Close to Death

A Novel

De: Anthony Horowitz

Narrado por: Anthony Horowitz, Rory Kinnear

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?

©2024 Anthony Horowitz (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

Perhaps one of the top 10 murder mysteries of all time.

I’m a voracious reader and murder mysteries is my favorite genre. I’ve been reading them for 60 years. Obviously I’ve not read every mystery novel ever written & so my statement is just hyperbolic. But I can say definitively that it is in the top 5 of those I’ve read. Unfortunately, to really get it you need to read/listen to the first 4 in the series. Most of them are quite good, there’s one that was kind of meh-good. So it’s an investment of about 35 hours before it really hits its stride. I say investment b/c this isn’t a background noise book, like cotton candy for the ears. You need to catch every sentence. I found myself needing to skip back to listen again more than usual. Way worth it.

I was very pleased the author has 7 more books in the series planned.

best Hawthorne mystery yet

was pleasantly surprised by the turn and by how the story got there. this has been my favorite Hawthorne book yet, and I started wondering if I was going to give up on the series.

Always the story and the humanity…7 more books to look forward to.

That is have to wait another year…or more for the next novel. Excellent narration as well

Never Predictable

I love this series and Mr. Horowitz never disappoints. He does such a great job playing with the various mystery tropes. I can't wait for the next one. The narrator is fabulous as well.

Learning about Hawthorns dark pasts

Plot twists and subsequent ending kept me engaged. Desperately looking forward to next chapter of series and learning more about Hawthorn and the security agency who employs him

AH’s writing keeps me on the edge with its fast pace and non-stop drama.

Loved it

Interesting, engaging and surprising plot; excellent narration. Great characters. Love the series! Thrilled there will be so many more!

Horowitz's Mysteries Never Fail to Entertain!

I am an avowed Anthony Horowitz fan; I have read all of his adult-centered books and my favorites among them are the Hawthorne-Horowitz mysteries. These are extremely entertaining detective mysteries and they are particularly witty since the real Anthony Horowitz puts himself into the books as detective Hawthorne's sidekick -- Mr. Watson to Hawthorne's Holmes.

I always love going along for the ride as the mysteries are tricky and unpredictable, yet told with wit and fun.

Close to Death is no different. It's got the typical batch of characters you find in a murder mystery, but with Horowitz's deft touch, they are not at all typical. You think you know where the plot is going and who did it...but you'd be wrong every time.

The narration by Rory Kinnear and Mr. Horowitz himself is superb.

Gads, I wait with baited breath every time I know another one of his mysteries is being published. I read it immediately, and then I'm left bereft that I have to wait years for the next one! Sigh.

Another success!

The characters that are created by Anthony Horowitz become real as he weaves his narrative. I will anxiously await for the next adventure mystery murder.

Another Banger

Funny, intriguing, and engaging. Excellent, as always. Great narration. Modern-day Sherlock Holmes. I highly recommend it.

Double Sided mystery

I’m biased towards the Hawthorne books, and this one fits the bill. I enjoyed the slightly different perspective as well mystery tropes Horowitz pokes at tongue in cheek. Fun listen and if you enjoy the rest of by the series you’ll enjoy this one too.