Tag: Benjamin Stevenson

REVIEW: Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson

REVIEW: Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Ernest Cunningham lays out the tropes and expectations of the “holiday special” mystery and then takes readers through his own “holiday special” which he compares to an Advent Calendar – “23 clues and a killer.”

Ernest’s ex wife has been arrested for the brutal murder of her romantic partner, a wealthy philanthropist. And she asks Ern to solve the mystery.

Ernest starts working through Lyle’s business associates from his foundation as well as the recovering addicts working at the theatre with magician Rylan Blaze. Before Ernest gets very far in his investigation, another body drops, and he has to determine who killed both of the victims – before Christmas.

Review

Wow, was this twisty! Once I started, I didn’t want to put it down. [One of the features of Ernest’s latest story is it can be read like an advent calendar, one chapter a day for each day of December until Christmas. But I know I wouldn’t have been able to stop at one chapter a day!]

Fans of earlier books in the series will be happy to know there are a few new rules this time around for the “holiday special.” I thought the insertions of Ern’s post-story reflections as he writes were less intrusive this time around – or maybe I’m just more accustomed to the unusual storytelling now that we are three books in. I’m still reeling over the big reveals at the end – this was SO cleverly put together. And it’s actually a holiday mystery with holiday elements – not just a full mystery that happens to take place in December.

Series fans should NOT miss this one! It’s so good. I think newcomers could start here as there aren’t many references to Ernest’s past or insider knowledge necessary. But I think Ern’s style – of storytelling and of mystery solving – makes more sense in the context of the series read in order. (Some language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson

REVIEW: Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

The Australian Mystery Writers’ Festival is celebrating their 50th anniversary by traveling by train through the country. Ernie Cunningham is on board with his girlfriend, Juliette, as one of the headliners thanks to the notoriety of his memoir, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone.

But when someone dies on the train, could it be that Ernie is connected to another murder? Or is it just the wishful thinking of a writer on deadline trying to find his story?

Review

Wow. Another stunner of a mystery from Benjamin Stevenson! I am a huge fan of Ernie’s voice in this series. His self-awareness as the narrator hooked me in book 1, and it’s just as fun here.

I liked this even more than the first book. The secondary characters here are great! And I am a huge fan of this sort of mystery set-up – “strangers” gather at a venue for an event and through a murder you discover secret connections and hidden – or not-so-hidden – motives. And in the end the sleuth reveals the killer. As Ernie promises at the start, this follows all the rules and hits all the beats.

There are some laugh-out-loud moments along with some surprises here. And of course there’s a meaty mystery with a thorough, captivating resolution.

I don’t know that you have to read these in order, but it helps. I would recommend it just because the first book is the basis for Ernie’s presence at this event and is referenced often. If you have already read it – and loved it like I did – you do NOT want to miss this! (Language. TW: Reference to sexual assault.)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ – I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

REVIEW: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Ernie Cunningham is on his way to a “mandatory” family reunion he could really do without. After turning his brother in to police for murder, things in the family have been…. tense. But his brother is about to get out of prison, and everyone is gathering at a remote mountain resort to welcome him home.

But a dead body on the mountain throws a wrench into things. And as the weather worsens and only one inexperienced cop has made it to the resort, Ernie realizes he’ll have to solve the mystery. After all, he writes books to teach writers how to craft mysteries. He even promises the reader he’ll follow all the agreed-upon rules for murder mysteries as he does so!

Review

This. Was. Wild.

So unexpected in a lot of ways for me, which added to a great reading experience with a well-crafted mystery.

As Ernie is the narrator, and the book is written after the events it describes, he’s an especially self-aware narrator. There’s a full set up for the “rules” at the start of the book plus regular references along the way to make sure you never forget. Then there’s the premise that “everyone” in the family has killed someone. So those mini-stories are woven in as well.

There’s the usual features for a mystery like this – the remote location, foul weather, family tension among the key players, and finally a growing list of dead people. I was captivated by the whole thing. I adore books with this sort of set up anyway.

But the resolution? And the surprises along the way? Wow. The extras here really kicked this up a notch. This is the whole package when it comes to plotting!

I didn’t love the characters in this – and I’m not sure I was supposed to – which is what keeps me from giving this 5 stars. But this is really an exceptional read, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. I will absolutely be reading book two, Everyone on this Train Is a Suspect, which is scheduled to release later this month. (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.