Anthony Horowitz’s The Word Is Murder is a masterful blend of classic whodunit and modern meta-fiction, offering readers a fresh take on the detective genre. With its intricate plot, clever twists, and unique narrative style, this novel showcases Horowitz’s talent for creating suspenseful and engaging mysteries that keep readers guessing until the very end.

The story begins with a seemingly straightforward case: Diana Cowper, a wealthy woman, walks into a funeral parlor to plan her own funeral. Six hours later, she is found strangled in her home. Enter Daniel Hawthorne, a former detective with a brilliant mind and a troubled past, who is brought in to investigate the case.

What sets The Word Is Murder apart from other detective novels is the unusual narrative structure. The story is told from the perspective of Anthony Horowitz himself, who becomes an unwilling Watson to Hawthorne’s Holmes. Horowitz, playing a fictionalized version of himself, is recruited by Hawthorne to document the case in real-time, adding an intriguing layer of meta-fiction to the narrative.

As Hawthorne and Horowitz delve deeper into Diana Cowper’s life, they uncover a web of secrets, lies, and unexpected connections. The investigation takes them from the world of theater and film to hidden family dramas, and each new discovery raises more questions than it answers. The result is a tightly woven mystery that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

The Word Is Murder explores several themes, including the nature of truth and storytelling, the complexities of human relationships, and the morality of justice. The novel also delves into the dynamics between creator and creation, as Horowitz grapples with his role as a writer documenting a real-time investigation.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the novel is its exploration of the relationship between fact and fiction. By inserting himself into the narrative, Horowitz blurs the line between reality and storytelling, inviting readers to question what is real and what is fictional within the context of the book. This metafictional approach adds depth to the narrative, making it more than just a conventional mystery.

Horowitz’s writing is sharp, witty, and highly engaging. He expertly balances the elements of a traditional detective story with the more modern, self-referential aspects of the novel. The dialogue is crisp and often humorous, particularly in the exchanges between the meticulous, enigmatic Hawthorne and the more laid-back, self-deprecating Horowitz.

The pacing is brisk, with just the right amount of suspense to keep readers turning the pages. Horowitz skillfully plants clues and red herrings throughout the story, leading readers on a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. His attention to detail, both in character development and plot construction, is evident throughout the novel.

The characters in The Word Is Murder are well-drawn and memorable. Hawthorne, the enigmatic detective, is a fascinating character—a blend of brilliance and abrasiveness, with a mysterious past that is hinted at but not fully revealed. His unconventional methods and sharp intellect make him a compelling figure, and his dynamic with Horowitz provides much of the novel’s charm.

Horowitz’s portrayal of himself is equally engaging. By placing himself in the role of a somewhat reluctant narrator, he adds a layer of authenticity and self-awareness to the story. His interactions with Hawthorne, as well as his reflections on the process of writing and storytelling, offer insights into the creative process while also adding humor and relatability to the narrative.

The supporting cast, from the suspects to the witnesses, are well-developed, each with their own distinct personalities and backstories. Horowitz takes care to give even minor characters depth, ensuring that they feel real and integral to the unfolding mystery.

The Word Is Murder is a brilliantly crafted mystery that stands out for its inventive narrative style and complex, engaging plot. Anthony Horowitz has succeeded in creating a novel that not only pays homage to the classic detective genre but also pushes its boundaries by incorporating elements of metafiction and self-reflection.

For fans of traditional whodunits, The Word Is Murder offers all the satisfying twists and turns one would expect, along with the added pleasure of a unique and innovative storytelling approach. It’s a novel that is as much about the process of solving a crime as it is about the nature of storytelling itself, making it a must-read for mystery lovers and literary enthusiasts alike.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of Horowitz’s work or new to his writing, The Word Is Murder is a captivating and clever read that will keep you hooked until the very last page.

I've enjoyed much of Anthony Horowitz's work on screen and page, and this was a wonderfully unique spin on the classic whodunnit. I loved getting such an insight into Anthony Horowitz himself (such as his writing process, his foibles and small points of ego, how he relates to his work) and found it a very funny and refreshing narrative voice, viewing a murder mystery through the lens of somebody TRYING to turn it into a work of fiction. It made the process of clue deduction feel quite interactive, and you share Horowitz's frustration with his moody and enigmatic detective sidekick who doesn't really want to play ball! The mystery engaged me and pulled me along to find the conclusion - overall a fun, witty, very readable, and unusual take on a murder mystery from one of the iconic voices in the genre.

A great book.
I love the unique perspective and how Horowitz has written himself into the book. It’s refreshing to read book from that perspective.
The plot is great and I loved the mystery. I love how the title of the book is so in with the story. I really enjoyed that this book was not the typical murder mystery and there are some fresh points.
I love the characters but especially the narrator. I love their voice, and the feeling they bring into the book.
All in all, this is a marvelous murder mystery and I loved every word of it.

I liked this book. I'm a big fan of Anthony Horowitz and the premise for this book really intrigued me. I actually found the most interesting parts of be the ones where it could almost be like a biography/ autobiography of Anthony, talking about his writing process and film projects- I would definitely read an autobiography of Anthony Horowitz!
I found that I really disliked the detective of this book, but I think that was supposed to be the point. I found him to be rude, manipulative and his opinions distasteful, so Anthony Horowitz did a perfect job there!
The murder plot had me guessing the whole way and it all came to a thrilling end. A great book!

My word: no. I have steered clear of reviewing this book for the longest time simply because of my sheer disappointment in the text. Anthony Horowitz displays his arrogance with great aplomb here by inserting himself into the prose as some sort of poor man's Watson.

I'm a bit flummoxed over what to say about this book but I have to start with by saying -

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT

I haven't read anything this clever in a long time. Imagine Sherlock Holmes and Watson where we see everything from Watson's perspective while knowing that Watson is a real person telling a story where some bits are fiction and some are based on real life.

The quirkiness of the concept appealed to me but I know it won't be for everyone. If like your murder mysteries to be a bit different and to push you out of your comfort zone this book will appeal.

I admit it: I’ve never read Alex Rider. But I did come across Anthony Horowitz as a young teenager with his Gatekeeper series. It was one of the first series that got me into the idea of fantasy and a select few having powers. It’s been an inspiration in my own writing.

When I saw this come up on Netgalley, I jumped at the chance. I adored his writing style and wanted to see if that was still true. Not only because I’m older, but because he is writing for an adult audience this time, not a children’s one.

Oh my word. It has been a long time since I’ve been this invested in a book. I loved it.

The plot is good (I’ll get onto that later) but it’s the narration that makes this book genius. Horowitz inserts himself as one of the main characters. But not by trying to rename himself and pretend it’s not him: the book is written in an almost-autobiography way. He – Anthony Horowitz, the writer – is part of the book as himself – as Anthony Horowitz, the writer.

The idea is that he has been approached to write about a detective’s life but in doing so, gets drawn into the latest murder investigation taking place. But there is enough information scattered throughout that you know is true about him, so it’s easy to believe the rest of it is also happening. I’ve been drawn into murder mysteries before, but never to the point where you want to Google something to find out if it actually happened or not.

What partly really captivated me is that I admire him as a writer anyway. I don’t like biographies, but he would be someone that I would read one from. As an inspiring author as well, the snippets about his working progress and those small details genuinely interested me as well as the actual plot.

The other characters – the totally fictional ones (I think) – worked. Hawthorne is a cold and dismissive man, but you start to warm to him as the book progresses, just as Horowitz does. The suspects are well developed with their own motives and the killer – once revealed – is scary in how far s/he has gone to commit the murders.

Even without the unique narration style, the plot itself would have kept me gripped. A murder opens up something a lot bigger, with various suspects all with their own motives. There is misdirection, tension and an effective building of suspense that kept you hooked. I couldn’t guess who was responsible and the twists along the way revealed things you didn’t see coming. There was only one thing that I picked up on and was actually right about. Not many mysteries can do that.

Whether you are a fan of Horowitz or not, this book is thoroughly entertaining. If you like murder mysteries, then I definitely recommend this. If you just want something good to read, then I would also suggest adding it to the pile.

This is an innovative page-turner that displays Anthony Horowitz's skill in its full glory. The format makes this a very hard book to describe but I'd definitely recommend it to those readers who like to use their brainpower to engage with a murder mystery. You won't be disappointed!

This is easily the most interesting fast paced work of fiction I have read this year. Just when you think you know how the story will pan out, it takes a different turn.

My thanks to Random House U.K./Cornerstone for an ARC of this novel via NetGalley and my apologies for the late feedback. This was due to vision problems, that have recently been resolved.

This novel has such an unusual premise in the author serving as its narrator and sidekick to Hawthorne, the main detective. I wasn’t sure what to make of it at first. However, thinking of Horowitz’s work on the Sherlock Holmes official sequel, isn’t this a postmodern take on Watson’s role? All authors are the invisible gods of their created worlds and here Horowitz has just made this obvious; inserting himself and breaking the literary fourth wall.

Details of Horowitz’s real life, such as his work on the Tintin sequel, are woven into the narrative. His skills at storytelling are very evident and elements were quite playful.

No spoilers on the plot but it proved a very satisfying whodunnit. Found it very hard to put down. Overall a very good.

**Reviewed for Euro Crime by Terry Halligan.

The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz, April 2018, 400 pages, Arrow, ISBN: 1784757233

Reviewed by Terry Halligan.
(Read more of Terry's reviews for Euro Crime here.)

I read this book for review purposes but now that I've finished it it is very difficult to describe it as it is unlike anything that I've read ever before. The author, Anthony Horowitz, is famous for writing the 'Alex Rider' books and also for the marvellous scripts and executive production of the highly recommended Foyle's War TV series, but writing a one-off murder mystery, that masquerades as a non-fiction, true story is a very different kettle of fish.

The plot is extremely unusual: an extremely wealthy woman arranges her own funeral and then some hours later, she is murdered! Did she know she was destined to die? Who killed her and why? An unemployed former detective decides to investigate her death and as he is short of money he decides to write a book about the investigation and asks the author Anthony Horowitz to do the actual writing as he has successfully written books before. The former detective, who is named Hawthorne, and Horowitz frequently argue over the investigation, but when they aren't talking about the enquiry into the woman's death and the possible perpetrators, Horowitz talks about his own writing career and his success with the Foyle's War and 'Alex Rider' books. As this book is told in the first person from the point of view of Anthony Horowitz I found this extensive discussion of the writing experience very interesting.

The actual details of the murder mystery were a bit light but what we got instead was the Anthony Horowitz writing experience which I found very entertaining but this may not be what other readers may want and I appreciate this. Perhaps a more usual plot structure with more details of the crime and investigation and then a satisfactory conclusion would be preferred, rather than these perhaps irrelevant descriptions of the author's previous books.

On the whole I was very impressed with the book because it was so unusual with this mixture of the fiction of the plot and Anthony Horowitz's real writing career. I enjoy writers talking about themselves and the problems they have, as well as reading good crime fiction and I therefore recommend this book.

Terry Halligan, July 2018.

Too arrogant to be enjoyable. Written from the perspective of the author listing all his writing successes before even getting to the point of the story, This book begins as a back-slapping cv for Horowitz which had me deleting it before the end of chapter 3.

I read this book because I'd never read Anthony Horowitz before. I remember the aclsim when he was chosen to write a new Sherlock Holmes novel, but thought he didn't write things in my area of interest.
Oh he is clever. At the opening of the book he describes the scene
“The funeral parlor Cornwallis and son … name in classical font on the front and side.The two inscriptions prevented from meeting. by a Victorian clock above the door.”

At once I knew exactly the genre, era and style. But it wasn't. Instead Hawthorne, the former policeman who has chosen the author to record his exploits proceeds to critique the prose and haggles over every term.

The author then refers to his earlier writing for Doyle’s War. This I know to be true. So enjoyed the next “factual” section with Speilberg and co. And once again, I fell into the trap of thinking fiction was fact.
Meanwhile there's a rattling good murder story galloping along, with several nudges which deliciously confuse.
Right at the very end ..he did it again and I fell for it again!
I really do recommend the book, it is not predictable and keeps you on your toes!

Never before have I read a novel in which the author is one of the main characters. What a clever idea! A short way into the book, I began to think that perhaps the book is actually a biography. I was impressed, as I don’t read a lot of non-fiction, finding it dry and often slow moving, This book is anything but. It is fast paced, exciting and I could not put it down! I checked on the internet and was surprised to see that the book is, indeed, fiction. I don’t know much about Anthony Horowitz, other than that he is a well known author of children’s books and I am very interested to know how much of the book actually is biographical and how much is pure fiction. An excellent read. Highly recommended. Thanks to Random House UK Cornerstone and NetGalley for the ARC.

From his work on Foyle’s War, Midsomer Murders and Agatha Christie’s Poirot to his Alex Rider, Sherlock Holmes and James Bond novels, Anthony Horowitz sure knows how to keep us gripped, which is why we can’t wait for the first book in his brand new detective series to be released. It’s the very definition of a page turner and a work of absolute genius – so we can’t wait for you to read it.

Different to any other Anthony Horowitz book I’ve read, this book blurs the lines between reality and fiction by making the author become the protagonist and interact directly with the other characters. Whilst the murder mystery continues to be engaging throughout, I had my doubts about the main characters and am not sure that I fully connected with the way the story was being told. Nevertheless, Horowitz is a supreme storyteller and I always look forward to reading his new material.

*Full review available on the blog*

I found this book completely immersive. It was a quick read that made me question just how much truth was in the story and I would definitely recommend it.

This was my first book by Horowitz I read, and I wasn’t crazy about it. It was good at times, thrilling and exciting, but at other times it felt predictable and sometimes a bit easy and simple in the plot. The story was interesting in the way that the author himself was involved in the story. Basically we see this crime through the eyes of Anthony Horowitz himself. We see the process of writing a true crime book and the troubles with finding a way to make it a good book.

The best part of the book was after the midsection of the book. The story got a nice pace then and the plot came together more. Secrets were revealed and little hints were given. I flew through that part of the book. The beginning of the book wasn’t slow, but didn’t capture my interest for a while. We got a bit of the murder, but also the story of Horowitz and his writing of the book. I found the part about Horowitz talking about writing the book and his side projects not so interesting. It sometimes came over as a a way to show off everything he gets to do in life. Meeting Spielberg and tv shows he gets to write for. The end of the book felt too much. For me, the book felt like a mix between fiction and reality. Suddenly we got a whole action ‘plottwist’ with the classic getting-captured-and-almost-die scene. It felt too easy for me and didn’t really fit in the way the book was written.

The whole murder story felt predictable to me. Even though I didn’t know everything that was going on and didn’t see every hint, I didn’t feel very surprised about the way the solving of the murder was going. The WOW-moment just wasn’t there. I did like how the whole story about the twins got together eventually. The story became more of a whole with the revealing of the twins’ story, which felt like the right time because the story felt like it was getting stuck before that and the author didn’t know what to do.

Some of the characters in this book were interesting. I found the detective an interesting man, though a bit obvious. Mysterious, surprising life interests, family issues etc. Looks like he doesn’t care, but does. There also were some characters that felt unnecessary. For me it immediately felt like those were the characters to get you sidetracked and to mislead you .

Must be one of the best books of its kind in recent years. Everything is so captivating, gripping - total page turner!and you don’t know what’s real and what not which makes it all the more interesting. Horowitz always gets it right!!

Just brilliant! I was shattered when I realised this was only an extract. Can't wait to read more - I'm hooked!