Newly returned from Crete, Susan Ryeland is trying to pick up her life as a book editor and is given a commission to edit a new Atticus Pund book. After the death of the original author, the publishers have asked Eliot Crace to write the book. He is the troubled grandson of national treasure author Miriam Crace and working with him brings Susan into contact with the family foundation charged with preserving her memory. When Eliot is killed Susan realises she has been framed and the answers are held in Eliot’s unfinished book.
The previous two novels in this series were terrific and I think this is the best yet. Using the device of the Atticus Pund book to explore themes related to the novel is a clever way of engaging interest – I found myself enjoying the dual narratives immensely. Whilst I’d worked most of the plot out in advance it didn’t disappoint and Horowitz continues to deliver clever, satisfying books.

The possible last novel in the Susan Ryeland/Atticus Pund series sees Susan back in London working as a freelance editor. Although the novel is lengthy, there are plenty of twists and turns in this cleverly plotted novel.

I am a big fan of Anthony Horowitz. He is a prolific writer and a day doesn’t go by when I don’t hear or see his name either on a bookshelf or magazine, or in the credits of a television programme. It may be a classic TV adaptation of an Agatha Christie novel, his own wonderful continuation novels of both Sherlock Holmes and James Bond to mention but a few. He is also the hugely successful author of the Alex Rider series, of which is constantly absent from my school Library bookshelves. As a school Librarian he makes my job very easy indeed when I need something for those students who think reading is ‘boring’ – they literally devour the series. I was therefore delighted when I received an early copy of the latest of the Magpie Murders series. I have watched, read and listened to the first two books in the series, Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders, and thoroughly enjoyed watching editor, Susan Ryeland, be the most unlikeliest (but most excellent) of detectives. The TV adaptations have brought another layer to the series and I feel have been wonderfully put together with an excellent cast.

The third and possibly final novel in the series, Marble Hall Murders did not disappoint. Alan Conway may be dead, but he is still very much casting a shadow over Susan’s life as she is swept up in another plot that may well cost her her life…again.

Returning to London alone after a sad but friendly parting from Andreas, Susan is still feeling the weight of her involvement with Charles Clover and is struggling to find a permanent job as an editor. It is, however, what she loves to do and so when a major publishing house offers her the opportunity to edit a continuation novel of the Atticus Pünd series she feels that it may be the way in to a permanent job with them as an editor. With a mortgage to pay and a new cat to feed, Susan needs the money and so against all her gut instincts she decides to take the job. She thankful at least that she doesn’t have to deal with Alan Conway and a novel with bitterness and revenge at it’s heart. Or does she…

Horowitz is a master of Murder Mystery. His knowledge of the genre is extensive and I love the way we get two mysteries for the price of one in each of these novels. I’m rather fond of both Pünd and Susan and so it was lovely to see them working together again. One thing that I love about these novels, the clues are all there, interwoven in the two stories and if you are really clever you might just be able to work them out. I have read many, many mystery novels and so I did work some elements of the plot out, but there were still plenty of twists and turns along the way and the ending was wonderful.

Anthony Horowitz has concluded his series brilliantly, fans old and new will not be disappointed, I am sure. It will be wonderful to see Lesley Manville return to our screens as Susan, and of course, Tim McMullan as Atticus. I can’t wait to watch it. It can be tough deciding whether you wait for the TV adaptation or read the book first with a whodunnit – where would you most like to see the denouement (the big reveal)? In my opinion each has something different to offer in the unfolding of a story. Whatever you choose to do, please do read the book. It is wonderful to watch the plot unfold, to see Horowitz’s expertise within the field and of course to get an insight into the darker side of the human mind, in a gentle, cosy yet clever type of way.

Marble Hall Murders was published on April 10th in hardback. It is also available on eBook and on Audiobook (narrated by Leslie Manville and Tim McMullan). I think the audiobook will make a wonderful listen and have just checked the availability for that with my local library service and it already has enough reserves that I will have to wait until April 2026 to listen to it! Might have to treat myself and buy a copy. The TV adaptation began shooting in March apparently, so hopefully that will be on our screens in the not too distant future – but there is plenty of time to read the book before then. The paperback, if that is your preference, (which I will be buying for my bookshelves) is due to be published in September 2025.

Needless to say I thoroughly enjoyed reading Marble Hall Murders and I’d like to send my thanks to both the publisher, Random House UK, Cornerstone and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review it

Another excellent read within a read from Anthony Horowitz.

Susan revisits Atticus Pund with a little more input, albeit, initially to her dismay.

As always you are quickly drawn in to the complexities of the novel and the dual timelines. This can be read as a standalone but I'd suggest reading the previous two in the series first ( In fact I'd suggest reading everything from Horowitz you can get your hands on).

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC which was very much appreciated.

The story:
Susan Ryeland is back in the UK and restarting her life as a freelance editor. Having nearly been killed trying to uncover the murderer of one of her authors – the unlikable Alan Conway, creator of popular 1950s detective Atticus Pünd – and being drawn into another murder hidden in one of Alan's books, the last thing she wants to think about is Pünd. But when an offer comes in to work on a continuation novel, "Pünd's Last Case", written by troubled young author Eliot Crace, grandson of famous children's author Miriam Crace, she finds it hard to say no. At first the similarities between Conway and Crace just seem to be the detective they write about. But it soon becomes clear to Susan that Eliot is using his book for more than entertainment. He is trying to expose a murderer in his own family...

My thoughts:
I've been an avid reader of Anthony Horowitz's mystery novels since I read "The House of Silk", his Sherlock Holmes continuation novel. Since then, I've also enjoyed his Susan Ryeland books ("Magpie Murders" and "Moonflower Murders", now also TV adaptations starring the fab Lesley Manville) and the Hawthorne and Horowitz series (some of which I've reviewed on this site), in which Horowitz himself features as a character.

The subject of continuation novels is very appropriate, as that is just what lures Susan back into the world of Atticus Pünd. As with the first two books in this series, we get two stories for the price of one... While Susan tries her best to work with troubled young author Eliot Crace on his novel, we also get to read "Pünd's Last Case", which tells the story of the murder of Lady Margaret Chalfont in her beautiful home in the south of France, the Chateau Belmar. This case draws us in to 1950s France, and sees Pünd, along with faithful assistant James Fraser, joining forces with Frédéric Voltaire of the Sûreté to try and uncover why anyone would murder a woman everyone seems to like, and who didn't have long to live. Could it be her sudden plan to change her will?

It soon becomes clear to Susan that the characters in Eliot's novel are representations of the Crace family. The matriarch of that family was Eliot's grandmother Miriam, who died 20 years ago, apparently of natural causes, at the family home of Marble Hall. Miriam was a famous and beloved children's author, but behind her public persona lurked a tyrant who controlled her family absolutely. Eliot claims her death was actually murder, and not only that – he knows who did it. Of course, this leads to no end of trouble for Susan, to the point where she herself comes under suspicion of murder...

I love the 'book within a book' format of these novels, and both mysteries prove compelling as we try and work out the 'real life' murders (and who might be trying to frame Susan), along with the 'fictional' murder of Lady Chalfont. This was a five-star read for me, and although it seems Susan's story has now come to an end, I look forward to seeing this on screen soon too!

As good or better than the previous two excellent books in the series! It is wonderful to be back in the company of Atticus Pünd and Sarah Ryeland.

As an avid crime reader, it is so interesting to be taken through a systematic deconstruction of a crime novel. Anthony Horowitz is a clever and talented writer and I really enjoy the book within a book technique that he has used in this series.

This can be read as a standalone book but is also a welcome return to those of us who have enjoyed the first two books in the series. I’m concerned this may be the last - but I hope not!!!

Editor Susan Ryeland has moved back to London and is freelancing for Causton Books, working with Eliot Crace on his novel attempting to continue the late Alan Conway’s bestselling Atticus Pünd series. Given her past experiences with Alan Conway’s books, Susan is at first hesitant to take on another Pünd mystery. But she has to pay the rent and feed her recently adopted a cat, so agrees to work with Eliot Crace on his book.

Anthony Horowitz skillfully weaves together several mysteries on multiple levels, using the "novel within a novel" structure, creating an intricate plot. The plot is unpredictable and thrilling and the characters are engaging. Just like the previous two instalments of the series, the ending is frenzied and dramatic.

The Marble Hall property, the former home of the Crace family, controlled by matriarch and famous author Miriam Crace, provides the backdrop for Eliot Crace’s novel, in which he explores family dynamics, secrets and Miriam's death. Now a tourist attraction, the property connects the real history of the Crace family to the fictional family in Eliot Crace’s book.

Beyond the entertaining plot, the book also explores important themes, such as the publishing world and its fallacies, job security for freelancers working in creative industries, fame and fortune, as well as complex family dynamics and loneliness. Horowitz also incorporates modern technology, notably Chat-GPT, into the narrative.

Overall, this is a very enjoyable read, highly recommended for fans of intricate mysteries and layered storytelling.

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House UK Cornerstone and Anthony Horowitz for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What an absolutely brilliant book. I don’t know how he does it. Two mysteries for the price of one, and both keep you interested. I’m so pleased this will be made into a tv show, I’ll definitely be watching even though I’ve read the book. Having watched the others, I did have the actors in my head as I read the story. A very enjoyable read with a satisfying outcome, what more could you ask for?! I definitely recommend this book. Thank you #netgalley

Whilst Alan Conway is dead, Atticus Pünd lives on with a new author. As usual there's a Atticus Pünd book to read while reading about Susan wanting to solve an old murder case. I got bored of the TV series but I really enjoy the books.

A bittersweet return to the world of Susan Ryeland and Atticus Pünd! We owe our gratitude to the wonderful Lesley Manville for persuading Horowitz to give her one last outing to wrap up her story. After watching the series I find myself reading the book in her voice (in my head obviously) and she is exactly how I'd imagined her.

Sadly, Susan has decided that a life in the Mediterranean running a hotel is not for her and she returns to London and the publishing industry. After being embroiled in two real-life murder cases she expects that this is a fresh-fresh start and that she can get her life back on track. But sadly even in death, Alan Conway, and his literary detective, Atticus Pünd, follow her like a bad smell.

Owing to her experience she's asked to edit a Pünd continuation novel being written by the grandson of esteemed children's author Mariam Crace. Aware of her continued misfortune with Pünd books, she warns Eliot not to follow the same path as Alan to use the books as revenge or to settle scores against the Crace Family.

I was so excited to read this as Horowitz's books are some of the best mysteries of the modern era. They have a feel of the books of the Golden Age but in the modern day, and he faithfully allows his readers to follow the clues and solve the mystery. Sometimes some clues are deliberately omitted to maintain the surprise, but Horowitz lays it all out for you to figure out – which I did!

Overall, it was a superbly-written mystery with a gripping plot that will keep you hooked until you devour the book in one.

The question is, should one return to a beloved series for one last book? Atticus Pund is drawing to the end of his life - and he has solved his case… or has he?

Susan Ryeland is done with Pund - Charles Clover is in prison and Cloverleaf Books is finished… or is it?

When she’s invited back to edit one last Pund case penned by Eliot Crace she does so reluctantly. But she’s lonely and back in London and in need of work.

But Eliot is playing the same old Pund game… writing a mystery entwined with a real life murder, full of clues and anagrams. Who killed his grandmother? And who knows the truth and is willing to commit another murder to hide their guilt?

Not my first read of Anthony Horowitz, but my first in this series. So cleverly plotted with a novel within the novel. Had to keep on my toes with this one remembering who belonged to which story. Another page turner, but I do wish Susan would think before she speaks - she gets herself into so much trouble!
Many thanks to Netgalley/Anthony Horowitz/Random House UK for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

"'...you're doing exactly what I warned you against: mixing fiction and real life to settle a score. That's what got Alan Conway killed, and what nearly did for me too.'"

Book three of the book within a book mystery series sees publisher Susan Ryeland in danger again and saddled with another case for the late Alan Conway's fictional detective Atticus Pund. An historic death of a literary family's despised matriarch finds itself retold in a case for Pünd.

I love this series - the characters of Ryeland and Pünd, the mysteries to unravel and the author's experienced writing, which makes for easy (and I don't mean simple because the mysteries are intriguing and complex) and enjoyable reading.

We really enjoy this series, it is so much better than the TV series (which is also very good). The twists and turns certainly keep you on your toes and the end is very satisfying.

The author has a highly original approach to his novels that keeps a reader on their toes throughout. The story is told across different timelines, which is not unusual, but encompasses two sets of characters with links to each other that only become apparent as the story progresses. For readers unfamiliar with the two previous books in the series, the present day protagonist is Susan Ryeland, a literary editor. Her most famous author, who is now deceased, created a series about a 1950s private detective named Atticus Punt. Susan is asked to work with another author, who is taking over the series. As with the earlier books, the present day and the storyline of the book co-exist, with contemporary characters being portrayed under different names. Like his predecessor, the present author has an axe to grind and is using the book format to do just that. When this, Inevitably, leads to disaster, Susan and Atticus becoming involved in solving separate crimes in separate eras, the solution of the earlier crime leading directly to that of the later one.
Both stories move along at an energetic pace and character description is remarkable. Atticus for example, draws immediate parallels with the inimitable Hercule Poirot. But is he inimitable? Horowitz makes Pund such a well-drawn, three-dimensional character that comparisons between the two famous detectives do not lead to Punt's detriment.
As a third novel, this one follows the formula of the previous two quite closely but because of the author's imaginative presentation, this is an endorsement not a criticism. A very enjoyable read.

It all changes for Susan Ryeland as she leaves her lover and life in Crete to return to London and, despite the author's demise, another Atticus Pund story. The new author to continue the series for the publisher Susan is freelancing for is known to her, and he didn't make a favourable impression. He has an auspicious literary family background, whose secrets soon become entangled with his writing. This book continues the two-story format of the previous books and delivers a complex and compelling story with elements of cosy mystery that make it an engaging read. I like the complex and vibrant characters, the interconnectivity of the two stories, and the development of Susan's story.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz 🕵🏻‍♂️⌚️🖼️

Happy release day! Thank you for this ARC Random House UK

Marble Hall Murders is a layered mystery where fictional and real-world investigations intertwine, testing the protagonist's resolve to uncover hidden truths.

Atticus Pund is back, everyone! I was curious about how they would continue this series after the first two books, but it didn’t disappoint! I’ve always loved the novel-within-a-novel structure in these books, and the multi-media format is great. Like the rest of the series, the mystery keeps you on the edge of your seat, second-guessing every option. I finished this book within 24hrs as I just couldn’t put it down!

Great fun to read, and as well-crafted as you would expect with this talented author.
I did like the fact that there were more twists than usual with this kind of book, and that the characters were quite believable - in a dreadful kind of way! There were quite a lot of characters, but it was no difficulty keeping track of them, in their various forms!
A very enjoyable read.

Firstly let me say that this is a brilliant concept for a story, a book within a book is totally unique to me however, I didn't realise until I started reading the book that it was part of a series, a series that I hadn't read. I found that I was missing parts of the history, especially the characters, there appeared to be so many different characters thrown at me at once that I had to keep looking back to remind myself who they all were so I would urge reading the books in sequence to get the most enjoyment.
Susan Ryland had returned from Grease and had taken up a job as an editor for a publishing company.
Elliott Crace, whose late mother was a famous writer of children's books, was writing another story in the "Atticus Pund" series entitled "Punt's Last Case", Susan had been given the job of editing the book.
Susan was worried about Elliotts writing from the beginning, she didn't think that he would be open to suggestions, seeing it as criticism, she had to tread carefully, she didn't like the fact that he had based his story in the south of France but more importantly she suspected that he had based his characters on real people, people that he knew well, people who could be recognised.
It took me a while to get into the story but once there I was hooked, it is really well written with very diverse characters, the suspects are many and there are red herrings by the bucketful as this story twists and turns to it's superb ending. I hope that there is another book in the series, now that I have read one I am ready to read more.
Thank you Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is voluntary.

The past and present are mixed as you delve into the next in this series, with the first two books transferring very well onto the big screen in your living room. The writer of the star detective’s cases moves close to death yet again as she learns the identity of the killer, but does she know? This is the final book in the series (probably, unless another twist can be found says fans of these characters) and you’ll find yourself reading a book inside a book and dealing with different decades that reflect on each other. Here’s hoping writer and editor Susan Ryeland gets another opportunity to enter the world of both fiction and murder at the same time.