The continuation of a remarkably fun series, Close to Death is another expertly crafted tale of murder, deception and investigative genius. Anthony Horowitz delivers another wonderfully mysterious whodunit in which he’s the Watson to Hawthorne’s Sherlock.
With no active case being investigated by Hawthorne, Anthony Horowitz is compelled to write his next book about a murder that happened several years ago in a small, exclusive gated community called Riverside Close. Containing six houses and friendly neighbors, it seems like an idyllic neighborhood. That is until the newest resident is found murdered. With every inhabitant a suspect, the police call in Hawthorne to assist in the investigation. Using notes, recordings and conducting a few new interviews, Horowitz reconstructs the events and tries to figure out who’s the killer and their motive. But with several individuals strongly recommending abandoning this story in favor of finding a different case to write about, Horowitz just might conclude this is a crime best left dead and buried in the past.
Close to Death has a different and intriguing feel to the prior books in the series in which the author is the sidekick during an active murder investigation. This time, he’s researching and reconstructing a past crime investigated by Hawthorne. And while Horowitz isn’t constantly being told by the onery Hawthorne that he’s getting it all wrong and compromising the investigation, he’s still being told that his writing isn’t capturing events exactly as they occurred. So, there’s still some investigative stress between the two. But the conflict ratchets up to higher levels as Horowitz attempts to learn more about Hawthorne’s past. And that’s the part that really propels the character development and moves the series forward. It’s a great device for delving into Hawthorne’s past and providing a deeper look into what makes him tick. Though there’s still plenty left uncovered to keep him mysterious and enigmatic, which keeps the tension between the main characters in place.
Additionally, this feels like a potential turning point for the series with an uncertain ending that could go multiple directions. Adding to the suspense of the novel with ambiguity for the future. But as long as we get more Hawthorne and Horowitz, whatever comes next will be a treat.
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Purchase Close To Death
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Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen
