Book Review of Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone
Check out my full book review of Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson. If you’re anything like me and love mystery novels that feel fresh, clever, and just a little bit unhinged (in the best way), then Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone might be your next favorite read. I picked this book up expecting a quirky crime novel, but what I got was a funny, sharp, and completely engaging murder mystery that hooked me from the very beginning.
Here’s a short synopsis of the book:
“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.”
Full Book Review Without Spoilers
This book was exactly my cup of tea. If you like the classic mystery writers like Agatha Christie, Ronald Knox, and others from the golden age of mysteries but also like dark humor and a fun twist in your murder mystery, this is the perfect book for you! I highly recommend giving it a chance if you like the more classic murder mysteries.
I did guess part of the ending about halfway through the book because of a play (that I won’t name) I had seen awhile ago, but the bigger plot twist was so good that I didn’t feel disappointed. Even when you think you have the whole picture figured out, there’s more you don’t have together. There were two times my jaw actually dropped, and I stared at the wall to process this book.
This story follows the Cunningham family reunion—one of those “mandatory” family events you’d already dread even before the first murder shows up. The main character and lead narrator, Ernie, tells the story in first person, breaking the fourth wall in a way that feels very much like a wink to Agatha Christie fans and classic mystery writers.
He constantly references the “rules” of fair play and mysteries, weaving them right into the plot, sometimes even pointing out page numbers before an event happens. It’s bold, it’s funny, and it makes you feel like you’re in on the joke… until the next twist blindsides you.
The murder mystery itself is great. Stevenson gives you red herrings, clues, misdirections, and just enough information to keep you thinking you’ve figured out the identity of the killer—right before proving you absolutely haven’t.
Characters
Between the first body, the dead man in the snow, and the serial killer rumors floating around the entire family, you never quite know who to trust. Every member of this family has their own secrets, dark histories, and questionable choices, and at times it feels like you’re reading about a family of psychopaths—but in the funniest possible way. And it’s great because it keeps you constantly guessing.
Plot
One thing I loved even more as I got deeper into the book is the way the story is structured. The chapters are told in this really intentional, conversational first-person style, and Ernie—our main character and lead narrator—guides you piece by piece through the chaos. Each chapter gives you a little bit more of the truth, more dark secrets, more details from the Cunningham family reunion gone horribly wrong. It makes the pacing feel perfect.
Writing
Author Benjamin Stevenson has this way of writing that pulls you right in—his style is sharp, self-aware, and honestly laugh-out-loud funny, while still keeping you perched on the edge of your seat. It’s the best way to balance humor with tension, and he nails it from the first chapter.
Full Book Review With Spoilers
You’ve been warned that from here on out there will be spoilers. Continue on to the conclusion section to avoid them.
Between the characters, the setting, the background, and family history, this is the perfect set up for a murder mystery. The setting at the mountain resort is perfect: isolated, tense, and cold enough to make you feel the pressure building around the Cunningham clan. The family history unfolds little by little, and every interaction hints at something deeper lurking beneath the surface. Even Ernie’s stepsister, brother Michael, and the rest of the family members in this chaotic situation add layers that make the story even richer.
By the end, with all the dark secrets exposed and the identity of the killer finally revealed, I realized just how much of a great time I’d had. This book doesn’t just give you a clever plot—it gives you an experience. And even though the entire family might be morally questionable at best, you can’t help but root for Ernie as he tries to do the right thing… at least, most of the time.
If you read a lot of mystery like me, Crawford quickly seems suspicious like the rest of the family. The part that I guessed before the ending was that Crawford was not who he said he was, but I still did not see the rest of the ending coming. Because the author tells you from literally the first page that everyone has killed someone, the whole family seems suspicious, so the actual ending is still a shock.
I really enjoyed that the ending, and I was still thinking about the next morning. I had to stay up until 1 AM to finish, and it was definitely worth it.
Pros of the Book
One thing I really loved is how Stevenson pays homage to detective novels and mystery authors while still making the book feel modern, meta, and totally unique. It has that Agatha Christie structure but with a refreshing twist—almost like he’s playing with the genre while still respecting it.
Cons of the Book
The only real con for me was that part of the ending was somewhat easy to guess before the big reveal. But the rest of the big reveal made up for it.
Conclusion
I have to say, I really liked this book. In fact, I’d highly recommend it to anyone who loves mystery novels, especially readers looking for something funny, clever, and totally different from your usual crime novel. I picked it up on a whim when I saw it at the library, but I’m so glad I did!
I have a full summary of the book here if you need a refresher on any of the main points.
Rating-4.75 out of 5 stars
For full disclosure, I am a big fan of classic murder mysteries as well as funny mysteries and cozy murder mystery. So this book was perfectly situated in the middle of all that to be a great read for me. It was also so original, I had a great time reading it.
Here’s how I rate all my books: My Rating System
Who Would Enjoy Reading?
If you’re into murder mysteries, detective novels, or anything reminiscent of Agatha Christie—but with a humorous twist—Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone is absolutely worth picking up. It’s fun, funny, and just a little bit unhinged in the best way.
What to Read Next
If you liked this book as much as I did, either because of the characters or the writing style, check out more of my recommendations below.
Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson
If you really liked this writing style and/or these characters, try the next book in the series with Ernie. I think it’s not quite as good as the first, but still very good. It’s 100% worth the read if you liked the first book.
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
If you like the humorous or more light hearted murder mysteries, this book is awesome! I sorta stumbled upon it, but so glad I did.
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
If you really like the funny aspect of this book or just funny murder mysteries in general, give this one a try. I love this author for humor and mystery, so any of his books would be good.
