Book overview McMasters Guide to Homicide, Book 1 Rupert Holmes

Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide – Complete Study Guide

Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed plot points, including the endings of all three student theses and the fate of McMasters.

Quick Facts

Field Detail
Title Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide
Author Rupert Holmes
Genre Darkly comic thriller / satirical mystery
Publication Year 2023
Setting McMasters Conservatory (Slippery Elms manor), Baltimore racetracks, Hollywood studios, English hospitals
Narrator The McMasters Guide (collective voice of Dean Harbinger Harrow and faculty editors)

Short Summary

In Murder Your Employer, the McMasters Conservatory for the Applied Arts secretly trains students to delete people who “deeply deserve” death. The novel follows three students: Cliff Iverson, a former aircraft designer who wants to kill his abusive boss Merrill Fiedler; Gemma Lindley, who plans to delete her blackmailing supervisor Adele Underton; and Doria Maye, a fading Hollywood star targeting predatory studio head Leonid Kosta. The book is framed as a handbook from Dean Harbinger Harrow, blending dark comedy and a moral code known as the Four Enquiries. Each student must complete a thesis – a successful murder – or face execution themselves. The story explores justified homicide, abuse of power, and the psychological costs of revenge.

Full Summary

Introduction and the McMasters Philosophy

The book opens with a glossary of terms: “deletion” for murder, “executive” for victim, “executor” for the student. The school’s founder Guy McMaster and later deans established a curriculum that treats homicide as an applied art. Epigraphs from Harriet Ann Jacobs, Dean Tarrant, and Guy McMaster set the moral tone: some employers deserve to die.

Cliff Iverson’s Story

Cliff Iverson, an aeronautical engineer, attempts to shove his tyrannical boss Merrill Fiedler into an oncoming subway train. The attempt fails when a bystander (Sergeant Stedge) rescues Fiedler. Cliff is arrested by Stedge and Captain Dobson, who reveal they are disgraced ex‑police officers recruiting for McMasters. Cliff drinks a drugged cocktail and wakes up at the school.

At McMasters, Cliff meets Dean Harbinger Harrow, who administers the Four Enquiries to confirm Cliff’s commitment. Cliff learns the school’s rule: graduate as a successful deletist or be killed. He befriends fellow students including Gemma Lindley and Dulcie Mown (secretly actress Doria Maye), while clashing with the ruthless Jud Helkampf and the suspicious Simeon Sampson.

Over several terms, Cliff trains in forgery, poisons, locksmithing, and surveillance. He discovers that his tuition was paid by an anonymous sponsor. He develops a plan to frame Fiedler for selling industrial secrets, using Fiedler’s greed for horse‑race betting as a lure. In the climax, Cliff confronts Fiedler in his office, forces a rigged coin game, and poisons a toast of Zwack Unicum liqueur. Fiedler dies from delphinine while Cliff neutralizes his own drink with potassium permanganate. Cliff stages the scene as a suicide and destroys his own confession.

Gemma Lindley’s Story

Gemma Lindley, a hospital administrator, wants to delete her supervisor Adele Underton, who blackmails her with evidence of a stolen syringe. At McMasters, Gemma plans to lure Adele to the deadly River Strid in Yorkshire, but Adele refuses any countryside outing. Gemma instead rigs a cinder‑block trap at a construction site. When Adele reveals she is pregnant, Gemma sacrifices herself by pulling the convertible roof back and throwing herself over Adele, taking the fatal impact. She survives but fails her deletion mission. Later, she returns to McMasters as a faculty member.

Doria Maye’s Story

Doria Maye, a fading Hollywood star, adopts the alias Dulcie Mown at McMasters. Her target is studio head Leonid Kosta, who humiliated her and blocked her career. Doria uses disguise, forgery, and an intricate alibi: she poses as a hitchhiker named Toby Jones, seduces Kosta at his remote Ledge House, and kills him with the base of an Oscar statuette. She plants evidence to frame a male cross‑dresser, and later manipulates guard Finton Flood into attempting blackmail, which leads to his arrest. Doria succeeds and returns to Hollywood.

Denouement and Postscript

After Fiedler’s death, Cliff visits Lilliana Horvath, who reveals she was his sponsor. Cliff writes to Dean Harrow explaining that Jack Horvath actually committed suicide, staging it as murder for insurance money. Cliff falls into post‑mission emptiness and is surveilled by Dobson and Stedge, who consider eliminating him to protect McMasters. In the final chapter, Gemma and her mother arrive at McMasters, and Cliff appears as the new science professor. They reunite, and McMasters becomes Cliff’s home.

The postscript, written by Dean Harrow, celebrates the publication of the guide despite board opposition. He descends to view his own bust being removed from a kiln, joking about meeting his maker. The text ends mid‑sentence, leaving his fate unclear.

Main Characters

Character Description
Cliff Iverson Former aircraft designer who enrolls at McMasters to delete his abusive boss Merrill Fiedler after a failed subway murder attempt.
Gemma Lindley A reserved student who plans to delete her blackmailing supervisor Adele Underton. She later becomes a permanent faculty member at McMasters.
Doria Maye (Dulcie Mown) Fading Hollywood star who adopts the alias Dulcie Mown to delete predatory studio head Leonid Kosta.
Merrill Fiedler Cliff’s tyrannical boss at Woltan Aviation, who uses blackmail and sabotage to cover up deadly aircraft flaws.
Dean Harbinger Harrow The enigmatic head of McMasters who oversees student theses, administers the Four Enquiries, and enforces the graduation‑or‑death policy.
Jud Helkampf A ruthless student who cheats freely and attacks Gemma at the Track Meet. He is eliminated by Dean Harrow after threatening Cliff.
Adele Underton Gemma’s blackmailing supervisor at St. Ann’s Hospital, who holds incriminating letters against Gemma.
Leonid Kosta Predatory studio head who humiliates Doria Maye and is killed with the base of an Oscar statuette.

Themes and Symbols

Themes

  • Justified homicide and ethical deletion: The novel explores a moral code where killing someone who “deeply deserves” death can be justified, framed through the McMasters Four Enquiries.
  • Abuse of power and retribution: Students have suffered under corrupt bosses, blackmailers, and predators, and seek calculated retribution.
  • Deception and identity: Characters rely on disguises, forged documents, and staged performances to manipulate targets.
  • The price of revenge: After completing his thesis, Cliff feels empty and adrift, while Gemma sacrifices herself for an unborn child, highlighting the psychological cost.
  • Institutional secrecy and loyalty: McMasters operates as a hidden academy where faculty are killers and graduates risk elimination if they seek therapy.

Symbols

  • The McMasters badge / “McM” card: A small card that recruits receive, representing entry into a secret world where murder is an applied art.
  • The Oscar statuette: Doria Maye uses the base of an Oscar statuette to kill Kosta, symbolizing Hollywood’s corrupt glamour.
  • The River Strid: A deadly stretch of river in Yorkshire that Gemma plans to use, representing nature as both accomplice and peril.
  • Zwack Unicum liqueur: Cliff uses this bitter herbal liqueur to poison Fiedler, symbolizing the bitter taste of revenge and his connection to Jack Horvath.

Ending Overview

Cliff survives his thesis and becomes a faculty member at McMasters, reuniting with Gemma. Gemma survives her failed deletion and also joins the faculty. Doria successfully kills Kosta and frames a male culprit, escaping justice. Dean Harrow publishes the guide despite opposition, but his fate is left ambiguous as the postscript cuts off mid‑sentence. The novel closes with the suggestion that McMasters will continue to train new deletists.

Chapter‑by‑Chapter Summary

Ch Title Digest
1 Terms of the Applied Arts Establishes McMasters euphemistic lexicon: deletion for murder, executive for victim, executor for student. Lists historical “homicidalists.”
2 Epigraph Three epigraphs from Harriet Ann Jacobs, Dean Tarrant, and Guy McMaster set the moral and satirical tone.
3 Chapter I Cliff Iverson attempts to shove his boss Merrill Fiedler into a subway train. He fails and is recruited by Stedge and Dobson.
4 Chapter II Cliff arrives at McMasters after a blindfolded journey, passes a “Hunting Accident” demonstration, and is taken to Dean Harrow’s office.
5 Chapter III Dean Harrow interviews Cliff, tests him with poisoned sherry, and explains the graduation‑or‑death policy. Cliff learns he has a sponsor.
6 Chapter IV Cliff tours McMasters, fakes a knee injury to acquire a cane, and meets students Dulcie Mown, Gemma, and hostile Simeon Sampson.
7 Chapter V Cliff attempts to escape by impersonating Stedge but is recaptured; the escape was a staged test.
8 Chapter VI Students present hospital murder scenarios. Gemma expresses ethical concerns about collateral damage.
9 Chapter VII Dean Harrow administers the Four Enquiries. Cliff recommits to his training after reading the textbook preface.
10 Chapter VIII Flashback: Gemma’s boss Adele steals credit for her program. Gemma applies to McMasters, citing blackmail as her motive.
11 Chapter IX Flashback: Doria Maye is humiliated by studio head Leon Kosta. A receptionist gives her a “McM” card.
12 Chapter X Cliff writes his motivation statement, detailing Fiedler’s deadly design changes and role in Jack Horvath’s death and Cora’s suicide.
13 Chapter XI Cliff describes his first term: courses, the Skulking Wolf pub, a prank by Simeon, and learning poisons in the kitchen.
14 Chapter XII Dean Harrow hosts a working dinner with a hidden poison; Jud Helkampf wins by identifying potassium cyanide.
15 Chapter XIII Flashback: Fiedler blackmails employees to cover up W‑10 aircraft flaws.
16 Chapter XIV Gemma avoids Cliff after confessing her secret. Adele blackmails her for a recommendation letter.
17 Chapter XV Dulcie attends an alibis lecture. Faculty progress reports praise Dulcie, express concern about Gemma’s Strid plan, and note Cliff’s progress.
18 Chapter XVI Cliff humiliates Helkampf with a fake award and recounts luring Fiedler to the subway. Dean Harrow advises exploiting vanity.
19 Chapter XVII Winter passes at McMasters. Cliff explores the perimeter, finds Raven Ravine, and is threatened by Simeon Sampson.
20 Chapter XVIII At a Valentine’s mixer, Audrey Jäeger asks for help, Dulcie recruits Cliff for batting practice, and Gemma reveals she loathes Helkampf.
21 Chapter XIX Cliff practices with Dulcie; she reveals she is on her final attempt at the program. Exploiting a target’s passion is emphasized.
22 Chapter XX Gemma consults Eroticide instructor Vesta Thripper about luring Adele. Dulcie receives a secret envelope from Dean Harrow.
23 Chapter XXI The Track Meet: Cliff and Audrey stage a mock murder, Cliff rescues Gemma from Helkampf, and falls into a crash pad. He is graduated.
24 Chapter XXII Faculty review board debates students. Dulcie and Gemma are gassed and removed. Dean Harrow eliminates Jud Helkampf.
25 Chapter XXIII Cliff wakes in Baltimore with a cover story and plans to expose Fiedler’s flaws in the W‑10 aircraft.
26 Chapter XXIV Gemma returns home, fabricates a cover story, and learns Adele has deposited incriminating letters in a safe.
27 Chapter XXV Doria returns to the studio and manipulates Kosta into granting her more time in her bungalow.
28 Chapter XXVI Cliff, in disguise, bets on every horse in three races at the racetrack, using Dulcie’s training.
29 Chapter XXVII Gemma befriends secretary Kaye to learn the safe combination. She discovers a hidden key and plans to steal the letters.
30 Chapter XXVIII Cliff wins money and sends Fiedler an anonymous letter with winning tickets to bait him.
31 Chapter XXIX Gemma forges a copy of the envelope, deduces the safe combination from a periodic‑table mnemonic, and swaps the letters.
32 Chapter XXX Cliff visits Lilliana Horvath, learns details of Jack’s death, and receives a bottle of Zwack Unicum. He affirms the First Enquiry.
33 Chapter XXXI Doria stages a meeting with Laddie Graham and lures him to her bungalow, aware that guard Finny is watching.
34 Chapter XXXII Cliff watches Fiedler cash winning tickets and shifts to long‑shot bets to build false confidence.
35 Chapter XXXIII Doria stages a false intimate encounter with Laddie to fool Finny into reporting it to Kosta.
36 Chapter XXXIV Fiedler receives a phone call from “Amigo” with instructions for a ticket pickup. The doorman grows suspicious.
37 Chapter XXXV Adele pressures Gemma to sleep with an inspector. Gemma refuses, calling Adele a madam.
38 Chapter XXXVI Cliff stages an exchange at an arboretum to frame Fiedler as selling schematics. Eddie Alderman decides to report the safety issue.
39 Chapter XXXVII Doria disguises herself as a detective and hires Finny to photograph her bungalow, setting up an alibi.
40 Chapter XXXVIII Cliff uses a diver decoy to swap an attaché case at a pier, framing Fiedler further. Fiedler demands a meeting.
41 Chapter XXXIX Doria calls Kosta to confirm his Friday night schedule, using a Dalai Lama film ruse. She plans her attack.
42 Chapter XL Gemma cannot lure Adele to the Strid. She decides to abandon her original plan and improvise.
43 Chapter XLI Doria steals a car, fakes a collision, and swaps it for a Packard. She drives toward Kosta’s retreat.
44 Chapter XLII Cliff, disguised as florist Ludis, stages a failed bank deposit to plant evidence of gambling debts. He has no backup plan.
45 Chapter XLIII Doria visits a gay bar in disguise, collects a semen sample for later framing, and heads toward Torrey Pines.
46 Chapter XLIV Doria, as hitchhiker Toby Jones, kills Kosta with an Oscar statuette after he insults her. She gives him a final chance.
47 Chapter XLV Cliff confronts Fiedler in his office, forces a coin game, and offers a “way out” envelope.
48 Chapter XLVI Doria wipes prints, plants a gaff and wig, evades a patrol car, and sets her alibi in motion.
49 Chapter XLVII Cliff poisons Fiedler with delphinine in Zwack Unicum, neutralizes his own drink, and forges a suicide note.
50 Chapter XLVIII Gemma sets a cinder‑block trap for Adele but sacrifices herself when she learns Adele is pregnant. She loses consciousness.
51 Chapter XLIX Doria’s alibi works: Finny is arrested for blackmail. The police believe a male cross‑dresser killed Kosta.
52 Chapter L Cliff visits Lilliana, who reveals she is his sponsor. Cliff writes to Dean Harrow explaining Jack’s suicide.
53 Chapter LI Cliff feels post‑mission emptiness. Dobson and Stedge surveil him and discuss eliminating him to protect McMasters.
54 Chapter LII Gemma and her mother arrive at McMasters. Cliff appears as the new science professor. They reunite; McMasters becomes his home.
55 Postscript Dean Harrow celebrates the guide’s publication. He descends to view his bust, joking about meeting his maker. The text ends mid‑sentence.
56 About the Authors Real‑life biography of author Rupert Holmes and credits, grounding the fictional handbook in reality.

Common Questions and Answers

1. What are the Four Enquiries? The Four Enquiries are four questions that Dean Harrow asks each student to confirm their target deserves death. The first, “Is this murder necessary?” is explored in detail. The novel implies that all four must be answered affirmatively before a thesis can proceed.

2. Who is Cliff Iverson’s sponsor? Lilliana Horvath, the widow of Cliff’s friend Jack Horvath, is revealed as his sponsor. She used insurance money after her cousin Patrik, a McMasters alumnus, told her about the school.

3. How does Doria Maye kill Leonid Kosta? Doria kills Kosta with the base of an Oscar statuette after luring him to his remote Ledge House under the guise of a hitchhiker named Toby Jones. She gives him a final chance to admit she deserved a role, but he insults her, and she strikes.

4. What happens to Jud Helkampf? After the Track Meet, Dean Harrow confronts Helkampf and demands he build an urn or coffin for Cliff. Helkampf goes to the sub‑basement workshop and is never seen again, implying Dean Harrow eliminates him.

5. Why does Gemma Lindley fail her deletion? Gemma rigs a cinder‑block trap for Adele, but when she learns Adele is pregnant, she throws herself over Adele to protect the unborn child. The trap kills her instead, though she survives.

6. What is the River Strid? The River Strid is a deadly stretch of river in Yorkshire that Gemma originally plans to use as a natural death trap for Adele. It’s described as a fast‑moving water hazard that can drown anyone who slips in.

7. What is the McMasters badge? The McMasters badge is a small card with “McM” on it that recruits receive. It represents entry into the secret world of the conservatory and is used as a calling card by faculty.

8. Is there a sequel to Murder Your Employer? The postscript hints at future volumes, such as Murder Those Cruel to You in Adolescence, but no sequel has been confirmed. The text ends with Dean Harrow’s fate left ambiguous.

Further Resources