"Meet Ernest Cunningham, our noble narrator, writer and sleuth. And his crazy-ass family in the mountains. I promise you a rip-roaring, rollicking roller-coaster ride in the snow."
In the epigraph we are introduced to Knox's 10 commandments of detective fiction, from a 1930s secret society of mystery writers. We now know the rules and regulations. We are prepared. We can proceed.
In the prologue we are told that everyone in Ernest's family has killed someone. And some of them, "the high achievers" have killed more than once. Ernest writes books on how to write detective novels, but this isn't a novel. It's real life, what happened to Ernest, and you can't wait to turn the pages to find out more.
The author Ern claims to be a “reliable narrator”, but nothing is what it seems in this brilliant crime caper. When the Cunninghams hold a family reunion in a remote mountain retreat, we find out, page by page, step by step the trials and tribulations that led them to this point. Ern steps out of the story to hilarious effect to give context, back story, recap events, highlight nuggets we may have missed. And he's funny, bloody funny. All with the mission of playing fair.
When a man is found dead in the middle of a snow-covered golf course, the murdery mystery begins and I didn't want it to end. Which Cunningham did the deed? Will Ern find his murderer? It's a fresh, clever, funny take on the murder mystery and I loved it. Highly recommended.
| Primary Genre | Crime and Mystery |
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Closing date: 15/10/2026
DYMOCKS BOOK OF THE YEAR SHORTLIST 2022THE SUNDAY TIMES (UK) BEST CRIME BOOKS OF 2022ABIA GENERAL FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR SHORTLIST 2023BOOKPEOPLE FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR SHORTLIST 2023INDIE BOOK AWARD 2023 LONGLIST'An ingenious and hilarious meta-murder mystery.' The Sunday Times'Exceptionally clever and amusing . . . Stevenson carries off this tour de force with all the aplomb of a master magician who conducts his tricks in plain view.' Publishers Weekly (USA) Starred Review'What an exceptionally fresh, smart, funny book - I've never read anything like this before.' #1 bestselling author Jane Harper'I absolutely LOVED it.
Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone features in the following genres: Crime and Mystery, Family Drama, Humorous Fiction, Modern and Contemporary Fiction, Thriller and Suspense, Crime and mystery: private investigator / amateur detectives, Comic (humorous) crime and mystery, Fiction: pastiche, Narrative theme: Sense of place, Fiction, General Fiction, Fiction: special features, Fiction: narrative themes, Star Books, Recommendations
Paperback, Hardback, Ebook. £10.99. Digital. Available Immediately. Country restrictions apply..
Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone was written by Benjamin Stevenson and published by Penguin Random House Australia
£10.99. Digital. Available Immediately. Country restrictions apply..
