The word is murder
Anthony Horowitz
The word is murder
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel
by Anthony Horowitz
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
When a wealthy woman arranges her own funeral but is found strangled the same day, a sharp and unconventional detective teams up with a reluctant writer to uncover the truth. Together, they navigate twists and secrets in a gripping mystery that keeps readers guessing until the very end. This clever tale blends clever detective work with unexpected surprises in a modern crime adventure.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include murder, investigation, emotional: fear & anxiety. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated The word is murder 10ME
The word is murder is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 390 pages (approximately 96,292 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.2 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The word is murder works for readers up to grade 7.2.
Read aloud, The word is murder runs about 10.7 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate The word is murder as 10ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Murder, Investigation, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, The word is murder explores mystery, investigation, friendship, crime, and private investigators — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, investigation, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062676788
- Pages
- 390
- Publisher
- Harper
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 96,292
- Read-Aloud
- ~10h 42m
- Text Density
- Standard