This is the fourth installment in the brilliant Hawthorne and Horowitz series. This begins with Hawthorne asking Horowitz to write another book, but Horowitz has other plans. His play, 'Mindgame,' opens the following week and he has thrown himself into hopes for success on the stage and his name in lights. Of course, it is all going to go wrong. On the opening night in London, theatre critic Harriet Throsby gives the play a terrible review and the next day she is found stabbed to death with an ornamental dagger that producer, Ahmet Yurdakal, gave Horowitz as a gift.

Having told Horowitz their partnership is over, Hawthorne now finds himself having to call him after being arrested, and ask for his help. Of course, Hawthorne rises to the occasion and, before long, the two are searching for the real murderer. This book is full of humour and fantastic characters, from the cast of the play, through those involved in Harriet Throsby's career and Hawthorne's neighbour, who tries to buy Horowitz some time. This is a brilliant series and Anthony Horowitz, known to his partner as 'Tony,' or 'mate,' is fantastically self-deprecating in a series of books which simply showcases his brilliance as a writer. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

Another entertaining read featuring the author Anthony Horowitz as one of the two main characters along with ex- detective Daniel Hawthorne. In this one, the fourth in the series, Anthony is forced to call upon Hawthorne
for help after being accused of the murder of an unpleasant film critic who has just trashed his new play.
It doesn’t improve matters that Anthony has made it clear he has no intention of writing any further books that involve Hawthorne. So some grovelling is in order before Hawthorne agrees to help. With the assistance of his tech savvy neighbour Kevin they are able to stall the police investigation just long enough to give Hawthorn the chance to investigate and work out the truth of the matter before the dreadful Detective Inspector Cara Grunshaw who bears a grudge from a previous case can re-arrest Anthony.
The tension builds up nicely before, in a nod to Hercule Poirot, Hawthorne gathers the suspects together to explain how and why the crime was committed and who was responsible. (On this occasion I didn’t find it too difficult to work out who the murderer was).
The book can be read as a ‘stand alone’ although it helps to have read the previous books as the reader gets to know a little more of Hawthorne’s back story each time.
All in all it’s a fun read, a little far fetched at times but that’s part of its charm. It was interesting to find out what goes on behind the scenes in a theatre and amusing the way Anthony is outsmarted by Hawthorne at every turn.
I can’t wait for the next book that features them to come out.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for an ARC

I read this book in no time, very pleased to have a new Daniel Hawthorne book to devour.

The story is pretty hilarious. Anthony Horowitz finds himself arrested for the murder of a nasty theatre critic, Harriet Throsby, and despite the fact that this appears to be extremely improbable, the cops seem determined to win the case against him.

Having rejected private detective Hawthorne's attempts to get him to write yet more books featuring Hawthorne, Horowitz now finds himself at Hawthorne's mercy as there is no one else who he can turn to for help.

The plot moves along very quickly, getting across just how shocking it would actually be to suddenly be arrested for murder. Horowitz's whole life is turned upside down within hours and somehow his various associates seem willing to believe he was capable of the crime. Even his wife appears to believe this at one point, which to be honest I did find a little far-fetched.

It's great to read Horowitz' descriptions of his situation and the panic it creates. But the real star is Hawthorne. Horowitz has created a truly believable and likeable character, and over the course of a few books we are gradually learning more and more about him.

The supporting cast - in this case mainly the actors in Horowitz' latest production, and the cops - provide lots of interesting characters. Harriet's family appear only briefly but still manage to convey the impact of living with a bullying wife and mother.

And Hawthorne's investigation into who actually killed Harriet push him to looking into two other deaths from the past, with complicated links to the present.

There's lots of humour along the way - such as Horowitz proceeding to describe Hawthorne's home and life in the book, immediately after Hawthorne asks him not to.

Horowitz has little jibes at himself, as his agent tells him how much more popular his Hawthorne books are than his other novels, trying to persuade him to sign a new contract.

The plot is really great and moves along easily. But clearly the bigger, ongoing plot is the mystery of Hawthorne himself, which I'm looking forward to finding out more of in future novels.

After a slightly confusing start (for me as I had not read any of the previous books in the series!) this soon settled into a very cleverly written murder mystery- based around the theatre and the cast of a play (along with the playwright) where suspicions are cast often and catch little and the mystery deepens with each interrogation.
I am in two minds about whether I like the author as the protagonist or not....I may need to read another to settle my internal debate!

My 1st reading a Megan Miranda book and I was looking forward to reading this book I read it in 3 days which is pretty fast for me to read a book I so caught up in the story and the characters of the book. This books was definitely a great read for me and I will be reading more books by this author.

I like how the book is about a small tourist town we’re it holds it secrets close and I also like the way it’s written as it’s down so beautifully and the mystery of the book kept me so invested in the story.

The characters are so well written and I liked everyone of the characters in this book they all keep you on your toes.

Will definitely be buying this book when it’s out to buy and I will definitely be recommending to all my friends and family.

Such a great author

This is the fourth Hawthorne and Horowitz mystery. For those new to the series, the premise is that Horowitz, writing as himself, joins Hawthorne (ex-Met detective) in solving a mystery, then writes a book about it, sharing the profits. At the beginning of The Twist of a Knife, Horowitz tells a chagrined Hawthorne that he is absolutely not writing any more of these books. Of course he will, partly because his agent insists on it. Like many classic crime mysteries, this one has a theatrical background (all those suspects!). Horowitz has written a play, <I>Mindgame</I>, which has had a successful provincial tour and is now to open in London. After the first night, the feared critic Harriet Throsby crashes the post-play party, insults everyone and is also threatened. One of the cast reads out her stinker of a review, which is (oddly) on her phone. The next morning, Throsby is found at home stabbed to death.

So many people had reason to wish her dead (though a bad review seems insufficient reason). Even her husband and daughter, it seems, are glad to be rid of her. The twist is that Horowitz is the chief suspect. The murder was committed with his knife (a first night present) and other DNA evidence connects him to the scene. When he’s arrested, Horowitz uses his one phone call to get Hawthorne, who doesn’t seem very sympathetic. So, two mysteries: who murdered Throsby and why did they want to frame Horowitz for it? This is where the book slowed down too much for me. Interviewing the cast and hearing their life stories, travelling the country in search of clues from the past; it’s all rather flat. I guessed who’d probably done it but not who that person now was. Hawthorne does a Poirot-style reveal, with all the suspects assembled on stage, which is a nice touch and intentional on his part. Horowitz seems to get closer to Hawthorne in this book but the more we know about him, the more mysterious he seems. This is what keeps the series going, IMO.

I read this one thanks to Penguin Random House via NetGalley and it’s out on 18th August.

A fast-paced, page-turning thriller which greatly satisfies. You don’t need to have read any of the previous 3 books in Horowitz’s Hawthorne series, in which the author himself features, to enjoy the plot and revel in the pleasing conclusion in which all the loose threads come together at the end.

THE TWIST of a KNIFE by Anthony Horowitz - ( book 4/4 )
Published date - 18 August 2022
Book - 400 pages

This is my second book by Anthony Horowitz. I enjoyed Horowitz's writing style and the dialogue between all the characters is quirky and full of humour. This is book 4 of 4 in the Hawthorne & Horowitz mystery. The storyline is all about Horowitz's play Mindgame, opening on stage in London. Be prepared for a reading adventure of red herrings, twists and turns.

My favourite character is Daniel Hawthorne, ex Detective Inspector and now private investigator. Hawthorne is a private person, doesn't give away much. Horowitz is determined to find out more about this man of mystery but finds it is like getting blood out of a stone! I delight in the connection between Hawthorne and Horowitz.

I give a 5 star rating for the enjoyment I had reading this novel.

I WANT TO THANK NETGALLEY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF READING AN ADVANCED COPY OF THIS BOOK FOR AN HONEST REVIEW

This is my first Anthony Horowitz book. I found it a bit slow.
Nothing happens in the first 20% of the book. After that it was ok.
I won’t be reading any more in the series.

I didn't realise this was part pf a series, and although that didn't hinder me whilst reading this book, it has made me want to go and start teh series from the beginning. Well written with a clever and compelling plotline and well developed characters. A great read.

Amazingly, this is the first book by Anthony Horowitz I have ever read. I was completely drawn into the Hawthorn/Horowitz world. The relationship between the two men is fascinating, as is the twisty, complicated story. This is a book I will read again after I have caught up with the earlier episodes in the series.

Full disclosure - I am a big fan of Anthony Horowitz and always order his books without even reading the blurb. So far I haven’t been disappointed and his latest offering The Twist of a Knife, from Hawthorne and Horowitz series, is no exception. As always, it is well written, clever, suspenseful, entertaining and full of charismatic, memorable characters. It’s also fascinating to get a glimpse in the world of modern theatre. The only downside is that I now have to wait for my next fix of Horowitz!

'Our deal is over.' That's what reluctant author Anthony Horowitz tells ex-detective Daniel Hawthorne in an awkward meeting. The truth is that Anthony has other things on his mind.

His new play, Mindgame, is about to open in London's Vaudeville theatre. Not surprisingly Hawthorne declines a ticket.

On opening night, Sunday Times critic Harriet Throsby gives the play a savage review, focusing particularly on the writing. 

The next morning she is found dead, stabbed in the heart with an ornamental dagger which, it turns out, belongs to Anthony and which has his finger prints all over it.

Anthony is arrested, charged with Throsby's murder, thrown into prison and interrogated. Alone and increasingly desperate, he realises only one man can help him.

But will Hawthorne take his call?

Anthony Horowitz - need I say more? “The Twist of a Knife” is one of my most anticipated reads of 2022. I only recently discovered Horowitz and promptly devoured everything he’d ever written. In fact, I was in such awe of his writing, I plan on reading the books that he’s written for kids. This particular series, featuring Horowitz and Hawthorne is something a little extra special though - I adore their dynamic. Horowitz just wants to get on in life and earn a living, but Hawthorne is that little nagging voice of conscience that he can’t quite bear to rid himself of. So they’re stuck with each other, rather reluctantly on Horowitz’s part but they do make a great team. Horowitz’s lack of patience and Hawthorne’s indifference to it, gives this duo a special little place in my heart. Long may this series continue, with one of the best crime solving duos in literature today.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an unbiased review.

This is the fourth book in the Hawthorne and Horowitz series by author Anthony Horowitz. This is a very entertaining series and is slightly different from a lot of crime novels in that the author is one of the characters. In the series author Anthony Horowitz writes crime investigations that involve ex detective Daniel Hawthorne. Hawthorne is a very private person and a difficult person to get to know along with, which makes life difficult for Horowitz.

In this story author Horowitz is planning to finish the series with Hawthorne having completed the three books he was contracted to write. Anthony Hawthorne is planning to move on to other projects, one being his new play, a thriller called ‘Mindgame’, which is about to open at the famous Vaudeville theatre in Shoreditch.

Following the opening night the play is given mixed reviews with Sunday Times critic Harriet Throsby being particularly ruthless and making savage criticisms of the the writing. The next day, Throsby is stabbed in the heart with an ornamental dagger which was suspiciously owned by author Anthony Horowitz. With the dagger covered with his fingerprints and the scathing reviews it is not long before the police are on his trail. Horowitz is very quickly arrested by an old adversary Detective Inspector Cara Grunshaw.

When a second theatre critic is discovered dead in mysterious circumstances, Anthony is very much the focal point of the investigations and in desperation turns to the only person he feels can help him, Daniel Hawthorne.

I really enjoy this series but this one took me a little longer to get into than usual. Eventually I was hooked and once again singing the author’s praises.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Random House UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first Anthony Horowitz book I have read, although I am very familiar with his other works, and I really enjoyed it.

To put himself in the role of main protagonist is unusual and very clever. Presumably he has done this in his previous Hawthorne books, so regular readers will be used to it.

The plot was exciting and absorbing, and a real pager turner. The denouement was very Agatha Christie and worked well.

There were several oddities/errors in the book, but as the author stated in his acknowledgments he is aware of them!

A really good read that I would definitely recommend and I look forward to reading more books by Horowitz.

Thank you NetGalley.

This is the second of Anthony Horowitz's Hawthorne books I've read and again I am delighted by how slick and well written it is.
Horowitz inserts himself into the story as a foil for the much sharper mind of ex detective Hawthorne. He has already decided to end their working relationship with Horowitz writing up Hawthorne's cases when a turn of events and the murder of a theatre critic lead to Horowitz being arrested and accused of her death. Unable to think of anyone else to turn to Horowitz uses his one phone call to contact Hawthorne.
The relationship between the two remains as prickly as ever despite working together closely on the case. There are plenty of twists and turns as more of the plot is revealed until the grand finale when Hawthorne unmasks the killer for all to see.
Well written, well plotted and hugely enjoyable. With many thanks to Random House UK, Cornerstone and Netgalley for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

Anthony Horowitz writes really well. I have some reservations about the Hawthorne series and how he has inserted himself into them as the reluctant "Watson" character to the detective Daniel Hawthorne, but this hasn't stopped me reading all the books and enjoying them. This latest in the series is eminently readable, a fun page turner about the murder of a theatre critic on an opening night, with lots of unexpected twists and turns. The Daniel Hawthorne character is still mysterious and doesn't want to be known or understood, and yet also wants to be the subject of Horowitz' new series of books.

I am new to this series although I've read many other Anthony Horowitz. I received this review copy and began it without any expectations but what a joy I had in store. I loved this murder mystery in which Horowitz plays a key role, usually (as I know now) a sidekick of Detective Hawthorne, here he is the chief suspect.

The author's portrayal of the Horowitz character, slightly weak, sometimes perceptive, more often puzzled as compared with the incisive genius of Hawthorne is a wonderful nod to Sherlock Holmes but this novel is far funnier than Holmes with some humorous insights into the world of the theatre, slightly hopeless agents and catty critics.

I enjoyed it so much I instantly downloaded the other three and intend to start the first as soon as I've posted this review.

The whole series is so much fun and so well written it doesn’t matter that the resolution is a bit silly. Horowitz is a master at layering in the clues and the stories (so many within so many). And the - the two protagonists - tricky, obnoxious former detective Hawthorne and his fussy, pompous and not entirely brilliant biographer Horrowitz (extra marks for putting himself in the story in a distinctly unflattering fashion) and a joy to follow

I write this review with a certain level of trepidation, looking over my shoulder and hoping I don’t go the way of Harriet Throsby after she wrote a particularly scathing review. Death is not the outcome I desire. Fear not however this review holds nothing but praise, I am safe.

When you pick up an Anthony Horowitz Mystery you know it’s going to be well rounded and entertaining. Always strong characters that are not overly described until you just don’t want to read anymore. Horowitz really is the master of his craft and putting himself at the heart of this book is brilliant. I lapped up every page. At times I felt like I was walking behind him and Hawthorne with my little note book, jotting down clues and theories, of course I was wrong. Not totally, I think I was almost on the same page as Hawthorne but my reasons weren’t quite sharp enough. Even I began to think Horowitz had killed Throsby. I thoroughly enjoyed reading as though I were inside the mind of Horowitz, his thought process and his fear that he might actually be framed. An utterly brilliant book that is full of humour, intrigue and immensely entertaining.

The ending is genius, gathering everyone together in an “I put it to you” scenario. Each suspect is told how they may have done the deed with the “How dare you” responses we are used to reading in a Poirot Mystery. As Hawthorne interviews each person through out the book I half expected him to turn round just as he was leaving in a Columboesque style with the ever present line “Oh just one more thing”

A brilliant book that I would highly recommend to Mystery lovers but if you review it just remember what happened to the savage critic Harriet Thorsby, you have been warned.