in the same hotel in which their daughter, Cecily, was married is such a strange one that Susan is fascinated by it.
I adored this book for two nights. I loved it so much. This is pacey.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK Cornerstone for giving me an advance copy.

By golly this is a cracking read, a murder story within a murder story. Susan Ryeland – who Horowitz fans will remember from Magpie Murders – is a retired publisher and living in Crete with her partner. Life isn’t exactly what she wants so when an English couple need her help – their daughter Cecily is missing and there’s been a murder in their country hotel – Susan knows she has to return home. Couple this with the knowledge that Cecily disappeared shortly after reading a book by one of Susan’s former writers and you have the recipe for a pacy whodunit, paired perfectly with a shorter crime novel about which the whole drama centres. With a cast of characters akin to an Agatha Christie and honouring many of the great golden age of detective fiction themes, Anthony Horowitz has written another winner in my book. I couldn’t wait to get to the end to see if I had the right culprit (I hadn’t but the denoument is a lot of fun).