Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson || Mystery Thriller With A Reliable, Funny Narrator

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone (Ernest Cunningham, #1)

Everyone in my family has killed someone. Some of us, the high achievers, have killed more than once. I'm not trying to be dramatic, but it is the truth. Some of us are good, others are bad, and some just unfortunate.

I'm Ernest Cunningham. Call me Ern or Ernie. I wish I'd killed whoever decided our family reunion should be at a ski resort, but it's a little more complicated than that.

Have I killed someone? Yes. I have.

Who was it?

Let's get started.

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Perfect for readers who want:

• A mystery thriller that doesn’t take itself too seriously
• A reliable, funny narrator that lays it all out right from the get-go
• A unique mystery experience that challenges traditional mystery structure
• A family more dysfunctional than yours (I promise!)
• A compelling mystery that will keep you guessing

I know you’re technically not supposed to judge a book by its cover, buuuuut . . . what about its title? Because phew, this one’s a doozy. I saw this a couple times in passing, each time reasoning I just didn’t have time to pick up a new read right then. But this title? It begs to be read. Who am I to argue with that?

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone is part parody, part mystery, and all entertainment. With an honest, humorous narrator who lays it all out from the get-go, the real joy of this book is in the journey.

Honestly, I went into this one without really knowing what to expect, and I think that’s the best way to approach this book. For that reason, I’m going to try to keep this review kind of high-level and not too in the weeds. While it’s true that the narrator absolutely spoils the mystery right from the beginning (in a very daring but very effectual attempt to prove themselves honest and reliable), it’s not what you think. It never is. That’s part of the fun of this book. There’s also a sequel that has only just been released (and which I’m dying to read), but I will say that this book does stand on its own as a one-shot. But I’m definitely looking forward to reading more of this!

Our narrator, Ernest, lays everything out from the very first chapter. There are no cheap tricks or gimmicks, because our narrator isn’t like other mystery authors. He’s 100% reliable.

Let me say: this is a bold approach to telling a mystery book. In fact, in order to prove that he’s totally reliable, he lays out all the things the reader needs to know in the first chapter: when the deaths will occur, his proclivity for spoiling things, the lack of sex scenes. The tone is conversational, almost conspiratorial, as if we’re in on a secret joke with the narrator. And in a sense, we are. We know how mystery books are supposed to work just as much as the narrator, and he’s upfront about how exactly he’ll deliver on those expectations. This is an approach that I actually appreciated and enjoyed.

If you thought your family was dysfunctional, just wait until you meet the Cunninghams. Let’s just say that once you meet them, it’ll become all too clear why a family reunion might inspire murder in some.

Picture this: a ski resort in the mountains, with its wonderful locale and beautiful scenery. A family who has had its problems in the past, all coming together for a special occasion. Namely, the release of Ernest’s brother. Who was in prison for murder. Because Ernest betrayed the entire family to put him there. See? I told you this family was delightful.

Okay, so like all families, the Cunninghams have their fair share of duds. Maybe more than their fair share. Despite this, there are some rather delightful members to balance things out. Assuming, of course, that you define delightful like I do: bitter, sarcastic, disillusioned with the world, not entirely sure what they’re doing or why they’re doing it. The banter is strong with this family, and I am here for it.

The title is 100% accurate, but . . . it’s not what you think. Despite the narrator telling the reader what to expect, there are still plenty of surprises to be had.

You would be forgiven for thinking that a murder mystery where you know what happens ahead of time and who the main players are would be boring and predictable. You’d even be forgiven for assuming that, since you already know the roadmap, you know where the story is heading. And you do. Sort of. But not really. I mean, the title is true, and the deaths listed in the first chapter do occur on the pages and as described (I checked), but if you’re anything like me, you will still be surprised.

Just because you think you know what it means to kill someone, doesn’t mean you won’t be caught off guard when you learn everyone’s truths. Maybe have your heartstrings plucked just a little, too. Even for characters you really don’t want to feel bad for. The book assumes that readers will go in with assumptions, and we will. Because we’re a judgmental bunch, especially when we’re on the lookout for a murderer. Still, I appreciate the way Stevenson challenges those presupposed notions and subverts expectations along the way.

There’s a lot of breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to the reader. Which makes sense because the narrator is the author of this pseudo-memoir. It’s also rather charming.

I confess that I’m not always a fan of breaking the fourth wall, though there are instances where I absolutely love it when it’s done well (ie. Deadpool and Animaniacs . . . which are shows and not books, but you get my point). All I can say is Stevenson does it well, and often in a tongue-in-cheek manner that not only makes Ernest all the more relatable but adds a bit of levity to an otherwise potentially heavy book. Considering that the premise of this book is that Ernest is writing a memoir about his family’s experiences, I found this a perfect use of breaking the fourth wall and really enjoyed it!

About Benjamin Stevenson

Benjamin Stevenson is an award-winning stand-up comedian and author. His first novel, Greenlight, was shortlisted for the Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction, and published in the USA and UK. His second novel, Either Side of Midnight, was shortlisted for the International Thriller Writers Award for Best Original Paperback. His novella, Find Us, was an internationally bestselling audiobook. He has sold out live shows from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival all the way to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and has appeared on ABCTV, Channel 10 and The Comedy Channel. Off-stage, Benjamin has worked for publishing houses and literary agencies in Australia and the USA. He currently works with some of Australia’s best-loved authors at Curtis Brown Australia. He loves hearing from readers on Instagram (@stevensonexperience) and Facebook (The Stevenson Experience). Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone is his third novel.

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