Close to Death

A Novel

By: Anthony Horowitz

Narrated by: Anthony Horowitz, Rory Kinnear

In New York Times–bestselling author Anthony Horowitz’s ingenious fifth literary whodunit in the Hawthorne and Horowitz series, Detective Hawthorne is once again called upon to solve an unsolvable case—a gruesome murder in an idyllic gated community in which suspects abound

Riverside Close is a picture-perfect community. The six exclusive and attractive houses are tucked far away from the noise and grime of city life, allowing the residents to enjoy beautiful gardens, pleasant birdsong and tranquility from behind the security of a locked gate.

It is the perfect idyll until the Kentworthy family arrives, with their four giant, gas-guzzling cars, a gaggle of shrieking children and plans for a garish swimming pool in the backyard. Obvious outsiders, the Kentworthys do not belong in Riverside Close, and they quickly offend every last one of their neighbours.

When Giles Kentworthy is found dead on his own doorstep, a crossbow bolt sticking out of his chest, Detective Hawthorne is the only investigator that can be called on to solve the case.

Because how do you solve a murder when everyone is a suspect?

Just keeps getting better

Thoroughly enjoyed Close to Death - it may be my favourite of Horowitz’s Hawthorne series. Really enjoyed the intricate plot. I also liked the slightly different approach to the story, because some of the “Hawthorne is brilliant, narrator is not” shtick can get a bit tiring. This approach added depth to Hawthorne’s character.