The latest in Anthony Horowitz's Hawthorne and Horowitz books finds himself - or rather the fictional twinner of Horowitz - disavowing his reluctant partner Daniel Hawthorne and putting on a play about serial killers, only for it to be savaged by a particularly vicious critic who later turns up hours later dead from a stab wound and with Horowitz prime suspect.

It's the most Christie-esque of the Hawthorne books so far with a closed circle of suspects and theatre as a backdrop, making it an instant success in my guys. Some of the clunkier aspects of the books have been fazed out (e.g. unusual attitudes to homosexuality), save for one slightly awkward moment in Chapter 15 which attempts to discuss both cancel culture and cultural appropriation in a slightly cack-handed fashion.

This aside, Book 4 of the Hawthorne books is a triumph of whodunnit storytelling and a great murderous puzzle box of a story, one which bests the heights of its predecessors.

I love the Hawthorne series and even if I didn't think this one was as clever, meta, funny and readable as the rest of the series (I did) I wouldn't dare say so based on the author's apparent feelings towards critics as displayed in his latest where he, as a character in the book is accused of the murder of a theatre critic who didn't enjoy his play.
The meta levels of humour in the latest book in the series reach new levels - referencing so many aspects of the author's real/ fictional/ and who knows at this point? it's best to just go along with it...
Even the 'author's afterward' made me laugh and question what's real and what isn't.
Whatever. If, as is indicated for reasons I won't spoil, there are as many (un)planned books in the series as the novel suggests, I'm in all the way.
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

This book is brilliant. I’m not too good at explaining without giving the plot away but the author is writing about himself and has created a story that contains a mysterious character that I’m not sure I even like! It’s a bit like Hitchcock putting himself into his films but this series of books is absolutely amazing. I loved it and can’t wait for the next one !

Unfortunately I didn't finish this book as I found it too slow. I have read other reviews which were glowing so I think the problem liés with me!

I really enjoyed this book. I haven't read any of the others from the series so found it very interesting. The plot was well written and kept me guessing right until the end. A brilliant read, I know need to go back and read the others!

I am already a huge fan of Hawthorne and Horowitz and this title just cements my love for these books. Here poor Tony (sorry Mr Horowitz) is wanted for murder and only Hawthorne can discover the truth and save him from life imprisonment.

This wonderful story is set in the world of theatre, as Horowitz finds backers willing to put on his new play, Mindgames. Unfortunately one much disliked critic writes a terrible review and is murdered shortly thereafter. All clues point to Horowitz being the murderer, but do we really believe our mild mannered writer could possibly have killed someone? Well, obviously the police do, but we, his loyal public, know better.

As with the three previous Hawthorne and Horowitz books, this story is so much fun you don't want to put it down. It moves at breakneck speed, introducing an array of intriguing and amusing characters, so well drawn you are unsure who to trust and what to believe. The series just gets better and better and we are slowly unravelling the secret that lies at the heart of Daniel Hawthorne, the secret that keeps Horowitz from walking away, not to mention the contract he's just signed with his agent.

The Twist of the Knife by Anthony Horowitz
This is the fourth in the excellent series where Anthony Horowitz writes about the cases solved by ex-policeman Hawthorne. As the story opens Horowitz had decided he does not want to work on another novel with the detective. He feels it has reached the end of the road. He has a play opening in the Shoreditch and wants to concentrate on this.
The play duly opens and at the first night party one of the critics, Harriet Thorsby comes along with her daughter in tow. Anthony Horowitz makes the mistake of asking her what she thought of the play. She doesn’t answer and later leaves the party. As the party draws to a close one of actors reads out a review which is scathing of the play and, in particular, Anthony Horowitz. The next morning the police, in the form of an old adversary Cara Grunshaw, arrive and the main suspect in the murder case appears to Horowitz himself.
The rest of the novel focuses on the way in which Hawthorne sets about solving the case before the police. It is an entertaining book and one which keeps the reader engaged to the end. I will definitely recommend this to others in my book groups and would like to thank the author, the publishers and Net Galley for the opportunity to read it in return for an honest review.

I was given an ARC of this book and I thought it entertaining and eventually engaging.

I do admit that it took me a while to get into this story because the first few chapters were a little boring and, what is this? Then it became intriguing and began to make sense. The characters were defined well and the writing style was fast-paced, if somewhat old-fashioned. I do enjoy the first-person narrative and as the author is the main character, it was certainly amusing.

Who is the killer? And what will private detective, Hawthorne, make of it? Is 'Tony' in the frame or being framed? Why? All great questions that make this crime story worth reading.

The style reminded me of an Agatha Christie novel, as did the characters and plot.

Overall, I did enjoy the tale and I did like Hawthorne's unique character - I'd not read any of this series before this.

A good read.

Another masterpiece from the renowned Anthony Horowitz! Following the style of his recent adult books ,Horowitz again places himself at the heart of the crime ( this time a theatre critic is murdered having written a bad review about his stage play "Mindgame") but this time he finds himself as the main suspect. Despite trying to avoid working with ex-detective Daniel Hawthorne again, "Tony" finds that it is only Hawthorne who can help him. The pace is fast, the plot is straightforward, but the twists keep the reader guessing until the end. My only slight concern was that at times the comments about his views on cultural appropriation, his loathing of the theatre critic and the remark in the Afterword about his Literary agent felt rather awkward, especially having read articles about this in the national press recently. To be highly recommended however!

Thank you for allowing me to read this.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book.

I love the Hawthorne books. The clever blending of fact and fiction and the mystery of Hawthorne himself. Another good one with all the clues there to be seen but I’m never clever enough to figure it out!

Anthony Horowitz is a genius writer, he always delivers and I always feel glad that I bought his books. (although this one was a arc ,thanks). This was the first I had read in this series but will immediately go back and read the previous episodes. Witty and engaging storyline with echoes of golden age mysteries. I loved it.

A very enjoyable novel - a lot of fun and a murder mystery to solve as well. What a great idea to have the author as one of the characters and not only as a sleuth but as a suspect as well.

Now I'll have to go back and read the other books in the series.

I couldn't wait to get my hands on this copy thanks to Netgalley.

This is a superb return to form after A Line to Kill, which I found a bit of a let down.

As with the first three Horowitz and Hawthorne books Anthony Horowitz is right in the middle of the action. However this time he gets much closer than he bargained for as he is arrested on suspicion of the murder of a particularly vicious theatre critic, Harriet Throsby.

Of course he's just vowed to Hawthorne there will be no more new titles featuring him. However, all too soon he is having to beg the great man for his help.

What ensues is a brilliant piece of writing with a wonderfully twisty plot, some true comedic moments and the blundering Horowitz lurching from one wrong conclusion to another.

Both characters stay true to form with Hawthorne remaining an inscrutable unknowable entity while Horowitz's Watsonesque sidekick tries time and again to get the answer right without getting into yet more hot water.

I love this series. It's funny, witty, clever and the characters are beautifully drawn. There's a few nods to Christie and Conan Doyle en route with the usual cast of characters with hacker Kevin, wife Jill and agent Hilda all playing their part.

Very highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a well told detective story.

More please, much more! (less)

I have read all of the Horowitz/Hawthorne books and they just keep improving.

Anthony Horowitz has written three books featuring ex-Detective Hawthorne (stay with me as it links fact/fiction) but has decided not to write anymore and has a new play opening.

After the opening night which has received mixed reviews, one of the critics Harriet Thoresby, who had been particularly savage, is found murdered in the hallway of her home, stabbed with a dagger that was gifted to Horowitz, before too long he has been arrested and has to ask Hawthorne for his help.

A couple of things puzzled me/irked me, why would you not tell your wife you had been arrested!! Also, it gets a little wearing that Horowitz always seems to put upon by Hawthorne, get a backbone occasionally!!

Still a great read and look forward to the next where I hope more is revealed about the personal life of Daniel Hawthorne.

This series is so much fun, each new book leaps straight to the top of my TBR pile. In this installment, Horowitz takes the ultimate leap and puts himself at the centre of the investigation. The book is witty and full of Easter Eggs but also has enough suspense and genuine Golden Age style twists to keep crime fans fully engaged.

This is another outing for Antony, and the enigmatic detective Daniel Hawthorne.
They part on bad terms, as Anthony wants to concentrate on his play which is about to open in the West End, and doesn’t want to do another book with Daniel.
However, a critic who has given the play a vitriolic review is found dead, and the police decide that Anthony is the prime suspect, and in fact all the evidence points to him, so there is only one person he can turn to for help.
Their investigation has to be completed in a short time, and speeds across London, interviewing witnesses and suspects, and then off to a pretty Cotswold village where more questions are raised, and then back to theatre-land for an Agatha Christie type dénouement.

I love the way the author plays with the genre while taking swipes at the theatrical and literary establishment, both real and imagined, but always with good humour and intelligence.

It has me guessing until the end, and I look forward to their next outing, and maybe learn some more about Hawthorne ( I forget, who’s real and who’s imaginary?)

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the opportunity to read this book.

This book is brilliantly written, I love the whole concept of the author writing about himself, without any attempt to cover up his flaws. Hawthorn is a great character, who, even after three books, is still an enigma. Fabulous plot, I did guess the culprit, but had decided on the wrong motive. I was honestly up until gone two this morning, because I had to finish it. I was then sad that it was over, that’s the sign of a truly great book.

This is a great book. Once again, I enjoyed Anthony Horowitz writing himself into the story and the self-deprecating way he does this. He has written a play called Mindgames and one particular critic is very scathing about it. The next morning Anthony wakes up to find that she has been murdered and that he is the prime suspect. Hawthorne is called upon to unmask the real murderer before it’ s too late. It’s not an original storyline but told with great humour and an Agatha Christie’s Poirot style denouement. I highly recommend this. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC.

I enjoyed this murder mystery - although at times I struggled to separate fact and fiction. It kept me guessing until the end.
On the opening night of his play, a vicious review by a critic, is followed by her murder, Anthony Horowitz is arrested for it Although he vehemently denies it but the evidence is pretty damning.
He is released from custody whilst some forensic evidence is completed and asks the taciturn ex detective Hawthorne to assist him find the real culprit.

Anthony Horowitz played by Anthony Horowitz;; this is a master at work... The play did not go down well but the book was brilliant.... this is written in the first person by himself about himself....
Suspect in a murder case Mr Horowitz is pretty much condemed to taking the fall for the murder but why?
A good old fashioned who dunnit and the process of elimination by the capable Hawthorne. i could not put it down. The odds were stacked against Mr Horowitz., i couldnt see a way out for him ...
Refreshing take and a brilliant book ... i was taken in from the beginning and couldnt work out who had done it until the end....

This is a five star review from me and I highly recommend the book