Nothing Says Complicated like: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone (A Review)

‘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.’

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, Benjamin Stevenson 

I love a good murder mystery. Who doesn’t? I’m not a crime fanatic, per se, but I enjoy whodunnit books with deep character dives as much as the next person. I especially enjoy listening to them rather than reading the physical books. When Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone popped up on my audiobook recommendation, the title pulled me in, and the story did the rest to keep me there. 

Benjamin Stevenson introduces the reader to a highly dysfunctional family called the Cunninghams, with our protagonist and narrator, Ernest, being a member. Immediately from the way, Stevenson introduces Earnest as a fourth-wall breaker, where he acknowledges he is writing this book, there is something fresh within every page. Amongst the humour and pearl-clutching action, there was plenty of sentiment to empathise with. From Ernest’s fractured relationship with his family and estranged wife to victims that fall along the way when being caught in the inevitable crossfire that comes with any risk in a murder mystery. ‘Family is not whose blood runs in your veins, it's who you'd spill it for.’

However, it comes across on paper as an audiobook, I have to give major props to Barton Welch, who played the character of Ernest in his narration. He kept the continuation of the novel captivating with a desire to keep going. Perfect for a commute to work! The writing was sharp and clever with the frankness our protagonist provided, actually telling us when we can expect a death to happen but still keeping us in the dark. 

Really looking forward to returning to the world of Ernest for the sequel novel Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect. 

4.5/5 ★★★★