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Magpie

By: Elizabeth Day
Narrated by: Tanya Reynolds
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Publisher's Summary

Sometimes Marisa gets the fanciful notion that Kate has visited the house before. She makes herself at home without any self-consciousness. She puts her toothbrush right there in the master bathroom, on the shelf next to theirs.

In Jake, Marisa has found everything she’s ever wanted. Then their new lodger, Kate, arrives.

Something about Kate isn’t right. Is it the way she looks at Marisa’s boyfriend? Sits too close on the sofa? Constantly asks about the baby they are trying for? Or is it all just in Marisa’s head?

After all, that’s what her Jake keeps telling her, and she trusts him - doesn’t she?

But Marisa knows something is wrong. That the woman sleeping in their house will stop at nothing to get what she wants. 

Marisa just doesn’t know why.

How far will she go to find the answer - and how much is she willing to lose?

©2021 Elizabeth Day (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic Reviews

"A dark, sleek, ever-tightening spiral.... Completely, terrifyingly brilliant." (Marian Keyes, author of Grown Ups)

"Elizabeth Day has written that rare book I always go hunting for, something that will keep me breathless with suspense but also buoyant with good energy. It is both sinister and comforting, outrageous but grounded, with a head-spinning plot twist...Magpie is a book that needed to exist in the world. It is the book that was missing." (Lisa Taddeo, author of Three Women and Animal)

"The most mind-blowing book of the year." (Joanna Cannon, author of The Trouble with Goats and Sheep and Three Things About Elsie)

"A pacy, stylish thriller in which suspense is accompanied by fist-pumping feminism and, perhaps toughest of all, hope." (The Observer)

"Pulse-quickening-tale." (Stylist

"Scintillating." (The Sunday Times, Thriller of the Month) 

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What listeners say about Magpie

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic story

This is so well written. The characters are deeply developed. Twists you don’t see coming. Would make a great movie too. Covers difficult subjects like infertility, mental illness, childhood trauma with an empathic, compassionate approach while still being a thriller of sorts, although unconventional. The mother in law is so vividly depicted. Looking for her next book immediately! One of the best books I’ve got in a while.

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  • Overall
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

I really enjoyed the plot of this book.
I did think the narrator needed a little variety in her tone but apart from that I loved it!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it

I couldn’t stop listening - I was hooked from start to finish. Brilliant storytelling! I couldn’t tell how the story was going to unfold, which I absolutely loved. The narrator was great too, easy to listen to.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

SO GOOD

Not just a great twisty thriller but one that really translates well to audiobook! Got me through a long drive.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Couldn't put down

Excellent story. Believable scenario and reactions to events. Satisfying ending which tied things up nicely. Also a positive outcome illustrating mental illness.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant!

I loved this audiobook. The narrator reads beautifully and makes the story so engaging. The book is well written and keeps you on your toes in a state of suspense. It also explores themes of identity, womanhood, motherhood, mental health and belonging. Highly recommend!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Unique storyline

The storyline was unique and had a good pace. Characters were fab - you really felt like you knew the by the end. A great read.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

I’m not sure why the desire for a child affects this couple so much. And how they stay together during the nightmare what with the mother in law and marissa. I found this story one dimensional.

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Original, psychologically sophisticated, twisty

I'm surprised by some of the more negative reviews of this book. Sounds like some people wanted a more conventional thriller but the book is more original and sophisticated than that. The best thing about this book is that it doesn't demonise mental illness but balances a narrative of clever twists with sensitive treatment of deep and sometimes destabilising psychological needs. i found the description of the IVF experience totally compelling and moving.

i think the book is marketed wrongly. No idea why the cover has those words "she has almost everything...the rest she'll take". Makes no sense at all in relation to the story and makes it sound more like a cliched 'femme fatale' narrative.

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Great Narrator and story

Very good storyline which had me almost convinced. Interesting twist. Loved the Narrator. Couldnt fault her one bit.

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