THE BOOK I’M READING
Knife Skills For Beginners by Orlando Murrin
I’ve known Orlando for years as he was a fur bow tie-wearing senior journalist when I had my first magazine job. He went on to specialise in food, so our paths have crossed increasingly often, and it was a treat to read his first novel. Imagine a crime caper in a cookery school, peppered with recipes, cheffy tips (I noted a few) and murder and you get the picture: a story to pass the time as you enjoy the warmth of our February issue, cosy at home as the weather does its worst. The hero is Paul Delamere, who steps in to run a week-long cookery course for his celebrity chef friend, Christian. The students are a quirky if predictable mix, from old-school posh to Instagram influencer. When the murderer strikes, Paul determines to discover the culprit – only in true Agatha Christie style, almost everyone has a motive. Penguin Random House £14.99