Anthony Horowitz

In New York Times–bestselling author Anthony Horowitz’s ingenious fourth literary whodunit following The Word Is Murder, The Sentence Is Death and A Line to Kill, Horowitz becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation—and only one man can prove his innocence: his newly estranged partner in solving crime, Detective Hawthorne

“I’m sorry, but the answer’s no.” Reluctant author Anthony Horowitz has had enough. He tells ex-detective Daniel Hawthorne that after three books, he’s splitting and their deal is over. The truth is that Anthony has other things on his mind. His new play, a thriller called Mindgame, is about to open at the Vaudeville Theatre in London’s West End. Not surprisingly, Hawthorne declines a ticket to opening night.

The play is panned by the critics. In particular, Sunday Times critic Margaret Throsby gives it a savage review, focusing on the writing. The next day, Throsby is stabbed in the heart with an ornamental dagger that turns out to belong to Anthony and has his fingerprints all over it.

Anthony is arrested by an old enemy, Detective Inspector Cara Grunshaw. She still carries a grudge against him because she failed to solve the case described in The Sentence Is Death. Grunshaw blames Anthony for her failure, and now she’s out for revenge. As the prime suspect in Throsby’s murder, Anthony is thrown in prison, where he fears for both his personal future and his writing career. When a second theatre critic is found dead under mysterious circumstances, the net closes in. Ever more desperate, Anthony realizes that only one man can help him. But will Hawthorne take his call?