Wowza, what a read! Had me hooked from page one!! Well written, with perfect character development, which made sure to capture me in this twisted web and keep me there until I finished! Definitely a twisted tale with lots of twisty turns, thrilling thrills, chilling chills, and gasp worthy shocks! The ending really got me, which is not something that happens often! Highly, highly recommend this deliciously dark and whip lash inducing read!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC of Magpie. This was a great domestic thriller that really showed you how far some women will go to become a mother and protect their child. There were three main women in this story and they each viewed family differently, which added to the drama! I liked how there were multiple POVs throughout the book, which added to the twist about halfway through the book. I would definitely recommend this read!

I found Magpie to be compulsively readable from the start: Marisa and Jake want a baby. Their relationship is simple and easy, so shouldn’t this be easy too? When everything comes to light, we find so many other things are at play… and none of them are good.

The story took a totally different turn than I thought it would, a twist I didn’t see coming. Day’s writing is wonderful, keeping the suspense high and the story moving forward; however, at the end, I found myself wanting something more from it. Ultimately this story delves into motherhood - what it means, what is takes, and what women will do for it. While I felt some of the sacrifices were totally unbelievable, I could see what Day was trying to do., I just wanted a little more.

Definitely a page turner, though! Thanks to Net Galley for the advanced reader copy.

This book blew me away! I was unable to but it down. Perfect, dazzlingly, very well written. The details the author described throughout the book was so amazing. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

The writting style is wonderful and engaging. The book is well paced and the twists (yes, twists) are entertaining. The character development is impressive and really what the book clings to in order to pull off the twists. The way the book deals with infertility and mental illness can be rough for some readers. The big reveal is exciting but I wish there was more of it. That could just be a me thing since I found myself living vicariously through one of the main characters and wanted to savor the short yet pivotal scene.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Magpie is one of the most surprising books I've read thus far this year. Intertwining the themes of noir, thriller, and gender commentary, Magpie is more than just a book of twists and turns. It is a powerful reflection on gender politics, the complexities of motherhood, and relationships between women. I started this book expecting an all-consuming page-turner, but instead was pulled in by a less urgent yet more thoughtful narrative. I recommend this book to people who enjoyed the themes and complexities of Gone Girl!

I thought that this book was ok until the beginning of the second part. I think if the point was to get people to believe delusions that there really need to be convincing parallels between behaviors and actions between the two women. It just felt like the book switched around and was like this is what is really happening now. You just need to be on board are ready to go with it. This just seemed ridiculous Also, the partner seemed to just be a void and a complete pansy of a man. He was written poorly and was just drug around in the book. He wanted a child, however was not close to done with being one. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

About 20% into this book I almost stopped reading it because I wasn’t sure where it was going. Boy am I glad I didn’t stop! What a wild ride. The first plot twist shocked me! I didn’t see it coming at allll. The rest of the story played out quickly and suspensefully, keeping me doubting every single character until the very last page. A slow burn to start but once it started going I couldn’t put it down!

“Marissa and Jake are a perfect couple. And Kate, their new lodger, is the perfect roommate-and not just because her rent payments will give them the income they need to start trying for the baby of their dreams. Except-no one is truly perfect. Sure Kate doesn’t seem to care much about personal boundaries and can occasionally seem overly-familiar with Jake. But Marissa doesn’t let it concern her, knowing that soon Kate will be gone, and it will just be her, and Jake and their future baby”

OK. This was a suspenseful read, and very engaging in the beginning and the way things were going, I thought I almost had it figured out. The twist I thought was coming was not at all what I expected. Then, the story took a different direction and can’t say I was disappointed. I can’t explain it but I went along with it and it wasn’t so bad. So hopefully the little sway that this story took doesn’t disappoint anyone.

TW: infertility issues, motherhood, surrogacy, mental health

Thank you @netgalley, @simonandschuster and author for this advance digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Interesting story with lots of twists and turns. A great beach read. Well thought out plot and characters well developed.

What a good thriller. I did guess that there was an unreliable narrator very early on but I think it is because I read too many thrillers. The language and imagery used worked well for the book and had me laughing at times. I would have liked a more twisted ending but I still enjoyed it overall. I do find that infertility is used a lot in books and it does make me wonder if people who have dealt with infertility enjoy reading about it?

This review is one of the more difficult that I have attempted to write, because it is difficult to discuss this book without spoilers, and I do not like spoilers! This is a fast-paced read with extremely well-developed characters. The tension is continuous, and midway through the book the reader is confronted with an enormous twist that was likely unforeseen. Being a mental health professional, I saw it coming, but the read was still enjoyable, as I wanted to see how the story played out. I did not agree with the exploitation of the mentally ill subject ( being relegated to life in the country rather than receiving proper care by a mental health provider), but in reality, there are probably many incidences in which this would actually take place (society seems to devalue mental health treatment). While the undercurrent is continually dark, the book ends with threads of hope and healing. Themes of abandonment, mental illness, infertility, surrogacy, and motherhood are woven through the story and could trigger some readers.

Thank you NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Publishing, and Elizabeth Day for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

Big twists you won't see coming, especially that first one. Already looking forward to Elizabeth Day's next twisty thriller. A fresh take on a tired trope, yet masterfully pulled off. Brava!

Another title for this books could have been "Gaslight, Gatekeep, Girlboss: The Novel". I was hooked from page one. Just when I thought I had it figured out, Day threw in another twist. I couldn't put it down. For fans of thrillers, this book is a must. Take care when reading, however; pregnancy, fertility, and motherhood play a major role in the plot. If these topics are sensitive for you, Magpie might be a difficult read.

This was a really great book. It kept my interest with the twists and turns to the end. Once I thought I figured it out I realized I had not. Really great book.

I am sorry to say this was a 2 star (at most) read for me. I thought the book started out with promise, but then took a complete nose dive. There was a lack of content and a lot of unnecessary over detailed descriptions. I was expecting a thriller and found it quite drawn out, no tension or build up. I would not recommend this book.

I loved this book. I didn't see the huge twist coming! I highly recommend this book by Elizabeth Day!

The synopsis of the book was very intriguing, I was engrossed, and was eager to finish. However, the ending sort of fell flat to me.. I would recommend this book.

This was the kind of book that you think you have figured out until you reach a point and realize that everything you thought is wrong. It’s rare for an author to surprise me, but this one did. While some of the characters were weaker than others, they all came across as believable. Anyone who has tried for a baby, experienced mental health issues or had a disagreement with a family member will find something to relate to.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Magpie by Elizabeth Day is a thrilling debut that will leave the reader questioning everything they know. Marisa and Jake seem like the perfect couple-until they endure fertility struggles. When they decide to save some money and rent out a room to the stylish, overly familiar Kate, Marisa becomes suspicious of her motives. Jake's complicated relationship with his mother continues to cloud over their happiness once Marisa is finally pregnant. Marisa's suspicions of Kate are ramped up as Kate seems to know way too much about Marisa and Jake-to protect her baby Marisa will risk everything. Full of twists and turns this is one novel you won't want to put down!

Thank you to the NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.