I cannot confirm or deny any ulterior reason for reading this book, or whether or not I took notes.

What I can confirm is that this is a very funny, dark look at "involuntary suicide" and the thinking and preparation that goes into it. We follow three students through their time at McMasters and while working on their theses, and only at the end do we learn if they passed or failed. There is one twist that I guessed, but only shortly before it was revealed (the best type: not too early for me to get annoyed, and guessable).

eARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.

I have received this book in exchange of an honest review, thank you to Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for the opportunity.

Release date: 21st of February 2023.

─────────────────

Murder Your Employer as a concept, sounds very interesting. However, when it comes to execution, I find myself not as interested to continue past the first few chapters.

And I didn't.

To follow someone in what is basically a guide of how to get murders done, in the cleanest ways possible; I need to care about the individual/s in question. And that in itself, is my bane when it comes to this book.

I didn't care, nor like anyone I met so far. I skipped a little later and saw that more point of views get added, but it's a bit too late for that when the first point of view kind of kills off all of my interest.

To be totally fair, I don't consider it a bad book. It's written pretty well, and the school is very interesting, while feeling a bit on the eccentric side at first glance. Maybe, I will come back to it one day because I do see potential for fun, or catch it in another medium, but for now, it just didn't work out all that much for me.

Fans of Lev Grossman's The Magicians will find this plot a bit familiar. A secret college in a secret place where you learn secret things....instead of magic though you learn the fine art of murder, for the good of society of course. We couldn't have amateurs out there trying to murder people and have innocent persons getting hurt as well. Trust me this is a very charming read with three interesting characters to follow. I look forward to more books like this.

The premise of this book is that it's a nonfiction book provided by the McMasters school so we can learn some of the school curriculum without needing to attend the secret school. The book starts with a very dry introduction (which worried me the whole book was going to be like this, but did help establish that this was a nonfiction book since my eyes usually glaze over during nonfiction intros). Then, we follow 3 students as they attend McMasters and go back into the world to complete their thesis (murder their employer or be murdered by the school). After the intro, the story was much more engaging, so I would suggest to reads like me - don't be put off from the intro if it's not your style.

The book was really well written and entertaining. I loved the world of the school where learning how to murder (called "deletion") was a common, normal thing. I appreciate how the school was creating the thoughtful deletionist to commit one deletion vs training someone to be a serial killer. It was also strange when our 3 students were back in the real world and I was rooting for them to commit murder ("complete their thesis") so they would pass.

There obviously is some dark humor in the book - I was chuckling throughout. I was engaged throughout the book. The students Cliff and Doria had the stronger stories, where Gemma's was a bit weaker. The book primarily focused on Cliff - he was an unwitting student and had to keep a journal for his sponsor (the person paying the tuition), which is how we got the details for the nonfiction how to book.

The book does a great job of creating a believable narrative as well as an engaging story. It was also minimally gory so if people are worried - you'll likely be okay.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this advance review copy.

To say that this is reminiscent of a Harry Potter book would be an understatement. Think Harry, Ron, and Hermione, then add a sideways slant. Stir in a few oddly named professors and students, and you will have a Hogwarts for adults wanting to refine their homicidal expertise.

Not everyone is born with the right set of skills, and that is where McMasters comes in. The book was written tongue-in-cheek, yet there is a darker side. Once you get past the humor -- which I don’t think you really can -- the curious way of looking at quotes, and the end game, you will find a book that you will keep on your shelf, much like the Potter books, since each time you reread it, you will notice what you hadn’t before.

As the narration slows, Rupert Holmes will add a few eyebrow-raising comments that have the reader, once again, fully engaged.

The humor throughout is what will keep the reader turning pages. Unfortunately, the ending leads the reader to believe this will be a one-and-done novel. But then again, one never knows.

Ever think the world would be a better place without so and so ruining it? There's a school for that. Murder Your Employer is a clever, original and quirky glimpse into McMaster's Conservatory of Applied Arts school (and dorms) for the aspiring expirer.

Cliff finds himself abruptly whisked away to a very strange place called McMaster's Conservatory of Applied Arts where murders...er, deletions....are on the menu. He has no clue of which country he is in and is immediately immersed in murder with brilliant class schedules, special outings, ice cream truck incidents and fascinating dinners. He must be on constant watch for nefarious goings-on. But his perspective is not the only one detailed...we hear from Gemma and Doria, too. Students must graduate with high proficiency and write a thesis. Only then can they leave the grounds on their own volition. If they fail...

If you prefer murder jam-packed with oodles of wit, humour and wordplay, Murder Your Employer is likely your wheelhouse, one heck of a ride. Nearly every sentence contains something fun! Do read into everything.

My sincere thank you to Avid Reader Press and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this unique and unforgettable book.

Reading Rupert Holmes’ biography is almost as entertaining as 'Murder Your Employer' - and that’s not a slight to the novel, which is a twisty whodunnit - but a testament to the amazing career of its author.

The novel is about a fictional (I hope) school called ‘The McMasters Conservatory for the Applied Arts’ - a college dedicated to murder. The idea is fantastic and Holmes delivers on the promise of his premise; this is the epitome of a page turner.

a very unique concept, this novel set in the 1950s traces three employees as they are trained to murder their respective employers at a secret academy called McMasters. Founded by the legendary Guy McMaster, the school is hidden from the world, and the attendees, as it instructs them in the ways of murder. Set as a training volume of sorts, written by the dean, the education, and eventual "deletions" completed by these students serve as their "thesis" required for graduation and also purport to introduce the value and ethics of a McMaster's education. The story was well laid out and entertaining, if a little long.

The title, Murder Your Employer, caught me right away. What followed was a creative, unique, well written, hilarious, witty tale that was just as good as I expected it to be. The story follows 3 students at The McMasters Conversatory, a mysterious, clandestine institution that instructs it's student body on "consummate execution of the homicidal arts". Their stories are told from their beginnings at the school until the completion of their "thesis" or their intended murder. I loved it! I can only hope that Rupert Holmes makes this a series, telling stories about the education, planning and execution of other students "thesis"! What a fun way storyline!

Prepare for an education you’ll never forget. A delightful mix of witty wordplay, breathtaking twists and genuine intrigue, Murder Your Employer will gain you admission into a wholly original world, cocooned within the most entertaining book about well-intentioned would-be murderers you’ll ever read.

This clever premise makes for a most enjoyable book. You'll find yourself rooting for the characters to complete their thesis and perform their "deletions" to make all right with the world. The book is presented in two halves. The first half at McMasters where our characters learn their art. The second half follows them as they complete their coursework and we find out who has what it takes.

Thank you @netgalley and @avidreaderpress for giving me the opportunity to advance read this wonderful book.

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc of Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide in exchange for an honest review. This review is wholly my own.

The title grabbed me right away. I mean, who hasn't had thoughts of offing their employer at some point? I have a great employer now, but I have a couple that come to mind when I read that title!!! And in case the government is reading this, NO, I don't really mean it!!!!

In this novel, individuals can gain access into a conservatory whose sole purpose is to eliminate "deserving" individuals. The only pre-requisite to gain access is that the individual has to prove that they have a good & ethical reason to eliminate the person they are wishing to eliminate.

The writing in this novel is so clever & witty and oftentimes, downright funny! I never thought reading about murder could be so enjoyable! Usually when you think of murder, you think of dark and tormenting, but this book was just outright delightful!

I cannot beg you enough to give this one a read. It is so good & the writing is exquisite! It is a tiny bit slow to start, but please stick with it. I promise you will not be disappointed! I can firmly say that this will be one of if not my top read of January and will likely go onto my top reads list for the year.

I actually didn’t like this book as much as I thought I would. It turned into a DNF at around 49%. I couldn’t get through it after that point. It was pretty boring for me. I couldn’t stay interested in the book. I had to put it down

We are following a few students as they attend The McMasters Conservatory for the Applied Arts to learn the skills to perfect their thesis. This is a unique story that I enjoyed reading. However to be truly honest this did take some time for me to really get invested in the story. The first part of the story moves slowly. Once I got to know the characters better individually I was more interested in their stories. At about the halfway point the storyline pace picked up and I couldn’t put the book down. I wanted to know which students failed and which ones succeeded in perfecting their thesis.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been by anyone.

"From the diabolical imagination of Edgar Award–winning novelist, playwright, and story-songwriter Rupert Holmes comes a devilish thriller with a killer concept: The McMasters Conservatory for the Applied Arts, a luxurious, clandestine college dedicated to the fine art of murder where earnest students study how best to "delete" their most deserving victim.

Who hasn't wondered for a split second what the world would be like if a person who is 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. The campus of this "Poison Ivy League" college - its location unknown to even those who study there - is where you might find yourself the practice target of a classmate…and where one's mandatory graduation thesis is getting away with the perfect murder of someone whose death will make the world a much better place to live.

Prepare for an education you'll never forget. A delightful mix of witty wordplay, breathtaking twists and genuine intrigue, Murder Your Employer will gain you admission into a wholly original world, cocooned within the most entertaining book about well-intentioned would-be murderers you'll ever read."

You've always wanted to go to murder school right? I know I have and the Guild of Assassins didn't accept my application.

Murder Your Employer is a punny, er, funny book. You'd think a book about murder wouldn't be a load of chuckles, but this is over the top with humor. Nothing and nobody are as it seems. Once you think you have things figured out, another strange twist comes along. You think you have that figured out, and another unexpected twist comes along. And the puns! Oh my gosh! (And there is no truth to the expression, "Puns are the lowest form of humor". Shakespeare's plays are full of puns, and nobody gives him any guff...except high school students.)

Okay, so you might think it's hard to relate to people who want to kill, but the three students whose stories we follow have good reasons, and the victims are despicable enough that their comeuppances demand three cheers. Oh my, the details of the killings are so intricate that I wondered how the author (Rupert Holmes) came up with the ideas.

I learned how to be in two places at the same time! Can't wait to try it out.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avid Reader Press for allowing me to read and review an eARC of Murder Your Employer.

5/5 stars! This is my favorite read of the year so far. This book made me think: "Is this what it would be like if Red Sparrow was humorous instead of darkly tragic?" There is the same layer of intricate story-telling, motives, and intrigue in this story as in that movie in my opinion. The opening chapter had me cackling. Poor Cliff! The story picked up speed from there and never really lost it. This was witty and made me flit through a myriad of feelings. Highly recommend it.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley as I was immediately attracted by the summary and the cover. Unfortunately, I really couldn’t get into this book (clearly a minority perspective).
Firstly, I expected more “action” more “assassin in training” when 40% through the book and really the main character has just settled into his coursework and we’ve been introduced to two more characters.
In addition, the writing style is very flowery, which for me became cumbersome quickly when combined with the fact that near 50% of the book is “settling into the coursework.”
Sometimes I think you can pick up a perfectly wonderful book and simply not be in a place to read it—Given how many people have loved this book, I may give it another chance in the near future. If you’re intrigued by the summary and understand this is more a character driven plot vs an action packed story about learning to be a murderer, then you might really like this one.

I hoped I would like this more than I did. I enjoyed the sections that read more like a textbook but never cared much for the 3 main stories. The book was too long, and I found that the material wasn't strong enough to keep me invested all the way through.

I need this to be a series. Forever. I need more of this world and more of these characters and more of this setting. OH MY GOODNESS I love this book. I think everyone should read it. It's engaging, hilarious, witty, clever, heartfelt, and wonderful. It had me guessing all the way up until the end, which is a sign of a brilliant book. The writing style, the characters, the concept, the scenarios, this is just brilliant. Even the ending! The ending plus! I won't spoil any of it for anyone but seriously--what a ride. Please, PLEASE make this into a series.

This was such a good read. It hit alot of great notes for me and I've hyped it to many of my regulars in preparation.