Rating: 4 out of 5⭐️
Title: Moonflower Murders (Sequel to Magpie Murders)
Author: Anthony Horowitz
Published: 2020 (Harper, New York)
Pages: 608 (Hardcover)
Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Crime, Thriller, British
CW: Murder, Sexual References, Violence
Link Here

Hi everyone, I’m still in a bit of a reading slump due to life situations, but I’m trying to keep up on reading. I know it’s been awhile since I posted on this blog. I’m still in a strange transition phase, and I have been reevaluating certain aspects of my life a lot recently. That being said, I hope everyone is doing well out there and reading all that you are able to! Anyways, this week I finally finished the book that took me several weeks to read, Moonflower Murders by British author, Anthony Horowitz. Moonflower Murders is the sequel to Magpie Murders (2017). I read Magpie Murders a couple years ago, so of course I had to read the sequel. Overall, this read was definitely rewarding for how long it took me to finish it.

“...people who were so insistent on the truth were very rarely telling it” – Anthony Horowitz, Moonflower Murders

British murder-mystery, Moonflower Murders is Horowitz’s sequel to book editor Susan Ryeland’s fiction series. After the tragic end events that transpired in Magpie Murder‘s story, Susan is now retired and living with her boyfriend, Andreas, in Crete running an old hotel called The Polydorus together. The hotel brings new challenges, and Susan is fairly satisfied until two inn owners, the Trehearnes, from Suffolk turn up asking for Susan’s help. A murder had occurred at their inn, Farlingaye Halle, eight years ago on the eve of their daughter’s wedding in the same inn. And now that same daughter, Cecily, has disappeared after realizing Susan’s former murder-mystery author Alan Conway wrote a book based on what happened eight years ago after visiting the inn post-murder. Cecily realizes Conway’s book actually contains the identity of the real killer of Frank Parris, not the one who confessed to the crime and is serving a life sentence in prison. The owners hire Susan to find their daughter since Conway is deceased and she published his book, they believe she may have insight into Conway’s mind. Susan accepts and begins investigating in Suffolk, where she ends up learning more about her former author’s life, and she just might find out who really killed Frank Parris eight years ago.

“…The greatest evil occurs when people, no matter what their aims or their motives, become utterly convinced that they are right” – Anthony Horowitz, Moonflower Murders

Besides the lengthiness, which I honestly got tired of really quickly, this book was really well-written and structured! Horowitz returns with his contemporary mystery-in-a-mystery style like in Magpie Murders. Literally there’s a whole separate mystery story inside the main story, both are relating and support each other of course. I do not believe the reader needs to read Magpie Murders before Moonflower Murders unless you care about reading in order. There are a few details someone who hasn’t read Magpie Murders wouldn’t understand, but the book and story stands fairly well on its own. This was a satisfying murder-mystery like in the style of Agatha Christie, and definitely a classic whodunit for such a contemporary style. There were some slow parts for certain, but it definitely picked back up and had an intriguing ending. For such a different style of writing, the book was incredibly typical to the genre. Why should you read this book? If you’re into classic British murder-mysteries that have a large cast of characters and short side plots, this is the book for you. I would also recommend reading Magpie Murders if you haven’t already. Moonflower Murders was definitely a great read, and is worth the time!

I give this one a 4 out of 5! Besides the length, there were not many negatives to note because it hit all the marks structure and plot wise.

_Elizabeth

---

How do I typically rate books? Click here