Enthralling

I started this with some trepidation, the idea of a novel with its own writer as a character in a fictional story had the potential to be a bit of a car crash. But he really did pull it off. The elements of reality and fiction were pulled together neatly, and I really enjoyed all the overt, and the more subtle, nods to the conventions and the works of the Greats of the Detective genre.

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6 people found this helpful

Classic murder story

Only drawback the relentlessly dull voice of the narrator. But a very good yarn nonetheless.

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2 people found this helpful

Involving the author directly makes for an interesting story

The first person narrative by the author himself is a little off putting at the start but stick with it. The story unfolds with several twists and blind alleys leading to a conclusion that is constructed in a manner that gives the listener the opportunity to work out the murderer - something I personally enjoy - just before the author reveals the culprit himself. Hawthorne, the detective inspector, obviously has ‘history’ and his character is well positioned for book two!
In all an enjoyable listen and I’d recommend it.

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1 person found this helpful

Amazing, clever, gripping novel

From the start this book is clever, intriguing, surprisingly witty and gripping. The plot is stunningly brilliant and has a lot of depth and layers that reveal themselves as the story develops. For those who criticise the fact that Horowitz sometimes goes on about his various achievements, I do get your point- but these segments are not frequent and the rest of the book is too damn brilliant to miss!

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Loved it!

When Audible notified me about the 3rd in this series being out, I went to investigate. I loved his Sherlock Holmes books.
Turns out I already owned the 1st, this, but had forgotten about it. Oops!
Odd format, odd mix of reality and fiction but excellent book.
Perfect narrator.
On to the 2nd!

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excellent murder thriller

i loved it and Rory Kinnear is an excellent reader.
will now read some more Horowitz adult novels

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Absolutely first class!

I've never read any of Anthony Horowitz before but I certainly will do from now on. The story had me gripped from the very beginning. The fact that he's put himself in the book was fascinating and I had to keep telling myself that it was a work of fiction and not true!
The hateful Hawthorne really made me laugh at times and at others I was virtually shouting at him but his character rubbed along with Horowitz so nicely that I'd love to read another about them both.
Rory Kinnear has such a wonderful voice and I could listen to him all day. He remembered the voices and accents of all characters so you could recognise them instantly.
All round, this is a must listen. I really don't know why it was languishing in my library, unheard, for as long as it was.

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intriguing

bit different to other murder books but keeps you changing your mind who the murderer is sad it finished too quick

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Captivating!

Fantastically written. Brilliantly told. A riveting story. I could not put it down, so to speak!

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Fabulous

This is such good fun, I binge listened and almost left work early so I could finish. The performance was wonderful.

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