Reviews

The Word Is Murder by Anthony Horowitz

nathaliekp's review against another edition

funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

jo_in_bookland's review against another edition

4.0

Very enjoyable mystery with the author as the narrator/main character!

lesty's review against another edition

mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

3.5

natashaball's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Excellent premise - the author putting himself in a fictional murder story, even in the acknowledgments. A few unexpected twists and turns, and the ones I thought would happen never did, which was great! Definitely recommend.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death, Violence, and Child death

Moderate: Homophobia and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Pedophilia and Suicidal thoughts

clak5686's review against another edition

4.25

This book had such a creative premise.  The author is part of the story.  We are introduced to Hawthorne who was formerly a detective and now consults with the police.  He asks Horowitz to write a book about him.  Horowitz follows Hawthorne as he works the case.  We get to the know the characters as the books go on though Hawthorne remains a bit of a mystery.  They mystery portion of the story is interesting and well done.  It kept me guessing.  I listened to the audio book and very much enjoyed the narrator.  I will definitely continue with the series.  I would recommend it.

versamatrix's review against another edition

challenging dark funny mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

ashgross01's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

tesspeter_'s review

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

tedy608's review

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

wetsmoke's review

4.0

4 stars.

This was a well-written, traditional murder mystery. I could have done without the author’s occasional conservative-coded commentary about how sensitive everyone is nowadays, but that thankfully wasn’t at all prominent.