Anthony Horowitz

Anthony Horowitz is an English novelist and screenwriter, born in 1955, who has achieved significant success in both children's and adult literature, specializing in mystery and suspense. His early career saw him writing for children's television and publishing early novels like 'The Sinister Secret of Frederick K Bower' and the Diamond Brothers series. He gained widespread recognition with the Alex Rider series, which follows a teenage spy for MI6. Horowitz has also penned Sherlock Holmes novels for the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle and created his own detective series featuring Atticus Pünd and Daniel Hawthorne. His contributions extend to television, where he has written for established shows and created original series. A notable aspect of his upbringing includes a fascination with the macabre, influenced by his mother's introduction to Gothic literature and a peculiar 13th birthday gift of a human skull, which he views as a memento mori.

Born in 1955, Anthony Horowitz developed a passion for writing at a very young age, around eight or nine, finding an escape in storytelling due to his academic underachievement and lack of physical prowess. His mother played a significant role in shaping his literary interests, introducing him to classic horror figures like Frankenstein and Dracula. A particularly striking influence was the gift of a human skull for his thirteenth birthday, an object he has stated serves as a constant reminder of mortality and the need to complete his narratives. These early experiences, coupled with attending boarding school and later graduating with a degree in English literature and art history, laid the foundation for his prolific writing career. His father's financial difficulties and early death also profoundly impacted the family, adding a layer of real-world hardship to Horowitz's formative years.

Horowitz's career spans a wide range of genres and age groups. He is renowned for the Alex Rider series, featuring a teenage MI6 agent, which has become a global phenomenon. For adult readers, he has contributed to established franchises by writing official Sherlock Holmes novels, such as 'The House of Silk' and 'Moriarty,' and new James Bond novels commissioned by Ian Fleming's estate. He also created his own successful adult detective series, including 'Magpie Murders' and the Daniel Hawthorne novels. Beyond novels, Horowitz has a substantial background in television scripting and creation, contributing to shows like 'Agatha Christie's Poirot' and 'Midsomer Murders,' and developing original series such as 'Foyle's War.' His early works also include the Diamond Brothers series and fantasy-tinged novels like 'Groosham Grange,' which explores themes of witchcraft and has drawn comparisons to later popular fantasy series.

“I was quite certain, from my earliest memory, that I would be a professional writer and nothing but.”