Murder Below Deck had me expecting something between an Agatha Christie whodunnit and an episode of the TV series below deck, but sadly it was nothing like either.

I found the main character hard to connect with and the overall story too slow moving. I don’t believe that if I had have read the first book it would have made a difference.

Whilst for me personally I didn’t take to the book I can see how it would be appealing to someone who enjoys a lighthearted, easy to read story.

Second in a series and you'd be best to read the first beforehand to get some background for Chef Paul. He's on board a luxury yacht by grace of an old friend. Rich people, generally unpleasant or over the top characters, yacht staff a strange bunch. Fabulous jewel goes missing so Paul investigates especially given that he is felt to be guilty by most. He's roped in to cook as the so-called chef isn't quite up to fancy dinners, but then she was employed to cook for the crew (I think). Death involving coffee and cake, hysterics and anger not to mention reluctance to head for a port and police, but then, the yacht has a lot of secrets. An ok read, but hardly in the Agatha Christie pool. The little cooking snippets are interesting as are the recipes at the end, although nothing special. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. I was expecting a cosy, engaging murder mystery, but instead, it felt more dreary than intriguing. While I quickly realized this was the second book in a series, I still believe a protagonist should be compelling enough to stand on their own in any installment. However, Paul, the main character, felt two-dimensional and uninspiring. A strong protagonist should evoke some kind of emotional response, be that love, hate, or something in between—but I just felt indifferent towards him. This meant I struggled to care about his journey.

One moment that particularly baffled me was the dinner scene where a character returns from taking a dog outside, and Paul notices “the corner of a poo bag sticking out from her pocket. Gross!” Was this supposed to imply she was carrying a used bag? Or are we really calling an empty plastic bag gross? It felt unnecessarily childish and overall an odd editorial choice.

The writing itself seemed like an attempt at an Agatha Christie-esque style, but instead of feeling classic or refined, it came across as pretentious. The overuse of superfluous words and awkward phrasing made the dialogue feel forced rather than natural. One particularly tedious detail was Xera constantly referring to Billy as "Bee-yee," which became grating after the first mention.

Sadly, for me, the plot was disappointingly predictable, lacking the twists and surprises that make a great murder mystery stand out. While I think the premise had potential, the execution fell flat.

Another brilliant read. I had read and enjoyed the first book and so was pleased to receive this advance copy and I wasn’t disappointed. Another great mystery with plenty of intrigue and a cast of great characters. Highly recommended.

Orlando Murrin’s Murder Below Deck serves up a classic Agatha Christie-style whodunit, albeit with a slightly lighter touch and a dash less finesse. Think Death on the Nile, but with more canapés and fewer truly sinister characters. While it doesn’t reinvent the genre, it’s an entertaining, amusing, and well-seasoned mystery that kept me guessing (and occasionally chuckling) until the end.

Chef-turned-sleuth Paul Delamare is back, reluctantly swapping his apron for a detective’s hat when a luxury cruise takes a turn for the murderous. A priceless necklace vanishes, a dead body appears, and Paul finds himself in the middle of a mystery as rich and layered as a well-constructed mille-feuille. With an eccentric mix of high-society guests, shifty crew members, and more red herrings than a seafood buffet, the stakes rise faster than an over-proofed soufflé.

Murrin’s writing is playful and engaging, peppered with humour and plenty of culinary charm. The yacht setting adds a delightful sense of claustrophobic chaos—there’s no escaping the mystery when you’re miles from shore. But while the book is a fun read, it never quite pushes beyond its cosy crime comfort zone. Enjoyable? Absolutely. Unforgettable? Not quite.

If you’re in the mood for an escapist murder mystery with a gourmet twist, Murder Below Deck is a perfectly palatable pick. It won’t leave a lasting aftertaste, but it’s an enjoyable dish while it lasts. 3/5.

Thank you to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers | Bantam for the ARC. Murder Below Deck is set to be published on March 6, 2025.

At the insistence of his friend Xéra, Chef Paul Delamare has reluctantly agreed to go on a cruise from Tower Bridge to the Caribbean. But on board the superyacht Maldemer, somewhere between the Scilly Isles and France, Xéra’s precious diamond necklace is stolen. A few nautical miles further along, one of the passengers is killed. Paul finds himself investigating both a theft and a murder while the yacht veers off course and the passengers become more and more demanding.

Following Orlando Murrin’s debut hit Knife Skills for Beginners, Murder Below Deck is the eagerly-awaited second in the Paul Delamare series with which Murrin has invented his own subgenre of psychological thrillers – the culinary cosy crime novel. Murrin’s quirky characters, his humorous tone and uplifting style make his writing refreshingly original, utterly addictive and absolutely hilarious.

This is the second in the chef Paul Delamere series and just as exciting as the first but set on a luxury cruise .A great plot with plenty of suspects among the colourful wealthy passengers and the diverse crew .Fast Paced with some good twists and turns ,an enjoyable cosy murder mystery .Looking forward to the next book in this series .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC

Thoroughly enjoyed this novel. With all the action taking place on a yacht at sea, and knowing all the characters on board, you have a chance of working out whodunnit! Good characters, good storyline and a few twists along the way.

It seems odd to say it about a story involving murder, but this book was a completely joyful read! It rattled along at a great pace and had a brilliantly eccentric group of characters all aboard a luxury yacht. I just love the character of Paul and he somehow manages to be naive, super smart and witty all at once, even when in peril on the sea! The mystery was inventive and intriguing but this series is all about Paul and I hope we meet him again very soon.

A cosy crime mystery set on a luxury motor yacht and featuring chef Paul Delamare. Fast paced, twisted and I liked the intuitive character of Paul.

A rollicking seafaring adventure with chef Paul Delamare, which i thoroughly enjoyed especially the recipes at the end, a lovely touch Orlando 😀

The author has used his knowledge of the culinary arts to write this slightly barmy but extremely funny cosy murder mystery. The second in the Paul Delamere series, a Chef/ Food Writer who has been asked by the exotic Xera de Sully to write her memoirs. She is embarking the luxury yacht Maldemer travelling from Tower Bridge to the Caribbean. Paul is a entertaining character, funny and clever, and just about believable.

Briefly, for Paul this seems like a nice gig but of course anything that can go wrong does and very quickly. With an eclectic group of both crew and passengers, all with their own secrets and motives, chaos ensues when a death occurs. Treated as accidental Paul is suspicious and starts investigating. Doesn’t help when he finds himself overboard in a storm!

A good plot with plenty of suspects amongst the eccentric passengers and crew and some great twists and turns. An enjoyable and entertaining read and a big wow for the food Paul prepares. Love him to be a chef on one of my cruises!

Like the first book this is a brilliantly fun and engaging mystery, with a host of bonus hints to improve your cooking!

After a slightly slow start, the storyline was certainly not short of action. There was a theft, a death and a group of passengers and staff that seemed to have their own agendas. It was very difficult to work out who were the good guys. The storyline twisted and turned all the way through throwing copious ‘red herrings’ throughout. It certainly kept me engaged. Loved the recipes at the end. I will certainly be trying them.

This is the second in the Chef Paul Delamare Mysteries. Last time it was murder and intrigue in a culinary school this time we’ve murder and larceny on board a super yacht!

The big draw for me in this series is the main character, Paul. He remains sympathetic, funny and smart enough that his investigation remains plausible throughout.

The cast of characters is suitably outrageous and there are enough twists in the plot to keep readers engaged throughout!

I thoroughly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys cosy crime and will definitely keep an eye out for more in this series.

*** Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher ***

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! Good book! This book had the usual, it had suspense, intriguing, murder, mystery, a great who done it and it was funny at times! The story was interesting! It wasn’t my top favorite but still a very good read! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

I really enjoyed Orlando Murrin’s first book in the Paul Delamare series – Knife Skills for Beginners – so was looking forward to the sequel.
Following the events of book one where, roped in as a last-minute tutor at a London cooking school, Paul Delamare was forced to take on the role as sleuth to prove himself innocent in a murder, here Paul is on a luxury superyacht where he is writing the memoirs of X, his newly married friend. When her priceless necklace goes missing Paul once again falls under suspicion and is forced to don his sleuthing hat (and thanks to staff shortage, his galley apron to help out with a culinary crisis). Before you can say ‘Death by Chocolate’ however, things boil over like an unwatched pan into something much more serious…
Orlando Murrin’s rich and varied personal professional life (chef/ food critic and journalist/ pianist among his experience) make for playful references throughout the book and more than a few useful cooking tips...and seasickness.
Part Below Deck, part Agatha Christsea (luckily there’s no puns like that in the book) the book was a load of fun – from the oddball collection of guests on board to the ever more perilous circumstances Paul finds himself getting into with a light and humorous tone but a plot with enough twists and turns to keep the most knowledgeable crime fiction reader going.
I really like this series and can’t wait to see what comes next.

Thank you to net galley and the author for this arc copy.

Murder and mayhem aboard a super yacht. Such a good idea..

This is a good read and i really enjoyed it, But there were parts that were not that good sadly I thought this book had some interesting elements in it.

The characters are great and the main character Paul seems to be taking most of the story which I am not a massive fan of as I would like to see other characters more in my books.

Overall a good book xxx

Murder and mayhem aboard a super yacht..what fun...

This is a good read and i really enjoyed it, There is a theftm a murder lots of food and touch of glamour.
It reminded me a little of the great Agatha Christie in style but for me that'sd a good thing.

The characters are great and the main character Paul really has his work cut out for him.. he has all the drama

brilliant and fun

Mystery At Sea..
Chef and writer Paul Delamare returns in this second in series and mystery at sea. Having, rather uncertainly, accepted a good friends invitation to accompany her and other guests for a stint on a luxury super yacht, Paul is riddled with problems. A valuable neckless going missing seems bad enough but the apparent theft soon dissolves into insignificance when murder rears its head. With all around him insisting that the death is nothing more than an accident, Paul dons his sleuthing hat in a bid to hunt a killer. Fun and frothy with a lively narrative, a deftly drawn cast of characters and a well imagined setting, a worthy follow on to the first in the series.