Thrillers & Suspense
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The Twist of a Knife: A Novel
In New York Times bestselling author Anthony Horowitz's ingenious fourth literary whodunit following The Word is Murder, The Sentence is Death, and A Line to Kill, Horowitz becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation-and only one man can prove his innocence: his newly estranged partner in solving crime, Detective Hawthorne.
"I'm sorry but the answer's no." Reluctant author, Anthony Horowitz, has had enough. He tells ex-detective Daniel Hawthorne that after three books he's splitting and their deal is over.
The truth is that Anthony has other things on his mind.
His new play, a thriller called Mindgame, is about to open at the Vaudeville Theater in London's West End. Not surprisingly, Hawthorne declines a ticket to the opening night.
The play is panned by the critics. In particular, Sunday Times critic Margaret Throsby gives it a savage review, focusing particularly on the writing. The next day, Throsby is stabbed in the heart with an ornamental dagger which turns out to belong to Anthony, and has his fingerprints all over it.
Anthony is arrested by an old enemy . . . Detective Inspector Cara Grunshaw. She still carries a grudge from her failure to solve the case described in the second Hawthorne adventure, The Sentence is Death, and blames Anthony. Now she's out for revenge.
Thrown into prison and fearing for both his personal future and his writing career, Anthony is the prime suspect in Throsby's murder and when a second theatre critic is found to have died in mysterious circumstances, the net closes in. Ever more desperate, he realizes that only one man can help him.
But will Hawthorne take the call?
"I'm sorry but the answer's no." Reluctant author, Anthony Horowitz, has had enough. He tells ex-detective Daniel Hawthorne that after three books he's splitting and their deal is over.
The truth is that Anthony has other things on his mind.
His new play, a thriller called Mindgame, is about to open at the Vaudeville Theater in London's West End. Not surprisingly, Hawthorne declines a ticket to the opening night.
The play is panned by the critics. In particular, Sunday Times critic Margaret Throsby gives it a savage review, focusing particularly on the writing. The next day, Throsby is stabbed in the heart with an ornamental dagger which turns out to belong to Anthony, and has his fingerprints all over it.
Anthony is arrested by an old enemy . . . Detective Inspector Cara Grunshaw. She still carries a grudge from her failure to solve the case described in the second Hawthorne adventure, The Sentence is Death, and blames Anthony. Now she's out for revenge.
Thrown into prison and fearing for both his personal future and his writing career, Anthony is the prime suspect in Throsby's murder and when a second theatre critic is found to have died in mysterious circumstances, the net closes in. Ever more desperate, he realizes that only one man can help him.
But will Hawthorne take the call?
Editorial Reviews
"This humorous homage to golden age closed-circle mysteries is not to be missed." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Playful ... An efficiently old-fashioned whodunit with all the surprises you'd expect." - Kirkus Reviews
"Excellent . . . . Readers of character-driven novels will love the twists and turns of this Agatha Christie–style mystery that leads to an unexpected reveal. Perfect for fans of G. M. Malliet, Elly Griffiths, and Richard Osman." - Library Journal (starred review)
"Horowitz continues to delight in mixing real life (e.g., Horowitz's play Mindgame was staged in London) and fiction, as well as in juxtaposing Horowitz (the character) as nebbish against the always-three-stepsahead Hawthorne. Not to worry, their relationship isn't over quite yet. There's much more to discover, and readers will be waiting eagerly for more from one of the best mystery writers around." - Booklist (starred review)
" . . . .Gleefully witty. . . ." - Tom Nolan for The Wall Street Journal
"An adventure that will enchant mystery lovers, Anglophiles and theater buffs."
- Washington Post
"Fall is the time to read a mystery novel, and Anthony Horowitz consistently delivers a great whodunnit." - Town & Country
"Playful ... An efficiently old-fashioned whodunit with all the surprises you'd expect." - Kirkus Reviews
"Excellent . . . . Readers of character-driven novels will love the twists and turns of this Agatha Christie–style mystery that leads to an unexpected reveal. Perfect for fans of G. M. Malliet, Elly Griffiths, and Richard Osman." - Library Journal (starred review)
"Horowitz continues to delight in mixing real life (e.g., Horowitz's play Mindgame was staged in London) and fiction, as well as in juxtaposing Horowitz (the character) as nebbish against the always-three-stepsahead Hawthorne. Not to worry, their relationship isn't over quite yet. There's much more to discover, and readers will be waiting eagerly for more from one of the best mystery writers around." - Booklist (starred review)
" . . . .Gleefully witty. . . ." - Tom Nolan for The Wall Street Journal
"An adventure that will enchant mystery lovers, Anglophiles and theater buffs."
- Washington Post
"Fall is the time to read a mystery novel, and Anthony Horowitz consistently delivers a great whodunnit." - Town & Country
Readers Top Reviews
EdGary Archuletagamm
This series of books is simply delightful with superbly drawn characters. The plot interesting, the humor enchanting and the story riveting.
Dr. Sandra K. Faust
Exceptionally well written book. The author uses character development, plot evolution and word play to create a page-turner story. I highly recommend it
Nancy Link
Anthony Horowitz’s mystery novels are like eating your favorite meal - you know it will be good! And this one does not disappoint. Always love his sly asides too.
noteman
I love everything Horowitz writes but his one was a bit too easy to see where it was going. Just saying...These books are still uniquely imaginative if a bit self-aggrandizing. I don't mind that; he wrote Foyle's War, the best series ever produced anywhere by anyone.
William de Rham
This is the fourth in a series of murder mysteries in which author Anthony Horowitz fictionalizes himself to join detective Daniel Hawthorne as he utilizes Sherlockian powers of observation and deduction to bring murderers to justice. Only this time, it's Horowitz himself who looks like he's done the murder. All the evidence points to him. And he has every motive. The victim just closed his play--newly opened on London's West End--with an absolutely scathing review. Will Hawthorne be able to save Horowitz? Does he even want to? For the most part, "The Twist of a Knife" is a well-written, well-constructed mystery seasoned, in places, with a self-deprecating, dry wit. It's a quick read and fairly light entertainment, perfect for the beach or a long train or plane trip. Plot-wise, there's nothing really new here. Mr. Horowitz has taken a standard template--solving the murder of a victim hated with good reason by all the other characters--and tried to freshen it up by making himself the chief suspect and setting it in the world of the theater and in London and the English countryside. Unfortunately--and this may just be me--I found the device of fictionalizing himself to be distracting. Mr. Horowitz makes more than a few references to his own previous works and projects and I sometimes found it difficult to tell what was real and what was fiction. I also found the Hawthorn character somewhat distant and elusive and difficult to bring into focus--not sharply drawn as, say, a Holmes or a Poirot or a Sam Spade. Yes, his mystery-solving powers are acute, but his personality and his relationship with the fictional Horowitz were not all that they could be. And while Mr. Horowitz does a good job depicting the world of the theater, those who are not interested in or knowledgeable about that world (its plays, traditions, foibles, etc.) may find themselves lost at times. Still, the ending is a surprise and enjoyable since it's well supported by what has gone before. All in all, 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
