Close to Death: A Novel (A Hawthorne and Horowitz Mystery, 5) (original 2024; edition 2024)

by Anthony Horowitz (Author)

Series: Hawthorne & Horowitz (5)

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Fiction. Mystery. Thriller. HTML: 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? .… (more)

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Member:	Charvet
Title:	Close to Death: A Novel (A Hawthorne and Horowitz Mystery, 5)
Authors:	Anthony Horowitz (Author)
Info:	Harper (2024), 432 pages
Collections:	Your library
Rating:
Tags:	Mystery/Detective - UK

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Close to Death by Anthony Horowitz (2024)

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I haven't read the earlier novels in this series, which may have something to do with the fact I found the Hawthorne & Horowitz frame an unnecessary distraction from the main story. I kept being pulled out of the plot for some name-dropping and allusions to the earlier books, when I just wanted the narrative to move ahead.

I thought the set-up for the murder was well done: as the cover says, all the suspects had the same motive, so it all came down to method and opportunity. Horowitz reflects on how locked room mysteries can be too unemotional and all about mechanics, and I did find that the case here in the end - was this intended as deep irony?

This was a quick easy read and I think I will go back and start at the beginning. (

)

pgchuis | Jun 4, 2024 |

Another solid mystery from a favorite author. I was a bit puzzled about why our author couldn't just look up the case he was writing about as it was a past case for the detective, but it's always more enjoyable to discover things slowly. (

)

KallieGrace | May 28, 2024 |

Mixed feelings about this novel. The Hawthorne series has been enjoyable - particularly the first few books but the later ones have had definite issues. This one has a time jump aspect and it just didn't work for me. It also meant that the whole author as Watson sidekick thing was mostly absent and that's what gives this series it's unique twist. I did like the conclusion though. It's cosy fun but the first books are better. (

)

infjsarah | May 23, 2024 |

A variation on a locked room mystery which I found funny and satisfying. (

)

ccayne | May 15, 2024 |

Another series that I love! This is book five and there isn't a current murder case to work on so Horowitz starts looking into an old case that no one wants him to wants him to write about. (

)

Dianekeenoy | May 10, 2024 |

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Canonical title

Close to Death

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Petersham, Surrey, England

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Epigraph

The end is where we start from.

Dedication

In memory of Peter Wilson
12 January 1951 - 4 September 2023

First words

It was four o'clock in the morning, that strange interval between night and morning when both seem to be fighting each other for control of the day ahead.

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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

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▾Book descriptions

Fiction. Mystery. Thriller. HTML:

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?

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