British author Anthony Horowitz may be best known for creating terrific television series that have become global hits, such as “Foyle’s War” and “Midsomer Murders.” He also is a bestselling author who has written some of the most cunning mysteries in recent memory. His prior release, MOONFLOWER MURDERS, involved a plot that featured a novel-within-a-novel gimmick that was extremely clever and made for a memorable read.

Horowitz already claims to have created more fictional murders than any other writer alive. With an assertion like that, he will need to up the ante. He does just that in A LINE TO KILL, the third book in his series featuring ex-Detective Inspector Daniel Hawthorne, by again inserting himself as a character in the story. Hawthorne initially approached author Anthony Horowitz to follow his investigations for the purpose of turning them into bestselling novels. They have had a few successful investigations, and Horowitz is actually putting the finishing touches on their second book at the start of A LINE TO KILL.

"A LINE TO KILL is such a satisfying read.... [It] presents a murder mystery that is readily accessible to all fans of the genre --- be it extreme crime or cozy-style!"

Horowitz’s publisher and agent approach him and Hawthorne with a proposal to attend a literary event on the isle of Alderney. Hawthorne enthusiastically agrees, and of course Horowitz follows suit. Horowitz does not know much about Alderney other than that it’s a small island with little to no crime. If you ignore the atrocities that were committed when the island was occupied during the Second World War, there hasn’t been a single murder there. We all know that’s about to change!

The Alderney Lit Festival is not a huge affair and attracts a modest number of authors, including another mystery writer, an alleged psychic medium and a famous British chef who has his own TV program. The latter, Marc Bellamy, makes quite an impression on Horowitz, who spies him throwing a tantrum and appearing to look like he has “murder in his eyes.”

While exploring the island, Hawthorne and Horowitz learn more about its infamous history involving a concentration camp run by the Nazis and the bodies of thousands of victims buried under their feet. There is one current event that is threatening to undermine and detract from the memory of all those who died there. A wealthy resident, Charles le Mesurier, is spearheading a group to bring a new power source to the island --- a proposal that has its residents at serious odds with each other.

At one point, le Mesurier finds the ace of spades on his car windshield. Horowitz is astute enough to know that this is the death card and will learn soon enough why Hawthorne is so eager to visit Alderney. While attending one of the author sessions, they see le Mesurier in the presence of Derek Abbott, who spent time in prison for pedophilia and other crimes. He walks with a cane after falling down a flight of stairs. It turns out that the arresting investigator and the person who allegedly pushed him down those stairs is none other than Hawthorne.

The stage is now set for a high-profile murder on Alderney, and readers will not have to wait long for the first body to show up: le Mesurier, who we already know had many detractors. Shortly thereafter, his wife will fall victim to possibly the same murderer, now pushing Hawthorne and Horowitz into full investigation mode --- and potentially supply fodder for a third novel of their exploits to please their publisher.

At one point early in the investigation, Hawthorne turns to Horowitz and states, “There are an awful lot more than six people who wanted him dead… It’s a line to kill if ever I saw one.” Readers can now sit back and follow along with the investigation while simultaneously playing home sleuth. There will be the expected misdirection and red herrings to keep the plot humming along at a nice pace.

A LINE TO KILL is such a satisfying read. I especially enjoy that Anthony Horowitz is able to jump from a complex novel like MOONFLOWER MURDERS back to the Hawthorne & Horowitz series, which presents a murder mystery that is readily accessible to all fans of the genre --- be it extreme crime or cozy-style!