New viewers and fans alike can enjoy the darkly comedic BBC hit “Magpie Murders,” starting August 11. PBS is re-airing the original series before the new sequel, “Moonflower Murders,” premieres.
Adapted by Anthony Horowitz from his own bestselling novel, the show includes multiple twists, a wide range of suspects, and a surprising ending that rivals Agatha Christie’s work.
The plot revolves around book editor Susan Ryeland, played by Lesley Manville, who is known for her Oscar-nominated role in “Phantom Thread” (2017).
What Is ‘Magpie Murders’ About?
After the murder of her bestselling author Alan Conway (Conleth Hill), Ryeland, a modern woman who drives a bright red MG, receives Conway’s new manuscript missing the final chapter. She is frustrated, saying, “Is there anything more useless than a whodunnit without an ending?”
As she searches for the missing pages, Ryeland discovers that Conway’s novel’s characters are based on real people in his life, each with a motive for his murder.
While examining Conway’s manuscript, Ryeland enters the fictional village world of the novel. She dreams of the fictional German detective, Atticus Pünd, and imagines consulting him to solve both Conway’s fictional murder (the decapitation of Sir Magnus Pye) and the real murder.
Meanwhile, Ryeland faces a big decision: whether to take over the publishing company from her retiring boss or leave for Crete with her Greek lover.
When it first aired in 2022 on PBS’ Masterpiece Mysteries, “Magpie Murders” was a hit, receiving a 7.5/10 IMDb rating and 5/5 stars on Rotten Tomatoes. Collider’s Emily Bernard praised Horowitz’s writing and Manville’s performance but noted some unnecessary plot digressions.
Bernard concluded, “Magpie Murders is a very enjoyable murder mystery with enough revelations and twists to keep you guessing until the end.”
What Are the Magpies in ‘Magpie Murders’?
At the beginning of “Magpie Murders,” Susan and her publisher, Charles, recite a nursery rhyme:
“One for sorrow, Two for joy, Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver, Six for gold, Seven for a secret, Never to be told.”
This rhyme refers to how many magpies you must see to have your wish granted. It also names the seven chapters of Conway’s book, with the seventh chapter missing. Magpies, often present in the series, symbolize betrayal, as they are scavengers and predators. This reflects how Conway treats his family and others.
The series highlights betrayal as a major theme, with many characters betraying someone they love, including Conway himself. Pünd notes, “There are very few good motives for murder: Fear, envy, anger, and desire.” Betrayal and revenge are key motives.
‘Magpie Murders’ Embraces the Satire of the Murder Mystery Genre
“Magpie Murders” adds fun by having the supporting cast play dual roles as suspects in both Conway’s real murder and the one in his novel. For example, Pippa Haywood plays the sisters of the murder victims, and Daniel Mays is entertaining as the inspector in both worlds. Matthew Beard stands out as both Conway’s boyfriend and Pünd’s assistant.
Conleth Hill excels as the despicable crime writer Alan Conway. Bernard’s review notes that even famous authors like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie grew tired of their heroes. Conway’s dislike of Pünd culminates in a shocking finish. The series offers a puzzling mystery with dark humor and satire.
“Magpie Murders” is currently re-airing on PBS every Sunday in the US and is also available to stream on Prime Video.
