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Hawthorne & Horowitz #5
Close to Death
In New York Times–bestselling author Anthony Horowitz’s ingenious fifth literary whodunit in the Hawthorne and Horowitz series, Detective Hawthorne is once again called upon to solve an unsolvable case—a gruesome murder in an idyllic gated community in which suspects abound
Riverside Close is a picture-perfect community. The six exclusive and attractive houses are tucked far away from the noise and grime of city life, allowing the residents to enjoy beautiful gardens, pleasant birdsong and tranquility from behind the security of a locked gate.
It is the perfect idyll until the Kentworthy family arrives, with their four giant, gas-guzzling cars, a gaggle of shrieking children and plans for a garish swimming pool in the backyard. Obvious outsiders, the Kentworthys do not belong in Riverside Close, and they quickly offend every last one of their neighbours.
When Giles Kentworthy is found dead on his own doorstep, a crossbow bolt sticking out of his chest, Detective Hawthorne is the only investigator that can be called on to solve the case.
Because how do you solve a murder when everyone is a suspect?
Riverside Close is a picture-perfect community. The six exclusive and attractive houses are tucked far away from the noise and grime of city life, allowing the residents to enjoy beautiful gardens, pleasant birdsong and tranquility from behind the security of a locked gate.
It is the perfect idyll until the Kentworthy family arrives, with their four giant, gas-guzzling cars, a gaggle of shrieking children and plans for a garish swimming pool in the backyard. Obvious outsiders, the Kentworthys do not belong in Riverside Close, and they quickly offend every last one of their neighbours.
When Giles Kentworthy is found dead on his own doorstep, a crossbow bolt sticking out of his chest, Detective Hawthorne is the only investigator that can be called on to solve the case.
Because how do you solve a murder when everyone is a suspect?
419 pages, Hardcover
First published April 11, 2024
About the author
Anthony Horowitz
415 books18.3k followersAnthony Horowitz, OBE is ranked alongside Enid Blyton and Mark A. Cooper as "The most original and best spy-kids authors of the century." (New York Times). Anthony has been writing since the age of eight, and professionally since the age of twenty. In addition to the highly successful Alex Rider books, he is also the writer and creator of award winning detective series Foyle’s War, and more recently event drama Collision, among his other television works he has written episodes for Poirot, Murder in Mind, Midsomer Murders and Murder Most Horrid. Anthony became patron to East Anglia Children’s Hospices in 2009.
On 19 January 2011, the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle announced that Horowitz was to be the writer of a new Sherlock Holmes novel, the first such effort to receive an official endorsement from them and to be entitled the House of Silk.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/anthon...
On 19 January 2011, the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle announced that Horowitz was to be the writer of a new Sherlock Holmes novel, the first such effort to receive an official endorsement from them and to be entitled the House of Silk.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/anthon...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,719 reviews
April 26, 2024
4.5⭐
The fifth installment of the acclaimed Hawthorne & Horowitz series follows Anthony Horowitz (the fictionalized version of the author) as he revisits one of Hawthorne’s older cases from five years ago – to be featured in his next book.
When one of the residents of Riverview Close, an affluent gated community comprising six houses, is murdered with a crossbow bolt, local law enforcement calls in former Detective Inspector Anthony Hawthorne to assist. The deceased, Giles Kenworthy, who only recently moved into the community with his family was despised by all of his neighbors and it was evident that none of them were particularly grief-stricken by the tragic turn of events. It was also clear to the lead investigator Detective Superintendent Tariq Khan, Hawthorne and his then-partner John Dudley that the residents knew more about the murder than they were letting on and finding the truth was going to be more complicated than any of them had anticipated because all of his neighbors had their own reasons for wanting Giles gone.
Unlike in the previous installments, Horowitz has to rely on case notes, recorded interviews and discussions with Hawthorne, whom Horowitz believes is withholding crucial information. Parallel to researching the closed case, Horowitz also indulges in his personal quest to find out more about Hawthorne, John Dudley and their associates. The narrative switches between past and present timelines – Hawthorne and Dudley’s investigation from five years ago and Horowitz’s pursuit of details from the case and his own investigation into Hawthorne.
With a cast of interesting characters, a fluid narrative and a solid mystery at its core Close to Death by Anthony Horowitz is a cleverly plotted whodunit that is reminiscent of classic locked-room murder mysteries. I thought that this installment was relatively more intense than the preceding books and though I did miss the element of humor that arises from Hawthorne and Horowitz’s usual dynamic, I thoroughly enjoyed following the mystery as it is gradually unraveled. The narrative does suffer from minor repetition, but this does not detract from the overall reading experience. The author skillfully weaves several sub-plots featuring the characters into the primary narrative without distracting the reader from the murder mystery. I was engrossed in the mystery from the get-go and loved the twists and red herrings along the way. Though the primary mystery does not feature Horowitz in his traditional role as Hawthorne’s (bumbling) sidekick, he does have a significant role to play in how several loose ends are tied up in the present day.
I paired my reading with the audio narration by Anthony Horowitz and Rory Kinnear, which made for a thoroughly entertaining immersion reading experience.
I feel that this book would be best enjoyed if you are familiar with the previous installments, especially to grasp the significance of the events in the present timeline and the references to past events.
I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book in this series!
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
My reviews for the preceding installments:
Book #1 : The Word is Murder
Book #2: The Sentence is Death
Book #3: A Line to Kill
Book #4: The Twist of a Knife
The fifth installment of the acclaimed Hawthorne & Horowitz series follows Anthony Horowitz (the fictionalized version of the author) as he revisits one of Hawthorne’s older cases from five years ago – to be featured in his next book.
When one of the residents of Riverview Close, an affluent gated community comprising six houses, is murdered with a crossbow bolt, local law enforcement calls in former Detective Inspector Anthony Hawthorne to assist. The deceased, Giles Kenworthy, who only recently moved into the community with his family was despised by all of his neighbors and it was evident that none of them were particularly grief-stricken by the tragic turn of events. It was also clear to the lead investigator Detective Superintendent Tariq Khan, Hawthorne and his then-partner John Dudley that the residents knew more about the murder than they were letting on and finding the truth was going to be more complicated than any of them had anticipated because all of his neighbors had their own reasons for wanting Giles gone.
Unlike in the previous installments, Horowitz has to rely on case notes, recorded interviews and discussions with Hawthorne, whom Horowitz believes is withholding crucial information. Parallel to researching the closed case, Horowitz also indulges in his personal quest to find out more about Hawthorne, John Dudley and their associates. The narrative switches between past and present timelines – Hawthorne and Dudley’s investigation from five years ago and Horowitz’s pursuit of details from the case and his own investigation into Hawthorne.
With a cast of interesting characters, a fluid narrative and a solid mystery at its core Close to Death by Anthony Horowitz is a cleverly plotted whodunit that is reminiscent of classic locked-room murder mysteries. I thought that this installment was relatively more intense than the preceding books and though I did miss the element of humor that arises from Hawthorne and Horowitz’s usual dynamic, I thoroughly enjoyed following the mystery as it is gradually unraveled. The narrative does suffer from minor repetition, but this does not detract from the overall reading experience. The author skillfully weaves several sub-plots featuring the characters into the primary narrative without distracting the reader from the murder mystery. I was engrossed in the mystery from the get-go and loved the twists and red herrings along the way. Though the primary mystery does not feature Horowitz in his traditional role as Hawthorne’s (bumbling) sidekick, he does have a significant role to play in how several loose ends are tied up in the present day.
I paired my reading with the audio narration by Anthony Horowitz and Rory Kinnear, which made for a thoroughly entertaining immersion reading experience.
I feel that this book would be best enjoyed if you are familiar with the previous installments, especially to grasp the significance of the events in the present timeline and the references to past events.
I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book in this series!
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
My reviews for the preceding installments:
Book #1 : The Word is Murder
Book #2: The Sentence is Death
Book #3: A Line to Kill
Book #4: The Twist of a Knife
August 29, 2024
Cozy.
This has a different kind of gimmick than the last four books, and I appreciated that he used a new format to keep things from getting stale.
I have to say that I liked this one better than the last book, as I felt a lot of what the fictionalized Anthony did when he was accused of murder was incredibly silly.
This time around the only thing I felt was silly was that Anthony didn't just Google who the murderer was and save himself some frustration.
See, in Close to Death Anthony is on a deadline to turn in a new H & H book, so he contacts Daniel and asks him to retell one of the murders he had previously solved before the two of them met.
But in true Hawthorne fashion, even though he solved the case years ago, he will only give him access to the case files in bits and pieces.
This is where Google would come in handy, imho.
But you just have to roll with it, I guess.
The case is about a group of people who live in a neighborhood with something called a close (apparently a thing in England), and are all suspects in the death of their annoying new neighbor.
The mystery is eventually solved but justice is served in an unconventional way that leaves the reader in suspense until the very end.
I was able to figure out who did it and why earlier than I expected, so the ending twist of what happened to the killer was really all I was waiting for by the end of the book.
As cozy mysteries go, these are pretty good. There's just something oddly satisfying about the author inserting a fictional version of himself into the stories.
Recommended.
This has a different kind of gimmick than the last four books, and I appreciated that he used a new format to keep things from getting stale.
I have to say that I liked this one better than the last book, as I felt a lot of what the fictionalized Anthony did when he was accused of murder was incredibly silly.
This time around the only thing I felt was silly was that Anthony didn't just Google who the murderer was and save himself some frustration.
See, in Close to Death Anthony is on a deadline to turn in a new H & H book, so he contacts Daniel and asks him to retell one of the murders he had previously solved before the two of them met.
But in true Hawthorne fashion, even though he solved the case years ago, he will only give him access to the case files in bits and pieces.
This is where Google would come in handy, imho.
But you just have to roll with it, I guess.
The case is about a group of people who live in a neighborhood with something called a close (apparently a thing in England), and are all suspects in the death of their annoying new neighbor.
The mystery is eventually solved but justice is served in an unconventional way that leaves the reader in suspense until the very end.
I was able to figure out who did it and why earlier than I expected, so the ending twist of what happened to the killer was really all I was waiting for by the end of the book.
As cozy mysteries go, these are pretty good. There's just something oddly satisfying about the author inserting a fictional version of himself into the stories.
Recommended.
July 27, 2024
Hawthorne and Horowitz round #5
I just love this detective, who-dunnit series. This time they tackle an old case. A cold case murder from five years ago in the neighborhood of Riverview Close. A gated paradise in London, consisting of six homes (each even had a name like The Gables, The Stables, etc.) on a cul-de-sac.
Ever so peaceful, UNTIL the Kenworthies arrive and upset literally EVERYONE!
There would be a reckoning and many fingers pointing at each other in this once cosy neighborhood. None of them liked Giles Kenworthy. They ALL had a motive, so who exactly was it?!
The author was brilliant in the conclusion, planting seeds of doubt and distractions. I went back and forth on who the villain was! Just when I thought I'd connected all the dots, the rug was pulled!
I had both the audio and the ebook which kept me entertained until the last page.
Thanks to Libby for the loan! Published Aprill 11, 2024
I just love this detective, who-dunnit series. This time they tackle an old case. A cold case murder from five years ago in the neighborhood of Riverview Close. A gated paradise in London, consisting of six homes (each even had a name like The Gables, The Stables, etc.) on a cul-de-sac.
Ever so peaceful, UNTIL the Kenworthies arrive and upset literally EVERYONE!
There would be a reckoning and many fingers pointing at each other in this once cosy neighborhood. None of them liked Giles Kenworthy. They ALL had a motive, so who exactly was it?!
The author was brilliant in the conclusion, planting seeds of doubt and distractions. I went back and forth on who the villain was! Just when I thought I'd connected all the dots, the rug was pulled!
I had both the audio and the ebook which kept me entertained until the last page.
Thanks to Libby for the loan! Published Aprill 11, 2024
April 25, 2024
How do you solve a murder.... when everyone has the same motive.
How do you find a real killer when everyone wants to kill the guy.
Was Giles kenworthy such a bad neighbor that he deserved to be shot through the throat with an arrow?
What did he do that every one of his neighbors detested him with every fiber of their being?
Can they all be accomplices?
How Can Trivial neighborly feuds lead to a murder?
Something doesn't make sense and Detective Supritendent Tariq khan, feeling out of his element, had no other choice but to call in the notorious Ex DI Daniel Hawthorne.
A crime thriller series where the Writer joins hands with a detective to write about true crime series. But Hawthorne is not your usual detective. He neither cares about being politically correct nor about diplomacy. He calls a spade a spade. He is also notorious for his unorthodox ways of solving mysteries.
Anthony is the Watson to his sherlock. He is the less intelligent guy who is always several steps behind solving the mystery. He is the personification of the average audience who barely have an idea about what's going on. He is the butt of everyone's jokes.
Overall experience
If you would tell me the heart of a man, tell me not what he reads, but what he rereads. And I can reread this thousand times.
Much to my fortune, 7 more parts are going to be published. I am deeply enamored by this series.
Trust me when I say, you are not gonna be sure about who done it till the end. It's a complex web and there are so many red herrings that you often find yourself strayed and lost.
Who should read this book 📚?
For all the literary detectives out there who like the thrill of solving a mystery, this book would be right up your alley.
If you listen to audiobooks quite often then you will love the audiobook version of this one, Rory Kinnear Narrated it so well. I am disappointed in myself as a literary detective as I couldn’t solve the mystery on my own
How do you find a real killer when everyone wants to kill the guy.
Was Giles kenworthy such a bad neighbor that he deserved to be shot through the throat with an arrow?
What did he do that every one of his neighbors detested him with every fiber of their being?
Can they all be accomplices?
How Can Trivial neighborly feuds lead to a murder?
Something doesn't make sense and Detective Supritendent Tariq khan, feeling out of his element, had no other choice but to call in the notorious Ex DI Daniel Hawthorne.
A crime thriller series where the Writer joins hands with a detective to write about true crime series. But Hawthorne is not your usual detective. He neither cares about being politically correct nor about diplomacy. He calls a spade a spade. He is also notorious for his unorthodox ways of solving mysteries.
Anthony is the Watson to his sherlock. He is the less intelligent guy who is always several steps behind solving the mystery. He is the personification of the average audience who barely have an idea about what's going on. He is the butt of everyone's jokes.
Overall experience
If you would tell me the heart of a man, tell me not what he reads, but what he rereads. And I can reread this thousand times.
Much to my fortune, 7 more parts are going to be published. I am deeply enamored by this series.
Trust me when I say, you are not gonna be sure about who done it till the end. It's a complex web and there are so many red herrings that you often find yourself strayed and lost.
Who should read this book 📚?
For all the literary detectives out there who like the thrill of solving a mystery, this book would be right up your alley.
If you listen to audiobooks quite often then you will love the audiobook version of this one, Rory Kinnear Narrated it so well. I am disappointed in myself as a literary detective as I couldn’t solve the mystery on my own
July 11, 2024
When Anthony Horowitz’s agent breaks the news that he needs to have a new book featuring his ever disagreeable writing partner Daniel Hawthorne finished before Christmas, it puts him in a rather awkward position. After all, there hasn’t been a murder to write about and Anthony hasn’t even talked to Hawthorne in months. So the idea of writing about one of the talented private detective’s past cases seems to be Anthony’s only choice. There just so happens, however, to be one that has interested him ever since he got to know Hawthorne.
Just after ex-Detective Inspector Hawthorne left the police force, he was faced with quite the tough case when a despised new neighbor on Riverview Close was murdered. With two troublesome kids, no respect for the six fellow residents of his exclusive courtyard community and plans to build an eye-sight of a pool, no one was sad to see Giles Kenworthy dead. So difficult is the case, in fact, that the detective in charge felt just desperate enough to call Hawthorne. Despite his less than stellar reputation with the police.
As soon as Hawthorne arrived, however, he started to irritate Detective Superintendent Tariq Khan. At the same time, though, he and his partner in crime, John Dudley, began to discern details that had somehow escaped Khan’s notice. From the fact that no one seemed to be telling the truth to the existence of a series of seemingly coincidental attacks, the residents of Riverside Close were certainly hiding something. The only problem the investigators then faced was how to figure out who the guilty party really was when each and every person living alongside of Giles had a motive for murder.
Will this be the first time that Anthony will be able to actually solve a case before Hawthorne reveals the guilty party? And what secrets are Hawthorne still hiding? Despite the old case and the fact that it’s already been closed, perhaps Anthony will finally prove his mettle when it comes to identifying the well-hidden clues. At the very least, it will offer up the opportunity to learn more about his curmudgeon of a writing partner—a man more mystery than fact.
Joy of all joys, Anthony Horowitz is back on top with Close to Death. The fifth book in the Hawthorne and Horowitz series, this one presented a case from the private detective’s storied past. Due to that fact, I was overjoyed to find one of Horowitz’s specialties—a book within a book metafiction tale. Told in nine sections via alternating timelines, the well-plotted storyline revealed a superbly written whodunnit. From a locked room mystery worthy of Madame Christie herself to the gloriously eccentric characters in both the present and the past, I got sucked in as I desperately wanted to know all of the who’s, the what’s and the why’s.
Speaking of those characters, from the two central personas of Hawthorne and Horowitz to the quirky residents of Riverview Close, they fit the classic mystery/crime fiction genre to a tee. This time around, however, the Sherlock and Watson-esque pair were nowhere in sight. You’d think that would put me off, but I was just as enthralled with Horowitz’s predecessor and his smile-worthy intellect. Hawthorne, as well, was a bit more palatable in this book. Perhaps because his interactions with Horowitz were minimal at best, I grew to cheer on the sly, brilliant man even more. The star of the show, however, were the handful of individuals that provided quite the red herring trap. Suspicious and seemingly dodgy, the provided the perfect backdrop for a locked room mystery novel.
All said and done, this book was yet another hole in one thanks to the virtuoso-like skill of Mr. Horowitz himself. Despite the change in style and narration—or perhaps because of it—I inhaled this book cover to cover. After all, I wasn’t exactly thrilled by the last book in the series. Devilishly shrewd and complete with the perfect Golden Age mystery turned modern setting, even the fact that these books were, for the most part, without gore is just an added bonus. Take it from me, if you love Midsomer Murders (which Horowitz happened to pen some episodes of) or the Grand Dame herself, this series is one you just have to read. After all, it managed to keep me guessing right up until the very end. Rating of 5 stars.
Thank you to Anthony Horowitz and Harper Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 16, 2024
Trigger warning: animal death, chronic illness, racism
Just after ex-Detective Inspector Hawthorne left the police force, he was faced with quite the tough case when a despised new neighbor on Riverview Close was murdered. With two troublesome kids, no respect for the six fellow residents of his exclusive courtyard community and plans to build an eye-sight of a pool, no one was sad to see Giles Kenworthy dead. So difficult is the case, in fact, that the detective in charge felt just desperate enough to call Hawthorne. Despite his less than stellar reputation with the police.
As soon as Hawthorne arrived, however, he started to irritate Detective Superintendent Tariq Khan. At the same time, though, he and his partner in crime, John Dudley, began to discern details that had somehow escaped Khan’s notice. From the fact that no one seemed to be telling the truth to the existence of a series of seemingly coincidental attacks, the residents of Riverside Close were certainly hiding something. The only problem the investigators then faced was how to figure out who the guilty party really was when each and every person living alongside of Giles had a motive for murder.
Will this be the first time that Anthony will be able to actually solve a case before Hawthorne reveals the guilty party? And what secrets are Hawthorne still hiding? Despite the old case and the fact that it’s already been closed, perhaps Anthony will finally prove his mettle when it comes to identifying the well-hidden clues. At the very least, it will offer up the opportunity to learn more about his curmudgeon of a writing partner—a man more mystery than fact.
Joy of all joys, Anthony Horowitz is back on top with Close to Death. The fifth book in the Hawthorne and Horowitz series, this one presented a case from the private detective’s storied past. Due to that fact, I was overjoyed to find one of Horowitz’s specialties—a book within a book metafiction tale. Told in nine sections via alternating timelines, the well-plotted storyline revealed a superbly written whodunnit. From a locked room mystery worthy of Madame Christie herself to the gloriously eccentric characters in both the present and the past, I got sucked in as I desperately wanted to know all of the who’s, the what’s and the why’s.
Speaking of those characters, from the two central personas of Hawthorne and Horowitz to the quirky residents of Riverview Close, they fit the classic mystery/crime fiction genre to a tee. This time around, however, the Sherlock and Watson-esque pair were nowhere in sight. You’d think that would put me off, but I was just as enthralled with Horowitz’s predecessor and his smile-worthy intellect. Hawthorne, as well, was a bit more palatable in this book. Perhaps because his interactions with Horowitz were minimal at best, I grew to cheer on the sly, brilliant man even more. The star of the show, however, were the handful of individuals that provided quite the red herring trap. Suspicious and seemingly dodgy, the provided the perfect backdrop for a locked room mystery novel.
All said and done, this book was yet another hole in one thanks to the virtuoso-like skill of Mr. Horowitz himself. Despite the change in style and narration—or perhaps because of it—I inhaled this book cover to cover. After all, I wasn’t exactly thrilled by the last book in the series. Devilishly shrewd and complete with the perfect Golden Age mystery turned modern setting, even the fact that these books were, for the most part, without gore is just an added bonus. Take it from me, if you love Midsomer Murders (which Horowitz happened to pen some episodes of) or the Grand Dame herself, this series is one you just have to read. After all, it managed to keep me guessing right up until the very end. Rating of 5 stars.
Thank you to Anthony Horowitz and Harper Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 16, 2024
Trigger warning: animal death, chronic illness, racism
August 7, 2024
River Close is a quaint little neighborhood with quite the collection of neighbors. Like a chess master (grandmaster), and an overworked doctor, or the overlooked black QC (British lawyer – senior barrister), and so forth. Readers get to meet them all.
And then, there is the newest noisy neighbor who doesn’t seem to care what his neighbors think, Giles Kenworthy, until readers find him shot dead, and now all the neighborhood is under suspicion.
Enter, former detective Daniel Hawthorne, who is usually followed by writer, Anthony Horowitz. But not in this case. This time, this story within a story is told differently – in a back-and-forth way through time – where Horowitz is in the present – and Riverview Close is five years in the past. Since this is the case that Hawthorne is telling him about that Horowitz is wanting to write about for his next book.
So, how did this case really end?
Who wanted the despicable neighbor dead and why? What was someone hiding that Kenworthy may have unknowingly uncovered?
And then, just when all seemed to be clear, there is another murder. What? Why? And, who did it?
How will this second death play into the final scene? What will Horowitz discover as he sleuths out clues?
With so many people who hated the original victim, will this be difficult for readers to guess who could have been the culprit? Will this seem like readers are actually reading an Agatha Christie novel, like “Murder on the Orient Express?” Or, will there be a surprise twist that is original in its own way? (No spoilers from me.)
For fans of the Hawthorne & Horowitz series, this will feel like another easy-to-read, page-turning cozy. For those who are new to the series, you may want to start at the beginning...book 1, "The Word is Murder."
And then, there is the newest noisy neighbor who doesn’t seem to care what his neighbors think, Giles Kenworthy, until readers find him shot dead, and now all the neighborhood is under suspicion.
Enter, former detective Daniel Hawthorne, who is usually followed by writer, Anthony Horowitz. But not in this case. This time, this story within a story is told differently – in a back-and-forth way through time – where Horowitz is in the present – and Riverview Close is five years in the past. Since this is the case that Hawthorne is telling him about that Horowitz is wanting to write about for his next book.
So, how did this case really end?
Who wanted the despicable neighbor dead and why? What was someone hiding that Kenworthy may have unknowingly uncovered?
And then, just when all seemed to be clear, there is another murder. What? Why? And, who did it?
How will this second death play into the final scene? What will Horowitz discover as he sleuths out clues?
With so many people who hated the original victim, will this be difficult for readers to guess who could have been the culprit? Will this seem like readers are actually reading an Agatha Christie novel, like “Murder on the Orient Express?” Or, will there be a surprise twist that is original in its own way? (No spoilers from me.)
For fans of the Hawthorne & Horowitz series, this will feel like another easy-to-read, page-turning cozy. For those who are new to the series, you may want to start at the beginning...book 1, "The Word is Murder."
April 29, 2024
If you’re a fan of the Horowitz & Hawthorne duo, then you need no introduction to the characters. If you haven’t met them, do yourself a favor and start with book one.
Horowitz, the character, is under a deadline to produce a book. In desperation he decides to write about one of Hawthorne’s old cases, a murder that took place 5 years ago in the seemingly idyllic cul-de-sac community of Riverview Close.
The residents have lived in peaceful harmony for many years until the neighbor from hell moves in.
When he’s found on his doorstep with a crossbow to the chest, there is no shortage of motives among the quirky eccentric neighbors. As we get to know each of them, Horowitz’s detection skills are put to the test.
Very clever! The breadcrumbs are all there but my detection skills were put to the test too, and I was surprised at the resolution. The author has written a smart whodunit featuring my two favorite characters, and did so while keeping things fresh. The relationship between Horowitz & Hawthorne remains amusing, and the neighbors were delightfully annoying and fun (as long as they aren’t MY neighbors).
Excellent - all the stars! My reading buddy, Marialyce, and I thoroughly enjoyed our yearly dose of H&H and we can’t wait for the next book.
Horowitz, the character, is under a deadline to produce a book. In desperation he decides to write about one of Hawthorne’s old cases, a murder that took place 5 years ago in the seemingly idyllic cul-de-sac community of Riverview Close.
The residents have lived in peaceful harmony for many years until the neighbor from hell moves in.
When he’s found on his doorstep with a crossbow to the chest, there is no shortage of motives among the quirky eccentric neighbors. As we get to know each of them, Horowitz’s detection skills are put to the test.
Very clever! The breadcrumbs are all there but my detection skills were put to the test too, and I was surprised at the resolution. The author has written a smart whodunit featuring my two favorite characters, and did so while keeping things fresh. The relationship between Horowitz & Hawthorne remains amusing, and the neighbors were delightfully annoying and fun (as long as they aren’t MY neighbors).
Excellent - all the stars! My reading buddy, Marialyce, and I thoroughly enjoyed our yearly dose of H&H and we can’t wait for the next book.
May 27, 2024
Another brilliant work by one of my favorite authors!
It is the perfect neighborhood; a gated community where everyone knows each other and everyone gets on.
That is until the Kenworthys arrive.
the Kenworthys are the neighbors from hell or more precisely, ‘nightmare neighbors’.
They are loud, rude and irresponsible. They park their cars wherever they want and throw parties whenever they want and they couldn’t care less about their neighbors.
And now, they have decided to build a swimming pool and a Jacuzzi in their back yard. Think of all the dust and noise and the blocking of the views.
When things get out of hand the neighbors decide to sort things out in an emergency meeting. But surprise, surprise! Mr. Kenworthy doesn't show up.
Six weeks after the failed meeting, the hated Mr. Kenworthy is found dead with a crossbow bolt stuck in his throat.
Question:
What do a flustered and irritated GP, a chess grandmaster, two little old ladies, a retired barrister, and a dentist have in common?
Answer:
They are all the Kenworthys' neighbors and they all have a motive to kill.
It is the perfect neighborhood; a gated community where everyone knows each other and everyone gets on.
That is until the Kenworthys arrive.
the Kenworthys are the neighbors from hell or more precisely, ‘nightmare neighbors’.
They are loud, rude and irresponsible. They park their cars wherever they want and throw parties whenever they want and they couldn’t care less about their neighbors.
And now, they have decided to build a swimming pool and a Jacuzzi in their back yard. Think of all the dust and noise and the blocking of the views.
When things get out of hand the neighbors decide to sort things out in an emergency meeting. But surprise, surprise! Mr. Kenworthy doesn't show up.
Six weeks after the failed meeting, the hated Mr. Kenworthy is found dead with a crossbow bolt stuck in his throat.
Question:
What do a flustered and irritated GP, a chess grandmaster, two little old ladies, a retired barrister, and a dentist have in common?
Answer:
They are all the Kenworthys' neighbors and they all have a motive to kill.
July 28, 2024
The author takes a slightly different approach in this fifth book and has Horowitz tackling one of Hawthornes' old, closed cases. Sounds easy but Hawthorne is being even more crabby than usual and will only provide the information Horowitz needs in small batches of paperwork. Plus he will not provide the name of the guilty party in advance. A vital ploy since we the readers do not need this information either.
The first death takes place at Riverside Close which is a gated community with only a limited number of suspects. The second death is a locked room case or in this story a locked car in a locked garage. The residents are not getting on well but would they really go as far as murder?
Horowitz and Hawthorne are not getting on well either, largely due to Hawthorne being uncommunicative and generally difficult. It is hard to work out what his aim is in contacting Horowitz at all. Surely if it is for the money he would be a bit more helpful. This was a minor point of irritation for me, plus I struggled occasionally with the author's voice and the timing. I have not had this issue in the previous books and it was maybe because it was a closed case, so I assumed it had a fixed closure. Never assume.
Still an excellent and very entertaining read and I look forward to more.
The first death takes place at Riverside Close which is a gated community with only a limited number of suspects. The second death is a locked room case or in this story a locked car in a locked garage. The residents are not getting on well but would they really go as far as murder?
Horowitz and Hawthorne are not getting on well either, largely due to Hawthorne being uncommunicative and generally difficult. It is hard to work out what his aim is in contacting Horowitz at all. Surely if it is for the money he would be a bit more helpful. This was a minor point of irritation for me, plus I struggled occasionally with the author's voice and the timing. I have not had this issue in the previous books and it was maybe because it was a closed case, so I assumed it had a fixed closure. Never assume.
Still an excellent and very entertaining read and I look forward to more.
January 14, 2024
I confess, I didn't get on with the first Hawthorne & Horowitz book but so many book-friends love this series and I like Magpie Murders so I thought I'd give it another try, albeit by jumping straight to book 5 - and this time we clicked!
Maybe because Horowitz is sidelined so there's far less opportunity for him to insert all his name-dropping and derail the murder investigation for his literary/TV woes; maybe because that results in most of the investigation being in 3rd person based as it is on Horowitz writing up the story from Hawthorne's notes and recordings; maybe because it gave Hawthorne the chance to shine with a different side-kick - by playing down the exact element (Horowitz!) that didn't work for me in the first of the series, this book suddenly sprang to life.
With a handful of great characters, a crazy murder in a posh Richmond close followed by a version of the 'locked room' mystery, this does a fantastic job of bringing the Agatha Christie-esque mystery to contemporary London. There are lots of little nudges to Christie aficionados, not least a whole bookshop dedicated to Golden Age crime. And there's almost a replay of one of Christie's most famous plots - I gasped in delighted excitement that Horowitz might go there!
In the end, this does show up the artificiality of the genre (and I couldn't help wondering how Christie makes her books so convincing - at least while we're reading them!) but I was all in for the ride.
Classy switch-off entertainment.
Many thanks to Random House, Cornerstone for an ARC via NetGalley
Maybe because Horowitz is sidelined so there's far less opportunity for him to insert all his name-dropping and derail the murder investigation for his literary/TV woes; maybe because that results in most of the investigation being in 3rd person based as it is on Horowitz writing up the story from Hawthorne's notes and recordings; maybe because it gave Hawthorne the chance to shine with a different side-kick - by playing down the exact element (Horowitz!) that didn't work for me in the first of the series, this book suddenly sprang to life.
With a handful of great characters, a crazy murder in a posh Richmond close followed by a version of the 'locked room' mystery, this does a fantastic job of bringing the Agatha Christie-esque mystery to contemporary London. There are lots of little nudges to Christie aficionados, not least a whole bookshop dedicated to Golden Age crime. And there's almost a replay of one of Christie's most famous plots - I gasped in delighted excitement that Horowitz might go there!
In the end, this does show up the artificiality of the genre (and I couldn't help wondering how Christie makes her books so convincing - at least while we're reading them!) but I was all in for the ride.
Classy switch-off entertainment.
Many thanks to Random House, Cornerstone for an ARC via NetGalley
February 19, 2024
4.5
Knocked off the half because the inimitable Mr Horowitz isn't in it as much as I'd like.
Close to Death is a slightly different Hawthorne & Horowitz novel in that the murder that takes place is historical (5 years prior to being written - read the acknowledgements at the end, it explains everything).
The story itself is a case that involved Hawthorne and his "sidekick" at the time -John Dudley. They are called in to solve what appears to be a very easy case. However, as things transpire, it becomes a lot more complicated.
Horowitz thinks that by regurgitating an old murder that has already been solved it will be easier to write but he can't help trying to pry into Hawthorne's mysterious background and into John Dudley despite being warned by just about everyone to leave it alone.
Close to Death may be a different format but it is still as enjoyable and twisty and complicated (and no I didn't guess whodunnit - in fact I guessed the same as the Horowitz in the story). John Dudley is an engaging character but still Hawthorne and Horowitz play the starring roles.
I love this series of books. The gentle fun that Mr Horowitz pokes at himself is only part of it. He also gives us a detective, unafraid to push the boundaries, who has as fierce an intelligence as any Sherlock. His characters are always believable, the dialogue pitch perfect and when I've finished one I just want more. I hope we get more.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House, Cornerstone for the advance review copy. Most appreciated.
Knocked off the half because the inimitable Mr Horowitz isn't in it as much as I'd like.
Close to Death is a slightly different Hawthorne & Horowitz novel in that the murder that takes place is historical (5 years prior to being written - read the acknowledgements at the end, it explains everything).
The story itself is a case that involved Hawthorne and his "sidekick" at the time -John Dudley. They are called in to solve what appears to be a very easy case. However, as things transpire, it becomes a lot more complicated.
Horowitz thinks that by regurgitating an old murder that has already been solved it will be easier to write but he can't help trying to pry into Hawthorne's mysterious background and into John Dudley despite being warned by just about everyone to leave it alone.
Close to Death may be a different format but it is still as enjoyable and twisty and complicated (and no I didn't guess whodunnit - in fact I guessed the same as the Horowitz in the story). John Dudley is an engaging character but still Hawthorne and Horowitz play the starring roles.
I love this series of books. The gentle fun that Mr Horowitz pokes at himself is only part of it. He also gives us a detective, unafraid to push the boundaries, who has as fierce an intelligence as any Sherlock. His characters are always believable, the dialogue pitch perfect and when I've finished one I just want more. I hope we get more.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House, Cornerstone for the advance review copy. Most appreciated.
July 5, 2024
I started listening to the audiobook with Simon on the flight from Chicago, USA to London, UK. It was an epic journey as we were relocating back to the UK after living on the other side of the pond for thirty-four years!
Update: It's July 5th and we are settled into our temporary home in rural Herefordshire. We completed the audiobook while working out some of the wrinkles of our new life here in the UK. While we enjoyed the story overall it was a bit difficult to follow at times. I will say that I enjoyed the chapter on locked room mysteries very much.
Horowitz writes that "the real problem of the locked-room mystery is that the mechanics are often so complicated and even contorted that it's hard to believe the murderer could go to so much trouble, and the emotions of the story can disappear in a Heath Robinson construction of cogs and wheels, mirrors, sliding doors and body doubles." We have no choice but to suspend our disbelief.
In the acknowledgements at the end, Anthony Horowitz announces he plans seven more Hawthorne and Horowitz novels and gives a shout out to the excellent narration from Rory Kinnear. Additionally, he mentions that he has written a staggering fifty-three novels so far and wonders if some of his original readers from forty-six years ago may still be reading his books! I learned that he has an online stress counselor, which sounds quite intriguing.
Update: It's July 5th and we are settled into our temporary home in rural Herefordshire. We completed the audiobook while working out some of the wrinkles of our new life here in the UK. While we enjoyed the story overall it was a bit difficult to follow at times. I will say that I enjoyed the chapter on locked room mysteries very much.
Horowitz writes that "the real problem of the locked-room mystery is that the mechanics are often so complicated and even contorted that it's hard to believe the murderer could go to so much trouble, and the emotions of the story can disappear in a Heath Robinson construction of cogs and wheels, mirrors, sliding doors and body doubles." We have no choice but to suspend our disbelief.
In the acknowledgements at the end, Anthony Horowitz announces he plans seven more Hawthorne and Horowitz novels and gives a shout out to the excellent narration from Rory Kinnear. Additionally, he mentions that he has written a staggering fifty-three novels so far and wonders if some of his original readers from forty-six years ago may still be reading his books! I learned that he has an online stress counselor, which sounds quite intriguing.
June 15, 2024
Close to death listening to this snoozer.
May 4, 2024
3.5 Anthony is being pressured to have another book ready for publishing. Problem is there have been no unusual murders of the type Hawthorne is called on to solve. So, Hawthorne offers him a case that he undertook a few years back, a murder with a crossbow. A limited cast of would be murderers, living in a gated close community, and a murder case that didn’t turn out as expected. Anthony also finds out Hawthorne had a different partner, Dudley that worked with him on this case.
I enjoy this series, but thought this was missing the zing of his others in this series. First of all, Anthony only plays a bit, though essential part and second,I missed the humorous interplay between Anthony and Hawthorne. A very unusual and twisty case though and as with all book in this series, well worth reading.
I enjoy this series, but thought this was missing the zing of his others in this series. First of all, Anthony only plays a bit, though essential part and second,I missed the humorous interplay between Anthony and Hawthorne. A very unusual and twisty case though and as with all book in this series, well worth reading.
August 21, 2024
Apparently I missed book 4 of this series! But this was a pretty fun one.
July 14, 2024
Loved it! Horowitz is becoming one of my favorite authors. Such a fun read. The cast of characters in this one were just that....characters. Made me laugh about some of my neighbors but they get no where near this crazy. Audio was great as always. Hawthorne is such a great character. I'm only sad that I've finished it and now must wait for the next one.
August 17, 2024
Anthony Horowitz continues to entertain in this series of metafictional crime novels. As with the earlier books, Horowitz places himself inside the story as he shadows Daniel Hawthorne, former cop and now private investigator, solving crimes that stump the police.
Of course, in order to write about Hawthorne’s crime-solving skills, there has to be a crime to solve, and as Horowitz’s publisher’s deadline approaches the murder scene is quiet. So at his agent’s suggestion, Horowitz decides to write about a case from Hawthorne’s past, using the copious notes, photos and recordings made by Hawthorne’s then-sidekick, John Dudley. After every few chapters, Hawthorne critiques what Horowitz has written.
So the tone of this book is somewhat different from the previous entries. Those evolved more organically, in “real time”, with Horowitz always a step behind Hawthorne as he chases down red herrings and infers the solution from what he sees and hears. In this instance Horowitz has no personal knowledge of events; he is dependent solely on those notes and what Hawthorne chooses to share.
The mystery is a kind of locked room within a locked room. There are actually two deaths. The first is a homeowner who is universally disliked by his neighbors on Riverside Close (an upscale gated cul de sac community on the edge of London). No outsiders can get past the gate, hence the closed close. The second death is more of a true locked room, in this case a tightly secured garage.
Horowitz is frustrated by Hawthorne’s refusal to tell him whodunnit in advance, leading him to pursue his own investigation into what happened to John Dudley. Why is he no longer working with Hawthorne if he was as talented as Hawthorne insists? This, of course, incurs Hawthorne’s wrath, and although Horowitz is able to sort out the ending without a clear explanation from Hawthorne, the tension between the two is high at the end of the book.
But fellow enthusiasts of the series, do not fear! In the acknowledgements following the end of the book, Horowitz reveals that he has 7 more books planned for the series. I, for one, will be looking forward to them!
Of course, in order to write about Hawthorne’s crime-solving skills, there has to be a crime to solve, and as Horowitz’s publisher’s deadline approaches the murder scene is quiet. So at his agent’s suggestion, Horowitz decides to write about a case from Hawthorne’s past, using the copious notes, photos and recordings made by Hawthorne’s then-sidekick, John Dudley. After every few chapters, Hawthorne critiques what Horowitz has written.
So the tone of this book is somewhat different from the previous entries. Those evolved more organically, in “real time”, with Horowitz always a step behind Hawthorne as he chases down red herrings and infers the solution from what he sees and hears. In this instance Horowitz has no personal knowledge of events; he is dependent solely on those notes and what Hawthorne chooses to share.
The mystery is a kind of locked room within a locked room. There are actually two deaths. The first is a homeowner who is universally disliked by his neighbors on Riverside Close (an upscale gated cul de sac community on the edge of London). No outsiders can get past the gate, hence the closed close. The second death is more of a true locked room, in this case a tightly secured garage.
Horowitz is frustrated by Hawthorne’s refusal to tell him whodunnit in advance, leading him to pursue his own investigation into what happened to John Dudley. Why is he no longer working with Hawthorne if he was as talented as Hawthorne insists? This, of course, incurs Hawthorne’s wrath, and although Horowitz is able to sort out the ending without a clear explanation from Hawthorne, the tension between the two is high at the end of the book.
But fellow enthusiasts of the series, do not fear! In the acknowledgements following the end of the book, Horowitz reveals that he has 7 more books planned for the series. I, for one, will be looking forward to them!
May 1, 2024
As much as I love Mr. Horowitz's stories, this has to be the most senseless book by him. The plot was full of so many holes, I'm not sure how this passed the editorial room.
**Major spoilers ahead**
Why would Adam Strauss sell his property if he had buried his dead spouse in the backyard? Even if he couldn't afford it anymore, the most sensible thing to do would be to find a way to get rid of the body before actually selling it. Given that he's an incredibly clever man - a grandmaster who's always ten moves ahead.
Even if he really couldn't find a way to get rid of the body and has no other way out other than killing Giles, why on earth would he kill Browne? No one suspects Adam and the police have already narrowed Browne as a suspect, so why would you plan an elaborate suicide that further complicates everything?
And the biggest plot hole of all, even if you kill Giles, what happens if his wife decides to go ahead with the pool? Or the people who buy the house next?
****
I was not a fan of the two different POVs. I loved reading the book as written by the author in the book. I didn't like reading behind the scenes, it was a bit jarring and I didn't really care for Tony's obsession with Hawthorne.
**Major spoilers ahead**
Why would Adam Strauss sell his property if he had buried his dead spouse in the backyard? Even if he couldn't afford it anymore, the most sensible thing to do would be to find a way to get rid of the body before actually selling it. Given that he's an incredibly clever man - a grandmaster who's always ten moves ahead.
Even if he really couldn't find a way to get rid of the body and has no other way out other than killing Giles, why on earth would he kill Browne? No one suspects Adam and the police have already narrowed Browne as a suspect, so why would you plan an elaborate suicide that further complicates everything?
And the biggest plot hole of all, even if you kill Giles, what happens if his wife decides to go ahead with the pool? Or the people who buy the house next?
****
I was not a fan of the two different POVs. I loved reading the book as written by the author in the book. I didn't like reading behind the scenes, it was a bit jarring and I didn't really care for Tony's obsession with Hawthorne.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2024
Wow, this has got to be my favorite detective series ever! It’s Agatha Christie on steroids! Character driven, very little gore, incredibly entertaining and devilishly clever.
Note: this book is based on a case Hawthorne solved five years ago, so Horowitz wasn’t actually there. He still figures and it all works marvelously.
A posh neighborhood is plagued by the neighbor from hell. Inconsiderate, loud, parks in the way, wants to build a swimming pool. A prick, along with his wife and two Dennis the Menace type of sons. No wonder the guy ends up dead, right? And he probably deserved it too! The police gets Hawthorne involved and he doesn’t think it’s quite as simple as the police does, particularly not after the second death.
I can’t recommend this enough, if you like smart British detectives. Better yet, seven more books are planned! You will easily manage to read all five released so far before the sixth. I’m seriously considering a re-read of them all, that’s how good this is.
Note: this book is based on a case Hawthorne solved five years ago, so Horowitz wasn’t actually there. He still figures and it all works marvelously.
A posh neighborhood is plagued by the neighbor from hell. Inconsiderate, loud, parks in the way, wants to build a swimming pool. A prick, along with his wife and two Dennis the Menace type of sons. No wonder the guy ends up dead, right? And he probably deserved it too! The police gets Hawthorne involved and he doesn’t think it’s quite as simple as the police does, particularly not after the second death.
I can’t recommend this enough, if you like smart British detectives. Better yet, seven more books are planned! You will easily manage to read all five released so far before the sixth. I’m seriously considering a re-read of them all, that’s how good this is.
April 21, 2024
I really wanted to love this latest Hawthorne outing as I’m a big fan of the series, but although I loved the closed community setting, the 3rd person narrative made for a less sparky story than usual. The humour comes when AH is interacting with Hawthorne on the page in first person and I really don’t think it worked without that element. I was also confused about why the killer did it, it seemed obvious it was him, and I was expecting a brilliant twist which didn’t come (unless I missed it!).
I’ll be back for book six, obviously!
I’ll be back for book six, obviously!
May 2, 2024
i consider myself an anthony horowitz fan but this was a let down. i don't understand why he decided to change how the story is told but it did not work. i hope he goes back to what has worked in the previous books and i also hope he tells better stories in this series because this one was a bit boring tbh.
June 19, 2024
The fifth entry in Anthony Horowitz's Hawthorne & Horowitz series is a bit different than the previous books. Instead of Hawthorne and Anthony Horowitz investigating a crime together in real time, Anthony is using case notes to write about a murder Hawthorne investigated a decade ago. In an exclusive gated community, a resident was found dead -- and everyone who lived there was a suspect. The case is now closed, but did Hawthorne really solve it?
This was definitely my least favorite book in the series to date. For me, the most enjoyable aspect of these books is the interplay between H & H when they're on a case together: Anthony's bumbling awkwardness, Hawthorne's gruff demeanor and not-so-subtle digs. That's largely absent from Close to Death because the two don't interact all that much in the plot. The mystery here also isn't on par with previous books; the "whodunnit" is fairly obvious early on, and the explanation of the crime relies on too many coincidences, so it all comes across as a bit far-fetched.
As in previous entries, Horowitz uses his fictional counterpart to provide lots of interesting insights into the world of publishing, which is something I always find fascinating. Horowitz tells us that there will be seven more H & H adventures, so hopefully he'll return to the more interactive formula of the previous books. Thank you to Harper Collins for the beautiful gifted hardcover.
This was definitely my least favorite book in the series to date. For me, the most enjoyable aspect of these books is the interplay between H & H when they're on a case together: Anthony's bumbling awkwardness, Hawthorne's gruff demeanor and not-so-subtle digs. That's largely absent from Close to Death because the two don't interact all that much in the plot. The mystery here also isn't on par with previous books; the "whodunnit" is fairly obvious early on, and the explanation of the crime relies on too many coincidences, so it all comes across as a bit far-fetched.
As in previous entries, Horowitz uses his fictional counterpart to provide lots of interesting insights into the world of publishing, which is something I always find fascinating. Horowitz tells us that there will be seven more H & H adventures, so hopefully he'll return to the more interactive formula of the previous books. Thank you to Harper Collins for the beautiful gifted hardcover.
June 4, 2024
Overall Rating : A
Everyone knew each other. Everyone got on...At least, they had until the Kenworthys arrived."
Anthony Horowitz is on a deadline. The next book in his Hawthorne series is due soon and unfortunately, no one seems to be committing any interesting murders. So he asks Hawthorne for one of his past cases to fill in the spot. Although reluctantly, he gives him the "Riverview Close" case. A hated neighbor murdered, a suicide, and the rest of the people in "Close" tight-lipped. A simple enough case, but is it ever really, with Hawthorne and Horowitz?
I had so much fun with this book. A book about a book about a case, brilliant. Told in both first person and third, you wouldn't expect it to work, and yet if flowed seamlessly. I once again did not figure out the mystery and once again it did in fact blow my mind.
You also get more info on Hawthorne in general, the people in his life and who he worked with/for. The mystery does truly deepen and you really feel just as confused as Horowitz.
A cliffhanger that fit the theme of the book, and you just know the next one will have even more to give. Can't wait!
Everyone knew each other. Everyone got on...At least, they had until the Kenworthys arrived."
Anthony Horowitz is on a deadline. The next book in his Hawthorne series is due soon and unfortunately, no one seems to be committing any interesting murders. So he asks Hawthorne for one of his past cases to fill in the spot. Although reluctantly, he gives him the "Riverview Close" case. A hated neighbor murdered, a suicide, and the rest of the people in "Close" tight-lipped. A simple enough case, but is it ever really, with Hawthorne and Horowitz?
I had so much fun with this book. A book about a book about a case, brilliant. Told in both first person and third, you wouldn't expect it to work, and yet if flowed seamlessly. I once again did not figure out the mystery and once again it did in fact blow my mind.
You also get more info on Hawthorne in general, the people in his life and who he worked with/for. The mystery does truly deepen and you really feel just as confused as Horowitz.
A cliffhanger that fit the theme of the book, and you just know the next one will have even more to give. Can't wait!
July 9, 2024
Audiobook. Expertly narrated by none other than Rory Kinnear because, who else could do it?
And.......he's BACK. I loved every moment of this semi-locked-room murder mystery. Sure, there were far fewer laugh-out loud lines, not enough interactions with Hawthorne, and some of the expected angst on Anthony's part was lacking, but no matter. The characters in the Close were so vivid, so full of life, I listened along with a constant smile on my face and a spring in my step.
The back and forth in time and realities was brilliant. It was like listening to someone putting together a rather intricate puzzle. All the pieces were there from the start, but seeing the final picture, tragic though it was, was just so bloody satisfying.
In the acknowledgements, Master Horowitz mentioned that he planned to pen another SEVEN novels in this series. Splendid news, indeed.
And.......he's BACK. I loved every moment of this semi-locked-room murder mystery. Sure, there were far fewer laugh-out loud lines, not enough interactions with Hawthorne, and some of the expected angst on Anthony's part was lacking, but no matter. The characters in the Close were so vivid, so full of life, I listened along with a constant smile on my face and a spring in my step.
The back and forth in time and realities was brilliant. It was like listening to someone putting together a rather intricate puzzle. All the pieces were there from the start, but seeing the final picture, tragic though it was, was just so bloody satisfying.
In the acknowledgements, Master Horowitz mentioned that he planned to pen another SEVEN novels in this series. Splendid news, indeed.
July 3, 2024
یه پایان بندی بی نقص لازمه ی هر داستان جناییه. هرچقدر شخصیت پردازی و نثر ماهرانه باشه اما پایانبندی لرزان و دَرزْدار از آب دربیاد، کل مجموعه ی داستان سقوط میکنه. هرویتز استاد پایانبندی بدیع هست. به علاوه شخصیت پردازی و نثر داستان رُ استادانه ادا میکنه.
May 25, 2024
The Hawthorne series is special for two reasons:
1. Anthony’s first person narration, as the bumbling author who accompanies Hawthorne on investigations, is fresh, funny, and interesting.
2. Hawthorne is an excellent character - and his engagements with Anthony are hilarious.
This book largely lacked both those elements.
That’s because, unlike with its predecessors, Anthony isn’t accompanying Hawthorne while they solve the case together. The case was closed(ish) prior to their ever meeting and Anthony is using the case notes to write the book. With the third party narration, the characters, Hawthorne included, seem flat and the conversation stilted. Anthony is not the narrator for most of the book and, for the few portions he is, Hawthorne is largely ignoring him. So yeah, what I don’t get are my favourite elements.
And what I do get is Murder On The Orient Express but in a small Richmond enclave, plus MORE so that it couldn’t be called a _complete_ ripoff. Given MOTOE was my second Christie and the ending left me feeling so cheated I haven’t read another since, I don’t mind that there was more. The problem is that the more was absolutely predictable.
And it’s much too long and filled with noise. Even Hawthorne complains about the intro and tells Anthony to drop the parakeet descriptions and focus. It’s all very meta because I’d just been thinking about that.
And more meta: Anthony mentions something else during his narration that makes me think he’s referencing his process. This isn’t a real spoiler (but those will come so quit while you’re ahead), it’s about a conversation he’s having with and about his agent. She’s pressing him to publish a book, even though Hawthorne hadn’t been asked to investigate any interesting mysteries of late. That’s the reason he gives for covering one of Hawthorne’s old mysteries - he’s being forced. And he even says that that’s the best part of having a four book deal, they’ll print your book even it isn’t good. Now, I’m not saying this did happen but I can’t help but feel that he didn’t feel inspired to write this book, wrote it because he had a deadline and was being forced, and he borrows heavily from the works of others.
It wasn’t the worst cozy I’ve read. Horowitz, even when he’s at his worst (imo), is still a generally good writer. It was too long, and it was the furthest thing from a page turner - but I knew I wanted to finish it and it was easy to follow. I thought I was right about the twists but I couldn’t be 100% sure. So I don’t regret the read.
Now, for two SPOILER bits - the things that made me find the book to be a fail:
1. The killer is a chess master. His whole game is being a million steps ahead of everyone, planning weeks, months, maybe even years in advance. But he murders his wife and buries her in his own yard. If you read my Practical Magic review, you know I think this is the most idiotic idea, especially when we are supposed to think the person burying the body is smart. Not only that, he moves house and leaves the body there. It’s silly. And it’s huge. Without this, it would’ve been 3*.
2. Horowitz has previously introduced the idea of Hawthorn’s employer who owns the flat in which he lives. In this book, it gets fully juiced. Anthony casually discovers that it’s the biggest security company in the UK, maybe even the world. And they’re shady. And secretive. And it belongs in one of the 007 novels Horowitz is writing rather than a cosy mystery. This is silly but small enough.
1. Anthony’s first person narration, as the bumbling author who accompanies Hawthorne on investigations, is fresh, funny, and interesting.
2. Hawthorne is an excellent character - and his engagements with Anthony are hilarious.
This book largely lacked both those elements.
That’s because, unlike with its predecessors, Anthony isn’t accompanying Hawthorne while they solve the case together. The case was closed(ish) prior to their ever meeting and Anthony is using the case notes to write the book. With the third party narration, the characters, Hawthorne included, seem flat and the conversation stilted. Anthony is not the narrator for most of the book and, for the few portions he is, Hawthorne is largely ignoring him. So yeah, what I don’t get are my favourite elements.
And what I do get is Murder On The Orient Express but in a small Richmond enclave, plus MORE so that it couldn’t be called a _complete_ ripoff. Given MOTOE was my second Christie and the ending left me feeling so cheated I haven’t read another since, I don’t mind that there was more. The problem is that the more was absolutely predictable.
And it’s much too long and filled with noise. Even Hawthorne complains about the intro and tells Anthony to drop the parakeet descriptions and focus. It’s all very meta because I’d just been thinking about that.
And more meta: Anthony mentions something else during his narration that makes me think he’s referencing his process. This isn’t a real spoiler (but those will come so quit while you’re ahead), it’s about a conversation he’s having with and about his agent. She’s pressing him to publish a book, even though Hawthorne hadn’t been asked to investigate any interesting mysteries of late. That’s the reason he gives for covering one of Hawthorne’s old mysteries - he’s being forced. And he even says that that’s the best part of having a four book deal, they’ll print your book even it isn’t good. Now, I’m not saying this did happen but I can’t help but feel that he didn’t feel inspired to write this book, wrote it because he had a deadline and was being forced, and he borrows heavily from the works of others.
It wasn’t the worst cozy I’ve read. Horowitz, even when he’s at his worst (imo), is still a generally good writer. It was too long, and it was the furthest thing from a page turner - but I knew I wanted to finish it and it was easy to follow. I thought I was right about the twists but I couldn’t be 100% sure. So I don’t regret the read.
Now, for two SPOILER bits - the things that made me find the book to be a fail:
1. The killer is a chess master. His whole game is being a million steps ahead of everyone, planning weeks, months, maybe even years in advance. But he murders his wife and buries her in his own yard. If you read my Practical Magic review, you know I think this is the most idiotic idea, especially when we are supposed to think the person burying the body is smart. Not only that, he moves house and leaves the body there. It’s silly. And it’s huge. Without this, it would’ve been 3*.
2. Horowitz has previously introduced the idea of Hawthorn’s employer who owns the flat in which he lives. In this book, it gets fully juiced. Anthony casually discovers that it’s the biggest security company in the UK, maybe even the world. And they’re shady. And secretive. And it belongs in one of the 007 novels Horowitz is writing rather than a cosy mystery. This is silly but small enough.
May 15, 2024
Those who have already touched this series knows about how Horowitz plays with reality and how he shuffles that in with his fiction so that we have him and his 'partner' tramping across the boards.
I felt this episode to be rather darker in that I felt apprehension. I wanted Tony not to be so naïve and think of possible consequences before traipsing off. We are still only getting drip feeds of Daniel and his story. That is probably the hook that keeps us here.
In this one Horowitz continues to play the game, excellently I may dare to say. He accuses Hawthorne of being reticent when it is he who is being reticent. He is the one playing cloak and dagger with us, showing us the dagger and giving us the red herring and blaming Daniel, all in one breath. Cheeky but great fun. At least for me it is, that is why I enjoyed this and will certainly go up for more..........
I felt this episode to be rather darker in that I felt apprehension. I wanted Tony not to be so naïve and think of possible consequences before traipsing off. We are still only getting drip feeds of Daniel and his story. That is probably the hook that keeps us here.
In this one Horowitz continues to play the game, excellently I may dare to say. He accuses Hawthorne of being reticent when it is he who is being reticent. He is the one playing cloak and dagger with us, showing us the dagger and giving us the red herring and blaming Daniel, all in one breath. Cheeky but great fun. At least for me it is, that is why I enjoyed this and will certainly go up for more..........
March 9, 2024
ARC for review. To be published April 16, 2024.
Giles Kentworthy is found dead just inside his front door, killed with a crossbow. He and his family were not popular at Riverside Close, an exclusive community of six houses marred only by the presence of the Kentworthys with their loud cars and children and their plans for a hideous swimming pool. All the neighbors are suspects, the GP and his jewelry designer wife, the dentist and his ailing wife, the bookstore owners (and former nuns,) the retired barrister and the chess grandmaster and his wife. How are Horowitz and Hawthorne involved? Well, not their usual.
This is the fifth of the Hawthorne and Horowitz series and I believe it’s my favorite so far (which might mean I like less Hawthorne and Horowitz in my Hawthorne and Horowitz?). I liked the mixed of third person and first person here and really enjoyed this mix of suspects (although I figured out the murderer pretty early on, but from just one of the clues.). I like this quirky series and would recommend it to anyone who likes murder mysteries.
Giles Kentworthy is found dead just inside his front door, killed with a crossbow. He and his family were not popular at Riverside Close, an exclusive community of six houses marred only by the presence of the Kentworthys with their loud cars and children and their plans for a hideous swimming pool. All the neighbors are suspects, the GP and his jewelry designer wife, the dentist and his ailing wife, the bookstore owners (and former nuns,) the retired barrister and the chess grandmaster and his wife. How are Horowitz and Hawthorne involved? Well, not their usual.
This is the fifth of the Hawthorne and Horowitz series and I believe it’s my favorite so far (which might mean I like less Hawthorne and Horowitz in my Hawthorne and Horowitz?). I liked the mixed of third person and first person here and really enjoyed this mix of suspects (although I figured out the murderer pretty early on, but from just one of the clues.). I like this quirky series and would recommend it to anyone who likes murder mysteries.
April 20, 2024
Would have given it a 3 star if the author had kept the mystery continuous without interjecting chapters about author and Hawthorne. The mystery was interesting, but the interjections were distracting.
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September 6, 2023OHMAGODDDD I CAN'T WAIIIIITTTTTT
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