Magpie Murders

This was one of the best series I've seen in a long time. The story is told in several layers. The central mystery follows the book editor's investigation into the death of the best selling author and the missing final chapter of his last book. In parallel we follow the fictional detective, Atticus Pund, as the story in the last novel unfolds. The use of the same actors in both the present day and the novel adds another dimension to the story telling. The acting is superb, with Lesley Manville as the editor leading a strong cast. Seek this series out. It deserves to be seen more widely.

The fictional investigation into the murder of an overbearing and obnoxious Lord by a literary detective parallels the actual investigation into the murder of the book's overbearing and obnoxious author. The story within a story is very well structured and the rationale for the 'real life' characters having 'fictional' counterparts quite clever. The cast, led by Lesley Manville and Tim McMullan, is uniformly excellent and the story holds together well over the six parts, avoiding the 'suspect of the week' structure common in multi episode who-done-its and setting up a final resolution that is both cheeky and satisfying. Consider counting the birds. Recommended.

Try and imagine the concept of a Poirot novel taking place inside an episode of Midsomer Murders, that's about the closest description I can think of to describe this quirky, but enjoyable series.

Anthony Horovitz has written some great material, and adapted One great shows, including some of the best loved Agatha Christie dramas.

It's a little confusing at times, but it all comes together well, and even if you don't fully understand events, you will during the conclusion.

It looks amazing, it's a wonderful looking production, with some fabulous clothes, sets and cars. Nice music also, it's not intrusive.

Personally I preferred the scenes set in the past, the crimes in the book were really engaging, I'd be happy to watch a series of Atticus Pund mysteries. In the style of Poirot he also gets his big moment to unravel the mystery.

Will we get The Moonflower Murders? I hope so, that's another cracking book that would adapt well.

If you enjoy the world of Agatha Christie and Francis Durbridge, then you may just enjoy this series, 8/10.

If you start this series, you MUST watch the final episode. It ties all the clues and mysteries from the previous episodes together. It is perhaps the most satisfying ending episode you have seen.

The way this series is presented is unique - the novel in question is sometimes played out on the screen, and sometimes the publishing team and author are played out. Eventually, the editor of the publishing team starts interacting with the novels detective - as if she's daydreaming. The flashbacks are to events in the novel. Several actors portray the 'real-life; characters as well as characters in the novel during these flashbacks.

Very well written, and well performed. I'd like to hear more from this writer.

Anthony Horowitz . . . Where have you been? I've missed you since Foyle's War! Sure, Alex Rider is fun. I enjoy those too. But the clever writing, the plot twists, the dogged detective, and let's not forget--the perfect and detailed production values that your wife Jill Green seems to always ensure for your pieces--all these add up here to be a delight. Casting seems perfect; acting is solid throughout. Wish I could binge watch but apparently I'll have to make do with weekly releases on my PBS Masterpiece app. I hope I'll see more from you in the future; these have been too far between. I want more!