Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Unwrap all the Christmas staples: presents, family, an impossible murder or two, and a deadly advent calendar of clues. If Knives Out and The Thursday Murder Club kissed under the mistletoe.

My name’s Ernest Cunningham. I used to be a fan of reading Golden Age murder mysteries, until I found myself with a haphazard career getting stuck in the middle of real-life ones. I’d hoped, this Christmas, that any self-respecting murderer would kick their feet up and take it easy over the holidays. I was wrong.

So here I am, backstage at the show of world-famous magician Rylan Blaze, whose benefactor has just been murdered. My suspects are all professional tricksters: masters of the art of misdirection.

THE MAGICIAN

THE ASSISTANT

THE EXECUTIVE

THE HYPNOTIST

THE IDENTICAL TWIN

THE COUNSELLOR

THE TECH

My clues are even more abstract: A suspect covered in blood, without a memory of how it got there. A murder committed without setting foot inside the room where it happens. And an advent calendar. Because, you know, it’s Christmas.

If I can see through the illusions, I know I can solve it.

After all, a good murder is just like a magic trick, isn’t it?

My Opinion

This is the third book in the series, but I have read it as a standalone. Benjamin Stevenson has written a short novella, with plenty of twists. Whilst this was a quick read, I was not a fan of the writing style.

Rating 3/5

Unusual murder mystery - like the other books in the series, it’s a really unusual format for a book, but it’s great fun.

I do often find that books that present themselves as humorous often leave me cold - I liked this but didn't love it. More of the multilayered narrative and a cast of suspects trapped in close proximity, but plenty of red herrings.

Ernest Cunningham is back! I was so excited for this book, and it has not disappointed! The writing is incredibly fun to read, and I can't wait for the next instalment!

Enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading the authors new stuff and will check out a back catalogue if there is one. Great book.

Festive, Fun, and Full of Secrets! ★★★★☆

“Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret” is a perfect festive read, filled with humor, heart, and just the right amount of drama. While it’s the third book in the series, you don’t have to read the first two to enjoy it—but it definitely helps, as there are returning characters and references that will be more meaningful if you’re familiar with their backstories.

The story captures the magic and chaos of the holiday season, with plenty of twists, secrets, and warm, feel-good moments. The characters are engaging, and the relationships—both romantic and platonic—are the heart of the book.

If you’re looking for a cozy Christmas read with a bit of mystery and a lot of charm, this one is a great choice!

“People are generally less likeable the more you get to know them. I certainly am.”

True crime author and amateur investigator Ernest Cunningham is back, having to solve a high-stakes festive mystery. Ernest's ex-wife, has been arrested for the murder of her partner, the former actor turned wealthy philanthropist, Lyle Pearse. She woke up with blood all over her and the police think it's an open and shut case.

But Ernest agrees to help her and ends up at the magic show for the famous Ryan Blaze at Pearse's theatre. There, Ernest meets an array of likely suspects, including Blaze. Then, another murder throws all his theories up in the air.

I've become a total Benjamin Stevenson fan (though I still need to read the first book in this series). I love how real clues are interspersed in the story for the reader to try and solve the mystery alongside Ernest – I suck at this and instead just tried to predict how the murders were committed and who the killer was, and to my delight, failed.

Ernest is very much an every-hero, an average guy who keeps finding himself in bloody, impossible and crazy situations. I love locked room mysteries so these stories are a lot of fun.

The Ernest Cummingway books are quirky, enchanting and a joy to read.

I squeezed in reading this book just before Christmas but am late managing to review it, so if you could all just buy it ready for your 2025 Christmas reading, that would be great!

Ernest Cunningham is back with another mystery and this one has a festive theme, so features some special seasonal ‘murder mystery rules’ to add to the usual fair-play ones.

The book is presented in advent calendar style, which didn’t really work for me in the ARC e-format, but sounds really fun so I am definitely going to pick up a paper copy for myself so I can play along properly.

This is a short and sweet mystery, in novella length rather than a full-length novel. As always though, the mystery plot holds together neatly and our author-narrator plays fair, despite some clever sleight of hand/word!

I already love this quirky narrative style and the humour that pervades the entire series, so I loved this latest outing. It is ideal for some jolly festive murdery fun in the run-up to (next!) Christmas.

Oh I do love Ernest Cunningham! Such a great character so I was pleased to delve into the third instalment of this unwitting detective's life.

This time Ernest must investigate the death of his ex-wife's partner, in order to prove her innocence. Set in the Australian mountains, in the theatrical world of a magician, this certainly brought the magic to the page again.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Having thoroughly enjoyed the previous book, 'Everyone on this Train is a Suspect', I was really happy to read the festive addition to this Australian crime series. I wanted to know what Ernest Cunningham - unfortunate protagonist who seems to fall into the most murderous of situations - was up to over the Christmas period!

This investigation takes Ernest to a rural Australian theatre where famed magician Rylan Blaze is about to take to the stage. Ernest has already been asked to investigate a brutal murder where his ex is the suspect, but he has barely started when tragedy strikes again. The theatre is run by a charity which helps people get their lives back on track - but it also hides a multitude of secrets among its staff.

One of the real strengths of this series is the strong voice of the protagonist - Ernest Cunningham is self-deprecating, funny and very knowing about the conventions of crime novels (which he repeatedly finds himself in!) There's lots of sly asides about readers' expectations and crime tropes. For the armchair detectives among us, he even points out the important clues, not that this helped me get ahead of Ernest and actually solve anything.

This is a witty and lively murder mystery that I read quickly and found a lot of fun. Recommended for crime fans with a sense of humour.

(Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review)

This series consistently delivers some of the most creative mystery plots I’ve ever read, and *Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret* is no exception. Even when the murders and circumstances seem utterly wild at first, Benjamin Stevenson always manages to pull the pieces together in a way that makes perfect sense by the end. What I love most is how, even with these outrageous setups, the motives and characters remain grounded and believable. This balance between the absurd and the real continues to be a standout feature in this third instalment.

The Christmas theme was handled brilliantly, with the use of an advent calendar and Secret Santa as the book’s format adding a fun, festive touch. It’s a clever framework that ties into the mystery perfectly and makes the story feel delightfully seasonal without overshadowing the central whodunit.

As always, the writing style is a highlight. If you’re new to the series, the books are told by Ernest, the main character and a mystery author recounting the real-life murder mysteries he’s solved. His direct, conversational way of narrating makes you feel like you’re right there with him, unravelling the mystery in real-time. I love how he openly addresses the reader, explaining things and handing you clues as he discovers them, giving you a fair shot at solving the puzzle yourself. It’s such an engaging and immersive style, and it works perfectly for these stories.

Although this instalment leans more into the silly and cheesy side—thanks to the Christmas theme—it’s still a thoroughly enjoyable read. The wit and charm that define this series are as strong as ever.

*Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret* is a fun, festive addition to an already fantastic series. If you’re a fan of murder mysteries with a creative twist and plenty of humour, this one’s definitely worth adding to your holiday reading list.

I was disappointed with this book! Having read and enjoyed the previous two in the 'series' involving Ernest Cunningham, this one felt like a let down.

The plot is that Ern's ex-wife Erin has woken up with blood on her hands and a dead husband. Ern then attempts to clear her name, bringing in a host of new characters who are involved in the victim's company. I didn't feel invested in these characters at all.

The plot felt contrived. Obviously all stories are contrived but they shouldn't appear excessively so. And what some have described as the 'smugness' of the author's writing (which I have previously enjoyed) felt more grating.

I didn't really feel very interested in the plot or the characters, and so didn't enjoy the read unfortunately. It felt like producing a book for the sake of it instead of to showcase a good plot idea.

Another great mystery from Benjamin Stevenson. A real fun festive read and a tricky murder to unravel.

I'm a big fan of Benjamin Stevenson and this series and I especially love the meta elements - the main character talking about how a crime novel is written and structured, using that knowledge to explain aspects of the case as well as being a murder mystery itself.

This particular story doesn’t just look at the typical tropes of crime fiction, it also comments on the less successful or unsatisfying outcomes which was really interesting. And, the nemesis angle which was the focus of this story was just brilliant. The Christmas theme and the advent idea is more subtle rather than being the only focal point in the story, and this Christmas novella was a brilliant addition to an already brilliant series.

This book is unique as it flat out gives the reader all of the clues needed to solve the mystery, but they’re not hidden as you would expect, they’re pointed out purposefully. Despite having all of the information needed, it’s still difficult to crack the case! Really clever, inventive, funny and a breath of fresh air in the crime fiction world.

Ernest Cunningham returns with a Christmas murder. Erin, his ex-wife is accused of murdering her current partner, and he must prove her innocence in what looks like an open and shut case. Like the previous books in this series this novel is full of twists and turns and unexpected humour . A quick read which is perfect for the Christmas holidays. If you have enjoyed his previous books, you should pick up immediately. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this novel in return for an honest review.

This is an entertaining Christmas whodunnit in the Golden Age style with a couple of twists - there are 24 chapters so this can be read like an advent calendar in December, and the book itself is set in the Blue Mountains, Australia, so instead of snow we get heat. Overall this is a very entertaining read and you don't need to have read the others in the series to understand the character of Ernest.

Book review:
I’m trying to get all my Christmas books read this month, for obvious reasons, so my next read is by Benjamin Stevenson and is his latest crime novel Everyone this Christmas has a Secret which is the third in his series of books to feature amateur detective Ernest Cunningham. I don’t think you need to have read the previous two books to enjoy this, as it certainly didn’t affect my enjoyment, but I will be reading them at some point because now I need to find out the backstory to Ernests’s new bizarre career move. If you like cosy crime novels like me, then this is a fun series worth delving into. Thanks to @netgalley and @michaeljbooks for the proof copy.

Boom! Benjamin is back in tip top form with this latest episode from Ernest Cunningham. A great page turner, full of twists and turns, and in true Ern style following all the rules of the Golden Age mystery. Great fun as always trying to work out whodunnit along with Ern, a real festive treat!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Penguin Michael Joseph, for a copy in exchange for a review.

Ernest Cunningham is back with a Holiday Special, and this time it’s his ex-wife Erin who is suspected of murdering her boyfriend, Lyle. But her story is so incriminating that Ernest is sure that she didn’t do it. So begins a festive investigation into Lyle’s murder, following the rules of both “fair play” mysteries and the holiday special.

I really enjoy the Ernest Cunningham series, and this Christmas short story is a great addition. It’s a quick read and full of action, from multiple murders to a deadly cable car ride. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of the rules of the Holiday Special alongside Ernest’s usual rules of murder mystery writing (i.e. the killer must not hate Christmas). All the clues are provided fairly, for the reader to work out whodunnit on their own, although I didn’t figure it out myself until Ern’s big reveal.

It’s a fun, clever, Christmas-themed mystery, though I did miss some of my favourite characters from previous books – mainly Uncle Andy.

It is just before Christmas and Ernest Cunningham has been called up to the Blue Mountains by his ex-wife. She's just been arrested for the murder of her partner, found covered in his blood. Ernest has solved a couple of mysteries before and has made his name as an amateur sleuth. He follows the rules of the great Golden Age novelists and he thinks this will be no different, even after another man is murdered.
I've read the previous two novels in the series and I honestly think this is the best yet! It's a quirky little story and I can't say that Ernest is particularly engaging but there is a streak of black humour and a love of the traditional story which sets these books apart. Lightweight, fun and pacy