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  • The Word Is Murder

  • Hawthorne, Book 1
  • By: Anthony Horowitz
  • Narrated by: Rory Kinnear
  • Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (579 ratings)

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The Word Is Murder cover art

The Word Is Murder

By: Anthony Horowitz
Narrated by: Rory Kinnear
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Publisher's Summary

She planned her own funeral. But did she arrange her murder?

Buried secrets, murder and a trail of bloody clues lie at the heart of Anthony Horowitz's new detective series. If you enjoyed BBC's Sherlock, you'll love The Word is Murder!

A wealthy woman strangled six hours after she's arranged her own funeral.

A very private detective uncovering secrets but hiding his own.

A reluctant author drawn into a story he can't control.

What do they have in common?

©2017 Anthony Horowitz (P)2017 Random House Audiobooks

Critic Reviews

"The beguiling whodunit plot is dispatched with characteristic elan as Horowitz blurs the line between fact and fiction." ( Financial Times)
"A very clever and inventive mystery." ( Bookbag)
"With its unorthodox protagonist, clever plotting, brilliantly imperfect characters, and escalating sense of urgency and intrigue, The Word Is Murder is an instant crime classic that will keep you reading as fast as you can...one of the best and most compulsively readable mysteries of the year. Hugely satisfying on every level." ( Written by Sime)
"Will undoubtedly exhilarate not only crime and Horowitz fans but anyone who enjoys the sense of metafiction and fourth wall breaking found in books by authors like Lemony Snicket, Bret Easton Ellis and Martin Amis." ( Fiendfully Reading)

What listeners say about The Word Is Murder

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Good Story

Not as good as Magpie Murders but good story well written. It left me with an unfinished filling like the book was waiting for its sequel to follow.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

No real way to anticipate the ending

I found it hard to listen to the preamble but it got better. The pseudo policeman was obnoxious and although that was intended I won’t be getting the sequel. Not up to House of Silk standard which I loved

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great mystery that kept you guessing

If feels like this could be the start of a series. Great to integrate the writing of the book within the book. Recommended to anyone who enjoyed Magpie Murders by the same author.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The Word Is...

Two words actually: clever and entertaining.
So often I've reached the end of viewing something that had me spellbound and decided to make a note of the writer. Anthony Horowitz. Looks like I'll be working my way through his novels. Hope they prove as clever and entertaining as The Word Is Murder.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very clever. Thoroughly enjoyable.

So clever of Horowitz to use crime writing as the premise, casting himself as a Watson character was inspired..loved Hawthorne...reader was brilliant.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely Brilliant!

I've really discovered Anthony Horowitz and he's quickly become a favourite. As a fan of Agatha Christie and the Sherlock Holmes books, these novels are like being in the company of an old, dear friend. Clever and compelling.

Fantastic narration too, really a performance but in a subtle way.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Refreshing

Really loved the idea of a famous author writing a story in which he takes part. loved the characters, the plot, the narration and will be listening to Hawthorne untill ive heard them all.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very good

The voice that performed the book is a clear simple voice is quite nice.
Book overall is entertaining and you can follow along and try solve it yourself. I can’t say anything bad about this book

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Amy
  • 24-11-2018

Not what I expected

I tried this book because I really enjoyed magpie murders and house of silk but this one is quite different and not as enjoyable.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Clever and some great cameos

Unusual detective story .. well crafted .. good plot & characters .. although the grumpy detective was tiresome .. goal
Achieved I guess

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2 people found this helpful

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