If you loved
Magpie Murders
Anthony Horowitz · Series · 2022
You loved Magpie Murders for the clever way it weaves layers of fiction, meta-commentary, and investigative puzzles into a singular, gripping mystery.
Start with the source
Books on the same thread
The Housemaid
Freida McFadden · Book · 2022
Explores: Unreliable Narrator, Class Differences, Secrets and Lies.
Like the suspenseful manuscript at the heart of Magpie Murders, this domestic thriller uses hidden layers of secrets and unreliable perspectives to keep you guessing about the truth.
Holly
Stephen King · Book · 2023
Explores: Missing Persons, Cults, Obsession.
If the obsessive pursuit of justice in Magpie Murders captivated you, you will appreciate how this story centers on a relentless investigator digging deep into dark, systemic corruption.
A Deadly Episode
Anthony Horowitz · Book · 2026
Explores: film industry satire, story-within-a-story, detective tropes.
This story mirrors the meta-fictional brilliance of Magpie Murders by turning the lens on the literary and film world, crafting a puzzle that challenges the boundaries of storytelling.
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
Holly Jackson · Book · 2021
Explores: Cold case investigation, Obsessive research, Secrets and lies.
The investigative obsession found in Magpie Murders drives this narrative, where the protagonist unearths deep-seated secrets in a small town, proving that past cases are never truly closed.
Films on the same thread
The Outfit
Graham Moore · Film · 2022
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Deception, Hidden Identity.
The atmosphere of deception and hidden identities in Magpie Murders resonates here, as a quiet professional navigates a dangerous underworld where everyone is concealing their true intentions.
Hot Fuzz
Edgar Wright · Film · 2007
Shares a thread with Magpie Murders: Small Town Secrets.
You will recognize the small-town secrets and the fish-out-of-water tension from Magpie Murders in this sharp satire that deconstructs the classic murder mystery with wit and precision.
Knives Out
Rian Johnson · Film · 2019
Explores: Family Secrets, Wealth and Privilege, Inheritance.
This film captures the same love for classic whodunit tropes as Magpie Murders, using a sprawling cast of suspects and a brilliant investigator to dissect complex family secrets.
See How They Run
Film · 2022
Explores: Showbiz satire, 1950s London, Theatrical backdrop.
The theatrical backdrop and showbiz satire provide a meta-narrative experience similar to Magpie Murders, forcing an unlikely duo to solve a murder within a high-stakes, dramatic production.
Podcasts on the same thread
Small Town Murder
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: provincial life, tragic irony, forensic breakdown.
If the investigative focus of Magpie Murders appealed to you, these deep dives into the dark realities of small-town life offer a similarly compelling look at human nature.
Killer Stories with Harvey Guillén
Spotify Studios · Podcast · 2026
Explores: dark human nature, criminal psychology, public fascination.
This podcast mirrors the fascination with criminal psychology and hidden motives found in Magpie Murders, providing a narrative exploration of crimes that captivate the public imagination.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Magpie Murders based on a book?
Yes, the 2022 television series Magpie Murders is an adaptation of the 2017 novel of the same name written by Anthony Horowitz. The plot centers on an editor who becomes involved in a mystery after receiving an unfinished manuscript.
Should I read the book Magpie Murders before watching the show?
You can enjoy the 2022 television series without reading the 2017 book, as both versions follow the same core story of an editor drawn into a web of intrigue and murder. Reading the source material provides additional context but is not required to understand the plot.
What is the plot of Magpie Murders?
The story follows an editor who receives an unfinished manuscript that pulls her into a web of intrigue and murder. Both the 2017 book and the 2022 television adaptation explore this mystery as she attempts to uncover the truth behind the incomplete text.
Who wrote the original Magpie Murders?
The original Magpie Murders was written by Anthony Horowitz. It was published as a book in 2017 and later adapted into a television series in 2022, detailing the journey of an editor who encounters a mysterious, unfinished manuscript that leads to a real-life investigation.