This third (and presumably final) book in the "Magpie Murders" series has Susan Ryeland back in London and looking to resume her career in publishing. In the previous books in the series, her main author, Alan Conway, died while the last book in his wildly successful crime novels featuring the detective Atticus Pünd was being prepared for publication. The final chapter, which revealed the murderer in that book, was missing and trying to track it down to finish the book put Susan in danger and exposed Alan's killer. Now Susan has been contacted by one of her publishing friends and asked to edit a new book being written featuring Atticus Pünd. Susan is shocked that the character is being brought back by a new author, but she agrees to work on the project (hoping it will lead to a permanent position in publishing). The author of the new book, Eliot Crace, is the grandson of another famous author, Miriam Crace. Miriam died 20 years ago, but the beloved characters she created in her Little People books continue to create a large income for her estate, which is currently run by her son Jonathan. Eliot is a mess, having abused alcohol and drugs for his entire life. Even now, when he gives Susan the first third of his book to read, he's disheveled and rude. Eliot's book makes up the "book-within-a-book" mystery that has been a feature of the previous two Pünd books. Eliot's book is about an elderly wealthy woman who dies at her summer estate in France in 1955. She had recently met up with Pünd by chance and asked him to visit her at her home to discuss a situation that had upset her greatly. She died before Pünd could meet with her. The death seems to be suspicious, even though the woman was terminally ill and only expected to live a few more weeks. Pünd must investigate the case and find out who wanted to hasten her death. As Susan reads the book, she can't help but notice the similarities between the characters and Eliot Crace's own family. The names and relationships all mirror one another, and Eliot soon confides in Susan that he doesn't believe his grandmother's death all those years ago was from natural causes. Susan becomes involved in two mysteries -- what is the solution to the current novel, and was Miriam Crace actually murdered as well? As many people turn hostile toward Susan, she wonders if someone is trying to stop her investigations, or whether her own past might be catching up with her.

Since the first two books have been turned into a TV series, it was very useful to place the actors into the action of the story (Susan, Atticus, Alan). I enjoyed the two dueling narratives, although the hostility and anger directed at Susan from all directions seemed a bit too much. I also didn't like how several times in the book one of the characters would say, "I know who the killer is" then refuse to tell because "I'm still working out the details." When the answer was eventually provided, there was never any clarification as to what "details" needed to be worked out. It was frustrating and done several times, so double the annoyance for the reader! Other than that, I enjoyed the story, and I appreciated the London settings, and the name drops of other mystery writers. I'm looking forward to seeing this latest outing turned into another series, and I will be interested to see if this really is the last we hear from Susan and Atticus.

What a great end to the series. Initially, I found the literary device difficult (story within a story) however seeing the tv series made me go back to the book and all became clear. Great story, fast paced, enjoyable, a certain amount of levity. All in all a fun read. I look forward to seeing it on the screen.