The Word is Murder

Explore how Horowitz as author uses Anthony the character to examine his own flaws, foibles, and imperfections.

What is the effect of Anthony continually comparing Hawthorne to a child, despite his abrasive nature?

In what way is the Godwin family story, a tale of partnership gone wrong, echoing the tensions between other characters in the text?

Compare and contrast Hawthorne’s and Anthony’s characters. In what ways are they alike, despite their frequent conflicts?

Does Anthony the character’s decision to work with Hawthorne despite his anti-gay bias change your view of the character? Explore his reflections on the deeper question of how to make an unlikeable character compelling.

Though the primary investigators are men, the women in the novel play important roles in moving the plot forward and reinforcing its key themes. Choose two to three female characters and discuss how their roles function.

Using both the Cowpers and the Godwins as examples, explore the power of familial relationships in the novel.

What do Anthony and Hawthorne’s debates about the title of their book reveal about their conceptions of what makes mysteries compelling or important? Who wins the argument?