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    The Word is Murder: A Novel
    The Word is Murder: A Novel
    The Word is Murder: A Novel
    Audiobook9 hours

    The Word is Murder: A Novel

    Written by Anthony Horowitz

    Narrated by Rory Kinnear

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    About this audiobook

    Narrated by Rory Kinnear

    ""One of the most entertaining mysteries of the year. It’s also one of the most stimulating, as it ponders such questions as: Which is of greater interest to the reader, the crime or the detective? And: Is the pencil truly mightier than the butcher knife?” — Wall Street Journal

    New York Times bestselling author of Magpie Murders and Moriarty, Anthony Horowitz has yet again brilliantly reinvented the classic crime novel, this time writing a fictional version of himself as the Watson to a modern-day Holmes.

    A woman crosses a London street. It is just after 11 a.m. on a bright spring morning, and she is going into a funeral parlor to plan her own service. Six hours later the woman is dead, strangled with a crimson curtain cord in her own home.

    Enter disgraced police detective Daniel Hawthorne, a brilliant, eccentric man as quick with an insult as he is to crack a case. And Hawthorne has a partner, the celebrated novelist Anthony Horowitz, curious about the case and looking for new material. As brusque, impatient, and annoying as Hawthorne can be, Horowitz—a seasoned hand when it comes to crime stories—suspects the detective may be on to something, and is irresistibly drawn into the mystery.

    But as the case unfolds, Horowitz realizes that he’s at the center of a story he can’t control, and his brilliant partner may be hiding dark and mysterious secrets of his own.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateJun 5, 2018
    ISBN9780062848345
    Author

    Anthony Horowitz

    ANTHONY HOROWITZ is the author of the US bestselling Magpie Murders and The Word is Murder, and one of the most prolific and successful writers in the English language; he may have committed more (fictional) murders than any other living author. His novel Trigger Mortis features original material from Ian Fleming. His most recent Sherlock Holmes novel, Moriarty, is a reader favorite; and his bestselling Alex Rider series for young adults has sold more than 19 million copies worldwide. As a TV screenwriter, he created both Midsomer Murders and the BAFTA-winning Foyle’s War on PBS. Horowitz regularly contributes to a wide variety of national newspapers and magazines, and in January 2014 was awarded an OBE.

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    Reviews for The Word is Murder

    4/5

    1,267 ratings100 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Great book. I enjoyed every minute!!! I can't believe it took me this long to read it!
    • 5/5
      This book was a delight from beginning to end. Brilliant to insert the author himself, and people he knows, into the story. I loved the clash of personalities between the detective and the writer. The mystery sufficiently complex to be continually interesting. I haven't read any other Horowitz books (surprising because there are so many and he's apparently well-known) but I'll definitely be following this series.
    • 5/5
      Thoroughly enjoyed the mix of reality and fiction as well as the relationship between Hawthorne and the author.
    • 5/5
      Fantastic book. Brilliantly narrated, too. Would definitely read the other two.
    • 3/5
      Initially engrossing. The detective character is unique and engaging, though not sympathetic. The story comes crashing down in a preposterous climactic scene.
    • 5/5
      I loved the twists and turns - I think of myself as pretty good at figuring out who-dun-it’s but I didn’t see it coming. I picked this book because of the author, but I listened to a few others til I found a narrator whose voice I found pleasing. He sounded quite a bit like Hugh Grant so that helped but he did an EXCELLENT job in his portrayal of the characters. I hope I find another book with him as narrator!
    • 4/5
      One of the best novels I read this year. Love the unauthodox way he wrote himself in the book, and the charming way he wrote about Hawthorne. The ending came together quite nicely. He keeps writing outside the box. Love it.
    • 5/5
      I didn’t know what to expect with this unconventional approach to telling a mystery. But, I really enjoyed it. I binged it in fact. So much fun! Such dark humor - everywhere.
      Looking forward to the next book!
    • 4/5
      It was interesting and well read. From a different point of view. Very little bad language.....thanks.
    • 5/5
      Good book. Quirky ending.
    • 5/5
      It was good. 7 words left to post review. Pizza!
    • 4/5
      His books are pure fun. Stylish and fast paced! And this narrator was fantastic.
    • 5/5
      Perfect holiday read- its well crafted and easy yet keeps the suspense going
    • 5/5
      Good suspense, enjoyable lead characters. The podcast is pleasant to listen to.
    • 5/5
      Brilliant Crime Thriller about a writer who works with an ex police detective on a murder case in order to write a realistic detective novel. I loved the interplay between the two main characters as well as all the other players and suspects in thiis bizzare and complex murder mystery.
    • 5/5
      Lots of clues. No simpering romance going on between any characters at all. Good Sherlock-type deducing.Red herrings. Good writing.
    • 5/5
      Great writing. Funky structure. Great narration Really enjoyed it.
    • 4/5
      The book is fiction, written in the first person by Anthony Horowitz, the author, who is also a main character. It is very similar to his previous murder mystery "The Magpie Murders"; however, I did not enjoy this nearly as much. A woman plans her own funeral and then is murdered the same day. Who did it? Strange sort of set up in that the police have asked a former (as in left under a cloud) detective to see what he could come up with and he (Hawthorne) convinces Horowitz to tag along and then write a book about his exploits in solving the case. For me there were a lot of things that didn't seem realistic or plausible. But, all in all, it was a good yarn.
    • 5/5
      Anthony Horowitz has written a book in which Hawthorne, a former police detective now working as a police consultant, enlists Anthony Horowitz to collaborate with him on a book about his detective work. The case that is to be the subject of this proposed book (and also of the book "The Word is Murder") involves the murder of a wealthy widow and mother of a successful actor, coincidentally a few hours after she had arranged her own funeral. That meta device is clever and so is the resolution of the mystery. It turns out that there was more than one mystery to solve and even the red herrings led to interesting side plots. There's room at the end, as Horowitz discovers more layers to Hawthorne, for this book to become a series and I'd be happy to read it.
    • 5/5
      Great book. Great mystery well done. Yeah I’m sorry but
    • 5/5
      Anthony Horowitz displays his versatility, cleverness, and whimsy in "The Word is Murder," in which Horowitz inserts himself into the plot of his whodunit. Well-known as the author of popular books for young adults and as a screenwriter for successful television shows, Horowitz hooks us immediately and holds our attention until the final surprise is sprung. The action opens with Diana Cowper, a woman in her sixties, visiting an undertaker. For some reason, she goes about arranging the details of her funeral service and burial. This intriguing chapter is followed by a murder, and subsequently, a deal is struck between former Detective Inspector Daniel Hawthorne and Horowitz. The two will collaborate on a book about Hawthorne's investigative prowess. Although Horowitz is not fond of Hawthorne, who is arrogant and condescending, Horowitz decides to swallow his pride and work with him on the project.

      Why does the author put up with the Hawthorne's supercilious manner? In spite of his misgivings, Horowitz is motivated by a desire to try his hand at true crime. The proposed manuscript involves a tragic automobile accident that took a child's life and seriously injured his twin brother; an egotistical young actor whose mother dotes on him; and a second killing that is even more brutal than the first. Horowitz and Hawthorne interview quite a few individuals who were acquainted with the victims--for Hawthorne, a ruthless interrogator, "politeness was a surgical mask, something he slipped on before he took out his scalpel"--but for quite a while, it is unclear how the pieces of this extremely complicated inquiry fit together.

      Horowtiz's narration is engrossing and entertaining, but when he tries to match wits with Hawthorne, he realizes that he is out of his depth. An abundance of red herrings leave him more confused than enlightened, and he wonders, "How could I tell what was relevant and what wasn't?" The clues are laid out for those astute enough to interpret them, but not everyone is as sharp and insightful as, say, Hercules Poirot or Sherlock Holmes. What makes this novel such fun is Horowitz's engaging style; colorful depiction of character and setting; sly humor; use of literary and cultural allusions; and brilliant misdirection. Its improbable elements notwithstanding, "The Word is Murder" is a witty, diverting, and refreshingly original mystery that will delight fans of classic detective stories.
    • 4/5
      A good book that encompasses the mystery and naive writer following a detective.

      But portrayal of antagonist is somewhat comical and that took away the realism away from the book.
    • 5/5
      I think this is the first 5 star review I have written. The Word is Murder is not only an excellent murders-mystery-detective-story with elements of Sherlock Holmes & Agatha Christie, it is an excellent journey into the mind of the side kick. It reads like a point of view from Dr. Watson, while also being completely new, inventive, and riveting.
      I love the writing style. I love the story. I love the narrator. Read it now if you love mystery, intrigue, and human nature.
    • 5/5
      Thoroughly enjoyable whodunit. The first person style of the authour really draws you in to make you feel a part of the mystery, trying to figure out the clues for oneself. The audio was first class
    • 5/5
      a Nice and page turning stunning detective novel by anthony !! Thmubs up!!
    • 5/5
      Excellent book, awesome narration, thrilling to listen and very difficult to keep down
    • 3/5
      Why do liberals insist on being so sanctimoniously preachy? The more you proclaim your virtuous proclivities, the more you lend doubt to same -- which Horowitz himself asserted when he said homophobes are often homosexual themselves. Also, why do liberal Jews feel obligated to insult their religion? Horowitz mentions more than once that he ordered a "bacon sandwich." Wow, a Jew eating bacon. A status symbol for those who believe they are above such biblical proclamations. Horowitz ruined this semi-autobiographical soup by over peppering it with such vapid virtue signaling.
    • 5/5
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    • 4/5
      The first of the Hawthorne & Horowitz series. The author writes in the first person while introducing Hawthorne, a disgraced DI who consults with the police on their most difficult cases. The style of the book goes a nod to the Holmes & Watson relationship and Agatha Christie style story arc.This one deals with the death of Diana Cowper, who is murdered hours after arranging her own funeral. The back story includes her involvement in a hit and run accident of 8 year old twins where one dies and the other is permanently disabled. And she has an actor son whose career is ascendant and which she will protect at all costs.As expected, there are twists and turns. It's an enjoyable story. I will likely continue the series.
    • 5/5
      The Word is Murder is written by Anthony Horowitz and published in 2017.The title, The Word is Murder, is Book #1 in the Horowitz & Hawthorne mystery series.Brilliant, witty and very entertaining, the basic story involves solving the murder of a woman who was involved in a hit-and-run accident ten years previously. Hawthorne will ‘solve’ the case and Horowitz will take notes and write the book about the ‘case’.Are we primarily interested in the complicated murder mystery?The relationship between Horowitz and ‘rogue’ detective Hawthorne?Will ‘Tony’ end the partnership? or come to a compromise, so as to write about this very puzzling mystery?Read the book and decide! *****