The Twist of a Knife

 The fourth of six books in Anthony Horowitz’s Hawthorne & Horowitz series is a bit different than those that preceded it. Once again, author Horowitz lies a path full of possible suspects, and the fictionalized Horowitz was always a step behind figuring out all the clues. In The Twist of a Knife, rather than have the fictionalized author sort of take the role of Watson, like in the Sherlock Holmes series, Horowitz himself was accused of murdering the critic who harshly critiqued his most recent play. Again, the antagonist for detective Hawthorne and his reluctant bibliographer Mr. Horowitz was the buffoon, Deputy Inspector Cara Grunshaw. Grunshaw is angry that Hawthorne had made such a fool of her in a prior case, and she is determined to get even with them. She provides an apt comedy figure for the seriousness of a bloody murder. After learning about all the possible suspects, the reader is led to a remarkable closing scene in which Hawthorne solves the case. All possible suspects have been called to a room where Hawthorne leads his understanding of what happened and then reveals the killer.

Once again, I’ve been successfully entertained by Horowitz’s plot, subplots and lively characters. This is a series that deserves to be read in the order of publication, and I’ve already begun the fifth book. I think this is delightful writing and you will be so happy that you chose to dive in.