Close to Death (by Anthony Horowitz)
I like how I never know what to expect from a Hawthorne and Horowitz mystery novel. Each installment in the series is unique. The only constant is that poor Horowitz has to figure out how to navigate the walls put up by Hawthorne. Trying to learn more about Hawthorne, the person, is like trying to enter an impenetrable fortress. Each murder mystery is complex and impossible for me to figure out, which I thoroughly appreciate.
Close to Death is the fifth installment of the Hawthorne and Horowitz series by Anthony Horowitz. This story read a lot like an Agatha Christie murder mystery and contained many references throughout. I was immediately sucked in when the book opened with an introduction to the exclusive gated community of Riverside Close. There are six opulent homes with neighbors who lead quiet, professional lives. The idyllic community is interrupted when the Kentworthy family moves in with their obnoxious, loud music, inconsiderate attitudes towards their neighbors, and trifling children. The Kentworthys are in conflict with every one of their neighbors. The community organizes a meeting to resolve their complaints, but to no avail. The patriarch of the Kentworthy family is found murdered on his doorstep with a crossbow. Everyone in the neighborhood is a suspect.
Horowitz is getting pressure from his publisher to produce another book based on Hawthorne’s detective work. Since Hawthorne isn’t working on a current murder case, the publisher suggests the two revisit a case from the past. It’s a rather unappealing idea to Hawthorne that they dredge up the Riverside Close case, but he cooperates. Hawthorne refuses to lay out all the details for Horowitz and makes him work through the evidence and report one chapter at a time. Meanwhile, Horowitz is determined to learn more about Hawthorne. He unknowingly steps on some pretty big toes, causing problems for others that he didn’t foresee. Not to mention upset Hawthorne in the process.
Everything about this book was great! The murder mystery has so many characters to suspect, not to mention how the murder was committed. Knowledge gained about Hawthorne was fascinating. I’m curious to see where things go next in their relationship. Oh! And Horowitz read the acknowledgments and revealed a nice surprise (to me) that there are many more books planned for the Hawthorne and Horowitz series!
I borrowed the audiobook from my local library with the Libby app. Excellent narration by Rory Kinnear. This book kept me company while working on outdoor projects, so I was able to fly through it.
You’re welcome to read my other reviews for books by Anthony Horowitz, which are linked below.
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