A Beginner’s Guide to Breaking and Entering

A humorous thriller about crime and survival

Andrew Hunter Murray author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Cornerstone

Published:25th Apr '24

Should be back in stock very soon

This hardback is available in another edition too:

A Beginner’s Guide to Breaking and Entering cover

This engaging thriller follows Al, a young man caught in a murder mystery after a break-in goes wrong, showcasing humor amidst chaos.

In A Beginner’s Guide to Breaking and Entering, readers are introduced to Al, a young man living in the luxurious second homes of the wealthy while they are away. He considers himself more of an unofficial house-sitter than a criminal, enjoying a carefree life until one fateful night when a break-in goes horribly wrong. Al and his friends find themselves entangled in a murder, leading them on a chaotic and dangerous journey as they navigate the consequences of their actions.

The narrative is laced with dark humor, exploring themes of youth, unemployment, and the absurdity of the housing market. Al's witty and cynical voice resonates with readers, making the story not only engaging but also thought-provoking. As the plot unfolds, the characters are forced to confront their choices, leading to unexpected twists and comical situations that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Critics have praised A Beginner’s Guide to Breaking and Entering for its clever writing and entertaining blend of social satire and mystery. With a compelling mix of humor and intrigue, this novel offers a fresh perspective on crime and survival in a world where property might be theft, but the housing market is murder. Readers will find themselves laughing out loud while also reflecting on the deeper societal issues presented throughout the story.

Hilarious * Daily Mail *
Smart, satirical, knowledgable, accurate, punchy, laugh out loud funny, surprising, shocking, thought provoking. Lovely short chapters. Loved it * Matt Chorley, The Times *
Hugely entertaining…the novel is politically astute, gradually revealing a scam involving property and international money laundering. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, proceeding at a pace that makes it almost impossible to put down. * Sunday Times *
A propulsive plot, an ingenious narrator and lashings of intrigue make this a genuine and thoroughly enjoyable page-turner * Guardian *
The plot is corset-tight and lavish with its surprises. An amusing crime caper…a delight * Strong Words Magazine *
What drives Hunter Murray’s chunky crime thriller along is Al’s idiosyncratic, comic narrative voice. As a result, it’s fun to spend time with him, even when it’s clear he’s not necessarily a great human being * Herald Scotland *
Filled with humour, shocks, love and hate – and a few handy tips on how to beat the housing crisis… Funny, thoughtful and all-round entertaining * Press Association *
In the delicious A Beginner’s Guide to Breaking and Entering, a hapless housebreaker and his fellow miscreants must solve a murder before the police arrest them; it’s a comic delight. * Financial Times *

ISBN: 9781529152807

Dimensions: 242mm x 163mm x 38mm

Weight: 684g

464 pages