I didn't even notice that this was the third installment of the Anthony Horowitz/Daniel Hawthorne series - it fit so well as a standalone novel! It does mean it reads a little like author self-insert fanfiction, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. In short, Private investigator Daniel Hawthorne and the writer Anthony Horowitz have been invited to a literary festival on the island of Alderney to talk about their new book, but you'll never guess what! There's been a murder!

It went at a good clip, with enough drama to draw me in, and the ending was mostly satisfying, with all the major loose ends tied up. However, I was not a fan of Hawthorne - I found him difficult to connect with (which I suppose is part of the narrative), but it did mean that as the plot progressed I was somewhat irritated with his all-knowingness! Despite this, it was really well written and I finished it really quickly!

An Agatha Christie style whodunit.
Horowitz delivered as both the writer & character (how unique!).
I loved every page!

🤞 A 4th is in the works

A homage to the golden age of crime writing. Set on Alderney, the assembled cast of writers all have their secrets. The neighbours are set against each other over a scheme for a new power line that will cut through the war cemetery. The festivals sponsor is found brutally murdered and another death is to follow. This is a beautifully written old fashioned mystery

I finally got to this book and why did i not read it sooner!! loved it, great book. thank you Netgalley for letting me have this one.

This is the 3rd novel where Anthony Horowitz writes himself into the novel as the not quite up to par Dr Holmes to ex-detective Daniel Hawthorne’s brilliant Holmes like deduction skills. In the novel Hawthorne and Horowitz have agreed to appear at a literary festival on Alderney. Anthony is worried that the surly, rude detective who never shares any details of his life will not be well received with audiences coming to hear their talk. However, it appears that persona of Hawthorne’s is mainly kept for Anthony and the detective fairly charms everyone he meets. But, not unsurprisingly, a murder occurs and as the island has only a small police force and no detective, Hawthorne begins the investigation whilst they wait for support from the mainland.
This third novel of Hawthorne and Horowitz is as compelling and enjoyable as we’re the first two. As the investigation unfolds we are once again held in thrall as the great Hawthorne puts together all the missing pieces, whilst Horowitz follows behind. A great read and not to be missed. Let’s hope Hawthorne allows Horowitz a fourth murder to follow.

4.2⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Not quite there … I felt like giving the 5 stars but lacking still up until the second series will be doable .
Much recommended for the golden readers as it much more to them but this one did not disappoint .




❤️shaye.reads

I am not good with slow starting books and this is one I struggled with. It is a good read and I think fans of these books will enjoy. Once the book gets going it is a quick read and entertaining.

This is a really fun book - I hadnt realised it was the third in a series and perhaps I missed out on some past references but still enjoyed as a standalone book.

A classic locked room mystery set on a small island - Horowitz writes himself as one of the main characters.... funny bits, flaws and all!

Great characters, easy to read... will be looking for the first two in the series.

With A Line To Kill, Anthony Horowitz has succeeded in writing another intriguing murder mystery novel about Anthony Horowitz writing a novel about an intriguing murder. It’s an unusual approach that, while somewhat distracting at first, actually serves to enhance the drama and tension of the story, which concerns a death on the island of Alderney, a place that has never been the setting for a murder before.

Horowitz has travelled to Alderney with former police officer turned private detective turned muse Daniel Hawthorne to participate in the island’s first literary festival. While Hawthorne loves the attention from fans who attend the pair’s festival talk, Horowitz finds himself feeling sidelined yet again, which is why he determines to launch his own investigation when the festival’s sponsor is found murdered.

The story is narrated by Horowitz in an engaging fashion, and once his investigation into the murder is in full swing, his asides and reminiscences really help to move the story along. The mixing of fact and fiction also allows Horowitz to have a little fun at the expense of the people in his life, although it is the cleverly twisting mystery featuring plenty of suspicious characters and more than a few red herrings that really makes A Line To Kill a “must read”. Trying to solve the crime alongside Horowitz himself (as his theories are shot down by Hawthorne) is a lot of fun.

I’m sad to say that I struggled a little with this book and wasn’t able to get into it as much as I’d expected to. Perhaps reading others in this series will help but I didn’t warm to the characters and struggled a little with the concept of the author within the story.

I expect certain things from an Anthony Horowitz and I was not disappointed with this addition to the Hawthorne and Horowitz series. They seem inspired by Agatha Christie and this was a locked room mystery or rather locked island mystery in this case. I very much enjoyed Horowitz’s ‘voice’ in this novel and the developing relationship between the two men. many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

This isn't a genre I normally read, I haven't read any other Anthony Horowitz including the first two books of this series, but was attracted to it because I thought it was about time I did - kept hearing about him. Also it's set on Alderney where I visited with my parents as a child.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a lot more fun than I expected - quirky with a good plot and plausible characters. Thanks for the ARC.

Really enjoyable read. The characters were believable and the author represented himself which was a twist. Good plot and ending.

I would struggle to be able to review this book due to issues with the file/download. The issues stopped the flow of the book. The issues are:
- Missing words in the middle of sentences
- Stop/start sentences on different lines
- No clear definition of chapters.

Not sure if it was a file/download issue but there were lots of gaps and stops/starts which really ruined the flow.

Once again Anthony Horowitz kept me turning the pages, another fast paced read.
From the first page I was hooked.
Great settings. Excellent characters. Fantastic read. I loved it!

Third in this series. First that I’ve read.
Ex Inspector Daniel Hawthorne and his sidekick author Anthony Horowitz are invited to a literary festival in remote island Alderney where they meet a wide selection of interesting authors-on varying topics - food, children, history and psychic themes.
They arrive in the middle of locals protesting about a new power line and the murder of one of the local festival organisers.
I particularly liked the humour and the wide range of characters including Hawthorne and Horowitz.
It did remind me of Agatha Christie thrillers which I love.
Really enjoyable, full of twists and turns.
Off to read the others in this series.
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for a fair review.
4 Stars ⭐️

Anthony Horowitz is a writer well-known for, among other things, the excellent drama series Foyle's War. This is the latest instalment in his series of mysteries featuring the enigmatic detective Hawthorne.

Anthony and Hawthorne find themselves in Alderney for a literary festival, promoting Anthony's latest book featuring Hawthorne. Whilst there, Charles Le Mesurier, the wealthy and unpleasant man bankrolling the festival is found murdered.

There is a long cast of suspects from the festival attendees and locals and, naturally, Hawthorne is keen to get to the truth. As events unfold, another murder takes place and the killer appears obvious. But is it really that straightforward?

I enjoyed this book, which was a slightly unusual take with the author placing himself at the heart of the narrative. This made the story more personal and gave authenticity to proceedings.

The various characters were well-drawn and I particularly liked the relationship between Anthony and Hawthorne, even though the latter could be annoying at times. The plot allowed for some licence in the way things were wrapped up so that we had a sense of closure, although not quite in the way events had led us to believe.

I didn't work out who killed Le Mesurier and the other victim but did spot a couple of people pretending to be something they were not, although neither proved to be the murderer.

This is a different take on a murder mystery and refreshing for it. I would be happy to read more books in this series.

I received this book as an ARC from Random House UK, Cornerstone, in return for an honest appraisal.

Excellent as always I adore these characters in this series and look forward to the next installment. In !y opinion one of the best series currently being written.

I love the meta nature of this series, with Horowitz as both author and author-character, subtly snarking at the publishing industry alongside the mystery plot.

The plots technically do stand alone, but there is a lot of character development as the series is unfolding, particularly around the character of Horowitz’s police ‘buddy’, Hawthorne (Kate Becket to Horowitz’s Richard Castle). I find Hawthorne’s taciturn genius of a character both intriguing and compelling and I desperately need to know what secrets he is hiding. And I’m not the only one, as the fictional publishing world also moons over Hawthorn, much to fictional Horowitz’s chagrin. Their mismatched partnership adds a lot of gentle humour to the events that unfold.

In terms of mystery plot, I am in awe of Horowitz (the real one)’s cleverness. The clues are all there, in plain sight, but I was as confused as the narrator as to how they fit together until Hawthorne kindly explained (but not until the end reveal, obviously!)

Anyone who loves their classic fictional detective duos – Holmes and Watson, Poirot and Hastings – will love these modern counterparts, who capture the same energy and investigative dynamic but with more tongue-in-cheek humour and numerous clever nods to the literary industry and its readers.

Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog

Somehow this was my first Horowitz book, but it was completely up my alley! I loved the writing style and the plot was so intriguing I would totally recommend.