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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
I'm still not sold on the metafictional conceit of this mystery series, which places its author as a Watson-type narrator to the investigations of a supposed Holmes-like acquaintance. This second novel continues that detective's odious streak as well: it's true that Anthony Horowitz the character objects to Hawthorne's racism and homophobia, but it's still Anthony Horowitz the writer who has crafted him that way in the first place. These issues might matter less if the central case were more compelling, but it's a fairly typical murder plot with a few too many coincidences, which tends to highlight the other weaknesses of the story. I don't know if I'll continue with any further sequels.
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Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
You don't mean to tell me that people you don't find attractive can be happy and nice!? Shocking
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-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:
Yes
Even though I realised mid-read I was reading the second part of Daniel Hawthorne's sequel before the first, the book was very easy to understand and Horowitz did really well at including the important details. Until the very end, I had no clue who was the killer and I found myself investigating through my reading. I also loved how Horowitz included himself as a character rather than making up a new one! Not my last book from him!
lighthearted
medium-paced
I have really enjoyed this series. Interesting characters and fascinating the way he seems to intertwine real life and fiction so you are left wondering what is real and what isn’t. Very clever.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked the first one better but it's still a very fun read! The audiobook narrator is great, but the voice for the female detective was awful and that did grate on me after a while.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Eight years after one of three friends died during a caving expedition gone wrong, the other friends die within a day of each other. Hawthorne entices Horowitz into investigating the possible murders with him, as the basis of Horowitz 's second true crime novel based on Hawthorne's consulting work for the MET. The meta novel follows a similar recipe to its predecessor, but the whodunnit is definitely easier for the reader to figure out before the dénouement. There are some very clever homages to two lesser known Sherlock Holmes mysteries, which also adds to the enjoyment. Character development and self analysis is as always top notch. An engaging and entering read.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This may be my favorite Anthony Horowitz book. It's the 4th I've read and I think it was so rich and had so many side stories and threads and the ending is so satisfying. It takes a real talent to come up with multiple completely salient and believable endings to a murder mystery as complex as this one. It kind of reminded me of Clue in that way. The world building for this novel was so immense and immersive that I as a fellow writer am floored. It's so hard for me to explain all the intricacies, but if you're going to read an Anthony Horowitz book, make it this one.
***Spoilers***
I love stupid cringefail Anthony getting stabbed AGAIN what a dummy omg
***Spoilers***
I love stupid cringefail Anthony getting stabbed AGAIN what a dummy omg
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A