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A Deadly Episode - Anthony Horowitz *****

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 11:43

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By Brian Clegg

This is the latest book in what’s already the most meta series of detective stories ever – and Anthony Horowitz cranks the meta-ness up to a new level. The initial conceit is that the series is not fiction, but rather Horowitz working with a former police detective to write up the stories of his work – with Horowitz himself featuring in the story. But in A Deadly Episode, the action takes place on the set of a film being made of the first book of the series – and the murder victim is the actor who plays the detective, Hawthorne.

This is all brilliantly done with the usual humour (Horowitz is always hard done by in his relationship with Hawthorne), and the clever use of a subplot that ties back to Hawthorne’s earlier career – which he rarely reveals to Horowitz. As a writer, Horowitz is able to make the most of his pain at having his story mangled by a screenwriter who is also an environmental activist. Not to mention his mixed feelings about the actor playing him – and the nasty episode at the BAFTAs when said actor’s career was ruined.

We also find out a little more about Hawthorne’s backstory, with something dark from his youth lined up to be dug into in a later addition to the series.

Admittedly because I was on holiday at the time, I read it all in one day – but I would have been tempted to attempt it anyway and had a great time of it.

You can buy A Deadly Episode from Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com or Bookshop.org

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Now Appearing is the blog of science writer Brian Clegg (www.brianclegg.net), author of Inflight Science, Before the Big Bang and The God Effect.

Source: http://brianclegg.blogspot.com/2026/05/a-deadly-episode-anthony-horowitz.html

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