Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide

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Who hasn’t wondered for a split second what the world would be like if the object of your affliction ceased to exist? But then you’ve probably never heard of The McMasters Conservatory, dedicated to the consummate execution of the homicidal arts. To gain admission, a student must have an ethical reason for erasing someone who deeply deserves a fate no worse (nor better) than death.

I handed Stedge his gun. “I was never going to shoot either of you,” I said, as if they might wish to understand me better. “There’s only one person in the world I want to kill, and I thought if I could get away from you, I might have a second chance.” I looked at their passive faces and mumbled, “You can’t understand.” I was constantly blown away by the cleverness of the narrator and the depth of comedic knowledge they presented the murderous education in. Darkly enriching…this intriguing tale of mystery, mayhem and murder is the perfect blend of intelligence and intricacy. Although this beautifully designed DIY manual is full of twists, the emphasis is on comedy . . . but the extraordinary Holmes can pull the heartstrings too.’ THE TIMES The three main characters have very different goals and different types of people they want to murder, as well as different motives, but it's very understandable why they want what they want, even from the beginning. It's perhaps a bit grim, but it also has a cheeky attitude that I really responded to, as well as playing around in a bit of a grey area, morally speaking.

Disclaimer: This review is not meant to promote the murder of despicable employers, but rather to encourage the enjoyment of this book/audiobook. I highly recommend! Slow burn to edge of your seat, this story leaves you guessing and assuming…only to be questioning if what you read was truly fiction, or entirely possible. The cast of characters is big, which I thought fit the setting very well. I had fun finding out everyone's motivations, and the side characters felt fleshed out as well as the main cast, with Doria definitely taking the number one spot in my heart (sorry Cliff). I heard my voice but didn’t recognize it. “The things you do to people, Fiedler...” I flailed. “One day you’ll get what’s due you.” Yeah, that sure showed him. The second portion focuses on three graduates: Iverson, Gemma Lindley, and Dulcie Mown. Having mastered all of the skills required to "delete," they are now seeking out their prey. While I found this more engaging than the first half, I think I might have preferred to focus on just one of their stories. Reaching the book's conclusion felt tedious, but I pushed through if only to see who Iverson's mysterious benefactor was.

Rupert Holmes has received two Edgar Awards from the Mystery Writers of America, and multiple Tony® and Drama Desk Awards for his Broadway mystery musicals, including the book of Curtains and his sole creation, the Tony® Award–winning Best Musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood. His first novel, Where the Truth Lies, was nominated for a Nero Wolfe award for Best American Mystery Novel, was a Booklist Top Ten Debut Novel, and became a motion picture starring Colin Firth and Kevin Bacon. His second novel, Swing, was the first novel with its own original, clue-bearing musical score. He has adapted Agatha Christie, John Grisham, and R.L. Stine for the Broadway and international stage. His short stories have been anthologized in such collections as Best American Mystery Stories, Christmas at the Mysterious Bookshop,and On a Raven’s Wing. Holmes’s earliest story-songs were published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and he is also the writer/vocalist of several Billboard Top 10 hits, including his Billboard #1 multi-platinum classic with a memorable twist-ending: “Escape (The Pina Colada Song).”Rupert Holmes was born on February 24, 1947, in Northwich, Cheshire, England. Soon after, he ventured forth to America (New York) with his British mum and Air Force dad. After graduating from the Manhattan School of Music, Mr. Holmes delved into the art of melodious sound. A successful piano player for both the Cuff Links and the Buoys, with whom he had his first international hit, "Timothy," in 1971, Rupert also wrote and arranged songs for Gene Pitney, The Platters, The Drifters and the Partridge Family. The second half of the book flies. Seeing the students play out their theses was a lot of fun!! I think that I had been with this book for so long that I configured the ending.