Magpie

This was quite a slow moving, well detailed story with hints of supernatural.Claire lived with her son Joe and husband Duncan in a beautiful home. But things were not okay. Her relationship with her husband had broken down, so she wanted to leave him with her son. 2 things happened, she got to the truth of her husband's secret life, and her son went missing. The darkness of the night tore her family apart.My second book by author Sophie Draper, I was pulled into the story by the sense of a haunting lilt that the prose had. When I went to analyze it, I didn't really have a word to describe that emotion. But it was hypnotic. I kept feeling that so many things were hidden from me.The need to unveil the truth forced me to turn the pages faster. The suspense and mystery were built over the chapters. Written in dual timeliness with both the husband and wife's POV, the words brought out the almost gothic atmosphere. Something was more than what met the eye.The rural setting of the village was well described, it was creepy. The mystery was hidden quite deep in the layers where nobody could reach. Characters were human and hence flawed. I felt myself sympathizing with them.The ending did give me a swift rush when the truth was revealed as I realized that the author had hoodwinked me throughout the book. Wow. Well done.

Name Of The Book :- MagpieAuthor Name :- Sophie DraperPublication date: 28 Nov 2019Publisher: AvonLanguage: EnglishASIN: B07QNZVM37Book Title :-Title of the book is good. It perfectly suits it.Book Cover :-Cover is good.Story :-Claire and Duncan's, a not so happy married couple live in Debyshire with their son Joe who's keen about finding coins with metal detector. Duncan is a vet while Claire is a housewife. Then something happened, something bad and it tears their lives. Now they both hate each other so much that they want to live seperately. Claire found about his husband affair and twists started coming one after the other until you turn the last page.Told from two POV's of Duncan and Claire, before and after, this story is breathtakingly chilly with an ending you won't see coming.Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing me an advance copy of this awesome psychological thriller.Characters :-All the characters were awesome as they should be in a psychological thriller.Narration :-Narration of the story is good and gripping.Grammar and Vocabulary :-Good grammar and vocabulary is used.My Final Verdict :-A must read.Book Title :- 5/5Book Cover :- 4.5/5Story :- 5/5Characters :- 5/5Narration :- 5/5Grammar and Vocabulary :- 5/5I personally rate this book 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

At first, I was quite intrigued by the plot, the writing was descriptive and atmospheric . At about a third of the way in it began to get repetitive with endless rambling depictions of weather, scenery and the thought processes of Claire the central protagonist. Things were shoehorned in to make the plot work and this felt clumsy and I guessed both the twists. Maybe with some tighter editing to keep the plot moving it would have been a better read. I only finished it to see if I had guessed the conclusion accurately

(3.5-4*)Something has happened – we know not what!Duncan and Claire married young, straight after University. They have a son Joe. He’s a difficult character, Claire thinks he may be on the autism spectrum. Still she loves him, he’s just turned eighteen and obsessed with history, especially old coins, and metal detecting.We read the story from two points of view – Duncan and Claire; from two times – before and after.Duncan is a very successful vet, Claire gave up her career to be a mother and wife.Their marriage has been deteriorating for years, they ‘put a show on’ in public. Claire realises it’s time to go. She has made plans. She wants Joe to go with her and Arthur, their dog. She and Duncan are always arguing it’s no wonder Joe feels the need to go off. He’s gone missing before. Claire is so worried this time. Duncan says he’ll be back, he always comes back.Then something happens.This book is very evocative of its setting around Derbyshire which is lovingly drawn by Sophie Draper, it has a very eerie atmosphere and a deep sense of sadness, of loss. What happened we don’t know and it gives this book a tension and keeps you hooked wanting to know what it was, what will happen, how will things be resolved and then there’s a twist! What you have been reading is put into a different perspective and, after an intake of breath, you will understand. This book leaves you with a slightly creepy feeling but mostly with a lingering sense of sadness.ThanksMy thanks to Avon Publishing for an eCopy of Magpie by Sophie Draper via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own, I have not received any payment for this review.Note: I received the eBook but also purchased a copy.Blog TourThanks to Sanjana Cunniah at Avon for the invitation to review Magpie and join the BlogTour.

I was so so disappointed with this book, I loved Sophie Draper's debut novel Cuckoo and couldn't wait to read Magpie, however I found the plot plodding and not gripping at all, I persevered to the end as I always try to finish a book I have started and it was so predictable, I had guessed the ending way before. I won't make any huge effort to read another book by her.

Should have realised it wasn’t my cup of tea earlier on but kept on giving it a chance.If this were a paperback I would have chucked it in the canal (the worst thing I can think of to happen to a book). Might be ok for some but definitely not my bag.

This was a most difficult read, I am not sure if I liked the before and after chapters. It's also the saddest read that I have experienced. Writer did keep the outcome closest to the end, not giving away the 'truth' till then. So in that way it was good.