The Word is Murder (Hawthorne & Horowitz #1) by Anthony Horowitz (Goodreads Author)

Amy Caudill‘s review

It is very rare for a published author to insert himself as a character into a story, “in the flesh,” but that is exactly what Anthony Horowitz has done in his popular series, Hawthorne and Horowitz.

This series features a former detective inspector, Daniel Hawthorne, an abrasive, temperamental and brilliant investigator, who works as a consultant for the constabulary.  He has decided that he wants a book written about his work and cases.  He picks Anthony Horowitz to write said book, as he is familiar with his writing due to the fact that Hawthorne consulted on a TV show for the author previously.

Horowitz needs some convincing to begin a partnership with the abrasive detective, and often is frustrated with him over his handling of suspects, and his lack of sharing information about theories and anything “personal” which would allow Horowitz to write said book.  Despite this, the author finds himself drawn into the intrigue of the case, and realizes that he wants to see it through just as desperately as it seems Hawthorne does.

Diana Cowper, a woman who appears to have a very successful, though quiet life, makes arrangements for her own funeral at a funeral parlor, and later that same day is murdered.  Is the case a simple coincidence and burglary gone wrong, or is there something more sinister involved?  The investigation will unearth facts pertaining to the victim and her famous though often absent son that will establish a number of motives for murder.

While the author is a first person narrator, he is not omniscient; he seems to rarely understand Hawthorne’s motives and is often in the dark about his actions till after the fact, supporting the premise that Hawthorne is a “real” detective and separate person.  All in all, the two have a very interesting dynamic that makes for a novel take on the typical detective story.  

The case itself is interesting for the reader, and contains plenty of twists and turns for fans of the genre.  All in all, an excellent story, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I award this book 4.5 stars.