(gentle orchestral music) - Where we left off with "Magpie Murders" is that Susan Ryeland almost loses her life in a big fire that burns down her publishing company.

And we ended the series with her saying goodbye to Atticus Pünd.

- It's been a pleasure.

- For me, too.

- "Moonflower Murders" takes place about a year after "Magpie Murders" ended when Susan Ryeland left the UK for Crete where she set up a hotel with her partner Andreas.

Then two guests walk into her life with a story they tell her.

- It's about our daughter.

She's gone missing.

(door clicks) We think it may be because of one of your books.

- Inside that novel, Alan Conway has revealed the true killer of a murder.

- She read it.

- And then she disappeared.

I'm not going to find the answer written in a book eight years ago.

It's got nothing to do with me.

- Is that true?

Ms. Ryeland, what a pleasure to see you again.

Don't tell me you're involved in another murder.

So who do you think may have been responsible?

- We have the two ongoing 50s and contemporary investigations.

- It's a double brain tease and it's a double rollercoaster ride.

- By the power of prequel, I've been brought back to life to play Alan Conway again.

- It's good to see you, Alan.

- [Conleth] This novel is "Moonflower Murders."

It's his third.

Chapter one.

It was a picturesque village in the county of Devonshire.

- Sometime between 6:28, 6:38 in the evening, somebody broke in her house and strangled her.

- We have a few returning characters who are the key characters to bring us through the two worlds, like Susan Pünd, and of course our lovely Chubb and Locke.

- There's an enjoyment of watching those characters again and the interplay that they have.

For instance, when you get, you know, Locke coming up against Susan again, you know, I think one of his opening lines is like, "I can't believe it's you again."

- I thought we were on first name terms by now.

- We're not on any terms at all.

I want a word.

(door slams) The characters I've worked in the past, you know that there's an appetite from the audience for it.

- You're a fan.

Pünd and Susan have this really rather lovely relationship, and of course he's a manifestation of her imagination.

Why does everything have to be so bloody complicated?

- The investigation or your personal life?

- Both.

- I hope if you enjoyed "Magpie Murders," you'll enjoy "Moonflower Murders" even more.

I think it's probably a twistier story.

Certainly, it's got a couple of really big surprises built into the end, a couple of reveals that will be in front of your eyes, but which hopefully you won't see or notice.

And a solution to both crimes actually, which are surprising to say the least.

(gentle music)