Knife Skills for Beginners - by Orlando Murrin

Book Synopsis

The Maid meets Knives Out with a dash of Top Chef in the debut locked room culinary mystery set in a London cooking school and written by MasterChef semi-finalist, BBC podcast host, and cookbook author Orlando Murrin.

In this sharp-witted, skillfully rendered culinary mystery set in London's exclusive Belgravia, an acclaimed chef is thrown into teaching a cookery course to a group of high-maintenance food lovers, one of whom may have an unfortunate taste for murder . . .

The Chester Square Cookery School in the heart of London offers students a refined setting in which to master the fine art of choux pastry and hone their hollandaise. True, the ornate mansion doesn't quite sparkle the way it used to--a feeling chef Paul Delamare is familiar with these days. Worn out and newly broke, he'd be tempted to turn down the request to fill in as teacher for a week-long residential course, if anyone other than Christian Wagner were asking.

Christian is one of Paul's oldest friends, as well as the former recipient of two Michelin stars and host of Pass the Gravy! Thanks to a broken arm, he's unable to teach the upcoming session himself, and recruits Paul as stand-in. Yet despite his misgivings, Paul starts to enjoy imparting his extensive knowledge to the recruits--until someone turns up dead, murdered with a cleaver Paul used earlier that day to prep a pair of squabs. Did one of his students take the lesson on knife techniques too much to heart, or was this the result of a long-simmering grudge? In between clearing his own name and teaching his class how to perfectly poach a chicken, he'll have to figure out who's the killer, and avoid being the next one to get butchered . . .

"Funny, and at times unexpectedly moving, this thoroughly enjoyable murder mystery is packed with interesting recipe ideas, fascinating culinary facts and some jolly useful cooking hacks." --The Guardian

Review Quotes

Praise for Knife Skills for Beginners:

"There are many culinary mysteries, but this character-driven series opener is a cut above the rest." --Kirkus Reviews STARRED REVIEW

"MasterChef semi-finalist Murrin puts his culinary expertise to good use in this charming debut mystery...Murrin delivers a brisk, funny variation on the classic closed-circle formula. A sequel would be welcome." --Publishers Weekly

"This novel speaks to budding foodies, who will appreciate the recipes and culinary setting, as well as readers who favor a neatly tied-up mystery." --Library Journal

"Funny, and at times unexpectedly moving, this thoroughly enjoyable murder mystery is packed with interesting recipe ideas, fascinating culinary facts and some jolly useful cooking hacks." --The Guardian

"Cooking as entertainment, from reality shows to competitions to documentaries, couldn't be more popular, and Murrin's decision to set Knife Skills in the heart of a London cooking school is a smart one... there are red herrings galore, and nearly everyone seems to be a suspect at one point or another. Lots of fun to be had, especially with the characters Murrin creates." --firstCLUE Review

"Delicious fun! Knife Skills for Beginners is both intriguing and mouth-watering, starring a charming hero you'll want as your best friend." --Tess Gerritsen, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Spy Coast

"Knife Skills for Beginners is a joy, packed full of fabulous culinary tips and recipes you'll want to make, alongside a decent dollop of murder and mystery. Orlando Murrin is an established chef and cookery writer, and it shows. I loved TV chef Paul Delamare. I think we should be friends." --S. J. Bennett, award-winning author of the Her Majesty the Queen Investigates Series

"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, bestselling author of A Spoonful of Murder

"Dazzlingly sharp with a wit that sparkles off the page." ―Jane Corry, Sunday Times bestselling author

"Fresh, engrossing and deliciously irreverent, Orlando Murrin's debut blends murder, intrigue, larger-than-life characters and mouth-watering recipes in a literary feast for the senses. Think Wodehouse meets Christie with a side order of Delia!" --Tammy Cohen

"If Agatha Christie were to go on Masterchef, this novel would be the result. A deliciously fun murder mystery - I loved it." --Clare Pooley

"A real treat, as sharp as the best kitchen knife with a wonderfully acerbic protagonist who I'd be very happy to spend more time with. It has all the ingredients of the best cosy crime." --Trevor Wood

"A deliciously twisty, enthralling and sharp mystery." --Nadine Matheson

"In the kitchen with the meat cleaver is my favorite kind of murder and Orlando Murrin's debut does not disappoint. A protagonist in over his head, a cast of characters who aren't what they seem and the perfect London cooking school setting all make for a murderous culinary triumph." --Emma Styles, author of No Country For Girls

"If you love food, a juicy murder and a rollicking read, Orlando Murrin serves up the perfect recipe." ―William Sitwell, food writer and restaurant critic

"A triumph!! Intriguing, clever, funny - a real page-turner." ―Sue Lawrence, food writer and novelist

About the Author

Orlando Murrin is a food writer, media personality, and author who inherited a fascination with mystery from his grandfather, a Met detective who rose to become a crack MI5 interrogator. A former editor of BBC Good Food, founder of Olive Magazine, and semi-finalist on Masterchef, he currently hosts the BBC Good Food Podcast with TV presenter-restaurateur Tom Kerridge and writes for Waitrose Weekend. He is the author of seven cookbooks, including Two's Company and A Table in the Tarn, and has served since 2020 as President of the Guild of Food Writers. Born in America, he lives in domestic bliss in Exeter, England and can be found online at OrlandoMurrin.com.