Listen to a sample
A Deadly Episode
Hawthorne (Related to this series)
- Author
- Anthony Horowitz
- Narrator
- Rory Kinnear
- Publisher
- Cornerstone
- Publish Date
- 23 April 2026
- Run Time
- 8 hours 4 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
- Genre
- Crime and mystery: private investigator / amateur detectives, Thriller / suspense fiction, Films, cinema
- Rating
- 4.7 (3 reviews)
Not available in your country
We don't have the rights to sell this audiobook where you are. If it's already in your library you can still listen to it in My Books.
What to expect
Brought to you by Penguin.
From the global bestselling author of Moonflower Murders and Close to Death comes an unputdownable new mystery in the Hawthorne and Horowitz series.
The Word is Murder, the first book in the Hawthorne series, is about to be made into a major feature film.
The actors have been cast, the script written, and filming has already started in Hastings.
But when Hawthorne and Anthony visit the set, they find a far from happy family.
The director’s pretentious, the screenwriter’s an eco-warrior, the two stars hate each other, and the producer has run out of money.
And things are about to get much, much worse.
In the middle of shooting, the actor playing Hawthorne is stabbed – which leaves the real Hawthorne with no choice. He has to step in and investigate his own murder.
Because the killer may not have got the right man. Was it Hawthorne himself who was meant to be the target?
A Deadly Episode is a wild ride through a world that the author knows only too well, and the most personal case Hawthorne has had to deal with so far.
‘Easily the greatest of our crime writers’ Sunday Times
'Nobody does this crime fiction better than Anthony Horowitz’ Crime Time FM
'Anthony Horowitz is a national treasure' Ragnar Jónasson
© Anthony Horowitz 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
Critics Review
-
My favourite Hawthorne yet. Utterly brilliant, and a complete treat. A veritable nesting doll of mysteries in one book, it’s something very close to genius. Anthony Horowitz is in a league of his own
Lucy Foley
-
The sixth outing for the sleuthing duo of Horowitz and Hawthorne, A Deadly Episode, is another winner.
Financial Times
-
A meta romp
New York Times
-
Brilliant . . . the author combines delicious dry humour with a rigorous fair-play whodunnit, but this installment’s Scream-like Hollywood satire takes it to another level
Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
See more reviews See fewer reviews
-
Delightful
Library Journal
-
Clever and playful, this is meta-mystery at its best.
i Paper
-
[Horowitz’s] "Overactive imagination” has once again produced a chunk of five-star entertainment
The Times
-
The sixth in the brilliant Hawthrone and Horowitz series... (is) layers of fun.
Daily Express
-
Horowitz is quite simply a brilliant writer - he's funny, smart and knows how to craft a good story.... Be warned. Horowitz is addictive
Sunday Independent
-
I take such pleasure from this series and this, the sixth, is every bit as good as its predecessors... dare I say, my favourite.
Belfast Telegraph
User Reviews
Book 4.7
Narration 4.7
-
4.0 4.0
An enjoyable tale ,perhaps not as good as previous outings
ring01 2026-07-23 -
5.0 5.0
Another case cracking episode in the life of Hawthorne. Just love these brilliant stories by Anthony Horowitz. Superbly narrated by Rory Kinnear.
Jane B 2026-05-27 -
5.0 5.0
I've been a big fan of Anthony Horowitz for several years and loved the clever "Magpie Murders" trilogy and all the "Hawthorne & Horowitz" series. This highly original series, where the author presents himself as a modern day Dr John Watson to the quirky but brilliant Holmes character Daniel Hawthorne is a wonderful collection and I have to say this , the sixth book in the series, is the very best so far.
It's the first time I've enjoyed the books in audio form and the excellent narration by Rory Kinnear is spot-on and totally immersive. The characters really do come alive but the real secret is the plotting which comes together like a perfectly formed Swiss watch. You find yourself looking out for tell-tale clues as the story develops and as the jigsaw gradually comes together - you will still be surprised right up to the end.
You can read this book as a stand alone plot but I would recommend going back to read all six books in order so that you can appreciate the gradually emerging character and background of Hawthorne as it is gradually revealed.
This is the book of the year for me with a plot that is superior to any of Agatha Christie and it is delivered with wit and panache. Highly recommended!The Peakstet 2026-05-22
Details
- Author
- Anthony Horowitz
- Narrator
- Rory Kinnear
- Duration
- 8 hours 4 minutes
- Release Date
- 23 April 2026
- ISBN
- 9781804957660
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Cornerstone
- Genre
- Crime and mystery: private investigator / amateur detectives, Thriller / suspense fiction, Films, cinema
- Rating
- 4.7(3 reviews)
- Narration
- 4.7(3 reviews)
Synopsis
Brought to you by Penguin.From the global bestselling author of Moonflower Murders and Close to Death comes an unputdownable new mystery in the Hawthorne and Horowitz series.The Word is Murder, the first book in the Hawthorne series, is about to be made into a major feature film.The actors have been cast, the script written, and filming has already started in Hastings.But when Hawthorne and Anthony visit the set, they find a far from happy family.The director’s pretentious, the screenwriter’s an eco-warrior, the two stars hate each other, and the producer has run out of money.And things are about to get much, much worse.In the middle of shooting, the actor playing Hawthorne is stabbed – which leaves the real Hawthorne with no choice. He has to step in and investigate his own murder.Because the killer may not have got the right man. Was it Hawthorne himself who was meant to be the target?A Deadly Episode is a wild ride through a world that the author knows only too well, and the most personal case Hawthorne has had to deal with so far.‘Easily the greatest of our crime writers’ Sunday Times'Nobody does this crime fiction better than Anthony Horowitz’ Crime Time FM'Anthony Horowitz is a national treasure' Ragnar Jónasson© Anthony Horowitz 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
About xigxag
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.