I thought perhaps the fact that the woman Hal knew as her mother (who was actually Maud, not Maggie) was fond of magpies was indicative of Maud's true identity - as she's the one who grew up at Trepassen and Maggie was only there briefly.

I also considered the magpies as symbolic of Trepassen itself as they litter the grounds. This is very similar to how Hal describes clients using tarot readings - hoping they will confirm or predict what they already know they want. Hal mentions how people begin to count magpies, searching for the number that matches the result they want from the poem, not the number they actually saw. The poem from which the magpies are referenced regularly ('One for sorrow, two for joy.') is also a reference to the role of fate/superstition versus truth which is played over and over again in this book. I thought the symbolism was particularly rich when Ezra's car is completely covered in bird crap - a slight from Hal's mothers from beyond the grave. Maggie talks about the magpies and counts them superstitiously in her first diary entry shared in the novel.

Hal has a tattoo of a magpie on her back in remembrance of her deceased mother as it was her mother's nickname. They are first symbolic of Hal's mother (the woman who raised her). Hal has a tattoo of a magpie on he …more The magpies are FULL of symbolism in this text. Miranda H The magpies are FULL of symbolism in this text.

The death of mrs westaway