A Guide to Anthony Horowitz's Book & TV Series
Fans of MASTERPIECE Mystery! are already acquainted—and quite possibly enamored—with bestselling author and screenwriter Anthony Horowitz. He’s the mastermind behind the Susan Ryeland meta-mystery series, creator of Foyle’s War, and writer behind other detective series that became PBS staples. But there’s more to Horowitz’s creative case file than you might suspect. Here’s a look at just how far his imagination and talent have taken him.
You can watch all three installments of Horowitz's Susan Ryeland mysteries on PBS Passport: Magpie Murders, Moonflower Murders, and Marble Hall Murders.
Major Adult Books
Anthony Horowitz has written standalone novels, but his most enduring creations are his book series—four very different worlds that have made him one of Britain's most prolific and successful mystery writers.
Susan Ryeland series: This "mystery-within-a-mystery" trilogy follows book editor Susan Ryeand as she investigates real crimes with the help of fictional detective Atticus Pünd. Horowitz adapted all three for MASTERPIECE Mystery! with Lesley Manville starring as Ryeland. Horowitz won the prestigious Edgar Award in 2023 for his Magpie Murders screenplay. Stream Magpie Murders (2022), Moonflower Murders (2024), and Marble Hall Murders (2026) on PBS Passport, an added benefit for local PBS station members.
Hawthorne & Horowitz series: A meta-fictional adult mystery series in which Horowitz puts himself into the story as the reluctant sidekick to detective Daniel Hawthorne. There are six books to date, beginning with The Word Is Murder (2017). As Horowitz tells NPR, “I am the narrator. I am the Watson to his Holmes.” The author’s relationship with his character is decidedly uneasy—Hawthorne is “quite mean” and even insists on calling him “Tony.”
Sherlock Holmes continuation series: The ‘game was afoot’ when the Conan Doyle estate commissioned Horowitz to write The House of Silk (2011), the first new Holmes novel ever authorized. “I’m not an arrogant person by nature,” Horowitz told BBC News, “but in this case I just knew I could do it.” Its success led to a second novel, Moriarty (2014). As Horowitz writes on his website, “It may well be that Sherlock Holmes is the reason why I have spent so much of my life writing crime fiction of my own.”
James Bond continuation series: Horowitz was invited by the Fleming estate to continue 007’s adventures—a dream for a lifelong Bond fan. “I think it was always my ambition to write a Bond novel, but I never dreamed that I would end up being commissioned to do three,” Horowitz writes. Drawing on unpublished material by Ian Fleming, he penned Trigger Mortis (2015), Forever and a Day (2018), and With a Mind to Kill (2022).
Major Children's Books
Horowitz has also built a substantial body of work for younger readers, spanning three series for children ages 10 and up.
Alex Rider collection: There are now 14 novels in Horowitz’s bestselling spy series for kids. The books follow teenage Alex Rider, who’s recruited as an operative for MI6, Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service. The first title, Stormbreaker (2000), became the 2006 film, Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker with a screenplay by Horowitz and starring Alex Pettyfer, Ewan McGregor, Mickey Rourke, Bill Nighy, and Alicia Silverstone. The books were later adapted for TV as Alex Rider on Amazon Prime Video.
The Gatekeepers series: Horowitz described this five-book supernatural fantasy series to The Guardian (UK) as his “Lord of the Rings in the real world.” Beginning with Raven’s Gate (2005), the books follow five teenagers with extraordinary powers as they battle ancient evil forces, with the planet’s fate hanging in the balance. The series combines witches, demons, mythology, and global catastrophe—reflecting Horowitz’s concerns about the future young readers will inherit.
The Diamond Brothers series: A seven-title comedic detective series for younger readers featuring incompetent, self-proclaimed private eye Tim Diamond and his brilliant younger brother Nick. The series includes both full-length novels and shorter novellas. Horowitz first Diamond Brothers book, The Falcon’s Malteser, became the 1988 film Just Ask for Diamond (released in the U.S. as Diamond’s Edge). In 1991, Horowitz wrote and directed a six-part Diamond Brothers TV series.
Major Contributions to Television
Horowitz has created numerous television series and contributed episodes to many more. Beyond the screen adaptations mentioned above, here’s a sampling of his other TV work—by no means an exhaustive list.
Foyle's War: Acclaimed detective drama set during WWII, was created by Horowitz, who also wrote extensively for the show. The British Academy of Film & Television (BAFTA) award-winning series starred Michael Kitchen as Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle and aired on MASTERPIECE from 2002 to 2015.
Midsomer Murders: Horowitz helped create and launch this beloved, long-running crime classic, choosing its title and writing the first seven definitive episodes. He adapted the series from Caroline Graham’s Chief Inspector Barnaby books. The show remains a staple on PBS stations across the country.
Agatha Christie's Poirot: A longtime fan of Agatha Christie’s Poirot novels, Horowitz adapted 11 of her 70 stories for television. The iconic series starred David Suchet as Hercules Poirot and was a familiar presence on PBS in the 1990s.
(Michael Kitchen as DCS Christopher Foyle, Neil Dudgeon as DCI John Barnaby, and David Suchet as Hercule Poirot)
