Magpie Murders

Anthony Horowitz is one of our most prolific and successful writers, with 'Foyle's War' a particular favourite of mine - and of millions of viewers. Lesley Manville is a superb actor, and never gives a bad performance. Tim McMullen (who appeared several times in 'Foyle's War') is delightful as Atticus Pünd - and always good in whatever he does.

This is a highly original series, which I am certain delighted Mr Horowitz's inventive mind.

One can but hope that he gives Atticus another outing - preferably with Ms Manville but even solo would be acceptable..

A Splendid series. Thank you.

Whodunnits are not my thing normally, but I am so pleased I tried this. Highly original and very engaging. The story zipped along and never got boring.

A few of the characters were badly miscast but the leads were excellently played, and Lesley Manville was outstanding.

I hope Britbox will list more quality material.

The fictional investigation into the murder of an overbearing and obnoxious Lord by a literary detective parallels the actual investigation into the murder of the book's overbearing and obnoxious author. The story within a story is very well structured and the rationale for the 'real life' characters having 'fictional' counterparts quite clever. The cast, led by Lesley Manville and Tim McMullan, is uniformly excellent and the story holds together well over the six parts, avoiding the 'suspect of the week' structure common in multi episode who-done-its and setting up a final resolution that is both cheeky and satisfying. Consider counting the birds. Recommended.

Susan Ryeland, the editor of the 'Atticus Pund' detective novels, receives a new manuscript but its unfinished and the author is... The drama switches between the present day and the fictional 1955 plot of the book. Its very cleverly done.

Adapted by Anthony Horowitz (Foyle's War) from his own book I was expecting something decent and it doesn't disappoint. If you want a well-written and acted period detective series with some modern twists, dive in you'll love it. Principal cast were all very good and at 45m an episode it breezes by.

Anthony Horowitz . . . Where have you been? I've missed you since Foyle's War! Sure, Alex Rider is fun. I enjoy those too. But the clever writing, the plot twists, the dogged detective, and let's not forget--the perfect and detailed production values that your wife Jill Green seems to always ensure for your pieces--all these add up here to be a delight. Casting seems perfect; acting is solid throughout. Wish I could binge watch but apparently I'll have to make do with weekly releases on my PBS Masterpiece app. I hope I'll see more from you in the future; these have been too far between. I want more!