This is a superb and intelligent homage to the Golden Age of Crime and draws on the work of writers like Agatha Christie. It is structured to contain a novel within a novel. This means there is more than one mystery at play. Susan Ryeland is in her forties, in a relationship with Andreas and an editor at Cloverleaf Books publishers. She is settling down to read the latest manuscript of the Atticus series from Alan Conway set in the 1950s. Atticus is a German refugee, who has assisted the police in a number of murder cases. He has an assistant, James Fraser, and is dying from terminal cancer. This is to be his last case.

Atticus finds himself in Saxby on Avon, helping Inspector Raymond Chubb in what appears to be two murders, a cleaning woman, Mary Blakiston, and the beheading of Sir Magnus at Pye Hall. As you would expect, there are a host of suspects ranging from the vicar to the sister of Magnus, Clarissa. Mary Blakiston is a busybody who made herself privy to the secrets of many in the village. Magnus is loathed, and he has sanctioned the development of Dingle Dell which has created uproar locally. Atticus uncovers a web of deceit, fraud, and secrets galore. However, he is at the point of declaring the murderer when the manuscript ends and there are 3 missing chapters. And to top it all, the author, Alan Conway, is discovered dead, apparently having committed suicide. Cloverleaf Books is in serious financial straits and Alan is their cash cow. Susan soon becomes convinced that Alan has been murdered.

Susan turns amateur detective and goes in search of the missing chapters and Alan's murderer. She finds numerous connections between the Atticus novel, for example, Alan was also dying. There are numerous cryptic clues and references to tube stations, Agatha Christie novels and so much more, in the Atticus manuscript. Alan is an unlikeable character and many have possible motives to kill him. Susan cannot find the missing chapters and concludes that they must contain clues to Alan's killer. Susan cannot help getting drawn deeper into investigating the mysteries but loses track of the fact there is a dangerous killer on the loose. All three mysteries are resolved simultaneously. We discover where the final chapters are and who killed Magnus and Alan.

This is a stunning novel from Anthony Horowitz. Those who adore the Golden Age of classic crime novels will love this. It is brilliantly plotted to give us a double helping of crime. Absolutely wonderful. I have no hesitation in recommending this book. Many thanks to Orion Books for an ARC.

Although I have never read anything by Anthony Horowitz, my sons have both enjoyed his books and, when I heard he was writing what could be called a homage to Golden Age detective fiction, I was curious. I adore vintage crime novel s and, having read this, I feel that Horowitz has done an excellent job in combining the fun of those mysteries with a more modern take.

The story begins in present day London, with Susan Ryeland, Head of Fiction at Cloverleaf Books, about to read the latest Atticus Punt mystery by their bestselling author, Alan Conway. Although Susan does not get along with Alan, she loves his novels and is looking forward to reading his latest. Horowitz cleverly uses this device to tell a mystery within a mystery, as we read the novel that Susan sits down to read. The story of her Poirot like detective, Atticus Punt; a German who survived the war and is now a private investigator in 1950’s England.

Having read the book, Susan discovers the ending is missing and, almost at the same time, she discovers that Alan Conway has died. Like his fictional character, Conway had discovered he had a terminal illness and ended his life – or did he? As Susan sets out to discover the missing chapters of the last Atticus Punt mystery, “Magpie Murders,” she discovers real life parallels between the novel and Conway’s real life.

This really is a very enjoyable read. I loved the character of Susan Ryeland, her boyfriend, Andreas, and thought she was a realistic amateur investigator. Meanwhile, the two mysteries coincide cleverly, so the author manages to give us both endings almost in tandem. This is very much a loving look at Golden Age detective fiction. Horowitz allows his fictional author, Alan Conway, to utilise a lot of Agatha Christie in his book, while also using puzzles and cryptic clues as devices in the modern version of the storyline. I really do hope that this is not just a standalone novel – Anthony Horowitz has done something very clever and it works very well, but I would love to see Susan Ryeland return in another mystery.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

I had high hopes for this title and it really did not disappoint. Such a clever concept. I particularly admire the nod to other authors particularly Agatha Christie and Conan Doyle and had noticed the likeness in the Pund novel to Christie. Susan is dogged in her determination to find out what happened to Alan Conways manuscript even though she disliked the author.