
Anthony Horowitz – Biography, Books, TV Shows and Career
Anthony Horowitz is one of the most versatile British writers working today, equally at home writing teenage spy adventures, official James Bond and Sherlock Holmes novels, and award-winning television dramas. With more than 50 books to his name and a career spanning four decades, his influence stretches from children’s literature to adult crime fiction and prime-time TV.
Born in North London in 1955, Horowitz began publishing in the late 1970s with adventure game books before finding global fame with the Alex Rider series. He has since become the only author commissioned by both the Arthur Conan Doyle Estate and Ian Fleming Publications to write official continuation novels for Sherlock Holmes and James Bond. His work on television includes creating Foyle’s War and Midsomer Murders.
Who Is Anthony Horowitz? Biography, Net Worth, and Personal Life
Anthony Horowitz: Bestselling Author & Screenwriter
- Born: 5 April 1955, North London, England
- Occupation: Novelist, screenwriter
- Notable Series: Alex Rider, Power of Five (The Gatekeepers), Hawthorne & Horowitz
- Screenwriting Credits: Foyle’s War, Midsomer Murders, Stormbreaker (film), Alex Rider (TV)
Key insights about Anthony Horowitz:
- He has written over 50 books spanning children’s, YA, and adult crime fiction.
- The Alex Rider series alone has sold 21 million copies worldwide and was adapted into a film (2006) and a TV series (2020–2024).
- He is one of the few authors officially commissioned to write Sherlock Holmes novels (The House of Silk, 2011) and James Bond novels (Trigger Mortis, 2015; With a Mind to Kill, 2022).
- His net worth is not publicly confirmed — most figures online are estimates and should be treated with caution.
- His personal life, including religious beliefs and detailed family background, is kept relatively private.
- He was appointed CBE in 2022 and OBE in 2014 for services to literature.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anthony John Horowitz |
| Date of Birth | 5 April 1955 |
| Place of Birth | Stanmore, Middlesex, England |
| Spouse | Jill Green (married 1988), executive producer |
| Children | Two sons, Nicholas and Cassian |
| Education | Orley Farm Prep School, Rugby School, York University |
| Honours | OBE (2014), CBE (2022) |
| Most Famous Series | Alex Rider (14 books, 2000–2023) |
| Official Website | anthonyhorowitz.com |
| First Published Work | Adventure game books in late 1970s / early 1980s |
| Screenwriting Highlights | Created Foyle’s War and Midsomer Murders |
For readers interested in similar biographical profiles, the article on James O’Brien – Biography, Books, and Net Worth offers another look at a prominent British media figure.
All Anthony Horowitz Books in Order: Series and Standalone Novels
Alex Rider Series Reading Order
The Alex Rider series began in 2000 with Stormbreaker and has grown to 14 novels as of 2024, including the recent Nightshade Revenge. The commonly listed chronological order is:
- Stormbreaker
- Point Blanc
- Skeleton Key
- Eagle Strike
- Scorpia
- Ark Angel
- Snakehead
- Crocodile Tears
- Scorpia Rising
- Russian Roulette
- Never Say Die
- Nightshade
- Nightshade Revenge
Sherlock Holmes Novels
Horowitz was officially commissioned by the Arthur Conan Doyle Estate to write two Sherlock Holmes novels:
- The House of Silk (2011)
- Moriarty (2014)
James Bond Novels
Commissioned by Ian Fleming Publications, Horowitz has written three official James Bond novels:
- Trigger Mortis (2015)
- Forever and a Day (2018)
- With a Mind to Kill (2022)
Hawthorne / Daniel Hawthorne Series
This adult crime series features a fictional version of the author as a sidekick. The books are:
- The Word is Murder (2017)
- The Sentence is Death (2019)
- A Line to Kill (2021)
- The Twist of a Knife (2022)
- Close to Death (forthcoming)
Other Notable Series and Standalone Books
Horowitz also wrote The Diamond Brothers (children’s detective series), The Power of Five / The Gatekeepers (fantasy/suspense), and the adult novel Magpie Murders, later adapted for BritBox.
Horowitz has written over 50 books in total. While the major series are listed above, readers should check his official website or Wikipedia page for the full bibliography, including standalone titles and non-fiction works.
Anthony Horowitz Movies and TV Shows: A Complete Guide
Television Work
Horowitz created the long-running detective drama Midsomer Murders and wrote its first seven episodes. He also created and wrote the BAFTA-winning wartime drama Foyle’s War. Additionally, he wrote scripts for Agatha Christie’s Poirot.
Film and TV Adaptations of His Work
The Alex Rider series was adapted into a feature film Stormbreaker (2006) and later into a television series that aired on Amazon Freevee/Prime Video from 2020 to 2024. Horowitz also adapted his own work for the screen, including the Alex Rider TV series.
Other Screenwriting Credits
Beyond his own creations, Horowitz has contributed to various British television dramas and adapted his adult novel Magpie Murders for BritBox. His IMDb profile lists additional credits in writing and producing.
Horowitz’s television work spans three decades, from early episodes of Midsomer Murders (2002) through to the recent Alex Rider series. His ability to write across genres — historical drama, detective fiction, and teen action — is unusual among British screenwriters.
How to Verify Information About Anthony Horowitz: Official Sources
For readers seeking accurate and up-to-date information, the most reliable sources are:
- Official website (anthonyhorowitz.com) — first-party biography, book listings, and news.
- Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Horowitz) — encyclopedic overview with extensive citations.
- IMDb (imdb.com/name/nm0395275/) — complete filmography and TV credits.
- British Library (bl.uk/people/anthony-horowitz) — cultural authority profile.
- Amazon author page (amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B000AP7TDG) — commercial listings and series carousels.
Some biographical questions — particularly regarding net worth and religion — are not answered by any of these official sources. Horowitz has not publicly confirmed his current religious practice, and net worth figures circulating online are estimates without reliable verification.
Key Milestones in Anthony Horowitz’s Career
- 1955 — Born in Stanmore, North London
- 1979–1983 — Published early adventure game books
- 1988 — Married Jill Green
- 2000 — First Alex Rider novel Stormbreaker published
- 2002 — Began writing for Midsomer Murders
- 2004 — Created Foyle’s War
- 2006 — Stormbreaker film adaptation released
- 2011 — Published official Sherlock Holmes novel The House of Silk
- 2015 — Published official James Bond novel Trigger Mortis
- 2020 — Alex Rider TV series premieres on Amazon Freevee
- 2022 — Awarded CBE; published third Bond novel With a Mind to Kill
- 2024 — Released new Hawthorne novel and Nightshade Revenge
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Anthony Horowitz?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Born 5 April 1955 in North London | Net worth — no verified figure exists; estimates vary widely and are unconfirmed |
| CBE awarded in 2022 for services to literature | Religion — though sometimes assumed Jewish due to family background, Horowitz has not publicly confirmed current religious practice |
| Wrote official Sherlock Holmes and James Bond novels | Future publishing schedule — details of upcoming books remain speculative |
| Married to Jill Horowitz (née Green) since 1988 | |
| Author of Alex Rider series (14 books as of 2024) |
Why Does Anthony Horowitz Matter in Modern Literature?
Horowitz occupies a unique position as both a bestselling children’s/YA author and a critically acclaimed adult crime writer. His dual career as a screenwriter for major British television has given him narrative skills that carry over into his novels. Being chosen to write official continuations of both Sherlock Holmes and James Bond demonstrates significant industry trust and literary prestige. The Alex Rider series is widely credited with revitalising the spy genre for young readers, matching adult spy fiction in tone and complexity.
Where to Find Reliable Information About Anthony Horowitz
The most authoritative sources for biographical and career details are his official website (anthonyhorowitz.com) and his Wikipedia page. For television and film credits, IMDb provides a comprehensive filmography. Academic and cultural information is available via the British Library. Interviews and news profiles can be found through major newspapers such as The Guardian.
“I think the best mysteries are the ones that are impossible to solve until the very last page.” — Anthony Horowitz (paraphrased from multiple interviews)
— Various sources
For readers interested in similar biographical articles, you may find the Griff Rhys Jones – Biography, Career, Family & Net Worth a useful comparison to another British creative figure.
Final Overview of Anthony Horowitz’s Life and Work
From a teenage spy who captured millions of young readers to official novels for the two most famous characters in English literature, Anthony Horowitz has built a career that spans genres, age groups, and media. His work on Foyle’s War and Midsomer Murders cemented his reputation in television, while his books continue to sell in large numbers worldwide. While some personal details remain private, the public record — including his CBE and his role as a steward of both Sherlock Holmes and James Bond — places him among the most significant living British authors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anthony Horowitz
What age group are Anthony Horowitz books for?
His books span children’s (Alex Rider series, ages 9+), young adult (Power of Five), and adult audiences (Hawthorne series, James Bond, Sherlock Holmes).
Does Anthony Horowitz still write Alex Rider books?
Yes, the series continued with Nightshade Revenge (2023) and includes companion titles.
What is the best reading order for the Hawthorne series?
Start with The Word is Murder (2017), then The Sentence is Death (2019), A Line to Kill (2021), and The Twist of a Knife (2022).
Is Anthony Horowitz related to David Horowitz or Ben Horowitz?
No, he is not related to David Horowitz (conservative writer) or Ben Horowitz (venture capitalist).
Has Anthony Horowitz won any literary awards?
He has won the Red House Children’s Book Award (Alex Rider), the British Book Awards, and received a CBE for services to literature.
How many Alex Rider books are there?
As of 2024, there are 14 novels in the main Alex Rider series, including Nightshade Revenge.
Did Anthony Horowitz write Foyle’s War?
Yes, he created the series and wrote the episodes. It won a BAFTA.
What is Anthony Horowitz’s official website?
His official website is anthonyhorowitz.com, which contains his biography, book list, and news.
Will Anthony Horowitz write more James Bond novels?
No further Bond novels have been announced as of 2025, but his previous three — Trigger Mortis, Forever and a Day, and With a Mind to Kill — are available.