Orlando Murrin

Worse things happen at sea…Paul Delamare has been roped into accompanying his old friend on a luxury cruise aboard the magnificent superyacht Maldemer. It’s all plain sailing until his friend’s priceless necklace is stolen, and everyone falls under suspicion.As Paul races to catch the thief, the ship begins to drift off-course, veering into the storm-lashed mid-Atlantic. Then one of the passengers is found dead in mysterious circumstances, in a pool of coffee and surrounded by cake crumbs.It’s all hands on deck to catch the killer, but Paul soon discovers guests and crew are harbouring deadly secrets. And if he can’t get to the bottom of the mystery soon, he’ll be sleeping with the fishes.Praise for Orlando Murrin:''If Agatha Christie were to go on MasterChef, this novel would be the result.'' Clare Pooley''A deliciously dark slice of murder and mystery. Funny and fun, frightening and charming'' Chris Whitaker''I loved the combination of crime and cookery - and how Orlando uses the one to enrich the other (and vice versa).'' Andrew Taylor

''Delightful...packed with wit and culinary digressions.'' Sunday Times''Orlando Murrin knows exactly how to satisfy a reader’s appetite!'' Lesley Kara''A cocktail of wit, spicy observation, intrigue and the delicious unknown.'' Jane Corry''Should give Richard Osman a run for his money!'' C.J. CarverWorse things happen at sea…Paul Delamare has been roped into accompanying his old friend on a luxury cruise aboard the magnificent superyacht Maldemer. It’s all plain sailing until his friend’s priceless necklace is stolen, and everyone falls under suspicion.As Paul races to catch the thief, the ship begins to drift off-course, veering into the storm-lashed mid-Atlantic. Then one of the passengers is found dead in mysterious circumstances, in a pool of coffee and surrounded by cake crumbs.It’s all hands on deck to catch the killer, but Paul soon discovers guests and crew are harbouring deadly secrets. And if he can’t get to the bottom of the mystery soon, he’ll be sleeping with the fishes.Praise for Orlando Murrin:''If Agatha Christie were to go on MasterChef, this novel would be the result.'' Clare Pooley''A deliciously dark slice of murder and mystery. Funny and fun, frightening and charming'' Chris Whitaker''I loved the combination of crime and cookery - and how Orlando uses the one to enrich the other (and vice versa).'' Andrew Taylor

**SHORTLISTED FOR THE VAL McDERMID DEBUT AWARD 2024**Richard Osman meets MasterChef in this gripping cosy murder mystery. In this cookery school, murder is on the menu...''If Agatha Christie were to go on Masterchef, this novel would be the result.'' Clare Pooley''Delicious fun!'' Tess GerritsenA recipe for disaster.When chef Paul Delamare takes a job teaching at an exclusive residential cookery school in Belgravia, the only thing he expects his students to murder is his taste buds. But on the first night, the unthinkable happens: someone turns up dead...The school rests on a knife-edge.The police are convinced Paul is the culprit. After all, he’s good with a blade, was first on the scene – and everyone knows it doesn’t take much to push a chef over the edge. To prove his innocence, he must find the killer. Could it be one of his students? Or the owner of the school – a woman with secrets and a murky past?It all boils down to murder.If Paul can’t solve the mystery fast – as well as teach his students how to make a perfect hollandaise sauce – he’ll be next to get the chop.Readers love Knife Skills for Beginners!‘A deliciously dark slice of murder and mystery.’ Chris Whitaker''If Ruth Rendell had teamed up with Delia Smith they’d have produced something like this.’ J. M. Hall‘The perfect blend of The Great British Bake Off and Agatha Christie.’ ***** Reader Review‘A fun mystery full of quirks and fun characters that will leave you guessing.’ ***** Reader Review‘A welcome addition to the cosy crime genre.’ ***** Reader Review‘Sharp, incisive, cutting - and that’s just the prose!’ ***** Reader Review