
The Christmas Magpie
Mark Edwards(Author)
Michael Joseph Ltd (Publisher)
Published on 13. November 2025
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-0-241-78902-5 (ISBN)
Description
IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE MURDER
A chilling Christmas page-turner for fans of twisty thrillers and dark winter nights - from the 5 million copy bestselling author of The Magpies and Here To Stay
'What a perfect gem of a thriller! Dark, twisted, chilling and utterly unputdownable' CLAIRE DOUGLAS
-
It's Noel and Dani's first Christmas in their new home and they want everything to be perfect - lavish presents, a beautiful tree and outdoor decorations to join in with the festivities in this welcoming community.
But they quickly wonder if this street is as perfect as it appears.
First, there are the unwelcome presents left anonymously on their doorstep.
Then they are sure someone is watching them...
And why are the neighbours all obsessed with a notorious killer who is housed at the nearby women's prison?
After tragedy strikes at a Christmas party, Noel and Dani try to find out who is targeting them - but, in this case, it might be safer not to know . . .
-
5* READER REVIEWS
'Mark Edwards is a joy to read. I flew through this book and couldn't put it down.' ***** READER REVIEW
'If you want a quick, cosy mystery, then this is the book for you.' ***** READER REVIEW
'Fast paced with lots of twists and turns, eeriness thrown into the mix - what a great thriller this is.' ***** READER REVIEW
'This is a five star read along with all his others!' ***** READER REVIEW
'I absolutely loved this!' ***** READER REVIEW
'I absolutely loved this book & would highly recommend.' ***** READER REVIEW
'This was such a great, fun but creepy, festive read. Perfect for curling up with on a cold December evening!' **** READER REVIEW
'If you're after a quick, gripping read with a festive backdrop and a clever, chilling twist, I'd highly recommend this one.' ***** READER REVIEW
'A chilling but festive treat and a must-read for all Mark Edwards fans.' ***** READER REVIEW
'The Christmas Magpies will make an excellent stocking filler!' ***** READER REVIEW
PRAISE FOR MARK EDWARDS
'I loved this brilliant, edgy, character driven thriller with a passion.' LISA JEWELL
'A fast-paced thriller, full of twists upon twists and tension you could cut with a knife. Hugely enjoyable.' ALEX MICHAELIDES
''Gripped doesn't even come close!' MARIAN KEYES
'I kept wanting to tear my eyes away but had to keep reading' IAN RANKIN
'Twisting and terrifying, the kind of haunting, pacy, spine-chiller that Mark Edwards is the absolute master of.' CHRIS WHITAKER
'I was hooked by this clever, fast paced and addictive thriller... I loved it' CLAIRE DOUGLAS
'Fast-paced and twisted: it's another Mark Edwards sensation' CLARE MACKINTOSH
A chilling Christmas page-turner for fans of twisty thrillers and dark winter nights - from the 5 million copy bestselling author of The Magpies and Here To Stay
'What a perfect gem of a thriller! Dark, twisted, chilling and utterly unputdownable' CLAIRE DOUGLAS
-
It's Noel and Dani's first Christmas in their new home and they want everything to be perfect - lavish presents, a beautiful tree and outdoor decorations to join in with the festivities in this welcoming community.
But they quickly wonder if this street is as perfect as it appears.
First, there are the unwelcome presents left anonymously on their doorstep.
Then they are sure someone is watching them...
And why are the neighbours all obsessed with a notorious killer who is housed at the nearby women's prison?
After tragedy strikes at a Christmas party, Noel and Dani try to find out who is targeting them - but, in this case, it might be safer not to know . . .
-
5* READER REVIEWS
'Mark Edwards is a joy to read. I flew through this book and couldn't put it down.' ***** READER REVIEW
'If you want a quick, cosy mystery, then this is the book for you.' ***** READER REVIEW
'Fast paced with lots of twists and turns, eeriness thrown into the mix - what a great thriller this is.' ***** READER REVIEW
'This is a five star read along with all his others!' ***** READER REVIEW
'I absolutely loved this!' ***** READER REVIEW
'I absolutely loved this book & would highly recommend.' ***** READER REVIEW
'This was such a great, fun but creepy, festive read. Perfect for curling up with on a cold December evening!' **** READER REVIEW
'If you're after a quick, gripping read with a festive backdrop and a clever, chilling twist, I'd highly recommend this one.' ***** READER REVIEW
'A chilling but festive treat and a must-read for all Mark Edwards fans.' ***** READER REVIEW
'The Christmas Magpies will make an excellent stocking filler!' ***** READER REVIEW
PRAISE FOR MARK EDWARDS
'I loved this brilliant, edgy, character driven thriller with a passion.' LISA JEWELL
'A fast-paced thriller, full of twists upon twists and tension you could cut with a knife. Hugely enjoyable.' ALEX MICHAELIDES
''Gripped doesn't even come close!' MARIAN KEYES
'I kept wanting to tear my eyes away but had to keep reading' IAN RANKIN
'Twisting and terrifying, the kind of haunting, pacy, spine-chiller that Mark Edwards is the absolute master of.' CHRIS WHITAKER
'I was hooked by this clever, fast paced and addictive thriller... I loved it' CLAIRE DOUGLAS
'Fast-paced and twisted: it's another Mark Edwards sensation' CLARE MACKINTOSH
Reviews / Votes
What a perfect gem of a thriller! Dark, twisted, chilling and utterly unputdownable The Christmas Magpie had me guessing to the very end. A brilliant read! -- Claire Douglas 'If you're after settling down with a whirlwind festive read on a chilly night, this taut atmospheric novella is the perfect choice ... Fast-paced and full of surprises, it's the perfect read for a seasonal thrill' * Woman & Home * A fun, twisty, and dark Christmas mystery -- Claire McGowan, bestselling author of What You Did Cosy Christmas themed crime novels have become a staple...The Christmas Magpie offers a pleasingly black-hearted alternative * Mail on Sunday *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Penguin Books Ltd
Dimensions
Height: 220 mm
Width: 147 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
362 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-241-78902-5 (9780241789025)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions


Mark Edwards
The Christmas Magpie
Behind the twinkling lights, danger watches closely - a terrifying festive thriller from the multi-million copy bestselling author
E-Book
10/2025
Penguin Books Ltd
€10.99
Available for download
Person
Mark Edwards writes psychological thrillers in which scary things happen to ordinary people.
He has sold 5 million books since his first novel, The Magpies was published in 2013, and has topped the bestseller lists numerous times. His other novels include Follow You Home, The Retreat, In Her Shadow, Because She Loves Me, The Hollows and Here to Stay. He has also co-authored six books with Louise Voss. Originally from Hastings in East Sussex, Mark now lives in Wolverhampton with his wife, their children, dog and two cats.
He has sold 5 million books since his first novel, The Magpies was published in 2013, and has topped the bestseller lists numerous times. His other novels include Follow You Home, The Retreat, In Her Shadow, Because She Loves Me, The Hollows and Here to Stay. He has also co-authored six books with Louise Voss. Originally from Hastings in East Sussex, Mark now lives in Wolverhampton with his wife, their children, dog and two cats.