Buy new:
$15.99
FREE delivery Saturday, May 11 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$15.99
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Saturday, May 11 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Thursday, May 9. Order within 20 hrs 5 mins
In Stock
$$15.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$15.99
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$12.78
This book is in good condition with some minor wear to the spine and/or cover. Damaged cover. The cover of is slightly damaged for instance a torn or bent corner. Grubby book may have mild dirt or some staining, mostly on the edges of pages. This book is in good condition with some minor wear to the spine and/or cover. Damaged cover. The cover of is slightly damaged for instance a torn or bent corner. Grubby book may have mild dirt or some staining, mostly on the edges of pages. See less
FREE delivery May 20 - June 5. Details
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$15.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$15.99
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Ships from and sold by Reuseaworld.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Marrisse Whittaker
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Magpie: the gripping thriller everyone is talking about (The Billie Wilde Thrillers) Paperback – April 30, 2021

by Marrisse Whittaker (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 470 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$15.99","priceAmount":15.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"15","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"oL5ZmG6kXH7i8cGnHhy9PYCir790UulBvOAnQ9ZJn3W1LDSX2aBLCHD2mhNbTg0fx3X0m2OxSKT1cilQnIjTapDW4cykSmM%2FWEUH1n6bXAJrL20A1b4oNs2QS4sZCDE3RCDHhZM9uS9IrC0cWqqVKw%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$12.78","priceAmount":12.78,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"12","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"78","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"oL5ZmG6kXH7i8cGnHhy9PYCir790UulB4zXnuZEMG%2BoNrVaA1S%2FuarV9tUdQcLJqr%2Fu2umT9XzG2KLl9NoBXW8SR85akYxlgVTFbVosHKbGgaEETbn9z0BFzPAXQ7AeRe0tSmtiDCITekdH9rYjiJ%2F8B7TJSuef9UGEha7iFGMfrc2MJMZd9BC1KMSVj%2FU7X","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

What would you do if a killer was hunting you?

A killer who runs rings around the police. A detective who is out of control.

Meet DSI Wilde. Wilde by name. Wild by nature.

DSI Billie Wilde is on a mission to catch the killer responsible for a horrific showcase of murders, in order to prove that she’s still at the top of her game.

But when hidden skeletons come out of dark corners, she is forced to confront her past and face the truth - that she is the ultimate target, now firmly in the executioner’s sights.

As Billie grapples with her past, and learns she isn’t who she thought she was, she uncovers devastating childhood links to each of the victims.

The past refuses to stay buried and Billie soon finds herself wondering if she knows who’s behind the brutal murders.

But can Billie solve the case and unravel the mystery of her own past before it’s too late?

The Magpie is a gritty, twisty and completely gripping crime thriller. It's the perfect read for fans of authors like Angela Marsons, D. S. Butler and Helen H. Durrant.

Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 3
    Billie Wilde
  2. Print length
    272 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    April 30, 2021
  5. Dimensions
    5.25 x 0.68 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    191394252X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1913942526
  8. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author


Marrisse Whittaker has been creating characters for all of her working life, travelling far and wide, first as a TV and Film Make-Up Artist, where she might have been called upon to construct a corpse, age an actor by a hundred years, or make a real-life drug-raddled rock star look desirable. Next as a TV Scriptwriter, creating stories for popular series such as CBBC’S Byker Grove, BBC’s Doctors and Channel 4 Hollyoaks. But plenty of drama takes place in real-life too and when Marrisse joined forces with her husband, former TV Journalist Bob Whittaker, to establish Orion TV, they produced a fascinating range of factual programmes for major broadcasters. Now, creating a scene is taking on a new meaning for Marrisse as she launches a new career as a novelist writing about the world of crime, having been shortlisted for The Lindisfarne Prize for Outstanding Debut Crime Fiction in 2020. Marrisse lives by the sea in rural Northumberland in the UK, inventing stories of murder and mayhem whilst walking through the dramatic surf and turf landscape right on her doorstep, consuming her own weight in chocolate, whilst fantasising that she’s keeping fit.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloodhound Books (April 30, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 191394252X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1913942526
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.68 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 470 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Marrisse Whittaker

Marrisse Whittaker

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Hi. welcome to my Author Central page. My name is Marrisse Whittaker. I have been creating characters for all of my working life. First, as a TV and Film Make-Up Artist and then as a TV scriptwriter, creating stories for popular UK drama TV series.

But plenty of drama takes place in real life too and when I joined forces with my husband, former TV journalist Bob Whittaker, to establish Orion TV, we produced a fascinating range of factual programmes for major broadcasters around the world.

I live by the sea in rural Northumberland in the UK, inventing dark and twisty plotlines for the detective Billie Wilde series, whilst wandering through the dramatic surf and turf landscape right on my doorstep. Many of my Billie Wilde stories are set in the area.

The Magpie, Book 1 in the Billie Wilde crime thriller series, was shortlisted for The Lindisfarne Prize for Outstanding Debut Crime Fiction. Book number five in the series will be published in July 2024. I hope you enjoy them!

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
470 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Bootsy
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
A true edge of your seat thriller ! This book will leave you wanting more of "Billie". Great characters help make this a MUST read. You won't be disappointed !!!
Helpful
 Report
Bev
5.0 out of 5 stars DSI Billie Wilde must face her past to solve a crime in the present.
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2021
First, I would like to say, five stars are NOT enough for this book! I haven't read a story like this in a LONG time, and it is one that I will re-read which I NEVER do. DSI Billie Wilde is trying to solve some really bad murders. She needs to do this to prove she still is on top of her game, but most importantly, she needs to do it for herself. As she investigates she finds out that the murdered people have a history that leads back to her! She finds out things she never knew before and will it take her over the edge or make her more determined to solve this crime? I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. Get your own copy!
Helpful
 Report
Pamela W.
4.0 out of 5 stars This book was okay
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2022
Verified Purchase
I started out liking the story in this book but I really didn't care what happened to David or Ash as the author didn't really say much about them. I wasn't sure who was doing the murdering so I was a little surprised but then again there weren't too many characters left to choose from as most of them were murdered. So the book was okay. I think it could've been longer with more details so we as the reader would understand all the different relationships and actually feel like we knew these characters and cared about. I did like Grass as the Author put a little more time into this particular character. I could actually visualize the scene at the end with Grass holding the fake gun. I thought that was funny. So I'm used to reading grittier mysteries, police procedural and thrillers. So yes overall this was a good story and I read it to the end. I do see a continuation to this book and I'll probably read that too.
Helpful
 Report
Josette Thomas
5.0 out of 5 stars A secret is found out
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2021
This was an incredibly intense novel. There were so many secrets divulged as well as people being murdered for there part in the scandal. Billie had buried what happened to her as a child so deep that her safety was put at risk. She was determined to find out why all the people murdered, were killed so viciously. When she started connecting the dots, things were so out of control that she felt she was going crazy. The people she thought were against her, were actually in her corner. Toward the end of the book you read about the significance of the song “Magpie”. Now I cannot get the lyrics out of my head. This book definitely has triggers. I enjoyed this book and would recommend others to read this novel.
Helpful
 Report
Faye Ridpath
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2021
This book was amazing!

It had just the right blend of suspence and insight into the main character's personal life as she investigated the murders.

The ending seems to have left room for another book.

I would love that and hope this becomes a series.

Thank you Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read this very gripping book.
Helpful
 Report
Kindle Customer C📲📱🔖📚📖
5.0 out of 5 stars The stolen innocent
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2021
This is a story that keep you on your toes, it grabs you from the first page to the last, the U.S. A fantastic story.This book is a thillier, suspense and mystery element.it is very enjoyable.
Helpful
 Report
Jeni W.
3.0 out of 5 stars Not for the sensitive
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2021
This book started pretty strong, took a dip and then about halfway through picked up speed again. It kept me guessing as everytime I thought I knew the killer, the script was flipped. I did not like the author continuously using full names when people were talking/talked about, just a little annoyance for me. Not a bad book at all but there was a lot going on.
Helpful
 Report
booklover
4.0 out of 5 stars Rip-Roaring Thriller
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2021
Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this tremendous crime fiction debut. I look forward to seeing more of DSI Billie Wilde. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

DSI Billie Wilde is stopped in traffic while on her way to work one morning, when she's signaled over by someone screaming and pointing. What shes sees is the stuff of nightmares. And this will not be the only body displayed in this manner.

Billie has been seeing a therapist and she's either starting to remember some of her childhood or she's hallucinating. Finding out that she was adopted has her reeling. Before her parents were killed in a car accident, they had never told her.

As she investigates these killings, she discovers skeletons of her past, lies and secrets, ... and she seems to be the target of this particular serial killer. In order to catch a killer she's going to have to face her past ..and her future.

This is an action-packed thriller ... a real page turner. Characters are outstanding. For a debut novel, it has everything one could want in a really good book. The killer is unique ... Wilde's present and past lives are fraught with danger. Her backstory is surprising. The conclusion was unexpected .. and explosive. Highly recommend for anyone who really enjoys a rip-roaring crime thriller.
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Noreen
5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
Really enjoyable read, kept me guessing right up to the end! Off to buy the next Marrise Whittaker book now ..
Report
MISS ANGIE BRAUND
5.0 out of 5 stars Page Turner
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 2, 2023
Verified Purchase
What a read! Throughly enjoyed reading this book, lots of twists and turns and kept me guessing all the way to the end. A book that I definitely couldn’t put down. Can’t wait to read the next one.
Report
Kindl
4.0 out of 5 stars Page turner
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 8, 2021
Verified Purchase
The first murder is tragic- a small child but the links slowly build up with the detective's personal and professional life mixed in. Fast paced thriller with an interesting mix of characters. A real page turner that I read in 2 sittings! Looking forward to the next book.
4 people found this helpful
 Report
judith moffat
5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn’t put this down
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 30, 2023
Verified Purchase
Gripped by this book from first page, will certainly be reading the full series.
Report
Dee Groocock
5.0 out of 5 stars A superb debut
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 10, 2022
Verified Purchase
DSI Billie Wilde returns to work after enforced leave and straight into a horrendous case involving a child murder.

With more murders occurring, the team need to try and find what is linking them.

This is an intriguing debut that involves many secrets and lies.

I had a lot of compassion for DSI Billie Wilde and I won’t say what I thought of her future mother in law!! Complex characters that you end up loving or loathing.

Lovely descriptive writing about the beautiful North East. I did not see the ending coming, which is always a bonus! I cannot wait to read the second book in the series, The Devil’s Line.
One person found this helpful
 Report