The Word Is Murder

2017 mystery novel

First edition (publ. Century)

The Word Is Murder[1] is a 2017 mystery novel by British author Anthony Horowitz and the first novel in the Hawthorne and Horowitz series. The story focuses on solving the murder of a woman who was involved in a hit-and-run accident ten years previously.

Synopsis

Anthony, the narrator (a fictionalized version of the author), is approached by ex-Detective Inspector Hawthorne, with whom he worked on a television series. Hawthorne, who is in need of money, proposes that Anthony write a book about him and one of the cases he is working on in exchange for a 50/50 split of the advance and royalties. The case involves a woman who, six hours after planning her own funeral, is found murdered. Initially reluctant, Anthony agrees and proceeds to document Hawthorne’s solution of the case.

Reception

The Word Is Murder received positive reviews in the Bookreporter,[2] Wall Street Journal,[3] and Kirkus Reviews.[4]

In May 2021 the Japanese edition of The Word Is Murder won the Best Translated Honkaku Mystery of the Decade (2010-2019).[5]

References

  1. ^ "The Word is Murder - Anthony Horowitz | Author | Alex Rider | Sherlock Holmes | James Bond". Anthony Horowitz is a British writer. His works include the Alex Rider series, Sherlock Holmes and James Bond novels and Foyle's War for television. 13 April 2017.
  2. ^ "The Word Is Murder". bookreporter. 8 June 2018.
  3. ^ Nolan, Tom (15 June 2018). "Mysteries: A Postmodern Procedural" – via www.wsj.com.
  4. ^ "THE WORD IS MURDER | Kirkus Reviews" – via www.kirkusreviews.com.
  5. ^ "2010年代海外本格ミステリ ベスト作品決定(2021.5)". Honkaku Mystery Writers Club of Japan. Retrieved 16 May 2023. (in Japanese)

External links

  • Official website
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Anthony Horowitz
Alex Rider
  • Stormbreaker (2000)
  • Point Blanc (2001)
  • Skeleton Key (2002)
  • Eagle Strike (2003)
  • Scorpia (2004)
  • Ark Angel (2005)
  • Snakehead (2007)
  • Crocodile Tears (2009)
  • Scorpia Rising (2011)
  • Russian Roulette (2013)
  • Never Say Die (2017)
  • Secret Weapon (2019)
  • Nightshade (2020)
  • Nightshade Revenge (2023)
The Diamond BrothersThe Power of Five
  • Raven's Gate (2005)
  • Evil Star (2006)
  • Nightrise (2007)
  • Necropolis (2008)
  • Oblivion (2012)
James Bond
  • Trigger Mortis (2015)
  • Forever and a Day (2018)
Sherlock Holmes
Susan RyelandHawthorne and Horowitz
Other novels
Short story collectionsFilms/plays
Television series created
  • Crossbow (1987–89)
  • Crime Traveller (1997)
  • Murder in Mind (2001–03)
  • Foyle's War (2002–15)
  • Collision (2009)
  • Injustice (2011)
  • New Blood (2016)


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