Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

Ever had one of those family gatherings where you’d rather be anywhere else? Well, buckle up, because Benjamin Stevenson’s “Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone” takes that feeling and cranks it up to eleven. This isn’t just your run-of-the-mill dysfunctional family drama – it’s a wickedly clever, genre-bending romp that’ll have you laughing one minute and gasping the next. Trust me, you’ll never look at your relatives the same way again.

The Setup: A Reunion to Die For

Ernest Cunningham, our trusty (or is he?) narrator, finds himself reluctantly trudging up to a snow-covered mountain resort for a family reunion. But this isn’t just any family—oh no. As Ern helpfully informs us right off the bat, everyone in his family has killed someone. Some more than once. And wouldn’t you know it, bodies start piling up faster than the snow outside.

Stevenson throws us headfirst into this deliciously twisted setup, and from page one, you can practically feel the tension crackling like static electricity in that frigid mountain air. It’s like Agatha Christie decided to write an episode of “Arrested Development,” and I am here for it.

The Cast: A Rogues’ Gallery of Killers (and Victims)

Let’s talk characters, shall we? Stevenson has assembled a veritable smorgasbord of suspicious individuals, each more colorful than the last. We’ve got:

• Ernest (Ern) Cunningham: Our narrator and resident black sheep. He’s a writer who pens how-to guides on mystery writing, which is either ironic or incredibly convenient, depending on how you look at it.
• Michael: Ern’s recently paroled brother, fresh out of prison for a murder that Ern may or may not have testified about.
• Audrey: The matriarch with more secrets than a government archive.
• Marcelo: The smooth-talking stepfather who never met a situation he couldn’t lawyer his way out of.
• Sofia: The stepsister with a medical background and a penchant for asking uncomfortable questions.
• And a whole host of aunts, uncles, and in-laws, each harboring their own dark secrets and murderous potential.

It’s like the world’s most dangerous game of Clue, and Stevenson keeps us guessing with every page turn.

The Style: Meta-Mystery Mayhem

Now, let’s talk about what really sets this book apart—Stevenson’s gleefully meta approach to the mystery genre. Ern isn’t just our narrator; he’s our guide through the intricacies of mystery writing itself. He constantly breaks the fourth wall, commenting on genre conventions and even referencing Ronald Knox’s “Ten Commandments of Detective Fiction.”

At first, I was worried this might come across as gimmicky, but Stevenson pulls it off with such wit and charm that it becomes an integral part of the story’s appeal. It’s like having a snarky English professor whispering in your ear, pointing out all the clever ways the author is playing with your expectations.

The Plot: Twists, Turns, and Terrible Weather

I don’t want to give too much away (where’s the fun in that?), but suffice it to say that Stevenson keeps the plot moving at a breakneck pace. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on what’s going on, he throws another curveball your way. Bodies appear and disappear, alibis crumble, and long-buried family secrets come bubbling to the surface like corpses in a thawing lake.

The isolated mountain setting adds an extra layer of claustrophobic tension. As the storm rages outside, our cast of killers is trapped together, forced to confront not just each other, but their own dark pasts. It’s a pressure cooker of suspicion and paranoia, and Stevenson cranks up the heat with expert precision.

The Verdict: A Devilishly Clever Debut

“Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone” marks Stevenson’s debut as a novelist, and what an entrance it is. He manages to both lovingly homage and gleefully subvert the classic mystery genre, creating something that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.

Is it perfect? No, but honestly, that’s part of its charm. There are moments where the meta-commentary threatens to overshadow the actual plot, and some readers might find Ern’s frequent asides distracting. But for my money, the sheer audacity and wit on display more than make up for any minor stumbles.

Comparisons and Context

While “Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone” stands confidently on its own, it does bring to mind some other genre-bending works. Fans of Anthony Horowitz’s meta-mysteries like “Magpie Murders” will find a lot to love here. There’s also a touch of the dark humor and family dysfunction reminiscent of Knives Out.

It’s worth noting that this is the first book in a planned series featuring Ernest Cunningham. The sequel, “Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect,” was released in 2023, and a third installment, “Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret,” is slated for October 2024. If this debut is any indication, mystery fans are in for a wild ride.

Final Thoughts: Pack Your Bags (and Your Suspicions)

Look, I’m not saying you should be suspicious of your family… but maybe keep an eye on Aunt Edna next time she offers you her “special” fruitcake, you know?

All jokes aside, “Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone” is a breath of fresh (if slightly murderous) air in the mystery genre. It’s clever without being pretentious, funny without sacrificing suspense, and genuinely surprising in an age where it feels like every plot twist has been done to death (pun very much intended).

If you’re looking for a mystery that’ll keep you guessing, laughing, and maybe side-eyeing your relatives at the next family gathering, this is the book for you. Just maybe don’t read it right before a ski trip. You know, just in case.

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson is published by Michael Joseph, an imprint of Penguin Random House. 358 pages.