Close to Death

Why is Hawthorne presented as frustratingly enigmatic? How is Horowitz portrayed in relation to him? How does their relationship evolve throughout the novel?

What literary devices are used in Close to Death? How does Horowitz use point of view, metafiction, the locked-room mystery, and other devices to convey the novel’s themes?

Riverview Close is a typical suburban setting, but each of the residents has secrets. Choose a few characters from Riverview Close and analyze the ways that their secrets manifest in the novel and affect the dynamic of the neighborhood.