Description
The price of disturbing the harmony of Riverview Close in Richmond upon Thames is a crossbow bolt through the neck. Such is the fate that befalls obnoxious newcomer Giles Kenworthy. Each of the residents in the gated community has cause to be upset with their new neighbor. But murder? A get-together is arranged to confront the bothersome new arrival, but he doesn’t show up; six weeks later, he’s dead.
Five years after these events, Anthony Horowitz—yes, the author appears in the story as himself—is writing about the murder in collaboration with the investigating detective, Daniel Hawthorne. The narrative switches from exchanges between the two men about their book to Horowitz’s live-action recreation of the crime and its aftermath. The solution to this locked-door mystery, or rather closed-Close mystery, is, as in many such stories, intricate, and its explication can be heavy-going (over twenty pages).
As customary, the reader is given all the clues to solve the mystery except for the final twist for which a previously undisclosed fact is required. With its intriguing premise, well-told story, clever structure and amusing dialogue, Close to Death is an entertaining mystery that will be a sure-fire hit with all Horowitz fans.