Murder on the Menu: Orlando Murrin, Suk Pannu and Fliss Chester - Basingstoke Discovery Centre - Friday 23rd October 2026 - 2.00pm

Murder on the Menu: Orlando Murrin, Suk Pannu and Fliss Chester

Basingstoke Discovery Centre

Friday 23rd October 2026

2.00pm to 3.00pm

As part of Only Murders in the Library, the annual series of crime writers talks at Basingstoke Discovery Centre.

What is it about murder and food that makes such an irresistible recipe for crime fiction? Join bestselling authors Orlando Murrin, Suk Pannu and Fliss Chester for a mouth-watering discussion exploring the deliciously dark world of culinary crime.

From poisoned pastries and deadly dinner parties to cosy cafés hiding deadly secrets, our panel will uncover why food and murder have become such a popular pairing on the page. Discover how these authors blend suspense with sumptuous settings, create memorable characters around the dining table, and serve up mysteries that leave readers hungry for more.

Whether you're a devoted crime fan, an enthusiastic foodie, or simply curious about the darker side of the menu, this entertaining discussion promises plenty of intrigue, laughter and perhaps a few shocking revelations.

Come for the food, stay for the murder!

Event running time is around 40 minutes plus time for a Q&A. Waterstones will be present for book sales and signing before and after the main event.

Orlando Murrin was flung into the culinary limelight as a semi-finalist on Masterchef, after which he became editor of BBC Good Food magazine and founded Olive, then a chef-hotelier in SW France. The grandson of a famous MI5 spycatcher, he has had a lifelong fascination with crime, and his debut novel, Knife Skills For Beginners, was shortlisted for four national awards, including the McDermid Debut Prize; the sequel, Murder Below Deck, came out in paperback in May. He lives in domestic bliss in Exeter with his husband and two cats.

Suk Pannu has written for some of Britain’s best-loved Asian shows including Goodness Gracious Me and five series of the award-winning The Kumars at No 42. He has also contributed to radio shows like The News Quiz and Armando Iannucci’s Charm Offensive, and he has had several successful series and pilots of his own.

Suk Pannu grew up along the M4, the draughty corridor that connects London to Slough. The son of immigrants, his upbringing was filled with discipline, love and aunties. At an early age, he got his head stuck into books and escaped into other worlds. He has long believed that one of his aunties would be the perfect crime solver.

BBC Radio 4's production of Mrs Sidhu Investigates charmed audiences and won praise from across the national media. The show was pick of the week/day in every national daily and Sunday paper, and earned the top spot on Radio 4's Pick of the Week.

Flis Chester lives in a little village in West Sussex, and writes witty, fast-paced cozy crime. When she's not killing people off in her modern and historical whodunnits, she helps her husband, who is a wine merchant, run their family business. This means she's never far from a decent glass of something, which makes her very happy indeed.

The current series that Fliss is working on is the Maddie Penrose Mysteries. This limited three-book series features teashop owner Maddie Penrose, and her grandmother Nor, who make the perfect - if eccentric - sleuthing team. If you love Cornwall, cream teas and curious mysteries, then you'll love these classic cozy crime mysteries.

Price: £2.00 per person