Plot summary, “The Word is Murder” by Anthony Horowitz in 8 Minutes - Book Review
0"The Word is Murder" is a mystery novel written by Anthony Horowitz, a popular British author known for his works in the crime and detective genre. It was published in 2017 and features a unique blend of fiction and reality.
The story follows a fictional version of Anthony Horowitz himself, who becomes involved in a real-life murder investigation. In the book, a wealthy woman named Diana Cowper enters a funeral parlor to make arrangements for her own burial. However, just hours later, she is found dead in her home, making her pre-planned funeral suddenly real.
Anthony Horowitz is approached by Daniel Hawthorne, a former detective inspector, who asks him to document the investigation as a true-crime author. The novel then follows Horowitz as he works alongside Hawthorne to uncover the truth behind Diana Cowper's mysterious death.
As the investigation unfolds, Horowitz finds himself drawn into a complex web of secrets, lies, and personal connections. The story takes unexpected twists and turns, with Horowitz's narration blurring the lines between fiction and reality, as he navigates both the murder case and his own personal challenges.
"The Word is Murder" is praised for its clever and metafictional approach, blending elements of a classic whodunit with the author's own involvement in the story. Anthony Horowitz's own experiences as a writer are interwoven into the narrative, creating a self-reflexive and engaging reading experience.
The novel offers an intricate and well-crafted mystery, with a cast of intriguing characters and a plot that keeps readers guessing until the end. It showcases Horowitz's talent for storytelling and his ability to craft compelling narratives within the crime genre.
"The Word is Murder" is the first book in a series featuring the character of Daniel Hawthorne, with subsequent novels continuing the partnership between Hawthorne and Horowitz as they tackle more murder investigations.