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.

For some reason, I am always surprised when Anthony Horowitz writes about himself in the first person in these books. I know he does it, but I still get that confused moment. I’m still not sure whether I like it or not so that could be why.

Aside from that, this is an enjoyable murder mystery. I think it’s pretty easy to work out who did it but I do like the characters and I am pleased we learned a bit more about Hawthorne this time. These novels are easy to read as stand alones, but I enjoy a mystery series with recurring characters because I do feel more invested and I do like the opportunity to learn a bit more about them every time.

I wouldn’t say this was my favourite novel, or the most brilliant, but it was an enjoyable read and certainly hit the spot.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

Anything Anthony Horowitz writes is an automatic read for me. The man's a genius.

That said, his "Horowitz" and Hawthorne novels were not my favourite series from him - until this one. Splitting the story into two timelines was very effective and had shades of Magpie Murders/Moonflower Murders- and for me, it is hard to give higher praise than that. It had the wonderful feeling that those books had of a novelist being totally in control, laying clues expertly, being totally fair but secretly devious, and delivering a neat, clever mystery.

This mystery was complex enough to engage, but compact enough not to feel overwhelming. And the Horowitz/Hawthorne working relationship felt real this time, and they were kept apart from each other enough not to grate!

I read it in two sittings and was engaged in an enjoyable, clever, professional story.

A really clever story that pulled me in from the first page and kept me hooked to the end.
The setting in Richmond and the gated close knit community added to the atmosphere.
Horowitz has a beautiful writing style and this tale is skillfully structured and fast-paced.
The novel is excellently plotted, intelligent with dark comedy scattered throughout.
In depth and immersive characters, the way Horowitz (author) inserts himself into the story with the fictional Hawthorne was expertly done.
I read this in one sitting and was totally engrossed. I loved everything about this charming book and didn’t want it to end. Left me hungry for more. Overall this was a mystery with enough twists to keep the pages turning over.
Will definitely be purchasing the previous novels in this series. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.

Close To Death is the fifth book in the Hawthorne and Horowitz series. The format of the book is different from its predecessors, in that it is mostly written in the third person.
Tasked with having to write a new Hawthorne and Horowitz book, but with no new case to write about, Anthony decides to write up a case from five years previously, one to which Hawthorne and his then sidekick, John Dudley, had been called in to assist on. How hard can it be, right? Well, nothing is ever straightforward for Anthony.
I liked the new format, and I really enjoyed Close to Death. It is a typical cosy mystery, and kept me guessing right to the end. With the exception of Hawthorne, Horowitz and John Dudley, none of the characters were particularly likeable. I certainly wouldn't want to live next door to any of them.
Thanks to Random House, Cornerstone and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

#CloseToDeath #NetGalley
Riverside Close is a picture-perfect community. The six exclusive and attractive houses are tucked far away from the noise and grime of city life, allowing the residents to enjoy beautiful gardens, pleasant birdsong, and tranquility from behind the security of a locked gate.
It is the perfect idyll, until the Kentworthy family arrives, with their four giant, gas-guzzling cars, gaggle of shrieking children, and plans for a garish swimming pool in the backyard. Obvious outsiders, the Kentworthys do not belong in Riverside Close, and quickly offend every last one of the neighbors. When Charles Kentworthy is found dead on his own doorstep, a crossbow bolt sticking out of his chest, Detective Hawthorne is the only investigator they can call to solve the case. Because how do you solve a murder when everyone is a suspect?
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK Cornerstone Century for giving me an advance copy.

4.5🌟
A compelling, well thought-out who dunnit book, with Horowitz and Hawthorne back as a duo.

I hadn't read any of this series before but that didn't cause any issues and if anything, meant I got into it really quickly because I wasn't expecting the narrative of the book being written as well as the book itself.

There are so many potential suspects in this book that are so well developed, you start thinking it could have been all of them alone, or together. I had many points where I thought I'd guessed how it was done or who had done it, only to then be proven wrong yet again.

I really enjoyed reading this book, as it had good detail and description of all characters and this supported the idea that it could be any one of them. They were also all linked really cleverly.

Very well written, with relatable characters and well-constructed dialogue resulting in a very disturbing — but also satisfying — storyline ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A rattling good tale with twists and turns aplenty.

I cannot tell you how excited I was to receive the ARC of the next book in one of my favourite series! And it certainly didn't disappoint.

This is another classic Anthony Horowitz mystery - it's got all the elements of 'cosy' mystery whilst still feeling modern and complex. While the 'meta-ness' of this series might be a bit love it or hate it, I personally love it.

This book isn't my favourite in the series however as it did feel a bit disjointed. Due to a lack of any real murders taking place, Anthony is forced to write about one of Hawthorne's first and already solved cases in order to meet his publishing deadline. This means that instead of following the Hawthorne and Horowitz duo as they actively investigate a crime, we get third person chapters of Hawthorne and his old sidekick investigating the crime and first person chapters of Horowitz retelling the story and discussing it in present day with Hawthorne. Unfortunately, that did mean that I felt a bit disconnected from the main mystery and couldn't really connect to the characters as well as if we were following them from Anthony's pov like in the other books. Also, for reasons I won't spoil Hawthorne and Horowitz barely interact in this book, bar a few scenes at the beginning and again, I really missed their relationship.

In fact, my favourite section of the book was when Anthony decided to visit the scene of the crime in present day and got to actually meet some of the characters in real life. Hearing his thoughts on them, and how some people came across completely differently to Hawthorne's recounts was really fun and I wish we could have explored that aspect of the story more.

So, whilst this isn't my favourite book in the series, it's still a solid 4.5*. I love this series and am already excited for the next one!

4.5

Knocked off the half because the inimitable Mr Horowitz isn't in it as much as I'd like.

Close to Death is a slightly different Hawthorne & Horowitz novel in that the murder that takes place is historical (5 years prior to being written - read the acknowledgements at the end, it explains everything).

The story itself is a case that involved Hawthorne and his "sidekick" at the time -John Dudley. They are called in to solve what appears to be a very easy case. However, as things transpire, it becomes a lot more complicated.

Horowitz thinks that by regurgitating an old murder that has already been solved it will be easier to write but he can't help trying to pry into Hawthorne's mysterious background and into John Dudley despite being warned by just about everyone to leave it alone.

Close to Death may be a different format but it is still as enjoyable and twisty and complicated (and no I didn't guess whodunnit - in fact I guessed the same as the Horowitz in the story). John Dudley is an engaging character but still Hawthorne and Horowitz play the starring roles.

I love this series of books. The gentle fun that Mr Horowitz pokes at himself is only part of it. He also gives us a detective, unafraid to push the boundaries, who has as fierce an intelligence as any Sherlock. His characters are always believable, the dialogue pitch perfect and when I've finished one I just want more. I hope we get more.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House, Cornerstone for the advance review copy. Most appreciated.

The fifth in the Horowitz and Hawthorne series takes a different path from previous ones as this time Horowitz is writing his novel about a murder that happened in the past. He is under contract to write a book but Hawthorne isn’t investigating any recent murders so gives Horowitz access to his notes and tapes made when he was investigating an earlier shocking murder which took place in a gated community in Richmond.
All the neighbours there had their own reasons for disliking the dead man, thus providing Horowitz with lots of potential suspects. Hawthorne leaves it to Horowitz to see if he can deduce who is the murderer.
The novel has a good juxtaposition of Horowitz’ recreation of what happened in the Close and his present day meetings with Hawthorne. It is reminiscent of the classic Agatha Christie crimes but brought into the 21st century and as with all excellent writing it takes the reader on a puzzling journey of trying to guess “whodunnit “.
Highly recommended and thank you very much to the publishers for the ARC

This enjoyable murder mystery is light easy to read fare. The central plot is effective with a cast of suspects, all neighbours in a Richmond close, all at various points exhibiting suspiciousness to tempt you perhaps towards one character, then another.

I didn't strongly back one horse as a culprit and don't think I missed any definitive clue that made the solution feel inevitable if only I'd realised it. Perhaps other readers will feel differently on that point. Anyway this is all jolly good fun, like a light murder mystery TV episode (which are referenced in the storyline).

The book is written with the author sometimes himself a character interacting primarily with the main detective whose notes and recordings of the events years before that he is writing up. This gives another level to the story running in contemporary time where the author reflects on the case and gets personally involved with the storyline, and allows him to reflect on the case as it's unfolding, as well insert snippets such as authorial niggles about his presumably fictional agent.

This parallel thread could have come over as a bit pretentious but I think he gets away with it. Many authors insert themselves in their work as an alter ego instead. In any case the two timelines manage to end satisfactorily with a traditional gathering of suspects in one and a bit of a twist in the other. An enjoyable diversion.