Scan barcode
reiverse's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
It was really slow for me.
thebi_brarian's review
3.75
Marked down because of the use of mental health as part of the conclusion and final reveal. Bit of a genre stereotype. Not the most egregious use but I would have preferred it didn't factor at all.
Also, as much as I did enjoy the book, and I did, it was pretty clear in places that it was written by a man of a certain age. Namely through the descriptions of mainly the female characters (no "breasting boobily" or anything like that, but I felt their descriptions were almost always needlessly unflattering).
Also, as much as I did enjoy the book, and I did, it was pretty clear in places that it was written by a man of a certain age. Namely through the descriptions of mainly the female characters (no "breasting boobily" or anything like that, but I felt their descriptions were almost always needlessly unflattering).
sydhoops's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
alipals's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
indiaburchell's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
robertjackson's review against another edition
4.0
Knife Skills for Beginners by Orlando Murrin. #KnifeSkillsforBeginners #NetGalley
This is a very pleasant entertaining and clever read with a slight pinch of Agatha Christie. The author can be proud of this debut novel. I paricularly loved the topical "MasterChef" setting. The characters were interesting and well suited to appearing in the Belgravia location. The plot was well structured and developed at a decent pace. I also liked the varying relationships that were portrayed to highlight a multitude of significant issues for couples/families/friends. All in all most enjoyable!
https://www.netgalley.co.uk/catalog/book/296084
This is a very pleasant entertaining and clever read with a slight pinch of Agatha Christie. The author can be proud of this debut novel. I paricularly loved the topical "MasterChef" setting. The characters were interesting and well suited to appearing in the Belgravia location. The plot was well structured and developed at a decent pace. I also liked the varying relationships that were portrayed to highlight a multitude of significant issues for couples/families/friends. All in all most enjoyable!
https://www.netgalley.co.uk/catalog/book/296084
ros_lanta's review
3.75
There's a lot to enjoy about Knife Skills for Beginners. The cookery school is a great setting for a murder mystery, and is exploited to the full including providing full recipes (the author is himself a chef and food writer). I love all the conversations about food.
The main character Paul is likeable and I also found myself wanting to know more about his friend Julie and his deceased partner Marcus. I do, however, find it ridiculous that Paul would take a teaching job without even confirming it was a paid position.
With a stronger ending this would have been a great four star read, however unfortunately I found the reveal a bit weak, both in terms of the identity and motive of the murderer, and in the way the reveal itself took place. I do appreciate that this is the author's debut novel and perhaps he will improve in future, but in this instance the ending felt sadly unsatisfying.
Overall though the book did give me the cosy, foodie atmosphere that I wanted from it, and I am ultimately glad that I read it.
The main character Paul is likeable and I also found myself wanting to know more about his friend Julie and his deceased partner Marcus. I do, however, find it ridiculous that Paul would take a teaching job without even confirming it was a paid position.
With a stronger ending this would have been a great four star read, however unfortunately I found the reveal a bit weak, both in terms of the identity and motive of the murderer, and in the way the reveal itself took place. I do appreciate that this is the author's debut novel and perhaps he will improve in future, but in this instance the ending felt sadly unsatisfying.
Overall though the book did give me the cosy, foodie atmosphere that I wanted from it, and I am ultimately glad that I read it.
alireads's review
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
mxllie_hxmmings's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
thiscoconutreads's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25