Magpie Murders

Did you like the book? Why or why not?

What do you think the title, “Magpie Murders?”

What did you think about the book in a book concept?

The author states that with this book, you're given a box of tricks and that “The motive for the murder, and therefore by extension, the identity of the killer, can be found on page 1.” Were you able to see this?

Horowitz has a talent for creating characters who although are real enough to step out of the page, are also often incredibly unlikable. Were you able to connect with the characters?

With this book we're given two mysteries to solve. The suspects in Alan Conway's murder were the same people Alan wrote about in Magpie Murders because they were all people in his real life. How well do you think this worked?

Do you think all writers put people they know in books or was it unusual for Alan Conway to do so?

Did Alan Conway steal his plots from others? If he did, is that wrong? If the plot is never going to see the light of day due to bad writing, is it really stealing?

In Magpie Murders, the story, why do you think the poison, Physostigmine, was taken? To commit murder? Suicide? Some other reason?

When Clarissa finds out she is actually the older twin, she is told, “You might be better off just accepting things as they are. You are well known and respected in the village.” What would you do in her situation – fight it or let it go?

Pund says that Matthew Blakiston killed his wife. Why do you think he said that? Did he kill her? How?

One of Alan Conway’s biggest concerns is that he is writing popular mysteries, not “Literature”. How bound is an author to the successes of their past writing endeavors by the public – their publisher, the media, their readers? Can an author break from their genre mold? How does their success impact their vision and personal integrity as literary artist and creator?

Did you figure out who killed Alan Conway? Mary Blakiston? Magnus Pye?

Were you satisfied with the ending of the story? If you could change it, what would you do to make it better?

At one point the book says, “Why do we have such a need for murder mysteries and what is it that attracts us – the crime? The solution? A private need for bloodshed?” What do you think?

Does knowing that an author has done bad things in their personal life diminish his/her work? Does it make you like the work less?

Magpie Murders was supposed to be a homage to classic crime/mystery novels. Do you think it succeeds?

Horowitz has written a number of other books – for many different age ranges and genres. Will you read any of them?