10 October 2024

I could not resist adding this book to my TBT after seeing it on social media, the title immediately had me curious.  

Benjamin Stevenson’s Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone is an entertaining and witty take on the classic whodunit mystery, blending dark humour with an intriguing murder plot. This novel stands out with its unique voice and self-aware narrative, making it a fresh addition to the mystery genre.

The protagonist, Ernest Cunningham, acts as the reluctant narrator of his family’s murderous history. His voice is direct and often breaks the fourth wall, reminding you that you are, after all, reading a mystery novel. This approach to storytelling is engaging and adds a layer of playfulness, contrasting with the otherwise serious themes of death and family dysfunction.

At its heart, the novel revolves around a family reunion gone terribly wrong, where secrets are unearthed and bodies start piling up. The Cunninghams are an eccentric bunch, each with a questionable past and as the title suggests, they’ve all had a hand in someone’s death. Stevenson expertly juggles humour with the suspense, drawing you in with bizarre yet relatable family dynamics while keeping you guessing about who the real killer is.

Ernest’s journey to uncover the truth is riddled with twists, and Stevenson’s pacing is good, providing just the right amount of revelations and red herrings to keep the mystery alive. What I appreciated most about the book was its balance between absurdity and clever plotting. The tension mounts as Ernest unravels the web of lies within his own family, and though some of the reveals border on the outlandish, they never feel forced.

This book is also a homage to classic crime fiction, with nods to Agatha Christie and other golden age mystery writers. Fans of traditional mysteries will find joy in Stevenson’s modern twist on the genre, but even readers unfamiliar with those references will be captivated by the sharp wit and clever structure.

However, the book’s humour might not appeal to everyone. If you’re looking for a grim and serious mystery, the playful tone and quirky characters may feel too light-hearted. But for those who enjoy a mix of comedy, family drama, and a solid murder mystery, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone is an enjoyable, page-turning experience.

This book delivers a highly original, laugh-out-loud mystery that stands out for its humour, sharp dialogue, and unpredictable twists. It’s a book that doesn’t take itself too seriously, it manages to be genuinely suspenseful and thoroughly entertaining.