Benjamin Stevenson’s Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone is a dazzling, sharp-witted revival of the classic murder mystery, infused with the dry humor and playful structure of a modern meta-thriller. A perfect cocktail of Conan Doyle’s deductive elegance, Agatha Christie’s airtight plotting, and the irreverent tone of Knives Out, this novel is as clever as it is compelling.
Set during a snowbound family reunion turned crime scene, the book’s narrator—Ernie Cunningham—is both a writer and a reluctant participant in the tangled web of secrets that bind his family. As the title suggests, everyone in the Cunningham clan has a skeleton (or several) in the closet, and as bodies begin to pile up, so do the questions.
What makes Stevenson’s approach stand out is the self-aware narrative. Ernie directly addresses the reader, lays out the “rules” of detective fiction, and promises fair play. He invites us into the game, daring us to solve the mystery alongside him. It’s a risky move, but one Stevenson pulls off with confidence and charm.
Despite its playful tone, the novel doesn’t skimp on suspense. Twists arrive with precision timing, the tension is carefully layered, and each revelation feels both surprising and earned. The pacing is brisk, the dialogue sharp, and the final payoff incredibly satisfying.
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone is a treat for mystery lovers: a loving homage to the golden age of crime fiction, laced with modern flair and razor-sharp wit. It’s as fun to read as it is fiendishly well-plotted.
Verdict: A genre-bending gem—murder has never been this entertaining.