The third book of this series featuring Anthony Horowitz and ex detective Hawthorne. I had already enjoyed books 1 and 2 - The Word is Murder and The Sentence is Death and this book maintained the high standard. A great read with interesting characters, twists and turns and great dialogue. Hawthorne is such a clever creation, very mysterious. Looking forward to book 4. Thanks to Jelly Books for a review copy

This is another hugely enjoyable metafictional murder mystery from Anthony Horowitz. This is the third book in which a fictionalised version of Horowitz appears alongside the private investigator and ex-police detective Daniel Hawthorne, following on from 'The Word is Murder' and 'The Sentence is Death'. In this book, Horowitz has finished writing 'The Word is Murder' which is due to be published later that year. He and Hawthorne receive their first invitation to attend a literary festival on the island of Alderney. Horowitz normally loves literary festivals, but this one seems rather underwhelming, and he is less than impressed with the line-up of other writers due to join them there, which includes a French-speaking performance poet, a spiritualist medium and an ITV2 chef. Add to this a few suspicious local characters and some tensions on the island surrounding plans for a power line connecting France and Britain, and the scene is set for the perfect murder mystery. Hawthorne and Horowitz once again make an excellent double-act. Hawthorne largely fits the stereotype of the maverick investigator, and in this novel, we gain a few more insights in to the events that led to Hawthorne's expulsion from the police force. Horowitz, meanwhile, makes an effective sidekick, in the tradition of Dr Watson and Captain Hastings - perhaps a little savvier but also prepared to let the reader have a laugh at the expense of his fictional alter-ego. There is an interesting tension between Hawthorne's commitment to solving the mystery and Horowitz's desire for a good story, and Horowitz creates further humour through his bruised ego when Hawthorne attracts a greater share of the limelight than him when promoting their book. Horowitz is perhaps the ultimate crime writer's crime writer: in both the Hawthorne series and the Magpie/Moonflower Murders books, he manages to construct whodunnits which are ingeniously plotted and include all the ingredients of a classic detective novel, whilst also reflecting on what makes us enjoy these stories so much. Once again, 'A Line to Kill' delivers plenty of clues, twists and red herrings, with an ending that is very satisfying, but the overall feel of the book is playful and entertaining rather than overly gritty or macabre. Although this is a genre which is inevitably a little formulaic, the change of setting means that this doesn't just feel like a re-hash of the last two novels. Having all the suspects confined in one place cut off from the rest of the world is a staple of the detective genre but new to this series, and it is effective in holding our interest. If you like detective fiction then you are almost certain to enjoy this book. This can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading 'The Word is Murder' and 'The Sentence is Death' first as there are a few references to earlier events in the novels. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC to review.

My thanks to Random House U.K./Cornerstone for an eARC, via NetGalley, of ‘A Line to Kill’ by Anthony Horowitz in exchange for an honest review. I complemented my reading with its unabridged audiobook edition, read by Rory Kinnear. This is the third in this quirky series of mysteries featuring former police detective turned private investigator, Daniel Hawthorne. What makes these books unusual is that Horowitz is a character in the novels. He serves as the narrator and something of a Watson to Hawthorne’s Holmes. The premise for the series is that Hawthorne had proposed the idea of a series of crime novels based on his cases and Horowitz agreed to shadow him and write up the investigations. In ‘A Line to Kill’ their first book, ‘The Word is Murder’, is about to be published and they receive an invitation to attend a new literary festival being held on Alderney in the Channel Islands. It is a tiny island, just three miles long and a mile and a half wide. Its residents are quite proud that there has never been a murder on Alderney. Until now…. I won’t say more in order to avoid spoilers. ‘A Line to Kill’ is a very clever whodunnit with plenty of witty dialogue. Horowitz has a stunning amount of writing experience including adapting murder mysteries for television such as the highly popular ‘Midsomer Murders’ and ‘Poirot’. His plotting and pacing is impeccable. I have never been disappointed by any of his novels. Alongside his fictional self and Daniel Hawthorne, Horowitz has assembled a great cast of supporting characters including the visiting authors and the local residents. I was pleased to have its audiobook edition as it included a bonus interview in which Horowitz spoke about his inspirations for the Hawthorne & Horowitz Mysteries and his future plans for the series. Hurrah. I certainly intend to continue reading them as long as he writes them. Overall, an entertaining and highly engaging new instalment in this excellent series of murder mysteries.

I bought this on a whim, not expecting to enjoy it much and to throw it one side when something better came along. I didn't. I looked forward to going back to the story and read deep into the night a couple of times. It's a well written, imaginatively plotted, Agatha Christie inspired, tale of murder on a small channel island. It is crisply written in the first person and punts along at exactly the right pace. Trim, but still with red herrings galore, the reveal is in the right place and has the requisite twists and turns. All-in-all a good detective novel that probably won't trouble any literary prize committees, but will satisfy most readers who pick it up.

A Line to Kill is the latest entry (3#) in Anthony Horowitz'sHawthorne and Horowitz series. I can't recommend this series enough. It's clever in so many ways. The protagonist is the enigmatic Hawthorn, let go from the police force and now working as a P.I. Hawthorne is such a great character - a brilliant detective, but somewhat lacking in personal interactive skills. I quite like him. And playing Watson to his Holmes? Anthony Horowitz. Uh huh - Horowitz has written himself in as a character in the series! He plays himself, writing about Hawthorne's cases. The relationship between the two is...interesting... Hawthorne and Horowitz are invited to a literary festival that's being held on the island of Alderney to promote their first two books. They attend and meet the other presenters - who are a peculiar bunch. When a murder occurs and the island is locked down, Hawthorne's expertise is called upon. And Horowitz is along to document what may become the basis for their third book.(He fervently hopes so, as then his contract would be fulfilled and he'd be done with Hawthorne.) I adore 'locked room' mysteries. There's always a wealth of characters to sift through for the final whodunit. None of them will tell the truth and we're along for the ride as Hawthorne interviews, investigates and pulls on the threads that will unveil the culprit. My suspect list changed with every revelation. Horowitz adds in his two cents worth as well. There is a large cast of possible suspects and I did have to stop and make a mental list of who was who. The mystery is well written, intricately planned and the final ah hah wasn't easy to suss out. But what I enjoy the most are the characters. I want to know more about Hawthorne's past. There are some hints and clues leaked in this latest, with one final revelation opening the door for the next book. My curiosity is more than whetted. And again the clever way Horowitz has inserted himself in the story. I wonder how much of the book character is Horowitz himself? The verbal sparring and mental jousting between the two is so much fun. I really enjoy this duo!