Both a screenwriter and an English novelist, British author Anthony Horowitz is well known for his ever appealing children’s literature. Combining genres such as fantasy, thriller, horror and adventure, he’s well known for his gripping page-turners and ability to conjure up suspense. With his keen visual flair he’s also managed to adapt his talents onscreen too for both the young and the old alike.
Early and Personal Life
Born on the the 5th of April, 1955, Anthony Horowitz had a British upbringing after being born and raised in the area of Stanmore in Middlesex. Enjoying the privileges of a wealthy childhood, he gained a first class education, thus paving the way for him to become a successful writer. Despite this he suffered a lot of unhappiness and would constantly be found reading as a way of escape. It was at thirteen whilst attending Rugby School that he discovered his true passion for writing as a means for expressing himself. Later graduating from the University of York, he gained himself a degree in art history and English literature during the year of 1977. This all helped him to provide an academic study of the form, thus inspiring his work that was to come later on, along with the experience he gained over the years as well.
Living in central London now, he currently resides with his wife and two sons there as he continues to write to this day. Producing his television series ‘Foyles War’, he met his wife Jill Green in Hong-Kong in 1988, after which they had their two children. His two children now are said to help him with ideas providing new material and fresh insight for his many books to come.
Writing Career
Producing his first book, ‘The Sinister Secret of Frederick K. Bower’, in 1979, he found himself as a well-regarded children’s author with more work to come in the following years. Later this was reissued as ‘Enter Frederick K. Bower’, after his second novel ‘Misha, the Magician and the Mysterious Amulet’ in 1981. Soon though was when he was to start producing his more legendary characters for which he was to become most famous for.
During the 1980’s Anthony Horowitz started creating work for film as well as television, as he begun to expand upon his output. Writing for children’s shows such as ‘Dramarama’ and ‘Robin of Sherwood’ he started to create a name for himself within the field. It was then later on that he wrote the screenplay for the 2006 film ‘Stormbreaker’, whilst he’s also set to write the new Tintin film coming out too. Winning a number of awards throughout the years, Horowitz is not without his fair share of critical acclaim either. Expanding upon the mediums and formats he writes within, such as comic-books as well, this looks set to continue in the years to come. Creating more work all the time, his appeal is growing both critically as well as commercially, as he gains more success.
Having produced work for both film and television now, his career is only growing from strength-to-strength as it progresses. Knowing his audience he’s managed to find his niche and work on it effectively, as he continues to create material of a high standard. This will carry on in the years to come as he shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
Stormbreaker
First published on the 4th of September, 2000, in the UK, this bestselling book was set to propel Anthony Horowitz’s profile forwards. Not only getting a film deal out of it, he’s also had a video-game and graphic-novel come from it as well over the following years. Setting up the ‘Alex Rider’ series, it creates the overall tone and feel for the books, whilst also establishing many of the main characters.
At first glance Alex Rider is a normal schoolboy who seems to be having a fairly straightforward uneventful upbringing. That is until one day as a teenager he finally realizes his true calling and that everything has been leading up to the moment where he’s to become a super-spy. After his uncle and adoptive parent, Ian Rider, mysteriously dies he’s led to discover more about what happened and the true nature of what he’s to become. Forced to attend a training program, he reluctantly goes to a special camp for spies where he learns more about what he’s to become. That’s when he realizes there’s more to things than initially meets the eye, as he discovers a plot set-up by the people he’s now entrusted with. Not knowing where to turn he has to decipher the clues left to him by his uncle and prevent a catastrophe from taking place. Will Alex be able to save the day and those around him, whilst saving himself in the process staying out of harm’s way? Can he become what he was always destined to be and fully realize his true potential as a secret-agent for the government? What will become of Alex Rider in his first mission as he goes head-to-head with none other than the ‘Stormbreaker’?
Raven’s Gate
Taking a more horror slanted angle, this book was initially released in 2005 on the 1st of June in the United States by Anthony Horowitz. Combining both fantasy and horror, it was to set-up ‘The Power of Five’ series creating an overall arc and tone for the books. Having a graphic-novel adaptation as well in 2010, its popularity has continued to endure since it was first published.
After a run-in with a policeman following a warehouse break-in, fifteen year old Matt Freeman attempts to confess, but his accomplice stabs the policeman in the back then attempts to blame him. Matt is found not guilty of the crime though, but not before discovering he may have hidden darker talents. Put into a care program, he attempts to fit back into society, but he fast learns that he may need to keep his own darker powers under wraps as well. Will he be able to find out what all the strange dreams mean and what they’re saying to him? Can he keep everything quiet and discreet? What will happen as he discovers what’s coming from Raven’s Gate?
Never read any of A Horowitz books until I watched ‘The Magpie Murders’ now hooked and now waiting for the third one to come out in May! now slowly going to read more of his books. Thank you.
Those are the only two I have read, but I do have the new book The Twist of the Knife on my Christmas list. Just now checking his other books out. Enjoy.
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Never read any of A Horowitz books until I watched ‘The Magpie Murders’ now hooked and now waiting for the third one to come out in May! now slowly going to read more of his books. Thank you.
Love Hawthorne, great books, whens the next one coming out?
Also loved magpie murders and moonflower murders, is there another one in the series?
Those are the only two I have read, but I do have the new book The Twist of the Knife on my Christmas list. Just now checking his other books out. Enjoy.
just finished PBS magpie murders, WOW!!! just started reading moonflower murders.
any more books set in the 1940’s, 50’s, 60’s such as atticus pund?