Susan Ryeland is a successful editor – but her career is threatened when the new mystery novel by her number one author turns up with its final chapter missing. Her life is further complicated when she becomes involved in a murder.

Unwillingly, she finds herself cast in the role of an “investigator” out of her comfort zone as she tries to work out who killed her most successful author. The answer, she soon discovers, is buried somewhere in the novel he has written.

Credits:

Starring Lesley Manville, Tim McMullan, Conleth Hill, Alexandros Logothetis, Daniel Mays, Claire Rushbrook, Matthew Beard, Michael Maloney
Written by Anthony Horowitz
Based on the novel by Anthony Horowitz
Executive Produced by Jill Green, Susanne Simpson, Anthony Horowitz, Suzanne McAuley, Peter Cattaneo and Lesley Manville
Produced by Suzanne McAuley
Directed by Peter Cattaneo

Commissioned by Masterpiece and BritBox UK. Distributed internationally by Sony Pictures Television. Produced in association with Salt Films.

What the press said:

“In a grey TV landscape crammed with humdrum whodunits, Magpie Murders is a splash of vivid colour.”

— The Telegraph

“Lesley Manville is a superb twist on Miss Marple.”

— The Times

“Magpie Murders does a fine job exploring the novel's dual storylines and incorporating the various twists and turns in the deaths of Magnus and Alan. The story within a story structure could have become far too convoluted for viewers to follow, but it's well-managed, with the two narratives existing harmoniously.” 

— Radio Times