The fifth in the perfectly splendid DI Hawthorne series. In this book, as promised in an interview I heard in 2022, Horowitz (Anthony) varies the style in his role as "Watson" recording the cases of Hawthorne, the "consulting detective".
It seems Anthony has a contractual obligation to the publishers for another book, and since, as he explains to Hawthorne, they can't just wait for another case to turn up, Anthony persuades Hawthorne that he will write about an old case which took place in Richmond in Surrey, five years previously. However, when it comes to it, they've agreed on a case that proves somewhat unsatisfactory in many respects, not least because Hawthorne seems unwilling to reveal all the relevant information to Anthony. Consequently - despite being warned off by a number of people - Anthony goes off on his own, investigating and re-interviewing witnesses...
Once again, we are treated to a fictionalised but plausibly real version of Anthony's life with anecdotes and insights into an the art of writing a novel. [Plus an opportunity for him to play with the fiction he has created: "A lot of writers say that their characters talk to them but very few of them mean it literally."].
A sheer delight.
Can't wait for more.

I loved this latest book about Hawthorne and Horowitz; I have enjoyed all the previous books and the relationship between the detective and writer is brilliant. This one is slightly different, but still gives both men plot time. A very puzzling mystery indeed that seems to be solved halfway through, but isn’t of course. I would have enjoyed seeing Khan made to look stupid and miss out on promotion, but maybe later in the series? To me, this is an unmissable series of books that are very, very cleverly written.

I really have been enjoying this series. After the previous book, The Twist of a Knife, it did feel like the author owed himself a bit of a break. He really went through the ringer there for reasons I won't mention but which are handily recapped in this book. And, to a degree, I think he gave himself one as this is a very different style of read from its predecessors. Whilst this is, still, metafiction, in that the author plays a key role in the action that unfolds, it is also more of your everyday mystery novel. Whilst we are used to the books being narrated in first person, this is a combination of first and third person narration as Anthony Horowitz, under pressure to produce a brand new Hawthorne book as per his committed deadlines, goes back to Hawthorne's first case as a private investigator.

It's an interesting premise. Whilst this is a story that has a conclusion already - it is afterall from some years earlier - Anthony Horowitz, author and tour guide for this series, does not know what it is. It's not a case Hawthorne has spoken much about, and so as an author, and reader, we are coming to the action cold. So should he find out the conclusion before he begins the story, or follow the story to see where the clues will lead? Which will give the best and most satisfying conclusion for readers? Well - spoiler alert - there is a ruddy great spoiler for the conclusion to this particular case halfway through the book. So where do you go from there?

Well, the beauty of these books is in the reading. We are used to the author playing the few-seconds-behind-the-truth Watson to Hawthorne's Holmes (although I'm sure that Hawthorne would not like that comparison), but in this case Hawthorne is very much a reluctant participant in the telling of the story and it is up to Anthony Horowitz to piece together the many clues and see where the story leads him. Turns out he's not quite as inept an investigator as he might have thought, although it's fair to say his investigations lead to a whole heap of threat and trouble, much to the readers delight. But he has a rival in this case - Hawthorne's first partner, a fellow former Detective and one who is far more observant and astute than our dear author it seems.

The book is still packed with the trademark self deprecating humour and although I missed the camaraderies, of sorts, between Hawthorne and Horowitz, it was still a fun case to puzzle out. Even if the big reveal was stated quite bluntly part way through. Or was it? With some nods to the wonderful world of golden age crime, some very colourful characters, and a whole host of motives for murder - and having 'met' the victim, can't say I wouldn't have been tempted myself - maybe not everything is as straightforward as it seems? All I do know is that I am looking forward to more books in the series. It's just a fun foray into the world of Detective fiction told from a very unique and witty perspective that I am loving. And having lived not far from where this book is set, it really did make me smile. Definitely recommended for fans of the series.

I didn’t realize Close to Death is the first book in Horowitz’s Daniel Hawthorne series, where the author is himself a character, partnering with Hawthorne on several cases. However, it didn’t seem to bother me as I found myself immersed in Riverside Close where a string of murders is happening within a locked gated community mystery. The premise reminded me of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Orient Express or Ruth Ware’s Woman in Cabin 10, both set on a train and cruise ship respectively, and from which there is no escape.

The cast of residents includes a barrister, doctor, dentist, a woman with a jewelry business and a chess player, with others who are either retired, deceased or ill. All living peacefully until Giles Kenworthy moves into a home with his family. From disputes ranging from ruined flowers to dead dogs, every resident has a motive for the eventual murder, and this brings Hawthorne and Dudley to Riverside Close.

I enjoyed the way this book played out, the many twists and turns and red herrings. The characters were well developed, many unlikeable, and where secrets were skillfully drip-fed along the way. I found the story extremely entertaining, each suspect holding a grudge against a neighbor and how we learn about Hawthorne’s past which no doubt will set up future novels. Third person past narrative interwoven with first person present observations made by Horowitz is a unique detective fiction writing style I hadn’t encountered before, and it kept me hooked throughout.

Many thanks to Penguin Random House UK, the author and NetGalley for the privilege of an advance reader copy.

An enjoyable book but not as good as the previous Hawthorne ones. Horowitz is always readable and including himself as a character in the books adds another dimension. Adding himself to this plot almost felt it was to drag the plot out to a full length book. I wasn't sure why Hawthorne would have brought the historical case to Horowitz attention. The plot was suitably convoluted with lots of red herrings and kept me guessing to the end. Setting two time lines did create some repetition. Despite some negativity, I am still looking forward to the next in the series.

How do you determine the murderer when everyone has the same motive. Giles Kenworthy has been making his neighbours lives a nightmare and then he's dead. What happened? This is the fifth in the Hawthorne and Horowitz series and it continues to deliver. The pacing of this novel is slightly different as the crime took place in the past and so Horowitz isn't observing first hand. For this reason, it took a bit of time to get into it as you don't see Hawthorne or Horowitz until about 25% in. However, once I got to that point it was a fast read which kept me guessing til the end.

Number five in the Hawthorne series, Anthony Horowitz narrates the story as himself as usual.

The story is about a case that happened in the past, involving a small gated community who'd lived together in harmony for years. Then a new family move in, and they are brash, loud, inconsiderate, arrogant, potentially racist........the author paints a very clear picture of a thoroughly unlikable family who manage to upset the locals on a number of fronts, creating disharmony and a murder, then a suicide. But not all is as it seems, of course.

Even Hawthorne's dark side reappears, as in earlier books, but again, not all is as it seems.

Famous author, so very much looked forward to reding this ARC courtesy of NetGalley, and I wasn't disappointed. The book had me gripped from start to end. Fiendishly well written, twists and turns start gently and increase in their intensity all the way up to the last page. Very clever bit of story telling and writing.

This is book five in the Hawthorne series. This case has already been decided but Hawthorne is called in to take a look at what he thinks is a murder case and not a suicide. Hawthorne is a private investigator who looked into this case to find the truth... the book is clever, sometimes witty, a page-turner, and sheer brilliance.. looking forward to book six. Highly recommended and five stars

I have enjoyed the Hawthorne series and this book was a veyr good instalment in the series. A different take on the realtionship between Horowitz and Hawthorne rather than repeating the previous formula. It was a good idea and a food story. Plenty to keep the reader guessing, right to the end. With thanks to the publishers, the author and NetGalley for an e-ARC to read and review.

Very clever and very entertaining. A closed room style murder which also centres around a well known concept that many of us can probably empathise with, neighbourly conflicts.
There are a clutch of fabulously larger than life characters living in an exclusive and expensive gated close. They are rich, intelligent and seemingly the cream of the crop but of course all is not what it seems. Things get more complicated yet when our (actual) author becomes involved in the storyline, mind blowing indeed.
The details and the plot pan out beautifully and seamlessly in cosy Agatha Christie slash ingenious Sherlock Holmes style and the jigsaw pieces slide, satisfyingly, into place. Absolutely loved this as with his previous titles, definitely worth a read.

A really enjoyable and easy to read murder mystery. I didn’t find it particularly thrilling or exciting but it certainly kept my attention. The plot was very clever and the writing was excellent. Lots of twists, red herrings and humour. A good read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the early copy.

This is the first of the Hawthorne and Horowitz series I have read but this did not prevent me enjoying this fifth instalment.

This is a mystery set in a Richmond close of 6 houses where the apparent ‘neighbour from Hell’ is murdered. Each of the neighbours has a reason to wish him dead and many have secrets to hide.

Hawthorne and his assistant, John Dudley, have to work out what really happened.

The story is twisty, complicated and very enjoyable. I did not predict the ending and was suitably surprised.

A good read - I will look out for more.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. This book in the Hawthorne series was written quite differently to the previous books. It is set over several timelines and written in both the first and third person, this added a different dimension to the story. It was an intriguing mystery and I was suspicious of everyone who lives in Riverview Close. Highly recommended

A very well written ‘who done it?’.
So many suspects and so many twists and even a ‘locked room mystery’.
All done without any bad language! Absolutely brilliant.

Close to Death

Another outing for Horowitz and Hawthorne but with the twist that a convenient murder hasn’t come along in time for an upcoming deadline-so Anthony persuades Hawthorne to travel back to an old case and to share all his insights as he tried to solve the crime.

It’s always a joy to read these books. The plot moves along and turns about leaving you suspicious of everyone’s motives. And there are a lot of potential suspects living in the gated community where the murder occurs. There is more than a nod to some classic crime scenes in the telling and solving.

One or two very small gains in our knowledge about Hawthorne- past and present. I look forward to further insights when the next instalment comes along.

Fabulous. I recommend this series wholeheartedly, but from the beginning rather than just jumping in! Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC to review.

A great story with so many twists and turns, you are kept guessing till the end as to which way this will go and how will it all end

I am afraid that I just didn't connect with this book. I like sharper, faster paced books, and I found this to be slow and plodding. Not my cup of tea at all, my fault for requesting it.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

I loved this book but there wasn’t enough Hawthorne!

Another excellent read from Anthony Horowitz.
This is, I think, book five in the Hawthorn series, although you wouldn’t guess this when you start reading. I was enjoying the scene setting but disappointed that Horowitz himself wasn’t included in the character list, but then about 20% in, part 2 and Horowitz brings himself on to the pages. I just love the way he does that and find it so unique.
I find it difficult to review these books without giving away too much of the plot. Suffice to say there has been a murder, Hawthorn is investigating and seeing far more than the local plod. Loads of twists and turns, a cracking good read.

Close to Death is another Hawthorne and Horowitz mystery, although you’d never guess that from the start of the book. In part one, the dramatis personae are set out: the middle-class, professional inhabitants of Riverview Close in Richmond. Everyone there gets on splendidly, until the Kenworthys move in and start to drive them mad. In the second section of the book, Horowitz addresses the reader’s bemusement. ‘What’s with the third-person narrative?’ he asks. Where are Hawthorne and Horowitz? The contrived solution is that Horowitz’s publishers demand another book from him but, unfortunately, Hawthorne doesn’t have a case at the moment. So, it’s decided to use an old case, one already solved. Naturally, this doesn’t give Horowitz much to do; it becomes Hawthorne’s book.

The Riverview murder is one where everyone in the Close had a motive, so a tricky case. It’s all fiendishly complicated but Hawthorne is sure he’s got the right man. Horowitz’s role is limited to some nosey-parkering which will do him no good and a visit to pleasant Riverview Close to see what the situation is now that the murder case is over but not forgotten. It’s all very clever but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had the previous books in the series.