With its intriguing premise, well-told story, amusing dialogue, and especially its clever structure (Anthony Horowitz is both author and character in his own book), Close to Death is an entertaining mystery that will be a sure-fire hit with all Horowitz fans.
The story is set in Riverview Close in Richmond upon Thames.
The price of disturbing the harmony of the close is a crossbow bolt through the neck. Such is the fate that befalls obnoxious newcomer, Giles Kenworthy. Each of the residents in the gated community has cause to be upset with their new neighbor. But murder? A get-together is arranged to confront the bothersome new arrival, but he doesn’t show up; six weeks later he’s dead. Five years after these events, Anthony Horowitz – yes, the author appears in the story as himself – is writing about the murder in collaboration with the investigating detective, Daniel Hawthorne. The narrative switches from exchanges between the two men about their book, to Horowitz’s live-action recreation of the crime and its aftermath. The solution to this locked-door mystery, or rather closed-Close mystery, is, as in many such stories, intricate, and its explication can be heavy-going (over twenty pages) but as is customary, the reader is given all the clues to solve the mystery.
Star Rating: 4 out of 5
Available on Amazon
Published by Harper
April 16, 2024
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