The Twist of a Knife was published by Century in 2022. A theatre critic is murdered after writing a devastating review of Horowitz’s latest play — and Horowitz himself is arrested as the prime suspect. The reversal of roles (Hawthorne must now investigate to clear his biographer rather than simply being observed by him) gives the novel a different dynamic: Horowitz-the-character is in genuine jeopardy, and his relationship with Hawthorne is tested by the question of whether the detective truly believes in his innocence.
The novel is the series’ most self-referential: Horowitz draws on his actual theatrical career, real productions, and genuine professional anxieties to construct a plot that blurs the line between autobiography and fiction more aggressively than the previous entries.
Collecting The Twist of a Knife
First edition (Century, London, 2022): Boards with dust jacket.
Market values:
- Fine in dust jacket: $15–$25
- Very good: $8–$15
Projected values (2026–2036): Moderate appreciation.
The Author as Suspect
By making himself the murder suspect, Horowitz pushes the metafictional premise to its logical extreme. The reader knows the author didn’t commit the crime (he wrote the book, after all), but the novel forces you to consider the possibility within its own reality — a vertigo-inducing trick that only works because the series has spent three previous books establishing “Horowitz” as a reliable, recognisable character.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Horowitz really write plays? Yes. Anthony Horowitz is an active playwright and screenwriter. He created the ITV series Foyle’s War and has written extensively for television. His theatrical work is less well-known but genuine — the play reviewed in the novel is fictional, but Horowitz’s theatrical career is real.