The bestselling mystery from the author of Magpie Murders – you've never read a crime novel quite like this (Detective Daniel Hawthorne 1)

A baffling mystery that held my attention and keep me guessing, combined with amusing leading characters, whose every interaction was a laugh a minute.

A ballsy idea for an author to write himself as a main character in his own murder mystery, but Anthony Horowitz pulled it off magnificently.

This past June ‘Magpie Murders’ hit all the right notes for me, and upon finishing I was sorely tempted to move straight on to ‘The Word is Murder’ but decided to save it for a later date, felt it was better to have a break in between to draw out the anticipation. Finally I could wait no more, I had to read it, and I’m over the moon, because ‘The Word is Murder’ was every bit as brilliant, original and entertaining as ‘Magpie Murders’.

Diana Cowpur visits a funeral parlour to organise her own service. Six hours later she is strangled in her own home. A bizarre coincidence, or something more sinister? At first glance it appears to be a burglary gone tragically wrong, but when unlikely duo Horowitz (writer) and Hawthorne (disgraced former detective) team up to investigate, pretty soon they have suspects coming out of the woodwork.

Horowitz and Hawthorne do not get along – spend all their time bickering and arguing over everything, and their antics had me in stitches, and I enjoyed both characters immensely. It will come as no surprise that events are, you guessed it, narrated by Horowitz in the first person. I loved how his character gave us a behind-the-scenes glimpse at writing for TV shows, and what it’s like to be a successful author, and I adored the guest appearances by famous people. A clever, caught-my-attention title, and cool cover art were the icing on a fantastic cake.

The mystery was exciting, fast-paced, with carefully dropped clues interwoven throughout, and some tense situations that had me genuinely afraid. I fell hard for a false lead, but even if I hadn’t of been preoccupied with that I doubt I would’ve figured things out.

I recently found out that the second book in the series, ‘The Sentence is Death’ will be published on the 1st November, 2018 (yippee!), so I have already pre-ordered it. It’s unclear whether it features Horowitz as a character, as he’s not mentioned in the book summary. I’m hoping yes, but if not, it still sounds amazing.

3.5 stars

This book is structured like a 'Sherlock Holmes' story in which Dr. Watson accompanies Sherlock Holmes on an investigation, then chronicles the case.

In "The Word is Murder" Anthony Horowitz (ostensibly) accompanies detective Daniel Hawthorne on an investigation, then writes a book (this one) about the case.

*****

As the novel opens, wealthy middle-aged Londoner Diana Cowper goes to an undertaker to plan her funeral, so - when the time comes - it will go off exactly as she wants.....with her chosen hymns and music. The funeral will occur much sooner than expected, though, because Diana is strangled in her apartment a few hours later.

Diana's death, which is clearly a murder, draws extra attention for two reasons: a decade ago Diana's car hit twin eight-year-old boys, Jimmy and Jeremy Godwin, killing Jimmy and leaving Jeremy brain damaged; and Diana is the mother of the famous actor Damian Cowper - who's currently a big sensation in America.

The cops in London's Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) need Diana's case solved fast. So an MPS official prevails on a former police detective, Daniel Hawthorne - a brilliant sleuth who was fired for bad behavior - to 'consult' on the investigation. Hawthorne agrees, and - to make an extra buck - asks writer Anthony Horowitz to shadow his probe and pen a book, for which they'll share the profits 50:50. Horowitz, author of the 'Alex Rider' series for children and several mysteries for adults - as well as the creator of the TV series 'Foyle's War' and 'Midsomer Murders' - is reluctant to embark on a non-fiction tome, but agrees in the end.

Horowitz is immediately impressed with Hawthorne's ability to wrest information from almost imperceptible clues - just like Sherlock Holmes. However, the writer is put off by the gumshoe's personality, since Hawthorne is abrupt, rude, intolerant, and secretive. Moreover, Hawthorne never picks up the check for drinks, meals, train tickets, taxi fares, etc.....seriously draining Horowitz's wallet.

In any case, Horowitz accompanies Hawthorne as he runs around questioning people, including: the undertaker and his assistant - who were the last people to see Diana alive; Judith and Alan Godwin - who are still distraught about their dead/injured sons.....and think Diana got off too lightly; the judge who gave Diana a slap on the wrist; witnesses to the automobile accident ten years ago; Diana's actor son Damian - a conceited snob who abuses his girlfriend; and others.

Hawthorne constantly warns Horowitz to just shut up and take notes during interviews, but the author - who thinks of himself as more than just a tape recorder - throws in the occasional question anyway.....which seriously annoys the detective. In fact - unlike Watson and Holmes - Horowitz and Hawthorne have a very contentious relationship. At one point, Horowitz tries to skive off an interview because he has an important business meeting with legendary filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson. Hawthorne blithely interrupts the conference and drags Horowitz off, much to the writer's chagrin.

In the end the crime is solved and Horowitz and Hawthorne warm up to each other a tad; in fact Hawthorne pays the writer a small compliment, to Horowitz's immense pleasure.

The story is structured like an intricate puzzle, and I didn't guess the murderer until the end. I enjoyed this well-written novel, and highly recommend it to fans of traditional murder mysteries. ?

*****

FYI: In an interview with NPR, Anthony Horowitz said that inserting himself into the book as a character was an attempt to 'turn the murder mystery format upside down' and that he was very careful not to give himself the best lines, but to give them to Daniel Hawthorne instead. Horowitz also notes that his mysteries are an homage to Agatha Christie, but he has the advantage of being able to insert modern technology, like texts and emails. I've finished several of Horowitz's mysteries, and look forward to reading more.

Anthony Horowitz is an author with a far reach into many genres for teens and adults and has even expanded his repertoire to include film and television. His 2017 novel, Magpie Murders (my review here) has been widely acclaimed and lauded for its deft intertwining of a classic mystery with a contemporary frame containing a puzzler of its own. This summer, Horowitz published The Word is Murder, another dive into the world of mystery fiction. This time, Horowitz presents a modern Sherlock Holmes-style tale with a sly twist- Horowitz inserts himself into his own story as its first-person narrator. Blurring the lines between his real life as an author and as a fictional character, Horowitz teases the reader into guessing how much he resembles his own Watson-like creation. For this outing, the author/character is recruited by a former-detective turned consultant whose knack for uncanny deduction and personal idiosyncrasies is an obvious nod to Doyle’s famous protagonist. Hawthorne wants Anthony (whom he irritatingly refers to as “Tony”) to shadow him on his latest case and produce a true-crime report that extols his abilities. Of course, as a famous fiction writer, Horowitz is ambivalent about taking on such an atypical and demeaning role. He agrees to the assignment after a strange encounter at an author event, and then becomes hooked on discovering the solution to the mystery. He repeatedly vacillates in his dedication to the project as he continually clashes with Hawthorne. The book contains a long unnecessary digression in which Horowitz writes about working on a screenplay for Spielberg and Jackson, and the recurring delineation of his achievements bordered on hubris. Of course, the reader is left to wonder if that just could be Horowitz having some fun by allowing his character license to toot his own horn. A good page turner and a unique take on some well-worn territory, The Word is Murder is intriguing and the quirky narrative style is well done. Horowitz’s admirers will be pleased and wonder what he will experiment with next.

I've enjoyed Anthony Horowitz's previous adult mysteries and happily picked up his latest, The Word is Murder.

Oh my gosh, it is so very, very clever! I absolutely adored it!

The murder? A woman walks into a funeral home, plans her funeral and is found murdered six hours later. Ex police detective Daniel Hawthorne is called in to help with the investigation. Hawthorne is also looking for someone to ghost write his memoirs and approaches Anthony Horowitz. Yes, you read that right - Horowitz himself is a character in the book! I must admit to being unsure if this was a fiction book in the first few chapters. (it is) And if this concept would work.(it really does) Horowitz is soon drawn into the case as he follows Hawthorne around on his investigation.

Hawthorne is such a great character - a brilliant detective, but somewhat lacking in personal interactive skills. I quite liked him. He reminded me a bit of Cormoran Strike. The publisher describes Horowitz as a Watson to Hawthorne's Holmes and its a spot on description. I had so much fun reading Horowitz's description of himself, his thoughts and reactions. Can you imagine the writing process? The interactions between the two are wonderfully depicted.

And just as well done is the actual mystery. Hawthorne picks up on the smallest clues and discrepancies. Horowitz also tries to investigate, but doesn't have the skill set of Hawthorne. It's not clear who is the culprit and I was kept guessing alongside of our protagonists.

Clever, clever, clever. The Word of Murder is excellent reading. And....there is a sequel coming called Another Word for Murder. Can't wait!

Anthony Horowitz displays his versatility, cleverness, and whimsy in "The Word is Murder," in which Horowitz inserts himself into the plot of his whodunit. Well-known as the author of popular books for young adults and as a screenwriter for successful television shows, Horowitz hooks us immediately and holds our attention until the final surprise is sprung. The action opens with Diana Cowper, a woman in her sixties, visiting an undertaker. For some reason, she goes about arranging the details of her funeral service and burial. This intriguing chapter concludes with a murder, and subsequently, a deal is struck between former Detective Inspector Daniel Hawthorne and Horowitz. The two will collaborate on a book about Hawthorne's investigative prowess. Although Horowitz is not fond of Hawthorne, who is arrogant and condescending, the writer decides to swallow his pride and team up with the detective on the project.

Why does Horowitz put up with the Hawthorne's supercilious manner? In spite of his misgivings, the author is motivated by a desire to try his hand at true crime. His proposed manuscript involves a tragic automobile accident that took a child's life and seriously injured his twin brother; an egotistical young actor whose mother dotes on him; and a second killing that is even more brutal than the first. Horowitz and Hawthorne interview quite a few individuals who were acquainted with the victims--for Hawthorne, a ruthless interrogator, "politeness was a surgical mask, something he slipped on before he took out his scalpel"--but for quite a while, it is unclear how the pieces of this increasingly complicated inquiry fit together.

Horowitz's narration is engrossing and entertaining, but when he tries to match wits with Hawthorne, he realizes that he is out of his depth. An abundance of red herrings leave him more confused than enlightened, and he wonders, "How could I tell what was relevant and what wasn't?" The clues are laid out for those astute enough to interpret them, but not everyone is as sharp and insightful as, say, Hercules Poirot or Sherlock Holmes. What makes this novel such fun is Horowitz's engaging style; colorful depiction of character and setting; sly humor; use of literary and cultural allusions; and brilliant misdirection. Its improbable elements notwithstanding, "The Word is Murder" is a witty, diverting, and refreshingly original mystery that will delight fans of classic detective stories.

There was a literary movement in the 1960s and ’70s referred to as New Fiction, or New Journalism. Ironically, one of the writers at its forefront was the recently deceased Tom Wolfe. Joining him were other world-famous authors like Truman Capote, Gay Talese and Hunter S. Thompson. This type of writing took nonfiction or journalism and presented it in the style of a novel. Even if you are unfamiliar with this term, when reading a classic like Wolfe's THE RIGHT STUFF or Capote's IN COLD BLOOD, you realize that the pages are turning like a high-octane thriller, yet the entire story and all the characters within are from real life.

I cannot think of other writing styles in my lifetime as effective as New Journalism. Recently, Gillian Flynn of GONE GIRL fame brought about a series of other novels written entirely from the voices of different, often opposing, narrators. Alas, not many have been able to imitate Flynn's success. Now along comes Anthony Horowitz. Anyone aware of Horowitz recognizes that he is a master at plotting and manipulating readers or television viewers with his deeply layered, intelligent mysteries. He has written about Holmes and Moriarty, and was recently supported by the estate of Ian Fleming to continue the James Bond series that started with his terrific TRIGGER MORTIS. He ranks Dame Agatha Christie among his major influences and has found success on the small screen as creator of the outstanding British TV series “Midsomer Murders” and “Foyle's War.”

The release of THE WORD IS MURDER immediately called to mind for me Wolfe and New Journalism in that Horowitz has created a true puzzler of a novel that reads like a fictional retelling of nonfiction events that were completely fictionalized. I understand how confusing this may sound, but trust me: Once you begin reading this book, you will be completely absorbed and only afterwards will be able to look back and truly appreciate the feat that Horowitz has created for your reading pleasure.

An elderly woman named Diana Cowper enters a local undertaker's office to plan her own funeral. Shortly afterwards, she walks home, where she is met by an intruder who may have been known to her and proceeds to strangle her to death. Normally this would not have been considered major news except for two facts: Cowper was the mother of a world-famous and currently popular actor, Damian Cowper, and she was behind the wheel of a car involved in a hit-and-run accident that claimed the life of an eight-year-old boy and permanently disabled his twin brother.

That brutal incident took place in a small British seaside town and forever changed the lives of the Godwin family. It was this event, as well as the celebrity of Damian Cowper, that intrigued a recently dismissed police detective, Daniel Hawthorne, enough to show interest in this case. Hawthorne was asked by a former colleague to conduct his own investigation, shadowing the actual one being done by the current PD. He was considered a brilliant detective in spite of the fact that he was kicked off the force for throwing a pedophile down a flight of stairs. Additionally, Hawthorne was known to be a generally bigoted personality who behaved in a brusque manner with seemingly no care for the feelings or opinions of anyone within his earshot.

One day, Hawthorne phones a well-known writer and asks him to join him on this investigation and to write a book about him. The author's name is Anthony Horowitz. Even though no one else refers to him in that manner, Hawthorne immediately begins calling Horowitz “Tony” and seems to know way too much about the author and his life. Horowitz remembers the Diana Cowper case involving the Godwin children quite well and is interested in Hawthorne's. He also knows that, in spite of his success, a full-time writer cannot afford to turn down any work for fear of what you might be missing out on.

As Horowitz begins tagging along with Hawthorne, he is instantly immersed in his gruff style. The trouble Horowitz is finding is how impossible it seems to write a book about someone you don’t like very much. However, as the two of them begin to meet with all the players involved in the hit-and-run accident right through Cowper's recent murder, Horowitz finds things too juicy to resist. When they finally meet with Judith Godwin, the mother of the young boys involved in the hit-and-run, they find a person who still bore much understandable hatred toward the Cowpers. The accident not only cost her the life of her young Timmy but also eventually broke up her marriage to her husband, Alan, and left her with her surviving son Jeremy --- a young man who needs constant care due to the permanent damage inflicted on him. The family nanny, Mary O'Brien, has stayed on all these years to assist with the care of Jeremy. Mary was allegedly the only person present when the boys ran across the road to an ice cream shop, only to be struck by Cowper’s vehicle.

Despite his abrasive style, Hawthorne has a way of picking holes in almost any story. Interviews with people that Horowitz thinks go nowhere surprisingly find Hawthorne brimming with delight at the truth he feels he uncovers from the answers they receive from all the subjects they meet with. Along the way, Horowitz sprinkles in events with real-life figures such as movie directors Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg, who are partnering with Horowitz on a sequel to the Tintin animated film. This is done in such an easy manner and rings so true that it will definitely confound and amuse readers.

It wouldn't be an Anthony Horowitz novel without a major twist, and this is accomplished at Cowper’s funeral. I’ll let you discover it for yourself. All I can say is that THE WORD IS MURDER is a brilliantly created work of art and New Fiction, and Horowitz deserves any expected accolades and awards that will arise from it. I closed the book actually wishing Hawthorne was a real person, or at the very least a fictional character to be used in recurring stories. Either way, Horowitz has left us with a book that demands to be read and discussed by mystery readers and/or reading groups worldwide who appreciate intelligent and expertly plotted murder mysteries.

Reviewed by Ray Palen

Many thanks to the author / Random House UK / Edelweiss for the advanced digital copy of this most entertaining book. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

One bright day a woman walks into the local funeral parlor and plans her own funeral. She has a list of requirements and pays with her credit card. Six hours later she is dead .... someone strangled the life out of her.

This is a uniquely written book. Anthony Horowitz has written a fictional book using himself as one of the primary characters. It's like reading a story within a story within a story. As a character, he is a writer, screenwriter, and speaks often of some of his real time books. He is Watson to a modern day Holmes ... whose name is Daniel Hawthorne.

Hawthorne is a unique being, as well. He touts himself as a consultant to the police when it comes to unsolved murder cases. He has Horowitz following him around as he searches for clues and interrogates possible suspects.

Their relationship is anything but easy. They each want this future book to be written a certain way ... and with two alpha males, it isn't happening.

There are plenty of suspects to follow .... a theatrical producer who had lunch with the woman the same day she died.... her famous son, an actor, and some say a bully. Since everything she had has been left to him, he becomes someone to watch.... Her house cleaner, who found the body, yet lied to the police....

The number one suspect is the family of two young boys. 10 years ago the woman, driving her car without her glasses, plowed into them while they were crossing the street. One boy was killed outright .. the other boy left with massive head injuries. She was charged, but found not guilty.

But the biggest question is ... dd the woman know she was going to die that day?

Twists and turns, lies and secrets ... all the marvelous things that make a murder mystery a great read. I loved how the author invented a mystery with himself in the center of everything.

For fans of Ruth Rendell and Agatha Christie "The Word is Murder" is a very clever detective story which places the author as one of the central characters. Hawthorne is a retired detective and wishes to use his sharp analytical mind to help solve the death of wealthy woman Diana Cowper who is murdered six hours after she arranges her own funeral. He enlists the help of a reluctant author and it is hoped that both will not only solve the crime but also create a bestselling novel. What gives this story an almost comic edge is the relationship between "Tony" the author and the irascible detective Daniel Hawthorne.

The novel proceeds and the usual suspects are introduced and portrayed before the reader, the hope always being that the murderer can be identified from the clues presented. To me the real pleasure of reading this story was the comical and descriptive writing on display by an established and respected author;....."Again, I found myself wondering what it must be like to work there, sitting in a room with those miniature urns, a constant reminder that everything you were and everything you'd achieved would one day fit inside."......."For him, politeness was a surgical mask, something he slipped on before he took out his scalpel."...."There was a sense of something in the air that might have been damp but was actually just misery."...."wearing a suit that could have come out of a charity shop- or should have been on the way to one."...."You never realize how fragile everything is until it breaks."..."It was as if she had been locked up in a lunatic asylum for so long that she had forgotten she was actually mad."....

So with a cunning and clever plot, mysterious and intricate characters all presented in an entertaining dialect "The Word is Murder" is a highly enjoyable and recommended read.

I seldom read murders because I find the stories are too much alike, However, this book does have an original feel to it. A society matron plans her funeral and
is murdered in her home that night. This is the plot. A brilliant, unemployed investigator is hired as a consultant to work and hopefully solve this case. He is an egotist and decides that a well known writer should "work' with him and profile his accomplishments. Detective Hawthorn and his chosen biographer Anthony Horowitz, ( the writer of this book) do not bond. Dissension reigns between the author and the detective. The story was interesting, Hawthorn writes well and the pace of the story was good. But the story was ruined and it left me bored, because Horowitz took so many many many words to tell the reader about his own literary accomplishments. Also, there was way too much info about literature, drama etc etc. I usually enjoy such discussions but it broke the flow of the story. That is the reason I gave it 3 stars.

Wealthy Diana Cowper goes to a funeral parlour to make arrangements for her own funeral; later that same day, she dies. A private investigator, Daniel Hawthorne, is convinced that it is murder, and as he begins to investigate, he engages the services of a ghostwriter to write about his life. That ghostwriter is well-known film and television writer, Anthony Horowitz, and together the two of them dive into the secrets and lives of those close to Ms. Cowper and her famous actor son….It’s definitely meta to have the author serve as a character in his own book, but Mr. Horowitz pulls it off brilliantly. Part of the fun of the book is trying to figure out who the real persons being tapped for roles in the story are, as Mr. Horowitz the character talks about real films and television shows that Mr. Horowitz the writer actually created in the real world. It sounds as if it would be enough to make your head spin, but he manages somehow to keep everything in clear enough focus that the reader is never really lost; and the murder mystery itself is engaging too. Tons of fun; recommended!

A solid whodunnit mystery, but not quite as imaginative as author Anthony Horowitz's earlier novel Magpie Murders (to which this story is unrelated, despite the similar title). The hook this time around is that Horowitz is writing as a fictionalized version of himself, relating the time that he supposedly played Watson to a modern-day Sherlock Holmes. The conceit is amusing but somewhat gimmicky, especially whenever our narrator laments that he never would have had events unfold a certain way in one of his novels.

I like that the pieces of the case line up and make sense in hindsight without being super obvious along the way, which can be a tricky balance for crime writers to strike. On the other hand, it bothers me that the detective makes several sexist assumptions -- the strangler couldn't be a woman, an injured boy wouldn't call out for his father, etc. -- that are ultimately validated by the text. It's not enough to turn me off Horowitz, but it does weaken what he's trying to accomplish here.

Anthony Horowitz is a wonderfully tricksy, playful and mischievous writer. A very clever one, too. I have to admit that some writers who play tricksy, clever games on their readers can feel tiresome, especially if the reader senses this comes out of a feeling of over-intellectualised self-congratulation. It is very different when the writer encourages the reader to enjoy the game, as Horowitz assuredly does…….rather like an audience who come to watch a stage magician. We want to discover the ‘trick’ but, at a deeper level, hope we won’t.

Horowitz’s trick (well, one of them) in this dazzle of a crime investigation book ‘ Murder Is The Word’ is that he is actively involved in investigating the murder, in this book, in the guise of being a kind of ghost-author for Daniel Hawthorne, ex policeman now private investigator. The whole book comes as Hawthorne’s suggestion/commission. Hawthorne first met Horowitz when employed as a series advisor on the TV adaptation of Foyle’s War, which Horowitz wrote the screenplays for. Hawthorne has been kept as a kind of consultant by the police force, and gets called in to assist investigations when the murder investigation team are making no headway. As is the case here, in this account, which Horowitz, initially unwillingly, takes on, becoming a kind of Watson to Hawthorne’s maverick but Sherlockianly astute investigation.

Diana Cowper, a perfectly healthy, not to mention wealthy, late middle aged woman made funeral arrangements for herself – an increasingly popular practice – with an impeccable firm of undertakers. However, later that same day she is found murdered at her home.

Interspersed with Horowitz’s account of the tortuous, wriggly, herring filled solving of this crime, Horowitz includes a lot of material from his own personal and professional history.

The reader would not have had half as much pleasure reading this book has it been written in a pre-internet, pre-Google search world. Indeed, it is unlikely Horowitz could or would have written such a book, Part of the lure and addiction of reading this is the constant desire to check facts, dates, people, places…..is this real?....a real event…..or is it invention?

Every time I checked something and it proved to be a ‘real Horowitz event’, I chortled appreciatively, and every time interest led me to look up something which turned out to be ‘invented Horowitz’, or at least slight-bending-of-the-truth-Horowitz I chortled with even more delight. Real luminaries stalk these pages, but entering into some real-ish situations are Horowitz characters a playing. Some other reviewers have mentioned the best of these, but I am staying mum, for your readerly delight – I’m sure that a particular encounter with luminaries will be a better high spot for not being revealed.

‘The Word Is Murder’ is not a book which Horowitz wrote without certain, difficult challenges to face. As he explains, comparing the writing of ‘The House of Silk’ his magnificent homage to, and ‘as if’ written by, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle :

“It struck me from the very start that my job was to be invisible. I tried to hide myself in Doyle’s shadow, to imitate his literary tropes and mannerisms but never, as it were, to intrude. I wrote nothing that he might not have written himself. I mention this only because it worries me to be so very prominent in these pages. But this time round I have no choice; I’m writing exactly what happened”

And here, Horowitz as Watson (so, still flirting with those tropes) is having to record the investigations which Hawthorne is intent on – not to mention, at times, a little sneaky investigation by Horowitz into the secretive, shadowy ex cop himself. Poor Horowitz also struggles to be allowed the task of writing this book, in his style. Hawthorne may be a brilliant, left-field investigator, but he is no writer, though he shows himself something of a control freak, fighting every attempt Horowitz makes to inject style and atmosphere into the telling of the story. Hawthorne would prefer Plod-the-Policeman dialogue, all ‘I was proceeding in a south-westerly direction’. Horowitz, understandably, wants to give the facts of the investigation and keep our interest going, and the reader, awake

“If I had sat down to write an original murder mystery story I wouldn’t have chosen anyone like Hawthorne as its main protagonist. I think the world has had quite enough of white, middle-aged, grumpy detectives and I’d have tried to think up something more unusual”

In case, by focusing on the meta-fiction aspects, I have put off any potential readers who just want a credible, difficult, sometimes gory murder investigation, sometimes spiced with real danger, twists and satisfying herrings aplenty, and an utterly credible denouement, expertly written by someone who utterly respects the genre, and is, moreover well versed in its history – rest assured Horowitz is, fabulously, that writer. Not to mention the fact that Hawthorne, despite, or perhaps, because of, his grumpy, secretive brilliance, is the investigator the reader is keen to be spending further time with.

I sincerely hope that Hawthorne, finding a well deserved fan base for his criminal investigations, will decide to stick with Horowitz as his ‘Watson’ and that he does not decide to either go it alone and write his own books, or approach some other writer to record any future investigations he may be called on to solve.

Please, if you read this, Mr Hawthorne, let us have many more of your cases, but do stick with Anthony Horowitz as your ‘recorder’

I was delighted to receive this as a review copy. As should be obvious, highly, highly recommended

So, who murdered Diana Cowper and why? The police find this case puzzling, and call in some outside help. Meet Daniel Hawthorne, formerly a detective inspector with the Metropolitan Police in London, who had previously provided advice on a television series Anthony Horowitz was involved in. Hawthorne wants Anthony Horowitz to write a book about him. A book which will involve Horowitz shadowing him while Hawthorne, who has been called in by the police to assist, gets on with the business of solving Diana Cowper’s murder.

Initially reluctant, Horowitz is drawn in to Hawthorne’s investigation. After all, he doesn’t have another book ready to write. And Anthony Horowitz’s first-person narrative makes this an interesting read. The story is a mix of mystery and suspense, weaving Horowitz’s real life as an author and scriptwriter around the challenge of working with Hawthorne. It’s a challenge for Horowitz: he usually has much more control in the work he does. But the case itself has caught his attention, and he can’t leave it alone. Even when Hawthorne gate crashes his meeting with two important Hollywood directors!

I found this an intriguing story. A good page-turning read. I’m a fan of at least two television series that Anthony Horowitz wrote scripts for, am aware of the Alex Rider series, and enjoyed ‘Magpie Murders’. ‘The Word is Murder’ is cleverly done. There are several possibilities to consider and the various twists and turns in the story kept me guessing. Highly recommended.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

For fans of Ruth Rendell and Agatha Christie "The Word is Murder" is a very clever detective story which places the author as one of the central characters. Hawthorne is a retired detective and wishes to use his sharp analytical mind to help solve the death of wealthy woman Diana Cowper who is murdered six hours after she arranges her own funeral. He enlists the help of a reluctant author and it is hoped that both will not only solve the crime but also create a bestselling novel. What gives this story an almost comic edge is the relationship between "Tony" the author and the irascible detective Daniel Hawthorne.

The novel proceeds and the usual suspects are introduced and portrayed before the reader, the hope always being that the murderer can be identified from the clues presented. To me the real pleasure of reading this story was the comical and descriptive writing on display by an established and respected author;....."Again, I found myself wondering what it must be like to work there, sitting in a room with those miniature urns, a constant reminder that everything you were and everything you'd achieved would one day fit inside."......."For him, politeness was a surgical mask, something he slipped on before he took out his scalpel."...."There was a sense of something in the air that might have been damp but was actually just misery."...."wearing a suit that could have come out of a charity shop- or should have been on the way to one."...."You never realize how fragile everything is until it breaks."..."It was as if she had been locked up in a lunatic asylum for so long that she had forgotten she was actually mad."....

So with a cunning and clever plot, mysterious and intricate characters all presented in an entertaining dialect "The Word is Murder" is a highly enjoyable and recommended read.

I seldom read murders because I find the stories are too much alike, However, this book does have an original feel to it. A society matron plans her funeral and
is murdered in her home that night. This is the plot. A brilliant, unemployed investigator is hired as a consultant to work and hopefully solve this case. He is an egotist and decides that a well known writer should "work' with him and profile his accomplishments. Detective Hawthorn and his chosen biographer Anthony Horowitz, ( the writer of this book) do not bond. Dissension reigns between the author and the detective. The story was interesting, Hawthorn writes well and the pace of the story was good. But the story was ruined and it left me bored, because Horowitz took so many many many words to tell the reader about his own literary accomplishments. Also, there was way too much info about literature, drama etc etc. I usually enjoy such discussions but it broke the flow of the story. That is the reason I gave it 3 stars.

Wealthy Diana Cowper goes to a funeral parlour to make arrangements for her own funeral; later that same day, she dies. A private investigator, Daniel Hawthorne, is convinced that it is murder, and as he begins to investigate, he engages the services of a ghostwriter to write about his life. That ghostwriter is well-known film and television writer, Anthony Horowitz, and together the two of them dive into the secrets and lives of those close to Ms. Cowper and her famous actor son….It’s definitely meta to have the author serve as a character in his own book, but Mr. Horowitz pulls it off brilliantly. Part of the fun of the book is trying to figure out who the real persons being tapped for roles in the story are, as Mr. Horowitz the character talks about real films and television shows that Mr. Horowitz the writer actually created in the real world. It sounds as if it would be enough to make your head spin, but he manages somehow to keep everything in clear enough focus that the reader is never really lost; and the murder mystery itself is engaging too. Tons of fun; recommended!

A solid whodunnit mystery, but not quite as imaginative as author Anthony Horowitz's earlier novel Magpie Murders (to which this story is unrelated, despite the similar title). The hook this time around is that Horowitz is writing as a fictionalized version of himself, relating the time that he supposedly played Watson to a modern-day Sherlock Holmes. The conceit is amusing but somewhat gimmicky, especially whenever our narrator laments that he never would have had events unfold a certain way in one of his novels.

I like that the pieces of the case line up and make sense in hindsight without being super obvious along the way, which can be a tricky balance for crime writers to strike. On the other hand, it bothers me that the detective makes several sexist assumptions -- the strangler couldn't be a woman, an injured boy wouldn't call out for his father, etc. -- that are ultimately validated by the text. It's not enough to turn me off Horowitz, but it does weaken what he's trying to accomplish here.

Anthony Horowitz is a wonderfully tricksy, playful and mischievous writer. A very clever one, too. I have to admit that some writers who play tricksy, clever games on their readers can feel tiresome, especially if the reader senses this comes out of a feeling of over-intellectualised self-congratulation. It is very different when the writer encourages the reader to enjoy the game, as Horowitz assuredly does…….rather like an audience who come to watch a stage magician. We want to discover the ‘trick’ but, at a deeper level, hope we won’t.

Horowitz’s trick (well, one of them) in this dazzle of a crime investigation book ‘ Murder Is The Word’ is that he is actively involved in investigating the murder, in this book, in the guise of being a kind of ghost-author for Daniel Hawthorne, ex policeman now private investigator. The whole book comes as Hawthorne’s suggestion/commission. Hawthorne first met Horowitz when employed as a series advisor on the TV adaptation of Foyle’s War, which Horowitz wrote the screenplays for. Hawthorne has been kept as a kind of consultant by the police force, and gets called in to assist investigations when the murder investigation team are making no headway. As is the case here, in this account, which Horowitz, initially unwillingly, takes on, becoming a kind of Watson to Hawthorne’s maverick but Sherlockianly astute investigation.

Diana Cowper, a perfectly healthy, not to mention wealthy, late middle aged woman made funeral arrangements for herself – an increasingly popular practice – with an impeccable firm of undertakers. However, later that same day she is found murdered at her home.

Interspersed with Horowitz’s account of the tortuous, wriggly, herring filled solving of this crime, Horowitz includes a lot of material from his own personal and professional history.

The reader would not have had half as much pleasure reading this book has it been written in a pre-internet, pre-Google search world. Indeed, it is unlikely Horowitz could or would have written such a book, Part of the lure and addiction of reading this is the constant desire to check facts, dates, people, places…..is this real?....a real event…..or is it invention?

Every time I checked something and it proved to be a ‘real Horowitz event’, I chortled appreciatively, and every time interest led me to look up something which turned out to be ‘invented Horowitz’, or at least slight-bending-of-the-truth-Horowitz I chortled with even more delight. Real luminaries stalk these pages, but entering into some real-ish situations are Horowitz characters a playing. Some other reviewers have mentioned the best of these, but I am staying mum, for your readerly delight – I’m sure that a particular encounter with luminaries will be a better high spot for not being revealed.

‘The Word Is Murder’ is not a book which Horowitz wrote without certain, difficult challenges to face. As he explains, comparing the writing of ‘The House of Silk’ his magnificent homage to, and ‘as if’ written by, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle :

“It struck me from the very start that my job was to be invisible. I tried to hide myself in Doyle’s shadow, to imitate his literary tropes and mannerisms but never, as it were, to intrude. I wrote nothing that he might not have written himself. I mention this only because it worries me to be so very prominent in these pages. But this time round I have no choice; I’m writing exactly what happened”

And here, Horowitz as Watson (so, still flirting with those tropes) is having to record the investigations which Hawthorne is intent on – not to mention, at times, a little sneaky investigation by Horowitz into the secretive, shadowy ex cop himself. Poor Horowitz also struggles to be allowed the task of writing this book, in his style. Hawthorne may be a brilliant, left-field investigator, but he is no writer, though he shows himself something of a control freak, fighting every attempt Horowitz makes to inject style and atmosphere into the telling of the story. Hawthorne would prefer Plod-the-Policeman dialogue, all ‘I was proceeding in a south-westerly direction’. Horowitz, understandably, wants to give the facts of the investigation and keep our interest going, and the reader, awake

“If I had sat down to write an original murder mystery story I wouldn’t have chosen anyone like Hawthorne as its main protagonist. I think the world has had quite enough of white, middle-aged, grumpy detectives and I’d have tried to think up something more unusual”

In case, by focusing on the meta-fiction aspects, I have put off any potential readers who just want a credible, difficult, sometimes gory murder investigation, sometimes spiced with real danger, twists and satisfying herrings aplenty, and an utterly credible denouement, expertly written by someone who utterly respects the genre, and is, moreover well versed in its history – rest assured Horowitz is, fabulously, that writer. Not to mention the fact that Hawthorne, despite, or perhaps, because of, his grumpy, secretive brilliance, is the investigator the reader is keen to be spending further time with.

I sincerely hope that Hawthorne, finding a well deserved fan base for his criminal investigations, will decide to stick with Horowitz as his ‘Watson’ and that he does not decide to either go it alone and write his own books, or approach some other writer to record any future investigations he may be called on to solve.

Please, if you read this, Mr Hawthorne, let us have many more of your cases, but do stick with Anthony Horowitz as your ‘recorder’

I was delighted to receive this as a review copy. As should be obvious, highly, highly recommended

So, who murdered Diana Cowper and why? The police find this case puzzling, and call in some outside help. Meet Daniel Hawthorne, formerly a detective inspector with the Metropolitan Police in London, who had previously provided advice on a television series Anthony Horowitz was involved in. Hawthorne wants Anthony Horowitz to write a book about him. A book which will involve Horowitz shadowing him while Hawthorne, who has been called in by the police to assist, gets on with the business of solving Diana Cowper’s murder.

Initially reluctant, Horowitz is drawn in to Hawthorne’s investigation. After all, he doesn’t have another book ready to write. And Anthony Horowitz’s first-person narrative makes this an interesting read. The story is a mix of mystery and suspense, weaving Horowitz’s real life as an author and scriptwriter around the challenge of working with Hawthorne. It’s a challenge for Horowitz: he usually has much more control in the work he does. But the case itself has caught his attention, and he can’t leave it alone. Even when Hawthorne gate crashes his meeting with two important Hollywood directors!

I found this an intriguing story. A good page-turning read. I’m a fan of at least two television series that Anthony Horowitz wrote scripts for, am aware of the Alex Rider series, and enjoyed ‘Magpie Murders’. ‘The Word is Murder’ is cleverly done. There are several possibilities to consider and the various twists and turns in the story kept me guessing. Highly recommended.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

If you have read the Magpie Murders by Horowitz then this book won’t seem at all bizarre or unusual. He is an author who likes to think outside the box. His plots are wee bit like Conan Doyle does Schrödinger’s Cat in the form of a murder mystery. While I’m on the subject it is worth mentioning that in 2011 the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle gave Horowitz the official endorsement to write a continuation of the Sherlock Holmes stories.
The Word is Murder more or less features Anthony Horowitz as himself in the main role. It is an interesting way to approach a crime story. I’m sure readers will start to wonder how much is fiction and how much of the actual crime story is fact.
It isn’t until Horowitz actually mentions a few of his accolades that you realise just how accomplished and successful he is. In this scenario his diminishes his success, and plays with the fact he has prominent contacts.
A woman walks into a funeral parlour to plan and arrange her own funeral, and a few hours later she is ready to use the coffin she just bought. Is it just a huge coincidence or did someone end her life prematurely? Well the cord around her neck speaks volumes.
Horowitz is unaware of this particular event until an ex-police detective asks him to write a book about the murder with himself starring as the savvy detective. Horowitz finds it hard to work with this eccentric, obstinate and yet very observant detective, however he can’t help but be pulled into the intriguing story that unfolds in front of him. Hawthorne is like a grumpy Columbo with Sherlock’s deductive skills.
I enjoyed it, just like I really enjoyed the Magpie Murders, because the author isn’t afraid to mix it up and challenge his readers. Thinking outside of the crime and mystery schemata to create unusual and yet captivating reads. The word is murder, but in this case the word is also Horowitz and Hawthorne are the new Watson and Sherlock.
*I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley.*

This is a quirky, highly original first person narrative starring the author in an Agatha Christie type role whilst working, somewhat reluctantly, with a Morse/Sherlock Holmes kind of private investigator called Hawthorne! The investigation is into the murder of Diana Cowper which happened just six hours after she’d arranged her own funeral. Hawthorne is an ex-police detective who is called in to assist with some of the more bizarre investigations and he’s also the man who wants Anthony Horowitz to shadow him during this investigation to enable him to write about him solving this murder.

The whole story is a real page turner, with a splendid mix of murder mystery, suspense and thriller with a large dose of more factual information concerning the author’s work as an author and scriptwriter. I found it a fascinating read with stories within stories like Russian Dolls you reveal as the story progresses. The author portrays his mood and attitude as events unfold as well as sharing many of his accomplishments which serve as background to the main story. His somewhat strained relationship with Hawthorne results in great banter between the two and the author is often portrayed as being inept in the investigation by Hawthorne’s comments and responses. Horowitz is reluctant to work with Hawthorne but is drawn in by the strange circumstances preceding the murder - like the reader, he wants to know what happened, so still keeps working with Hawthorne.

This has to be one of the most unique books I’ve read, complete with plenty of angst, twists and turns to keep readers guessing to the very end. The story is an enthralling skilful blend of fact and fiction, mixed together by a highly talented wordsmith to create a superb murder mystery that I have no hesitation whatsoever in highly recommending.

I requested and was given a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion after choosing to read it.

I was not familiar with Anthony Horowitz, so I had trepidation when first I read this unique mystery. In the opening a woman goes to a mortician, whips out her credit card, and then pays for her funeral. Already I was entranced. Unfortunately, a few hours later the woman is dead.
Anthony Horowitz has done something interesting and rare. He has inserted himself into his own book. He makes numerous and varying comments about books, some even his own. He comes off as a modern-day Watson to the book’s Holmes, A.K.A. Daniel Hawthorne. Hawthorne is a police consultant who promises to assist the police in solving homicides. The story is full of suspects with many motives. Who committed murder is the question. The book is unpredictable and replete with twists and turns, all which make for an entertaining, unique, and fun mystery novel.

This mystery is a fun ride with author Anthony (don't call me Tony) Horowitz in the driver's seat -- and the passenger's seat too. Those familiar with the author's work will take extra pleasure in his decision to put himself in the story, mixing his factual past and persona with his fictional participation in the investigation into the the mysterious slaying of a woman only hours after she planned her own funeral. That is, he tells the story in the first person as Anthony Horowitz, hired by a former police detective to chronicle his (the detective's) pursuit of the killer for a book that could profit them both.

The prickly relationship is entertaining and the mystery engaging. Horowitz fans will be delighted by the frequent references to his earlier work, his celebrity name dropping, and the peek he gives us into his writing process.

The twists in the murder investigation keep the narrative plates spinning quite pleasingly. [WARNING: SOMETHING OF A SPOILER COMING ... ] The climax to the whole business, putting the author in mortal danger, had a nice build-up but was ultimately a little disappointing. It was an interesting mess he'd gotten himself into, the story's Anthony Horowitz, but the cavalry, such as it was, came disappointingly on cue, and a bit rushed at that. But, as the author himself lamented at one point, with him telling the story, we pretty much knew he'd lived to tell the tale, no?

So why quibble? It's the journey, after all. This was a good one. Heck, I'd take it again. And, if the planned sequels come as expected, I suspect I will.

This is a clever murder mystery. What sets it apart is the way that Anthony Horrowitz has inserted himself into the story, pretending that it's a true event rather than a fictional tale. It is also quite satisfying constructed, with clues throughout that make sense. I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it. It took me over a week to read it, a sign that it didn't have quite enough forward propulsion to keep me interested.

The author, Anthony Horowitz, puts himself in the middle of a murder mystery. You know this by now since you have read the book description, and perhaps many reviews.
The result is a rollicking ride of a mystery. With apologies to Carl Hiaasen and Anthony Horowitz, while your works are not the same, I have the same reaction...geez... I enjoyed the ride!
Oh, and Mr. Horowitz, I know you gave me the clues, but I didn't see them. Oh well

Four stars plus, since this is a book that I would recommend! I've started keeping five stars for books that I would like to reread many times, but in this case, I will just eagerly await your next.

cb

Fans of mystery novels will love Anthony Horowitz’ novel titled, The Word Is Murder. Characters are finely drawn, the plot is engaging, and the misdirection is clever. A quirky former police detective, Daniel Hawthorne, wants a writer to document a true crime case and showcase Hawthorne’s skills at detection. Hawthorne uses clever methods to convince a writer named Anthony Horowitz who is busy with other books to take on the job. The story moves fast, the relationship between Daniel and Anthony is interesting, and the mystery was very satisfying.

Rating: Four-star (I like it)

I just love books about books and writing, particularly when the blur the fourth wall into a fuzzy mess... Anthony Horowitz is a master of language and does a magnificent job creating worlds that are just slightly off-kilter but feel all too real even when the events being described are anything but. If you don't know his work, you really should - and this book is a great start because it's about him and his previous books (sort of) and the meta- way that Horowitz blends the murder and the backstory and the surrounds is spot-on brilliant and exceptionally entertaining.

I liked The Magpie Murders so instantly chose to read The Word Is Murder. again, I liked it a lot. Horowitz seems to know what I like in a mystery. I love that he gave so many red herrings and had me guessing wrong for awhile. I did think the real killer was a possibility early on, but Horowitz nicely steered me away from that. He has good humor, is never mean, and, I think, gives fair possibilities without tricking the reader. Good job!

I don't usually read books set in countries other than the US ...but I loved this book. I had previously read The Magpie Murders and loved it so I sought out more of Horowitz's work. Could not put this book down. I loved the premise, the writing, the style - basically everything. Cannot wait to read more! Loved how he integrated real life people such as Steven Spielberg.

I loved this book. Fantastic concept by the author to insert himself in the story as a Watson to his detective subject's Holmes. I've never read something like this and it really worked well. Plus the characters had depth, the plot moved with pace and the twists were well placed. I love a good detective story and this fits the bill, albeit in an unorthodox way. However it works and is an enjoyable read.

The Word is Murder is my second Horowitz mystery. The first one, Magpie Murders, was so good that I wanted to read this one. The Word is Murder is even more enjoyable and downright funny in parts about the relationship of Horowitz (who writes himself into the book) and the ex-police detective Hawthorne.

Thank you so much Harper Books for my free review copy!

Anthony Horowitz blurs the line between fact and fiction when he stars as a main character in his own novel. Horowitz teams up with ex-detective turned police consultant, Hawthorne, to write about a very interesting case he has taken on. A woman goes to an undertaker to plan her funeral only to be killed six hours later. Horowitz is intrigued by the case and reluctantly agrees to write about Hawthorne’s investigation. He has worked with Hawthorne in the past and the two do not always see eye to eye. Hawthorne isn’t the easiest to get along with and the reader gets to see the disagreements between the investigator and author along the way why they try to figure out what really happened to the women who dies after planning her own funeral.

This is easily one of the most clever novels I have read in a long time. Anthony Horowitz writes himself in as a main character and narrator. He even gives insight into how he typically writes a murder mystery which I found completely fascinating! It was like getting to see a snippet of his writing process. I have read his books in the past and I loved seeing a little about how they came to be.

Horowitz’s character is clever and witty. I enjoyed reading about his interactions with Hawthorne who is prickly and very closed off. It’s so different from other novels where the characters have great chemistry and can work together seamlessly. This was so not the case with Hawthorne and Horowitz. One minute they would be okay with each other and then in the very next minute, they would be at each other throats. Even so, they continued to work together and sort through the twisted paths of the investigation.

I really, really enjoyed the plot. It’s an old fashioned murder mystery but with a unique twist that Horowitz executed perfectly. Hawthorne is a unique investigator that catches things that no one else seems to catch. There are quite a few very convincing red herrings and the ending was a complete surprise to me.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book. I really hope that Horowitz continues to write about the adventures Hawthorne and himself. I would absolutely continue to read about this duo. It’s definitely one of my top reads of 2018!

A true mystery this with two murders, an abrupt, rude detective and complicated clues but one significant refreshing difference. Anthony Horowitz is a significant character in the plot. Chosen to write a book about a crime, he becomes a vital link in solving the mystery. I loved it.

I listed to this book. The narrator did an excellent job with the voices and the pace. The book was different than your normal who done it, but Horowitz always takes that approach. All in all, a good read and I did not guess the ending.......which is good.

The Word Is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
Having watched two of the BBC series he created: Midsomer Murders and Foyle's War and enjoying them very much, to now read his fiction was a treat. I read the nearly 400 page book in less than 24 hours and once it got rolling I was in for the entirety. He is one of the characters and mostly accurately portrayed as are the crimes, the perpetrators, and the detective. Putting it down wasn't really an option.

Very interesting way that the author incorporates his current real life activities with this novel. If you're a fan of Anthony Horowitz' television shows I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the construction of the book.

As an author, I enjoyed the blending of the behind-the-curtain novelist and detective story. It was a true joy to read (partly because I know a little of that world), and it was a clever way to write a detective story. In a genre that is often difficult to create new material, Horowitz provides a thoroughly enjoyable new take on the detective novel.

Terrifically fun read from Anthony Horowitz creator of Foyle's War and many other fine television programs. As a character in his own book it's hard to know what's real and what's not but it was still an interesting tale.

Definitely recommend this book! Crime mystery genre, but done in such an original way that you feel refreshed, as though you're reading a whole new genre. I get so frustrated with trying to find great books on Audible that aren't vapid re-tellings of the same modern cop-crime drama or just crude shock-drama (I hated Sharp Objects); and this book was such a breath of fresh air. Definitely recommend.

An innovative approach to telling this story. Horowitz is an integral part of th3 storyline and includes factual details about his writings. He is engaged by a discredited policeman , Hawthorne, t9 write the story of a crime he is working on. Horowitz becomes totally involved I solving the murder of the wealthy lady who walked into the undertakers to arrange her funeral and is subsequently found murdered. The story has many intriguing twists and turns before reaching its climax and solution. Is this the start of a new series

Very interesting way that the author incorporates his current real life activities with this novel. If you're a fan of Anthony Horowitz' television shows I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the construction of the book.

As an author, I enjoyed the blending of the behind-the-curtain novelist and detective story. It was a true joy to read (partly because I know a little of that world), and it was a clever way to write a detective story. In a genre that is often difficult to create new material, Horowitz provides a thoroughly enjoyable new take on the detective novel.

Terrifically fun read from Anthony Horowitz creator of Foyle's War and many other fine television programs. As a character in his own book it's hard to know what's real and what's not but it was still an interesting tale.

Definitely recommend this book! Crime mystery genre, but done in such an original way that you feel refreshed, as though you're reading a whole new genre. I get so frustrated with trying to find great books on Audible that aren't vapid re-tellings of the same modern cop-crime drama or just crude shock-drama (I hated Sharp Objects); and this book was such a breath of fresh air. Definitely recommend.

‘The Word is captivating’ could as easily have been the title as Anthony Horowitz draws me into the world of death, death, suicide, accidents and murder.

Having read many of his books including most of the Alex Rider books and the Magpie Murders I was not surprised at the quality of the storytelling but was captivated by the story being told in the first person and seemingly written as we turn the pages.

I did at one point early in the book Google one of the events and discovered it was true and then realised that I needed to get back to the book and leave Google till later if at all. I note from many other reviews that readers have got caught up in what was real and what was fiction and how accurate where the real life events.

Having grown up on the South coast of England in a village called Sompting near Brighton and lived in London for many years as well. I loved all of the detailed descriptions, particularly of the seaside town Deal and his thoughts about each place depending on your perspective and attitude.

The characters where more fictional that fictional characters and yet… We are led by Hawthorne the detective who is not a detective, Mrs Cowper who plans her own funeral and then dies the same day, the author constantly talking about all of the characters, going over his notes, his doubts and berating himself for being dragged into this affair with a grump old school not detective.

The whole book is filled with mystery, smiles and death.

Many thanks to the author, to Publisher Random House Cornerstone and to Netgalley for the advance digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

An innovative approach to telling this story. Horowitz is an integral part of th3 storyline and includes factual details about his writings. He is engaged by a discredited policeman , Hawthorne, t9 write the story of a crime he is working on. Horowitz becomes totally involved I solving the murder of the wealthy lady who walked into the undertakers to arrange her funeral and is subsequently found murdered. The story has many intriguing twists and turns before reaching its climax and solution. Is this the start of a new series

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I have been a fan of Horowitz's work for years, and followed all the PBS adaptations. Reading this book was like sitting down with a friend and listening to their tale. Just wonderful.

Unfortunately, this book is DNF @ 50%.

I was so looking forward to my first book by Anthony Horowitz as I had heard so many good things about him and it's hard not to miss all of the buzz around Magpie Murders. So, when I got The Word is Murder, I was beyond excited. I couldn't wait to see what the buzz was all about.

Sadly, this book didn't work for me. I don't know if it is the writing style or this story in particular, but the plot was just soooooo. slooooooow moooooving. And quite frankly, I don't even care who killed Diana Cowper.

I also didn't like how the author made himself a character. It really didn't work for me and I didn't really see how it helped the actual story at all. It just seemed like Horowitz wanted an opportunity to tell people who may not know who he is, who he is. And again, I just really didn't care. To me, it simply did nothing to enhance the story and I found myself skim reading through most of it because it just all seemed so pretentious.

Anyway, I am in the CLEAR minority here, as there are tons and tons of 5 star reviews. So you may want to check it out for yourself. Just because it didn't work for me, doesn't mean you won't like it.

Thank you to HarperCollins and Edelweiss for my copy.