*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account***

"A magpie...The bird flapped around, panicked by its incarceration."

We never know how our mind will respond when we feel caged. In the twisty psychological thriller Magpie by clever author Elizabeth Day we experience not only a panic confused trapped mind but a skilled storyteller with precision writing skills.

It is best to go into this story blind. It makes the major twist that more shocking and just plain fun. I think my jaw is still on the floor. Beware clues ahead.

Briefly, this story begins with Marisa moving into a new home with Jake. They are hoping to have a baby together. To help with expenses they rent a room to Kate.

Just about halfway through the book everything, and I mean everything, flips. I thought I knew from my constant reading of thrillers where the plot was going and I am very happy to say I was completely wrong.

I read and listened to this one and I have to commend narrator Tanya Reynolds for using her vocal talents to demonstrate how the slightest change in tone can make the same sentence have two different meanings.

This book also has serious takes on the toll of IVF treatments, the repercussions of rape, mental health and forgiveness.

Listening to and reading both Marisa's and Kate's POV I was reminded of the iconic Bruce Willis movie The Sixth Sense. Everything I assumed to be true was the view of a very unreliable narrative and when each scene was re told from an uncaged mind I was flabbergasted and extremely impressed by this author. I wish the ending had a bit more of a thriller vibe but that is just my twisty brain.

I received a free copy of this book and audiobook from the publishers via #netgalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

4+ stars

This book entirely surprised me, I had no idea what to expect as I went into it blind and I was completely engulfed. I finished it within 24 hours despite having family plans that day!

Marisa has it all - a dream boyfriend, a nice house, and a baby on the way. But due to financial concerns, her and her boyfriend Jake are forced to take on a lodger named Kate to subsidize their rent. As Kate settles in, Marisa starts to suspect something more is going on, and notices Jake and Kate are more connected than he let on. Soon she realizes that her dream life is not what it seems…

I initially had no idea what I was getting into with this book, and just when I thought I had it figured out, there was an early twist that took me completely by surprise. From that point on, I could not stop until I figured out what was happening! Who is Kate? What is her relationship with Jake? And, for that matter, do we really know Marisa? I literally could. not. stop! This was a clever, fast-paced read that I really enjoyed, and would definitely read more from Elizabeth Day in the future.

I received this as a widget from the publisher and I could not be more grateful, because this is entirely my type of book! Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! Full review on my IG @manis.and.manuscripts on May 4!

Wow, this book blew me away! I can’t mention most of the story without giving the plot away, but this had me in the edge of my seat until the very end. Just when I had things figured out, something else happened. I figured out several plot points; however, I only figured out the endings, not necessarily the route it took to get there. There were moments I gated the characters, but then cheered them on when the at points too.

There are mentions of infertility, infidelity, and rape, so proceed with caution if these are trigger.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy!

Marissa and Jake appear to have it all an amazing relationship, a new home and now their going to try for a baby. Until some financial issues come up so they decide to take in some one to rent their extra room, their new roommate is Kate. Kate immediately makes herself at home, and she crosses personal boundaries at times. She’s the complete opposite of Marissa, Kate is sporty, skinny and confident. Soon Marissa is certain that Kate has eyes for Jake and a bit obsessed with her. The tables soon turn and we are gut punched with a twist that I did not see coming! I don’t want to give to much away, but wow. This book surprised me and I could not put it down. The characters and the story line were so well written!

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was CRAZY, deliciously dark, and had me questioning everything! All the twists blew my mind! Magpie was very well-written, cleverly crafted, and the characters were well-developed. It's the first I've read from author Elizabeth Day. It's told from both Marisa and Kate's POVs. I couldn't decide who to believe --- Marisa or Kate. Neither seemed like they were telling the truth at times. I had no idea what Elizabeth Day was going to throw at me once I was 50% in. It only got better from there and then a major twist at the end. This book was so unbelievably good! One of my favorite domestic/psychological thrillers of 2022! Highly recommend!

This was an entertaining read and kept my interest. It is told from two points of view and the two narrators have very different stories.

At the beginning of the book we hear from Marisa. Marisa and Jake have moved in togther and are trying for a baby, even though they haven't known each other long. Money is a little tight, so they take in a boarder - Kate. Marisa is uncomforable with Kate and feels like she acts the house it hers and that Kate is way too interested in Marisa's pregnancy status.

Kate's point of view is very much different, and that's where the conflict arises and my eyes flew open in surprise. I don't want to give anything away so I'll stop here.

An interesting and enjoyable read with a real twist. Well-written and well plotted. Thanks to Simon & Schuster through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on May 3, 2022.

This book was a weird ride for me. I was super into it at first. Next, I could see a twist coming, lost interested but stuck it out. Then, I got slammed with another twist and was officially back in. But sadly the second half of the book really dragged and I kept waiting for something exciting to happen and it never did. It’s almost like the plot just fizzled out? While the writing was strong I feel like too many thriller tropes were brought into play and ultimately it just didn’t work for me. Your mileage may vary though!

Whoa, this book is one wild ride! Once I immersed myself in the story of Marisa, Jake, and Kate, I was swept up and along and I couldn't put this book down! Ms. Day hit me with with twist after twist that I didn't see coming. Seriously, this book is so full of misdirection that my head was spinning! This is a thoroughly enjoyable domestic thriller that hit every mark for me. It's a perfect way to spend a rainy day!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy of this very entertaining book!

Magpie by Elizabeth Day

Marisa thinks that she and Jake are the perfect couple. Sure, Jake is somewhat stiff and standoffish, not demonstrative with his affection, and too much of a mama's boy. They've moved in together and Marisa can work on her book creating business and doesn't have to worry about not being able to make her rent anymore. Jake wants Marisa to have his baby, he will never abandon her like her mother did.

So things are maybe almost perfect until Jake's finances require that they take in a lodger named Kate. Now Kate is all in their business, Marisa no longer has Jake to herself, and Kate seems to know everything about their lives. She knows things she shouldn't know as a stranger off the street. She seems to be wedging herself between Marisa and Jake. Marisa can't take Kate trying to destroy her relationship with Jake and her pregnancy hormones are making it harder to handle even the simplest of things.

The story deals well with the constant hoping and heartbreak of dealing with infertility, and infertility treatments, as a couple makes their way down the line of options for a baby they desperately want. We see the first part of the book from Marisa's POV and then we change to another POV and the story is blown wide open. I enjoyed both POVs for the most part but the intrusion of the evil mother in law flattened my enjoyment of the story. No one needs help from that meddling witch. This was a 3.5 read for me but rounding down for evil MIL and an ending that seems too rosy for several reasons.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for this ARC.

Crazy train! I don’t want to spoil this for anyone so you’ll just need to read it for yourself if you enjoy twisty, head spinning stories. This is a fast paced, well written book, with a very clever plot (even though I thought the ending was a bit too tidy).

Thank you Netgalley, Simon & Schuster, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

In Magpie, Marisa and Jake meet and quickly move in together. They try immediately to have a child. When Marisa becomes pregnant, the couple rent a room to Kate to make ends meet. Marisa feels that Kate is overly familiar with Jake. Is it just the pregnancy hormones making Marisa feel this way? Or is something shadier happening?

Magpie is a difficult book to review. Knowing there is a massive twist based on the publisher’s book blurb made me request the book. But knowing it was coming made it obvious what the twist was. Still, the first part of the book before the twist was my favorite part. After that, the book went down a slower paced non-thriller path that made it feel like a slow slog to the equally disappointing ending. Not a book I would recommend, unfortunately. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 stars.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.

I read Magpie in a day! It was such a fun thriller if you loved Gone Girl or Girl on the Train! The big twist comes near the middle of the novel and I did not see that one coming…like at all!! I was on the edge of my seat for the 2nd half of the book as I HAD to know how this one was going to wrap up. One of the best thrillers I have read in awhile!

This is a twisted story in which nothing is as it seems and everyone has secrets. The author keeps the reader guessing as she weaves a tale of love and family. The conversations are sharp and intense. As tensions ramp up people will unravel and the ending will surprise you.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Magpie was not at all what I expected. The twists in this novel are compelling and kept me glued to the story.

I love this book.

I have a feeling this book will be popular this summer! I switched back and forth between the audiobook and the digital galley.

WHAT I LIKED
- The writing was immersive and absorbptive. The author is incredibly talented; I found myself admiring her phrasing and word choice more than once while reading.
- The general premise of the plot was well done. Moments of building tension were expertly interested with climactic events.
- This story is a quintessential psychological thriller. There was a thread of unease underlying every paragraph. It was an intense experience.

WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME
- This is an extremely dark story. There is a graphic scene depicting the rape of a minor. I believe the scene was meant to illustrate the character's past trauma, but the specificity didn't feel necessary to the plot.
- There is a chapter devoted to a character's infertility journey. The information shared is truly important, but the level of detail presented didn't fit with the tone of the story, and it felt especially odd in the context of a thriller.

Read this if you liked Greenwich Park or Gone Girl.

What a wild, insane ride!

Jake and Marisa are the perfect couple. As they try and start their own little family, they decide to take in a roommate to help offset the cost of rent. Enter Kate, who seems perfect at first but Marisa quickly realizes that Kate doesn't respect boundaries and she wonders who exactly they've let into their lives. Figuring out who Kate really is, will be come at a cost to them all.

Honestly, the less you know about this book the better. Going in blind makes it even more brilliant fun. I had my doubts in the first couple of chapters but Magpie quickly hits its stride and never lets up. The whole thing is dark and twisty and maybe a tad over the top but it makes for an entertaining read. I was constantly surprised by what was happening so much so that I kept waiting for twists to jump out at me like a boogeyman from behind a corner. Trust no one and buckle up for a wild ride.

4.5 rounded up

Marissa and Jake have the perfect relationship, the only thing that would make it better is a child. The pair struggle with infertility and the cost is high, to offset this, they take on a boarder. Kate is a bit pushy and seems right at homes, especially in regards to Jake and Marisa’s private life. It’s not long before Marisa suspects something more than friendship is going on between Jake and Kate.

I enjoyed the well-paced plot and tense atmosphere, and the plot twist was pretty predictable. I liked the dual narrative but really felt like some things were just a bit over the top, yet it’s still an enjoyable read.

My thanks to Simon & Schuster for this gifted copy for review.

Wow, wow, wow. This book was a one day read for me. There were so many twists and turns that left my mind reeling. I wanted more from one specific story line in this book but was so completely satisfied with the overall ending. This book covers a lot of VERY heavy topics that could be triggering for some people.

I’m not gonna lie. I never knew what the fuck was gonna happen in this book and I liked it.

Marissa is searching for a house to quickly move into with her new boyfriend Jake. Even if they've only been dating for three months, you know when you know, right? They are eager to have a child while they are still young, so they go ahead and have one. However, their financial situation worsens, and they are forced to take in Kate as a lodger. Kate immediately puts their relationship on the verge of collapsing. The twists and turns, on the other hand, will take you totally by surprise, and you can't be sure what to believe until you've finished the book.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸

I always love a book that can surprise me and this one did! I was very interested in all of the characters and it kept me guessing. This book is a great combination of pure entertainment and awareness of some serious topics, too, such as infertility and mental health. Highly recommend this book!