Book Reviews / Crime-Thriller-Mystery

Book Review: Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

Dini @ dinipandareads19 Comments

Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone
Publisher: Penguin
Pub Date: 18 August 2022
Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Panda Rating:

(4 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY IS A KILLER. EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY IS A SUSPECT. BUT WHICH OF THEM IS A MURDERER?

I knew our family reunion wouldn’t end well. But I didn’t expect murder.

Maybe I should have known better. After all, everyone in my family is a killer. My parents, my siblings, my in-laws . . . even me. The deaths weren’t all deliberate, of course. Accidents happen.

So when a body is found in the snow, it’s clear it’s the work of a Cunningham. But which one? And why?

I’ll give you one it wasn’t me.

But a piece of advice? Never trust a Cunningham . . .

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Murders, toxic relationships, infidelity, child kidnapping (recounted)

TL;DR: I think this book received a lot of hype towards the end of 2023 and when I started it, I was a bit worried it wouldn’t live up to it because it was told in first person to the audience. I’m so glad I was proven wrong by the end. This was such a unique and cleverly written book with an incredibly messed up family that served many incredulous laugh-out-loud moments alongside the murder mystery. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for a different and interestingly murderous ride!

Hah! What a clever little book. Can’t say I pinned the killer before the end but considering I suspected 75% of the characters in the book at one point or another, I did have correct inklings about the killer at least once. 😂 I couldn’t imagine this story working half as well without a family as messy and messed up as the Cunninghams. But as entertaining and often “hah-out-loud” funny as the story is, some pretty devastating truths were revealed that hurt my heart for this family. It’s a slow-building murder mystery surprisingly filled with past traumas, anger, pain and much grief. And ultimately it is about the family you make not just by blood but the ones you’d also spill it for! Somehow almost everyone grew on me by the end.

As it’s a murder mystery there’s little I can say without spoiling the story. It would be one helluva book to read holed up in a mountain cabin during a snowstorm but it would also be a perfectly cosy choice to read on a cold winter’s day. There was something about the writing that twisted up my brain and initially made it hard to focus or capture what was going on but maybe our protagonist did that on purpose to keep us confused on our toes? Despite that, once I got used to the writing and after the book really hits its stride after the 30% mark, I came to really enjoy Ernie‘s narration and thought he was a great protagonist for this story. Who better to tell it than the “black-sheep outcast” of the family and author of self-published how-to books? 🤭

I’d recommend being patient with the slightly slow beginning as you’re introduced to the main cast of characters—of which there are admittedly quite a few to remember—because the twisty plot turns make it worthwhile. Overall, I had a lot of fun reading this and I can see why it’s such a popular title.

Have you read Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone or is it on your TBR?

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19 thoughts on “Book Review: Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson”

    • I would say go for something a bit more fast paced if you’re looking to get back into thrillers. That said, this was fun once I got into it. I would recommend giving it a try if you’re curious 🙂

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  4. This was one of my favorite reads of 2023. I listened to the audiobook, and loved the 4th wall breaks that occured. I’m hoping to get to the sequel soon, and it looks like there’s a Christmas one coming this year.

    Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!

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  9. Wonderful review, Dini. With all the hype around this one, and the messy family aspect, I steered clear of this one, but I think I am going to add it to my library list. I do love a laugh out loud, clever story.

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