Close to Death
Ratings27
Average rating4.2
In New York Times bestselling author Anthony Horowitz’s ingenious fifth literary whodunnit in the Hawthorne and Horowitz series, Detective Hawthorne is once again called upon to solve an unsolvable case—a gruesome murder in an idyllic gated community in which suspects abound.
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 Giles 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?
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3 primary books#5 in Hawthorne & Horowitz
Hawthorne & Horowitz is a 3-book series with 3 released primary works first released in 1919 with contributions by Anthony Horowitz.
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I enjoyed this even more than some of the earlier mysteries in the series. While the extra layer of the secretive security company feels a bit of a stretch, the mystery itself hangs together nicely and I like the distance of the third person chapters.
I have no idea why I started with the 5th book in the series, but I thoroughly enjoyed the atypical format and was heartily entertained. Solid plotting, an interesting twist, and it still retained all that “Midsomer Murders-esque” charm.
Close to Death is book 5 in the Hawthorne and Horowitz series.
The format of the book is different from its predecessors, in that it's mostly written in the third person.
Tasked with having to write a new Hawthorne and Horowitz book, but with no 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 that thoroughly engaged me, and kept me guessing right to the end.
Excepting Hawthorne and Horowitz, and John Dudley, none of the characters were particularly likeable. I certainly wouldn't want to live next door to any of them.
Close to Death will be published in April 2024.
Thanks to Random House, Cornerstone and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
