A Line to Kill by Anthony Horowitz ★★★

[John]

This cozy mystery is another twisty, darkly comedic entry into the world of his fictional detective duo—retired detective Daniel Hawthorne and the ever-reluctant, ever-sarcastic writer (and narrator) of their adventures, Anthony Horowitz. This third book in the Hawthorne and Horowitz series continues to blend metafictional elements with a classic Agatha Christie-like whodunit, one that that keeps you guessing until the very end.

The story begins with the duo traveling to the small town of Alderley in the Channel Islands to attend a literary festival. What begins as a seemingly routine event soon turns dark when a local millionaire is found murdered.Since the local police have little experience with murder, Hawthorne's assistance is requested. Hawthorne is again blunt and Sherlock Holmes-briliant while the bumbling and witty Horowitz serves as Hawthorne's foil. Of course, there are a cast of characters who have motive to have murdered the nasty millionaire.

The novel is an effective blend of humor and tension. The witty repartee between Horowitz as narrator and Hawthorne is what makes this series a great read. As with all of Horowitz's mysteries, this one is well-constructed and plotted. If you like whodunits with a twist, the Hawthorne and Horowitz series is for you.

[Robin P]

I love this series for how Horowitz makes himself the bumbling sidekick. Also Hawthorne is such a cryptic figure.