As with The Magpie Murders so Horowitz also makes an appearance in this only here he is very much the star. In first person narrative he portrays himself as an author following a murder investigation. So we enter the world of meta-fiction where Horowitz gives us large slices of his real life and his writing techniques alongside an extraordinary murder mystery. He has come at the invitation of his chum, Hawthorne an ex police office now private detective, who hopes that if Horowitz writes about the case then they can split the book deal fifty fifty. Naturally Horowitz is intrigued as we are and the banter between the two adds hugely to the tale. It is a modern Holmes/Watson mystery with a difference and a hell of a twist. It is also the start of a series so it will be fun watching the characters develop. ~ Sarah Broadhurst
SHE PLANNED HER OWN FUNERAL. BUT DID SHE ARRANGE HER MURDER? Buried secrets, murder and a trail of bloody clues lie at the heart of Anthony Horowitz's page-turning new detective series. If you enjoyed BBC's Sherlock, you'll LOVE The Word is Murder!
A wealthy woman strangled six hours after she's arranged her own funeral. A very private detective uncovering secrets but hiding his own. A reluctant author drawn into a story he can't control. What do they have in common?
'A real page-turner. I loved it!' ALED JONES (ITV, Weekend) 'The beguiling whodunit plot is dispatched with characteristic elan as Horowitz blurs the line between fact and fiction' (Financial Times) "A very clever and inventive mystery" (Bookbag) "A perfect detective novel in a unique style complete with an excellent twist!" (Life Has a Funny Way of Sneaking Up On You) 'With its unorthodox protagonist, clever plotting, brilliantly imperfect characters, and escalating sense of urgency and intrigue, THE WORD IS MURDER is an instant crime classic that will keep you reading as fast as you can… one of the best and most compulsively readable mysteries of the year. Hugely satisfying on every level." (Written by Sime) 'Will undoubtedly exhilarate not only crime and Horowitz fans but anyone who enjoys the sense of metafiction and fourth wall breaking found in books by authors like Lemony Snicket, Bret Easton Ellis and Martin Amis.' (Fiendfully Reading) 'A very addictive read… go get yourself a copy, right now' (Me and My Books) 'The Word is Murderis an appreciation of the crime fiction genre and all the greatest crime fiction writers. It's a homage to our favourite detectives and our favourite sidekicks. The Word is Murder follows the conventions of the thriller genre but it also feels new and original. I found this book refreshing, incredibly readable and actually, the word I want to use is delightful!' Bibliomaniac blog 'Clever and engaging' See Orange blog 'A rather intriguing mix of fact and fiction' Bailey's Blog 'This book has one of the most unique concepts of all the books I've ever read' The Stacked Shelf blog
With its unorthodox protagonist, clever plotting, brilliantly imperfect characters, and escalating sense of urgency and intrigue, The Word is Murder is an instant crime classic that will keep you reading as fast as you can... one of the best and most compulsively readable mysteries of the year. Hugely satisfying on every level. Written by Sime
A very clever and inventive mystery Bookbag
Praise for Magpie Murders;
Ingenious ... This magnificent piece of crime fiction plays with the genre while taking it seriously Sunday Times
Brilliant. Really really brilliant. I loved it! Sophie Hannah
Difficult to put down ... A cracking good read. Daily Express
Author
About Anthony Horowitz
Anthony Horowitz may have committed more (fictional) murders than any other living author. As a TV screenwriter he created both MIDSOMER MURDERS and the BAFTA-winning FOYLE'S WAR. Other TV work includes POIROT and the widely acclaimed mini-series COLLISION and INJUSTICE. He is also the author of a string of bestselling children's books, including the ALEX RIDER series which has sold 13 million copies worldwide. He has often claimed Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to be an inspiration for his work ever since encountering the Holmes canon, aged 16. He currently lives in Clerkenwell.
