Having loved Magpie Murders, I was super excited to be able to read Moonflower Murders; thank you Net Galley and Random House publishers for that.
I think it is the sheer scale of meticulous plotting by Anthony Horowitz that makes these books such a joy to read. That and the fact that you are getting two books in one! Thoroughly recommend and a real salve to read in these troubled times. I hope it’s not the end of Susan or Atticus Pund.

Loved this book! The writing style is so easy to read and the intricate plot twists kept the story moving along at pace. Loved the idea of a book within a book, which I think worked really well and as a lover of Agatha Christie, I loved the big reveal at the conclusion. Have read a few Anthony Horowitz novels and loved them all. Will read more in future.

Ex publisher, now living in Crete, Susan Ryeland, is visited by Pauline and Lawrence Treherne. They are seeking help to find their daughter Cecily, who has disappeared and they think that Susan may be able to help find her as they are convinced that her disappearance is connected to a murder mystery entitled ‘Atticus Pünd Takes The Case’ written by Alan Conway, a client of Susan’s. Alan died two years earlier but based his book on a murder at the hotel owned by Pauline and Lawrence on the wedding day of Cecily some 8 years earlier.

A man was convicted for the murder but Cecily’s parents’ are not convinced that the right man was convicted and that Cecily had seen the real truth in Atticus Pünd Takes The Case just before she disappeared.

I found this book quite hard work to get through as it is actually 2 books in one in that about 40% of the book is the entire text of ‘Atticus Pünd Takes The Case’. This meant introducing a whole new cast of characters, all of whom were loosely based on the already large cast of characters. To make matters worse there was another story within entitled ‘The Ludendorff Diamond’. Ironically, Susan Ryland, mentions that when she read ‘Atticus Pünd Takes The Case’ as a publisher she was not happy with the chapter ‘The Ludendorff Diamond’ which really sits as a short story!

I also struggled with other things such as Susan’s car starting first time when she retrieved it from storage after she’s been in Crete for 2 years. The fictional detective Atticus Pünd was German and carried a rosewood walking stick as affection as it was not needed. He said things like “It is a mystery, is it not, how this trick was performed, Miss Cain” to his secretary. I just kept thinking of David Jason playing Poirot at each mention of Atticus Pünd.

After the conclusion of ‘Atticus Pünd Takes The Case’ there is a lengthy section where Susan compares the characters in each scenario and explains the connection of their names, anagrams, same initials, etc. I found this all very tedious and just skipped over it while also wondering if I was then missing some vital clue (I wasn’t). It felt quite contrived at times and was very pedestrian in the approach, especially the first 40% which was mostly Susan visiting lots of different people who had known the murdered man in some capacity to question them.

3.5 stars but a little disappointing, especially given the author.

With thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

I had no idea how it was possible to follow Magpie Murders, as it was such an original take on the genre, but it has been done brilliantly. This was a great read, and just as enjoyable as the original.

This was fantastic- in the end! I found the first third a bit slow but stuck with it. Then comes the Novel within the novel which I really enjoyed and thought maybe that was going to be the best bit. I couldn’t really see how it related to the crimes, but *whatever*.. but then the denouement was absolutely great and made sense of the slow start- there’s a lot of information needed to set the whole thing up. Really very good. I was thoroughly entertained. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for an advance copy of Moonflower Murders, the second novel to feature former editor turned Cretan hotelier Susan Ryeland.

Susan is contacted by Lawrence and Pauline Treherne asking for help. 8 years ago on the day of their daughter Cecily’s wedding at the family hotel a guest was murdered and one of the staff confessed. Cecily recently read the novel, Atticus Pünd Takes The Case, which Susan edited and is loosely based on the murder, and came to believe that the wrong man was found guilty. A short time later Cecily disappeared and the Trehernes want Susan to interpret the novel and find her. Short of money, Susan agrees to return to England and investigate.

I have not read Magpie Murders so I had no idea of what was on offer, but, having heard the buzz, I decided to give Moonflower Murders a try. It’s another novel within a novel scenario with Susan doing some investigating before sitting down to read Atticus Pünd Takes The Case, which is included in full, then finishing off back in the present with a good old fashioned drawing room denouement. To be honest I really didn’t enjoy the first third of the novel, which I found slow, woolly and vague. Fortunately Atticus Pünd Takes The Case came along, just as I was thinking about abandoning it. I enjoyed it as it seems much tauter and to the point in the writing although the plotting is a bit OTT. I suspect a certain amount of genre mockery but have nothing firm to back this up. When the novel returns to Susan for the conclusion it is more exciting and action packed than her initial efforts.

This novel is way too literary for me, who likes a straightforward linear plot with a certain amount of deviation for entertainment and problem solving, as it requires mental gymnastics I can’t be bothered to try. The solution to Frank Parrish’s murder and Cecily’s disappearance lies in complex clues in the Atticus Pünd novel, characters with the same initials, similar motives and all sorts of other small digs. It completely passed me by and even the explanation of these hints was too convoluted for me to really take in. It is undoubtedly clever but not for me.

I loved the Magpie Murders so was very excited to get my hands on an early copy of book 2 and it’s absolutely marvellous. Cleverly written, wonderful characters and had me on the edge of my seat throughout. Terrific and I will be recommending

A great read- with intelligence required

A big fan of the two Daniel Hawthorne books, I was very excited to have access to a pre-publication copy of Anthony Horowitz's latest novel Moonflower Murders- Thank you to Net Galley and Random House UK.

This book is a follow up to Magpie Murders, so fans of that will be keen to get their hands on this latest outing for Atticus Pund and Susan Ryeland. Susan is an ex- editor and Atticus was her author's most successful creation. A Poirot -style detective with a penchant for corralling all suspects into the room for his final reveal. For those who are new to this series, the work bears a little explanation. By the way, you can definitely read this without having read the former as Horowitz sprinkles the text with back story, so no need to feel in the dark here.

Read the full review at www.booketybook.com

Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz
This book is the second to feature Susan Ryeland and Atticus Pund. I thoroughly enjoyed The Magpie Murders and therefore I was eager to read this new outing for the characters and I wasn’t disappointed. It features a full length novel within its pages and it is through the reading of this novel that the solution to another murder can be discovered.
At the beginning of the novel Susan Ryeland is no longer working as a publisher after the death of her star author and the destruction of her business. She is in Crete running a hotel called the Polydorus with her partner Andreas and all is going well apart from the fact that the hotel is struggling to make ends meet; so when an English couple arrive and offer Susan £10 000 to find out what has happened to their missing daughter she jumps at the chance.
The characters and the plot are very well developed and the writing of a Golden Age of Crime style detective novel with the obligatory red herrings and lashings of clues is a joy. The final scene where all of the suspects are gathered together whilst Susan reveals the identity of the murderer is extremely well constructed.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Random House for providing a copy of this novel in return for an honest review.

This is the second book in the series and although I usually recommend people read series books in order I am going to break with tradition her and say that, in my opinion, not reading Magpie Murders first would probably not mar your enjoyment of this book. But, if you are a mind to, I would read that too as it was just as good as this one.
So, like its predecessor, this book is a book within a book. It's a book of three distinct thirds. The first is our main story, then we cut to the whole book in question, then revert back to the main story. If that doesn't appeal to you then maybe give it a miss. Personally I didn't find it hard to get to grips with, but there were some elements that I didn't quite get in the middle third but these were explained to my satisfaction in the ending. I just had to hold onto a couple of things along the way.
So, we catch up with Susan Ryeland after the fallout of what happened in book one. With her Publishing life over, she is now living with her partner on a Greek Island and the two of them run a hotel. She is approached by an elderly couple who want her help. It appears that the disappearance of their daughter, Cecily, could be linked to a book that she Published; written by the late Alan Conway and starring his famous detective Atticus Pund. It transpires that his third outing "Atticus Pund Takes The Case" was based loosely on a murder that took place in the hotel they used to run and is now run jointly by the missing daughter and her sister. Apparently something Cecily read in that book caused her to rethink what happened. And then, she disappeared. They want Susan to stay at the hotel and investigate...
So... a book within a book... two stories for the price of one. Shouldn't work, but it does. And then some. As long as you have your wits about you. I think it works well in this case cos the second book is delivered in its entirety slap bang in the middle of the main story being told. There are connections and parallels between them but, although I struggled initially trying to work them out, I gave up doing that and relied on the author's explanations that I assumed would follow. They did and all became clear.
As with Magpie Murders there are a LOT of characters. In both books. But they are well drawn and mostly easy to get to grips with. The stories are unique and both kept me guessing. Pacing is different. It's not often that a story ends mid way and a new one is inserted but, aside from that, pacing was consistent throughout, following the storyline well.
And... when all was said and done and both tales were told I sat back completely satisfied. Well, satisfied and gagging for the next book. It's so clever the way the author executes his unique method of storytelling that I am intrigued to see what's next... Although I'd settle for the next Hawthorne (another great, unique series by this author) in the mean time...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Well ,another great read and another great read within it
It’s complex yes ,but relax as u may worry will I make links or remember the characters as I enter into a new murder mystery and yes u will .hes v skillfiull ,I did I proudly say guess the first murderer well in the second part of the Novel and not the one in the latter part .
U do have to concentrate but it’s a fun ride
I did struggle a bit as I do with the relationship distractions and struggled when she said all I wanted to do was return to my partner and resolve the relationship ....mmmm I personally I don’t know found that at odds yes with a sort of reluctant sudden detective but also a determined one with curiosity .The relationship would wait hence three stars as at times felt a tad old fashioned which I underhand it is but just for me that niggled
Other than that clever as always murder mystery with heavy influences of the great detectives and their authors

3.5 Stars

On a philosophical level, in every fictional murder mystery ever written the murderer is always - the author. The amount of diabolical planning it takes to commit a murder and hide it till the final reveal in the last chapter. In that context, Anthony Horowitz sure does double duty with his Susan Ryeland mysteries with a book-inside-book Atticus Pund mystery (and in this book 3 murders and 1 disappearance)

Alan Conway is dead for 2 years and Susan Ryeland is now in Greece running her hotel with Andreas. Elderly couple Trehearnes land up and request Susan to help them find their daughter who disappeared. She just finished Atticus Pund's third book and uncovered the real criminal in a murder that occurred 8 years ago at their hotel. Now back in Sussex, she is required to revisit what happened 8 years ago on the fateful night and see what Alan Conway has managed to hide in his book.

Since it is a second book in what clearly Mr.Horowitz is trying to make a series, we revisit characters from the first book who were related to Alan Conway. The Atticus Pund mystery is a good old homage to the classic murder mystery with a clever plot.

Where the author takes it to the next level is in the dissection of the book - character names, anagrams etc. And by all means, you miss it and the author gets to show off his brilliance. Aside, the criticism he offers of the book - you relate as a reader (like how frustrating it is to get introduced to the detective after 4 or 5 chapters or how one of the chapters was needless).

The book kind of dwindled towards the end since the author took it upon himself to make sure the reader doesn't solve it. It was maybe too contrived than clever. Also confessions over letter is a weak device and uncharacteristic of planned murders.

Not as convincing, but damn clever literary puzzle.

I loved Magpie Murders and impossibly Mr Horowitz has surpassed himself with the sequel. I adore the book within a book concept and it works seamlessly, although I still have trouble remembering what is fiction and what is fiction within fiction. That sounds ridiculous but when you read it you'll understand. Fiendish plotting, horrible characters, double murders and a quintessential English hotel all make for a perfect read.

This is a follow up to the excellent Magpie Murders and this is becoming one of those detective series when you cheer to see another volume appear. The ‘book within a book’ as part of the mystery is a regular feature it seems and works well. A very enjoyable read.

I found this a very original detective novel.
Susan Ryeland is the unlikely detective investigating the disappearance of a young woman, Cecily, years after a horrible murder on her wedding day.
Intriguingly Cecily had told others that the murderer’s identity is concealed within a second fictional detective novel.
So we have a detective novel within a detective novel.
Confusing? Yes, a bit. There is a raft of characters to assimilate, and it’s not the easiest to keep track of who is who.
But despite this I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It has a pleasing gumshoe/ old-fashioned feel to it and it’s fast-paced and intriguing.
Satisfyingly, Susan Ryeland treats us to an Agatha Christie-type reveal as the characters gather in the drawing room in the end.
Recommended to those who like a twisty plot and detective novels like they used to make them.

I have read and loved all of Anthony Horowitz's adult novels, and was so excited to get a copy of this brand new book. Following on from Magpie Murders, this revolves again around editor Susan Ryeland who gets pulled into another murder mystery. Like its predecessor, Moonflower Murders contains a novel within a novel, the story line of one impacting the real life mystery. I loved this book, and was totally engrossed in both stories. As with all Horowitz novels, it is articulate, witty and utterly warm-hearted. Could not recommend highly enough!

This is the second Susan Ryeland novel by Anthony Horowitz, and they are fast becoming my favourite crime mystery series.

The whole conceit of a book within a book works well, and I find it easy to get sucked in to both narratives. If Moonflower Murders was just a golden age crime style Atticus Pünd novel it would still be excellent, but the modern day murder mystery on top really makes it.

Anthony Horowitz has done it again with this follow up to the superb Magpie Murders or should I say prequel or both!

A cleverly written, enjoyable, cosy armchair murder mystery, a story within a story within a story, I loved it and it worked so well. With a host of colourful characters from all walks of life, Atticus Pund is becoming one of my favourite sleuths. Try it and you won't be disappointed.

Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read this new title.

I was so excited to get my hands on a copy of Moonflower Murders, I own almost every book Anthony Horowitz has written and I thoroughly enjoyed the Magpie Murders, which is the prequel to this book. However, Moonflower Murders is a stand alone book, you can enjoy it without having read Magpie Murders first, although you will no doubt want to read it after!

I was not disappointed, this book is a real page turner and I read it in just two sittings. I really could not put it down and I was slightly bereft when it ended. The plot is well considered, logical, but not obvious and the book within a book was a stroke of genius, two stories for the price of one!

Horowitz writes extremely well, his characters are well drawn, and they provoke a response, you either like them or you don't, none of them are bland or lifeless. I always find his books easy to visualise, his characterisations and descriptions bring the books to life, I suspect this comes from his work on film and television. I felt like a participant in this book as opposed to an observer, and this was what kept me reading.

Would I recommend this book, definitely, I loved it! I rarely re-read books, but I will re-read this in the future and have already returned to Magpie Murders.

I would like to thank both Ne Galley and Random House for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyed this one a lot.

A sequel to Magpie Murders with the same book within a book structure; I preferred the plots and twists in this to the original Magpie Murders.

Cecily has gone missing just after reading a fictional Atticus Pund mystery based on a gruesome murder which had taken place 8years ago on the day of her wedding at her family's hotel. The author had an interest in this particular crime, investigated it at the time and disagreed with the police's verdict. He liked to put clues throughout his books and her family wonder if something Cecily read has caused her disappearance.... Is the man in jail for the murder as guilty as everyone believes? The author is dead, so his editor is contacted by the family in the hope she can find something about the book that will help the search for Cecily.

This is set in the Suffolk countryside in a large 18th century hotel and pays tribute to classic murder mystery style. We also get the full, uninterrupted 1950s Atticus Pund whodunnit as the editor revisits the book to search for clues - this was my favourite part of the book, an Agatha Christie style pastiche full of multiple shady characters with ulterior motives. We then get more investigation into the murder 8yrs ago, the clues in the book and eventually what has happened to Cecily is revealed.

There is also some interior dialogue as the protagonist realises the difference between fictional murder that she is accustomed to versus the reality of crime. This was done subtly and I thought it worked well.

I worked out the whodunnit(s)/motive(s) early on, and in a few places the plot seems less plausible. However this didn't detract from the overall read which was very satisfying - 4.5 stars for me!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.