A Deadly Episode by Anthony Horowitz

This is the sixth book in Anthony Horowitz’s brilliantly meta ‘Hawthorne & Horowitz’ series, which sees a fictionalised version of the author teamed up with the secretive and outwardly abrasive private investigator, Daniel Hawthorne. This latest instalment is even more playful and self-aware than its predecessors, as Horowitz and Hawthorne find themselves caught up in the murder of an actor during the filming of their first case. It’s a wonderfully clever premise, packed with backstage rivalries, oversized egos, hidden secrets and plenty of twists.

If you’ve read the earlier books in the series, you’ll know the real joy lies in the relationship between the two leads — and this instalment delivers that brilliantly. As ever, the enigmatic Hawthorne continues to frustrate and fascinate in equal measure, while Horowitz uses the investigation to uncover more about the detective’s past. These glimpses into Hawthorne’s history add surprising emotional depth, revealing a more vulnerable and complex side beneath the sharp edges.

Stylish, witty, and fast-paced, this is escapist crime fiction at its best. Sharp dialogue, memorable characters, and an unexpected twist or two, ‘A Deadly Episode’ is a hugely entertaining and page-turning read.

Richard