The Word Is Murder

The story focuses on solving the murder of a woman who was involved in a hit-and-run accident ten years previously.

Anthony, the narrator (a fictionalized version of the author), is approached by ex-Detective Inspector Hawthorne, with whom he worked on a television series.

Hawthorne, who is in need of money, proposes that Anthony write a book about him and one of the cases he is working on in exchange for a 50/50 split of the advance and royalties.

Initially reluctant, Anthony agrees and proceeds to document Hawthorne’s solution of the case.

[4] In May 2021 the Japanese edition of The Word Is Murder won the Best Translated Honkaku Mystery of the Decade (2010-2019).