In an excellent follow up to his previous adventure set in the surrounds of an upmarket culinary course, Orlando Murrin's character Chef Paul Delamare now embarks on a luxury cruise where things soon go rather horribly awry.

The theft of a valuable necklace is followed by a nautical mishap, and it all culminates rather spectacularly in the mysterious death of a passenger under deeply suspicious circumstances. Needless to say, Chef Delamare soon finds himself in the thick of things...

Written with his characteristic wit, culinary charms, and plenty of action, Murrin delivers another story well worth checking out.

This is the second book about Paul Delamare, and after the murderous events of the first book he's been inveigled into a trip on a super yacht to help a friend write her memoirs. Except that once he gets on board things start going wrong and all is definitely not quite what it seems.

I really enjoyed Knife Skills for Beginners and was really pleased to be back in Paul's world again. I think this plot is more far-fetched (I can't really say why because: spoilers) but it moves so quickly that you don't really notice that until the end. It has got a large cast of pretty unlikeable characters outside of Paul and the claustrophobia of the limited communications on the yacht really adds to the tension. I enjoyed it and would/will happily read a third book if it should come along.

Chef and writer Paul Delamare has been invited on the honeymoon cruise of his good friend Xera. He is tasked to write her biography but has barely got started when Xera is found dead. Only Paul suspects murder but as the yacht is beset by a huge storm and strange navigation, Paul realises that something is afoot.
Despite themes including murder, drug and human trafficking, this is a very 'cosy' crime book. There is the requisite cast of diverse characters, human and canine, and the hidden motives. Having said that it's very entertaining and lightweight read.

Orlando Murrin’s Murder Below Deck is a lighthearted mystery that combines culinary flair with a classic whodunit. Chef Paul Delamare returns and finds himself aboard a luxurious yacht where a priceless jewel goes missing, tensions rise and murder soon follows.

The setting and premise are fun, offering a locked-room-style mystery with plenty of intrigue. While the story unfolds predictably at times, it’s an easy, entertaining read with playful writing and a touch of humour. Whilst this one wasn't quite for me personally, the culinary details and recipes add an extra layer of charm, making this a cosy mystery that fans of food-themed crime fiction may enjoy.

This is the second in Orlando Murrins series of murder mysteries featuring Paul Delemare who is a writer and chef . Asked to accompany his friend Xera on a cruise on a luxury chartered yacht as it travels from England to the Caribbean to help write her auto biography he leaps at the chance. But after the theft of an expensive necklace and a murder things take a turn he definitely did not expect. This book is a great tribute to the golden age of crime writing..lots of characters with secrets who are definitely not who they seem to be, twists and turns in abundance and many red herrings. I loved it and definitely didn’t solve the mystery until very near the end of the novel. A book that will keep you wanting to read just one more chapter no matter how late at night it is. I look forward to the next in the series. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this novel in return for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed Paul Delamare's detective adventure aboard a cruise ship. There was an Agatha Christie style ending with a slight twist, and I'll be honest I think the twist was a little bizarre. I fail to understand why the clothing choice and sudden shift from a controlled demeanor to crazily laughing seemingly out of control were necessary at the end. There were also sometimes moments of fourth wall breaking that felt disjointed from the rest of the narrative, and a lot of unnecessary "?" at the end of sentences which weren't questions. There were a couple different mysteries on this boat, and I think one moment where Paul says something to the effect of "ah well, can't do anything to help the young women being trafficked to America, clearly my friend's murder is more important" is not in good taste. I would argue that living, breathing people are more important than someone's corpse being stored in a cold freezer, but Paul clearly didn't share that view. I did like that recipes were included at the end, and a passenger list at the front was really helpful to know who our cast of characters were. This book gives the vibes of a Death in Paradise episode, where everything that can go wrong, goes wrong, and provided a way of avoiding a reading slump with its quick-pace, action packed scenes and suspicious characters.

I thought this would be a light-hearted cozy mystery but, unfortunately it didn't work for me. I couldn't connect with the main character and found the story unbelievable. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Another great murder mystery solved by our loveable chef Paul Delamare, as we join him aboard a luxury yacht where events definitely take a turn for the worse. For me it was a bit of a slow start while everyone was being accused of stealing a priceless necklace, however once we got our murder the pace definitely picked up. With everyone a possible suspect, lots of action, and plenty of plot twists, this was another enjoyable read in this series and I hope we’ll see more of our chef soon!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for a review.

Paul is having a run of bad luck. His flat is flooded, his late husband's family is trying to evict him and he's somehow managed to land the job of writing a friends memoir. That's a long way from writing foodie features and cookbooks!

His new home from home, the superyacht Maldemer, is the epitome of splashy and rich. But not everything is sparkly on board - there are family tensions, business plots and revenge percolating below deck. First there is a theft and then a murder. Looks like Paul has to don his investigator hat once more!

There are many suspects on board, some more outwardly dodgy than the rest. I loved unpicking all the personalities and motives. There are a few red herrings and twists to keep you guessing. I actually managed to crack it before the big reveal for a change - although I did get the motive wrong.

I really enjoy this series - it's a great little murder mystery series with a foodie flair. Learning all the cooking tips sprinkled through the book can surely only improve my cooking? It certainly can't get any worse, lol!

Well, here we are again following the trials & tribulations of Paul Delamare - chef, writer & amateur sleuth. You don’t have to read the first book before this one, but I would. Paul is a wonderful character to get to know.

Paul has been invited onto a superyacht by his friend Xera, in order to start writing her memoir. He doesn’t know any of the other guests & crew, & what a motley lot they are. No sooner have they set sail, then Xera’s wedding gift from her new husband goes missing & then … I’m not saying any more. A classic locked room mystery played out on the high seas with Paul forced front & centre through no fault of his own. Of course, everyone has a secret but there are plenty of clues to help you solve this along the way.

Well written & with some wry observations; I found myself smirking. A lot. I’ve never fancied a cruise or similar & this book hasn’t changed my opinion. But it is a cracking read & now I’m off to try & rid squeaky trousers from my mind. Enjoy!

Poor Paul Delamare. In the first book from Orlando Murrin, he ended up stepping in to teach culinary classes after a so-called friend bailed out. The friend was later murdered, dragging Paul into the case.

And now he's out at sea, on a SuperYacht, to help write another friend's biography. Business woman and philanthropist Xera has recently married, and her new husband Billy is not Paul's biggest fan. Joining them on the luxury cruise are Billy's daughter and her husband, unhappy as they're about to be financially "tapered off", and Billy's financial business manager and his mousey wife, who have their own secrets.

Things start to go wrong when a gift to Xera, a high value necklace, is stolen. And when Xera is later found dead, Paul finds himself trapped out at sea with not only a thief, but a suspected murderer. He knew Xera, and knows her death was not the accident being claimed.

Murder Below Deck has so much going on, the action is almost non-stop as Paul first tries to clear his name of theft, before working to find out what happened to Xera. The suspect pool is limited, but everyone seems to be hiding something.

And then the yacht itself seems to be going off course and heading into a storm...

Brilliantly written and sharply observed, this is an immensely readable novel. I found myself swept up in the story and had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. Paul is a really likeable main character who has been through a lot in his life, and doesn't seem to be able to get a break.

Surrounded by the ultra-rich in the opulent surroundings of a luxury SuperYacht, everyone and everything is over the top by design, leaving Paul feeling like the lone beacon of almost-sanity.

Murder Below Deck is a fabulously entertaining murder mystery, with plenty of action and genuine hilarity.

This is the second book in the Paul Delamare series, following the excellent opener Knife Skills for Beginners. Obviously it is always best to read a series in order for full character background and development, but the main story is self contained herein should you be going in cold.
So... in his second outing, Paul Delamare finds himself on board the luxury yacht Maldemere, as the guest of the recently married Xera. They are cruising to the Caribbean along with her new husband and a bunch of other guests, relations and friends. I say he is a guest although he is berthed in the crew quarters and also roped in to assist with the catering. So, it's a bit of a busman's holiday!
Anyway... soon on in the voyage Xera's priceless necklace goes missing - well, stolen. Paul can't help but turn investigator once again but these investigations turn sour when Xera is subsequently found dead at the breakfast table. Shenanigans ensue as Paul is initially the only one crying foul - well, actually murder. So he has to take it upon himself to step up his investigations. But who to trust to help him...?
Oooo this was a bit juicy. If you have already read book one you'll know that it'll be chock full of secrets, lies, red herrings, and more than a fair share of dysfunctional behaviour. There are also subtle hints and tips along the way to pay attention to so, have your wits about you. It's also rather convoluted and interconnected. I had an absolute blast with all that was going on.
And the ending when it eventually came was totally sublime... And left me wholly satisfied.
So... a good solid addition to what is shaping up to be a cracking series. I do wonder what shenanigans the author has in store for Paul for next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

This is the second in a series and could be read as a standalone but I think it would be advantageous to read in order. Paul Delaware is invited onto a luxury yacht to help an old friend write her memoirs. Before long there is mischief and murder and once again Paul is a murder suspect and needs to find the real culprit to clear his name. There’s a varied cast of characters most of them untrustworthy and with something to hide. I’m not familiar with luxury yachts but some of situations seemed unrealistic. Nevertheless it was an enjoyable read and I look forward to the next instalment

This is book 2 in the Chef Paul Delamare series. Paul has been invited by a close friend, Xera, to join her along with her new hubby on a superyacht called Maldemer as she set sails for a cruise to the Caribbean. Although, he ends up being on a busman's holiday, when he asked to help with the food! There were moments when I was salivating at the foods Paul was cooking and serving to the guests. There's a second reason for him on the cruise, Xera wants him to write her memoirs. We are drawn into learning a valuable necklace has been stolen and Paul begins to investigate this and the mysterious murder on board the yacht. All the sub plots come together with a surprising conclusion.

An intriguing and original mystery for all would be sleuths. The book is full of red herrings, suspects,and humour. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!

2nd in the series and I hadn’t read the 1st but this was fine as worked as a stand alone
Quite enjoyable,liked the setting on the yacht not so keen on the main character or some of the others but it had enough for me to cope with that and carry on reading

I was completely intrigued by the synopsis of this book and for the most part, I enjoyed the plot line and how it progressed. It’s full of wit and intrigue and truly has some of the most awful characters that add to a pacy plot. It’s full of secrets, lies and how the other half live, but money won’t save you from murder. There were a couple of sections throughout the book that seemed a little far fetched but other than that, an enjoyable novel. Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and the author for the chance to review.

Paul Delaware is back on the Maldemar luxury ship. His good friend Xera has invited him along to start writing her biography unfortunately trouble follows Paul and soon their are deaths and danger on board. He has an uncanny knack of getting into trouble.

A great read full of mayhem, cooking and misguided friendships

Murder below decks is the second outing for chef Paul Delamare. This time he's been invited on a cruise on a private yacht as a guest, but somehow ends up cooking anyway.

The most intriguing and enticing character was the food. I could almost taste the yellow fin tuna in chapter 11.

I found the narrative hard to keep straight as I struggled with the male cruise guests. The female characters seemed more distinct and distinguishable.
An enjoyable read , thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read in exchange for an honest review

Murder Below Deck has all the right ingredients for a cosy whodunit, but somehow doesn't quite follow the recipe. Quite entertaining, if you suspend belief.