Enjoyable Cleverly-Delivered Mystery

The underlying premise driving the narrative in this book - a mystery writer embedded in a case with a detective/PI/sleuth - has been done before. Anthony Horowitz's twist is that he puts *himself* in the story.. and he's a REAL screenwriter & mystery author (not a fictional one). The combination of real-world figures (actors, directors, screenwriters, etc) with a fascinating fictional detective (the hyperobservant strikingly gruff 'Daniel Hawthorne') works surprisingly well. Their combative but collaborative partnership is fun to watch.
Charges that Horowitz unapologetically markets his own works are legitimate (he drops names and titles frequently), but I didn't find his obvious huge ego overwhelming. If you can overlook it, he crafts a well-contrived well-implemented crime investigation.

The reading from Rory Kinnear is creditable but unspectacular, too. His diction and timing are professional, his timbre and cadence are suitable for hours of listening, and his voice-acting repertoire is expansive & emotive.. but his overall tone is somewhat disinterested. Mr. Kinnear sounds as though he's collecting a paycheck. He was a great casting choice from HarperCollins Publishers Inc - but someone else could easily have done the same work.

In toto, this 8/10-star recording is definitely worth your time if you can get it - as I did - included with your subscription. Even if they ask for a Credit, it's a reasonable option.

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This one is hard to review

This book was a mangled mess of interesting dialogue and dragged out self glorifying promotion that at times was annoying but somehow managed to work. I really enjoyed the book while being equally annoyed by it. I do feel that the final death was lifted from Death of a Hollow man by Caroline Graham - but seeing how Mr. Horowitz successfully wrote that scene for Midsomer Murders it’s understandable to see it here for its dramatic effect. The book never really started, yet I couldn’t stop listening. The narrator was fantastic. And I think in a few days I may need to see how the second book develops the investigator. Hopefully Mr. Horowitz writing credits won’t take up 20 percent of the story in book 2.

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good book

i enjoyed this book. it’s fun how the author is part of the story. we’ll done

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book one of my favourite book series

excellent novel, brilliant voice-acting, expertly written. amazing story that I have read 4 times now LOL

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Interesting Murder Story

Different from many other murder mysteries, yet it’s still intriguing to find out who did it. Love the narrative but I was a bit mixed when the narrator didn’t change his tone for another character twice. No matter. Storyline is good. Recommended.

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First audiobook

Loved it! Extremely well narrated and a great story expertly written. I’m a Connelly fan and not many books grab my attention. This did!

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Really enjoyed this book!

Great book, amazing reader. Excited to listen to the next book! Kept you guessing the whole way through. I highly recommend!

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A Masterful Murder Mystery

As an avid audiobook listener, I was thrilled to discover Anthony Horowitz's The Word is Murder. Narrated by Roy Kinnear, this engaging audio adaptation is a well-crafted mystery that kept me captivated from the first chapter. It follows private investigator Daniel Hawthorne and his unusual partnership with the author himself as they work together to solve a murder case. The plot is intricately designed, with a number of twists and turns that make it hard to predict who the guilty party is. What I found especially interesting is the depth and complexity of the main characters as the story unfolds – something that adds a lot of intrigue to the narrative. In conclusion, The Word is Murder is an excellent mystery audiobook that will keep you guessing until its thrilling climax.

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Totally caught off guard by how good this is

Wow...first of all, I had to look up if this was fiction or not. it reads so well and grounded in reality. usually I'm not a fan of authors inserting themselves into a story, but this works. I didn't predict the ending for a change and it kept me guessing. satisfying listen. great narrator.

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good

This was a real whodunit. kept me guessing until the end,good characters and good narration

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