Anthony Horowitz returns with the fourth instalment of the Horowitz and Hawthorne mysteries. Or perhaps we should call them Hawthorne Investigates? Regardless, this is a very funny sequel in which Horowitz sends up the literary world, mysteries,theatre, and many other things but mainly himself. In this novel, a very critical critic ends up dead after a particularly scathing review. The main suspect? The writer of the play reviewed. The playwright? None other than our author and protagonist Anthony Horowitz. There are loads of suspects, but somehow, the evidence keeps pointing at him. The only person who can help is Hawthorne. The problem is that Horowitz decided to end the series and cut ties....

A well-deserved 5 stars. 6 sequel that can easily be read as a standalone. But don't sell yourself short. Read all of them!

The Twist of a Knife is the fourth crime novel written by Anthony Horowitz and featuring Anthony Horowitz and ex-detective Daniel Hawthorne. After Horowitz tells Hawthorne he will not be writing any more books based on Hawthorne’s experiences as a detective, he then needs to ask him for a huge favour.. Horowitz’s play Mindgames has just opened in the Westend and critic Harriet Throsby writes a scathing review and is then found murdered. With Horowitz as the prime suspect, Hawthorne is against the clock trying to find the real perpetrator.
Full of the usual humour and twisty plot line this novel will not disappoint and I look forward to the fifth novel.

Not the best out of the Horowitz and Hawthorne series but still entertaining enough to pass the time and keep me hooked. I felt the characters were a little 2D and dry and only really started contributing to the plot later on. The mystery was a little bit obvious, unfortunately, and Horowitz was a remarkably self absorbed, childish character. Other than that, I really enjoyed the dramatic reveal, the occasional plot twists and Hawthorne in general.

Clever, Witty and entertaining. All you need to know.

I was sent an ARC of this to read on NetGalley, so I have not read the other 3 books in this series, so I went into this completely blind with little background on Hawthorne. Was this an issue? Not really, I do not think so.

I really enjoyed this book, there is some clever humour, it is complex and a really interesting story. Should we comment on the fact it was a female murdered, for an honest, review, even if it was negative? We probably won't.

I loved the little tidbits that we learn about Anthony throughout the book as well.

All in all, given I have not read the other 3, this was a really good read for me, something different outside of my usual Fantasy driven reading and I will definitely be picking up the first 3, I am glad I was given the opportunity to read this, I highly recommend it, even if you are not well versed in the tales of Hawthorne so far.

The fourth in the Hawthorne/Horowitz series sees the author accused of murdering a theatre critic. More whodunit than thriller, Horowitz is a lively and engaging storyteller and it the novel is a pleasing read.

Anthony Horowitz is in trouble. His new play, Mindgame, opens to rather less than critical acclaim. The chorus of disapproval is led by critic Harriet Throsby and, when she is found stabbed to death, the spotlight of guilt falls on Horowitz.

Things don’t look good for him – his fingerprints are on the murder weapon and you don’t get much more damning than that – so he is forced to turn to the only man who can get him out of this fix, his old mucker former detective Daniel Hawthorne. Unfortunately, though, he has recently been somewhat rude to Hawthorne and made it clear that their relationship is over…

This is the fourth instalment in the Hawthorne and Horowitz series. Skilfully written and plotted, it’s all very meta and all very enjoyable.

This was the first book in the 'Hawthorne and Horowitz' series that I've read. Jumping in with #4 could have been confusing but I think it can thoroughly be enjoyed as a standalone. The whodunnit was pretty good, and I enjoyed the chemistry between the main characters (though I will need to check out books #1-3 for some added depth!).

On the strength of 'The twist of a knife' I will be purchasing the first 3 books.

Anthony Horowitz is one of my favourite authors and I would literally read anything he writes. This is another wonderful book and the Daniel Hawthorne books are fast becoming my favourite detective books.

I really couldn't put this book down and Anthony being chased by detectives was funny and the author's relationship with Hawthorne is brilliantly written and the book was a joy to read.

As with all Horowitz books, there were a lot of twists and turns and surprises, and his crime writing really does put me in mind of Agatha Christie.

I love, love, love this series and have already bought the hardback to go with my every expanding Horowitz collection.

This series is just fantastic they just get better with each book. Daniel Hawthorne's dry humour is just amazing it makes me laugh out loud alot.
Anthony is in trouble he has just become the main suspect he is in trouble and he knows this but he might have just ruined a partnership that could possibly be his only help........

I love theatre life and really wanted to read this book. I got a bit bored during it though and felt it went on a bit too long to get the point across. It was a whodunnit mystery though. I haven’t read any of the other Hawthorne books though so that may be my mistake and I need to!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the opportunity to read an advance copy in return for my honest review.

On the opening night of Anthony’s new play, Mindgame, a critic for the Sunday Times gives the play a brutal review. The next morning, she is found dead at her home, stabbed in the heart with an ornamental dagger belonging to Anthony. Arrested for the murder with undeniable evidence mounting against him, Anthony turns to the only person he knows who might be able to help: Daniel Hawthorne.

The Twist of a Knife is book #4 in the Hawthorne and Horowitz Mystery series. I accidentally missed the third book, A Line to Kill, but it didn’t seem to impact my enjoyment of this book or my ability to follow along with the plot. Having said that, I wouldn’t recommend jumping straight in at book 4 – you’d miss a lot of background information if you skip the previous novels. Plus, they’re good books, so why miss them?

The book follows a similar set-up as the previous instalments, with Anthony tagging along with Hawthorne as he conducts interviews, follows up on clues and solves the crime. The biggest difference this time is that Anthony has a particularly invested interest in the outcome.

As always, Anthony’s style of writing himself into the novel works really well and is remarkably well done. Because so many real-life facts are used within the story, it’s almost impossible to guess which parts are based in reality and which are completely fictional. It’s a really unique narrative method, and one that I’ve really enjoyed in this series.

The Twist of the knife is the 4th Hawthorne and Horowitz novel and is a wonderful read. It is the night of the opening of Anthony’s play Mindgame at the Vaudville theatre a comedy psychological thriller. The play has been running across the country in small theatres but is now being put on in the West End. A dream come true for the author. The first night goes well and the after party was lovely until the acerbic Harriet Throsby a theatre critic arrives, something totally unheard of, in fact Harriet is known for showing up to the after parties, whether invited or not. Feeling a little disheartened the cast, director, producer and Anthony all head back to the theatre for a little more booze and to continue the festivities. Only Throsby’s scathing review appears on Sky’s phone and the actress then reads it to the assembled cast. With leaden hearts they all leave to go home. The next morning Anthony has a visit from DI Grunshaw a police officer he had inadvertently led to arrest the wrong murderer in a previous case. Only this time she was here to arrest him for the murder of Harriet Throsby.
Another great read by this wonderful author with the added value that he is writing about himself. Amusing, alarming and thoroughly engaging and if the final pages are to be believed, not the last we’ve heard of Hawthorne’s detective work.

Anthony Horowitz never disappoints. This is another in the series in which the author himself appears alongside ex-polceman Hawthorn in a murder mystery. This story brings the murder allegation very close to home. The premise and the style are outrageously good. The relationship between the two men and the humour in the telling are superbly represented. This book is totally enjoyable.

I’m not even sure if Horowitz is able to tell a bad tale. His books are always so well crafted that they become impossible to put down . I would suggest reading the other books in this series first but apart from that minor criticism I would highly recommend

Found this rather disappointing after all the hype surrounding this particular series. I haven't read the others so have given this an extra star as it might be improved if series read in correct order. All a bit too meta and smug for me. Thanks to Netgalley.

This is a book very much in the old fashioned sleuth Agatha Christie genre and I think that is the writer’s intention - not to copy or parody but to pay respect to the original detective novel where clues are scattered throughout and the eagle eyed reader has to pick them up and play detective. I have read all the Agatha Christie novels and I think it’s a gentle genre that Anthony Horowitz has captured perfectly. Well done

I am embarrassed to say I’ve never read a Horowitz book so thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.
It’s a one of a kind book. One where the author is arrested for a murder that everyone thinks he’s committed.
So the tone of the book is very strange to contend with. (Even the acknowledgments carry the idea on!) However, this isn’t a negative. It actually brings a new style to the murder mystery genre.
Hawthorne I assume appears in the previous books but having not read them, it didn’t stop me from enjoying it. He definitely has a Holmes feel about him. Aloof but wonderful!
The book follows Anthony’s recalling of the nights leading up to the arrest, trying to work out what Hawthorne has discovered and generally worrying about going to jail.
It’s a very good book.

Remember that time when Anthony Horowitz was arrested for murder? No? Then you haven't read The Twist of a Knife (catch-up and buy it now)!

As a huge fan of Anthony's work, I was excited to see the new Hawthorne book! The concept of putting himself in the book, and writing about the investigation, landing in a hospital a couple of times, and now being a suspect in a murder case - brilliant! I admire the creativity and that Anthony can write any genre and it just works.

I have to admit I didn't figure out who is the killer and the plot took several interesting twists and turns! Everything seemed possible.

It's so hard to review it without spoilers but I can tell you one thing - this is the best book in the series yet, and all of them were strong 10 stars!

If you want to read something unique, extremely engaging and fascinating, it's the right book for you!

Full disclosure, I'm already a huge fan of this series and the next instalment, The Twist in the Knife, doesn't disappoint.

#NoSpoilers this is a great story and the relationship between Horowitz and Hawthorne is just a joy and the insights into the business make this more than just a detective novel.

Absolutely loved it.

Highly recommend.

My introduction to Horowitz was 'The Moonflower Murders', and that was all it took for me to be determined to read more…many more…books by this author.

Fourth in the Hawthorne and Horowitz mysteries, this is my second Horowitz read, and I'm just as impressed and determined.

In this, the author is many things: narrator, a character, sleuth and a suspect implicated in the murder of a vicious and toxic critic, who was less than complimentary about his new play. Too many pieces of evidence point in his direction. Did he really murder Harriet Throsby because she didn't like his play?

Brilliantly articulate, strategised and utterly compelling. One of those books you just can't wait to pick up and lose yourself in.

My TBR pile is going to be peppered with many more of this author's books.