A Deadly Episode

In this sixth installment of the acclaimed meta-detective series, author Anthony Horowitz and investigator Daniel Hawthorne visit the Hastings film set of their first adapted case. Instead of a smooth production, they find absolute chaos: a pretentious director, an eco-activist screenwriter, feuding leads, and a broke producer. The tension turns deadly when the actor playing Hawthorne is stabbed mid-shoot, forcing the real detective to investigate his own cinematic murder.

What makes this novel remarkable is Horowitz’s ingenious play with the boundaries of reality and fiction. By placing himself as a character within his own narrative, he delivers a witty, satirical look at the film industry while maintaining a flawlessly plotted puzzle. The atmospheric Hastings setting, combined with a cast of delightfully flawed suspects and sharp dialogue, elevates this into a brilliant, self-referential literary game.

This book is an absolute treat for fans of classic murder mysteries, meta-fiction, and British crime writing. It is perfect for readers who enjoy clever narrative tricks, cozy-style puzzles, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of showbiz. Whether you have followed Hawthorne from his first case or are just joining the investigation, this novel offers a highly entertaining, intellectually satisfying escape.