(Harper)
It isn’t that unusual for a person to arrange their own funeral; pre-planned funerals are carried out exactly in accordance with the wishes of the deceased, friends and relatives having nothing to do except attend the service. So when Diana Cowper did just that, it wasn’t unusual, but, when some six hours later that same day, she was murdered, that was certainly unusual. Hawthorne, previously a detective with the Metropolitan Police Service in London but now having been let go, is engaged as a consultant, to work the case alongside the police. He in turn contacts Anthony Horowitz, author of this book and an author in real life, to shadow him and write a book about it. “Hawthorne Investigates” is the title suggested, which is promptly scoffed at by the real author. Many such moments abound in this clever meta murder mystery. When Horowitz, English novelist and screenwriter whose work for young adult readers includes the Alex Rider series, agrees to the unpleasant task of writing about this tricky investigation being carried out by a fairly repugnant man, he also finds himself embroiled in murder most foul. A rather enjoyable romp with a good-to-the-last ending.
— Reviewed by Jenny Lyons of The Vermont Book Shop
Many More Mystery & Detective Novels
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The President Is Missing by James Patterson & Bill Clinton
The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand
The Dry by Jane Harper
Camino Island by John Grisham
The Dante Chamber by Matthew Pearl
Providence by Caroline Kepnes
A Legacy of Spies by John le Carré
Mr. Flood’s Last Resort by Jess Kidd