Murder is in the Air

Every Sunday night I am glued to my television, watching Masterpiece Theater. For the last month, Magpie Murders has me enthralled. It’s a superb and intelligent homage to the Golden Age of Crime and draws on the work of Agatha Christie, written by author Anthony Horowitz. Its structure is a story within a story, weaving between the 1950s and the present day with more than one mystery to solve.

Because this novel was adapted for television we now have three murders to solve instead of two. How brilliant is that? I’m drawn by the ‘whodunnit’. I’m trying to solve the case or come close to who the murderer actually is. Because of that element of suspense and involvement we as audience members can get closer to a mystery than any other genre.

England is the perfect setting for a murder mystery. The country is rural and has so many idyllic picture-perfect villages that no one suspects that murder is in the air. It’s probably why I have enjoyed a long list of mysteries emanating from the Brits. They also are keen storytellers and the best actors on the planet. And most of all, murder is often hinted at not beaten and blood gored as is the American way

Here’s the storyline. In the present day, Susan Ryeland is a middle-aged book editor and is in a relationship with Andreas a native Greek who teaches at University and wants to return to his home country taking Susan along. She settles down to read the latest manuscript of the Atticus series written by Alan Conway set in the 1950s. The character Atticus is a German refugee, who has assisted the police in a number of murder cases. Atticus is dying from terminal cancer. This is to be his last case. Atticus finds himself in Suffolk, helping Inspector Raymond Chubb in what appears to be two murders, a cleaning woman, Mary Blakiston, and the beheading of Sir Magnus at Pye Hall. As you would expect, there are a host of suspects ranging from the vicar to the sister of Magnus, Clarissa.

Mary Blakiston is a busybody who made herself privy to the secrets of many in the village. Magnus is very wealthy and is loathed since he sanctioned the development of Dingle Dell which has created an uproar in the community.

Atticus uncovers a web of deceit, fraud, and secrets galore. However, he is on the brink of death and is at the point of declaring the murderer.

In the present day the author, Alan Conway, is discovered dead, apparently having committed suicide. The publishing house that Susan works for is in serious financial straits and Alan is their cash cow. Susan is missing the last chapter of the manuscript and becomes convinced that Alan has been murdered. Susan turns detective and goes in search of the missing chapter and Alan's murderer. She finds numerous connections between Alan’s life and the Atticus novels, for example, Alan was also dying. There are a variety of cryptic clues and references to tube stations, Agatha Christie novels and so much more, in the Atticus manuscript.

Alan is an unlikeable character and many have possible motives to kill him. Susan is convinced that the last chapter contains clues to Alan's killer. All three mysteries are happening simultaneously.

Last night we found out that Susan herself and her family are characters in the novel. She had a distant relationship with him, although her sister introduced them. And we see a photograph of Susan’s lover Andreas at the home of Alan. All of these are discoveries Susan is horrified to make.

I won’t draw a quick conclusion there is nothing obvious in a murder mystery. With two episodes to go, I have my ideas as to who killed Alan, Magnus, and Mary. We shall see. Those who want a classic crime story…will love this show. It is brilliantly plotted to give us a triple helping of intelligent crime.