I loved the style of writing on this told from the pov of an interlopa. this was entertaining and bizarre read. Full of omg what are i reading. I found the character complex and loved the usage of a backstory only when relevant. However as the story came to an end it became predictable and less action driven and too bizzare. I liked the explanation throughout of how the information was used and how they were able to discover and unravel certain mysterious elements along the way. The actual plot of an interlop doing wrong and a sole being forced to join others to clear their name seemed to become a catalise for a very far fetched and so entertaining story. The style of writing meant it was entertaining and as it didnt take it self too seriously despite some quite serious moments in the story. I would recommend this to anyone who wants an entertaining read with a mystery plot. This just lacked something its 4 stars rounded up. Thanks netgallery, publisher and author.

What a thoroughly entertaining book.

I totally loved Al's voice as he explains his rules of interloping and takes us on a long and varied tale as to how he ended up in prison.

And it's a tale of peril, of wrong doings on various level and a whole lot of amateur sleuthing after being in the wrong place at the wrong time

After all, once you have been in a house with a man that has just been murdered, you can hardly report it to the police when you weren't exactly meant to be in the house in the first place.

So watching Al and his new temporary acquaintances attempting to work out who the murderer is, in order to protect themselves is rather amusing.

For a group of criminals you have to feel sorry for our protagonists. Yes, what they are doing is wrong, but Al has a certain code of conduct he works to, and he doesn't steal, doesn't kill, he just wants to have a roof over his head!

I'm especially impressed by all the tech Johnny seemed to be using, it was all rather impressive and he was incredibly smart too.

This is the first book I've read from this author and if he writes more of this ilk then I'd certainly be keen to read others. It kept me on my toes and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you to Penguin and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Really enjoyed this book, hums along at a cracking pace and I look forward to reading more of his novels in the future

Many thanks for NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyable, funny read. Completely different from The Sanctuary - really surprised.

I did not expect much from the book going in. It’s the best way to get a pleasant surprise. The title does not give much away, although the blurb does go into some detail.

We have a character who prefers to go by an alias. He is the narrator of the book and is currently incarcerated. The tale he tells is not of the ordinary variety. His almost unique side hustle is a strange one. One day he randomly becomes part of another’s plan and one small decision has them in the wrong place at the wrong time. What happens next is actually just an amateur investigation on their part.

The highlight of the book is the writing style. It is light and chatty while also providing us with more details than appears at first glance. I think I would have liked the book even more without the murder mystery aspect. The author is one I will definitely want to read more books of

The final reveal was interesting as was what happens after. As readers we could possibly pick up a few clues but guessing the culprit would probably be just based on luck. The clues are revealed just at the appropriate time as the story progresses.

I would definitely recommend this book to fans of cozy mysteries with a little bit of a chase/ adventure aspect to them.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

A Beginner’s Guide to Breaking and Entering by Andrew Hunter Murray is a sharp, witty thriller that blends dark humor with suspense. The story follows a man caught up in a series of increasingly dangerous and morally complex situations as he attempts a heist. Murray’s writing is clever and fast-paced, with a compelling protagonist and well-executed twists. The novel explores themes of risk, morality, and personal ambition, making it an engaging read for fans of humorous crime fiction and psychological thrillers.

Left it far to late to read this, but seriously enjoyed it! Deliciously twisty throughout, this is a very unique premise that I haven't seen done elsewhere, but is a wonderful take on a crime novel. I found the book surprisingly fast-paced - in no way a bad thing - and the small but perfectly formed cast of main characters were hugely engaging. I loved the (often very dry) wit and humour in the book and, since this was the first book I've read by this author, I'd be delighted to read more!

A brilliant pacy read. I was convinced I knew who had done it and had to eat my words. Great characters who I'd love to hear more from.

A pacey, twisty thriller that manages to make tax evasion and the property market both funny and exciting!

A really fun crime novel that I really enjoyed, A great cast of characters and an entertaining plot line. Recommended.

“It’s probably a good rule of thumb that if being on the run from a murderer and the police in the company of three professional squatters is the first time you’ve felt normal in a few months, maybe it’s time to re-examine the choices that brought you to this point.”

A Beginner’s Guide To Breaking And Entering is the third novel by British author, Andrew Hunter Murray. From a clunky old PC during weekly IT Literacy sessions in the Information Suite at HM Prison Brixton, a man not yet thirty, whose name isn’t Al, relates the series of events that cascaded to put him there in medium security, awaiting trial.

Even though he has a job he enjoys, it doesn’t pay much, so Al has become skilled at living rent-free, as an interloper. He’s enacting his belief that “We’re taking space that isn’t used and making it useful again. Frankly, we’re battling the housing crisis. These places are all – all – unoccupied. And the ones I go for are all second homes (or third, or fourth). Why not put them to good use?” although he later admits “I’m a vagrant, a youngish man whose only skill is breaking and entering, a parasite.”

He follows a long set of rules that have seen him successfully living undetected in the luxury homes of owners who are absent for a period: overseas for work or vacation, or living in their primary residence. But then a few unwise decisions find him in the company of interlopers Em, Elle and Jonny at Larksfoot, a former vicarage near Bridling in the Cotswolds.

The owner, though, isn’t in Dubai, where he’s supposed to be. He’s sitting in his study pointing a gun at the intruders, until he answers the front door and is shot dead for his trouble. Al and company make a quick exit, inadvertently leaving behind some traces that might identify them to the cops, or to the murderer who might want to eliminate potential witnesses.

Of their few viable options, Al’s idea to leave the country and lie low until the cops find the murderer is outvoted by the rest, who feel that discovering the identity of the murderer, and the motive, is their best chance of shifting the police focus off them. Given that he’s awaiting trial, it perhaps wasn’t a huge success, but how it all plays out, and the aftermath, is definitely entertaining.

In the lead up to Al’s arrest, as well as multiple luxury properties changing hands, there is mention of money in an outbuilding, there are lots of impersonations, there’s big-money fraud, international espionage and high treason. He advises his reader “…don’t ever, ever swallow your better judgement” because, of his list of rules, Al ends up resorting to his last one: “To save your skin, break any of the above rules.“ An eye-opening and thoroughly fun read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Random House UK Cornerstone.

An amusing and well-plotted whodunnit with the intelligent dry humour one would expect from Mr Hunter Murray Not an exceptional novel and a little long and loose, but things look very promising for the author’s future offerings.
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own unbiased opinion.

A Beginner's Guide to Breaking and Entering is a charming and amusing novel that engages readers with its gentle humour and modern twist on classic heist stories.

Set against the backdrop of London's housing challenges and the crimes of the wealthy, the story follows a hero who moves into the second homes of the rich under the guise of an "Interloper." His life is governed by a list of self-imposed rules, though he often breaks them. Narrated from a medium-security prison, the protagonist reflects on his adventures with a mix of pride and regret, recounting how a series of missteps led to his current predicament amidst police, criminal gangs, and international security services.

This book was a bit rambly for me and I didn't really enjoy it that much. It was an effort to read this book,

Al house sits for people they just don’t know it! He’s respectful of properties always leaving them clean and tidy, not a thing out of place and so these empty houses usually due to holidaying owners mean that Al is able to live a comfortable and quiet life. That is until he returns to one of his regular properties to find that someone has beaten him to it. Oh and then there’s the dead body and its gang connections. Life is suddenly far from quiet. In fact all their lives are on the line.
This was an interesting premise with some likeable, but not quite enough, characters. If it was funny it wasn’t funny enough, the drama wasn’t quite dramatic enough. You catch my drift - it didn’t quite deliver. My first Andrew Hunter Murray book. I’ll try another of his books but won’t dash out to buy one.

3.5 upped to 4
The title made me think of a light and entertaining mystery: I found it full potential but quite twisty and dramatic.
It's well plotted and the page is right, a good thriller.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Every now and then I like to take a break from the darker side of fiction and read some light hearted crime and having seen Andrew Hunter Murray talk at Capital Crime Festival in London in July I knew I had to read his book.

Al is the main character and the voice behind the story. He’s an “interloper” which means he house sits large and luxurious properties whilst the owners are away. However, the owners don’t actually know he’s there, he researches the properties meticulously, tracks the owners whereabouts and breaks in living rent free until they return and then finds another property to “house sit”. He’s been successfully living this way for several years and using a strict number of rules hasn’t been caught YET.

However, as Al is now telling the reader his story from prison, it’s fair to assume something has gone terribly wrong involving a dead body, another group of interlopers, a police hunt, some criminal gangs, missing millions and several spies.

This is an amusing story and I particularly enjoyed Al’s self depreciating and dry humour. My only quibble was that it was a tad too long for my taste and I found my attention drifting on a few occasions. If, however, you are looking for a fun escape from reality, then give this a go.

This was well written and loved the story. The way it all flows and the characters appear in the story. Look forward to reading more of this author.

Al leads a unique life as an unofficial house-sitter, staying in the lavish second homes of the wealthy while they are away.

His unconventional occupation takes a dark turn when he becomes entangled with a group of fellow unofficial house-sitters, leading to a fatal mistake during a break-in.

The characters in this gripping tale are meticulously crafted, each adding depth and complexity to the narrative. Their diverse backgrounds and motivations create a wide variety of personalities that keep readers engaged and invested in their fates.

As the story unfolds, unexpected twists and turns add layers of intrigue, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

This book offers a quirky and captivating storyline that seamlessly blends suspense and entertainment. The author's skilful storytelling keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning pages to uncover the truth behind the unfolding events.

An engrossing and enjoyable read.


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I have just spent about four days with Al (not his real name), Em, Elle, and Jonny. All four are interlopers...making themselves comfortable in multi-million pound homes while the owners are away. Al usually works solo, that is until he breaks one of his own rules, has to leave a property as a matter of urgency, and his world collides with that of the other three...and so ensues a chaotic life on the run, a dead body (dead man Davy), and a mystery to solve, ..'Property might be theft, but the housing market is murder....Read it (and take yourself on an exhausting adventure)