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Wednesday 24 February 2021

Review: The Magpie Society: One for Sorrow

The Magpie Society – One for Sorrow, is written in two narrative voices, two first person points of view by the authors. Audrey by Amy McCulloch and Ivy by Zoe Slugg.

Lola died on the night of the end-of-term party. Following the rules dictated by the school, the students of Illumen Hall all had their phones switched off.

It is in this prestigious boarding school that the American Audrey enrols. She is as far away from secrets that plagued her from her former school, and that’s what she wants. Her roommate, the rich and privileged Ivy, has plans for this year. Outstanding is what she aims for and another person around her is not conducive to her planned outcome.

Things start off a bit rocky between them, as Lola and Ivy were very close. 

But the girls become closer as Lola’s death infects the entire school, especially when a blog is set up by an anonymous person stating that they knew who killed Lola, and someone else will be next. Amy sets out to uncover who the murderer is and becomes embroiled in the search for something bigger that she can handle. She tries to discover the meaning of the tattoo of a magpie spread across Lola’s back. In what way could this be tied to the murder?

This sends the entire school into a feverish spin. Is the murderer amongst them? If so, who could it be? And who will be next? What secrets does this elite school hide in their history? Who manipulates the happenings and why? Too many questions to be answered. How long will the Magpie Rhyme continue and to what end?

Full of mystery and suspense, this is a continuous, one sit read. Keep a look out for the second book in the series, The Magpie Society: Two for Joy.

Title: The Magpie Society: One for Sorrow
Author: Zoe Sugg & Amy McCulloch  
Publisher: Penguin, $ 24.99
Publication: Date: 29 October 2020
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780241402481
For ages: 14+
Type: Young Adult Fiction