Murder@work

by Yvonne Eve Walus

Christine Chamberlain doesn't want much from a steady job, a baby, and a Field's Medal. Her boss, however, wants money and he's willing to do anything to get his way, even if it means getting Christine involved in a project that not only jeopardises her dreams, but also her life. When Christine complains to her colleagues, they joke about killing the boss to solve the problem, discussing the murder by email. Almost everybody has an obvious motive to get rid of the boss from hell... and a few hidden ones they don't share. The next day, Christine brings fennel oil to work. In itself, it's not the world's deadliest poison, and Christine would of course never dream to use it as such. Or would she?

248 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2004

About the author

Yvonne Walus writes crime fiction set in South Africa because she believes it’s a misunderstood country. South Africa means a lot of things to a lot of people: lions in long yellow grass, diamond mines, apartheid, Nelson Mandela, rugby. All of those images are right, yet none of them - according to Yvonne - are representative of the country or its people. None of them describe what it’s like to live in South Africa, both in the 1980s and today.
Yvonne would like her readers to smell the red dust of the continent and to fall in love with Africa the way she did when she first set foot there as a teenager. Through her books, Yvonne shows that South African people, despite the recent history of discrimination, are no different to any other people. Not worse, not better. Just people.

Reviews

[Debra Barstad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but does need a good proofreading. Easy enough to read and follow along.

[Patricia Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolute delight! I enjoyed the premise: The Boss that everyone has a reason to kill is murdered! This is a universal premise, but the action takes place in the new South AfricaThe entire technology staff is suspect, each with their own plausible opportunity to poison him, including Dr. Christine Chamberlain. Christine and the entire staff have endured viral abuse, manipulation by James the boss. He extends her hours, assigns her a new project that will add 2 hours travel time to her day, in addition to announcing to the entire staff that they have not earned a Christmas bonus this year. All have motives to kill, but Christine also has the means: Her fennel oil, in her office desk, is likely the 'poison' that caused James' convulsions and death.... BUT there's lots of opportunities for all. Yvonne Walus writes in a very fast paced and logical pattern, yet her characters are so well fleshed out and believable. This is a fun and fascinating read that I won from GoodReads.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads Kindle Win

Dr Christine Chamberlain finds herself working with a boss from Hell who is into verbal abuse. She resigns her job and a few hours later he is found dead and she is prime suspect as his tea was tampered and she had just brought the poisonous ingredient. She finds herself investigating the case in order to clear her name.

A interesting read set in the heat of South Africa.

[Ian Yarington · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great idea, the hated boss, everyone has had one in their time. I really enjoyed the premise and the characters, especially Christine. I can certainly relate to her, I have a horrible commute, but at least my bosses are nice! The writing was nice as well, there were twists and Walus kept me guessing right till the end, can't ask for more than that.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Who-done-it

This was a fast-paced murder mystery with realistic characters. The story has many motives and twists and turns. There were many different paths the story could have went. Kept me guessing til the end.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads giveaway

[Sheila Cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

just okay

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Marta Morrison for TeensReadToo.com

MURDER @ WORK reminded me of a good old-fashioned mystery story.

The story takes place in new South Africa. Christine is very frustrated working in her place of employment. Her boss is nasty and mean. She is looking forward to a vacation in Greece with her husband and going to a math convention to present a paper, because her love is math.

Her boss revokes her time off and then dies. Christine needs to find the murderer so she won't have to miss her vacation.

The story was good but does not contain a lot of action; however, it's still fun trying to solve the mystery and put together the clues before Christine does.

Overall, the book is a good one, but I don't know that it will necessarily appeal to a majority of teens.

[Ursula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neurotic mathematician working at a consulting agency Pretoria, South Africa day-dreams of killing her boss. When he dies, she is the obvious culprit, so she has to figure out the truth by herself. Entertaining, short, interesting read about South Africa in the late 90s.