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

In this short Christmas novella, which is the third book in the series. There’s a dead body and his ex-wife as a suspect. He really needed to get to the bottom of this one! Another fantastic read! Many thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

The narrator of this book is so annoying that I could not keep reading and the writing needs work because I felt bored and like it was dragging.

I liked the premise of the book and have also read the 2nd in the Ernest Cunningham series which I enjoyed.
However as other reviewers have said, the style of Ernest narrating his thoughts and constantly interrupting his own ideas was very distracting from the meaning of almost every sentence. I found I had to re read most sentences about twice and lost the enjoyment of the mystery.
It was a no for me because of this.

A cracking story, with lots of clues but still kept you guessing. Enjoyed trying to work it out.
Recommend

I really wanted to enjoy this book as my favourite cosy mysteries are set at Christmas so I had high hopes for it! However I ended up dnfing this book as I couldn’t focus on the storyline at all. I think one of the main reasons for this is because the main character Ernest talks to the readers which I found very off putting. There’s also a lot of internal monologue which isn’t for me. This book has an advent calendar format which I found interesting and I can see why people will enjoy this one as it seems quite unusual!

Thank you to the publishers Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson is a clever Christmassy mystery that blends festive cheer with the classic whodunit in a unique way. The story follows Ernest Cunningham, a self-styled ‘Slapdash Sleuth’ with a knack for solving crimes, as he becomes embroiled in a murder backstage at a famous magician’s Christmas show. With a colourful cast of suspects who are all professional tricksters, Ernest must navigate a web of illusions and misdirection to find the killer. Stevenson leans into the themes of magic and deception, adding layers of intrigue as Ernest examines the 24 clues, each unveiled like a window in an advent calendar, leading to a fun yet challenging puzzle.

Stevenson’s ability to ‘play fair’ with the reader, laying out the clues without manipulation, is part of what makes this series so enjoyable. Despite presenting all the evidence upfront, he still manages to keep readers on their toes, including surprises along the way. Ernest’s self-depreciating nature adds warmth to the story, making him easy to root for as he uncovers the secrets of a cast of double-dealing suspects. Setting the mystery at a Christmas magic show is a brilliant touch, mingling festive nostalgia with trickery. Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret is a must-read for fans of inventive mysteries who enjoy some seasonal suspense and wit.

This is the perfect cosy Christmas murder mystery, that follows the same fun humour as the previous books but can be read as a standalone. I loved the way this book is set up into 24 chapters and then a reveal chapter, so it can be read like an advent calendar with a chapter a day. That's a really fun element and I would have loved to do that but I couldn't put it down haha. Ernest is a great narrator and love that he follows his rules of mysteries. This is great mystery that lays out the information for you to be able to solve it alongside the MC. I Love this series, its a fresh take on the mystery genre and Stevenson's writing is so easy and cosy to read. This is the perfect book to sit with this holiday season, so put your feet up, get a cosy blanket and a nice hot chocolate and see if you can solve this murder before Ernest.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for the ARC of Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret in exchange for an honest review.

Everyone This Christmas has a secret is a third book in the series and as I loved the first instalment and enjoyed the second, I was looking forward to this one. Even though I still like the concept and the author’s witty and sarcastic writing style, the storyline this time round felt a bit flat and the characters not particularly interesting. Therefore, the book didn’t hold my attention and I struggled to finish it. It seems the series may have run its course for me.

If you’ve read and enjoyed the previous 2 books in this series then you’ll love the latest holiday edition.

Erin Cunningham finds herself accused of murder and Ernie has to use all of his deductive skills to try and prove his ex-wife innocent. There’s lots of tongue-in cheek humour, unlikely incidents and seasonal goings on to make this a great read over the winter break as well as a perfect stocking filler.

Another fabulous book with all the charisma of other Ernest investigations. Loved the clues throughout the book but still got it wrong at the end

***advance review copy received from NetGalley in return for an honest review***
An enjoyable - and quite meaty - edition to the Ernest Cunningham series. I’d expected something much lighter but am very pleased with an in depth narrative that really adds to the existing series. I look forward to more.

You’ll need a copy for every reader in the family.

I have enjoyed all of this author’s book, I love the style and I also love to finish the book and check back and see what clues I have missed. These books are completely immersive and you’ll be sad when you get to then end.

You will love the mystery

Loved this book but to be fair, I may be biased because I loved the others too! It's shorter but it's perfect for reading over the Christmas break!
Ernest is back solving murders in the most haphazard way and I'm really hoping as this one is shorter, there will be another book soon!
Thank you so much netgalley! Will definitely be revisiting in a few weeks time!!!

My thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph publishing for a copy of “ Everyone This Christmas Has A. Secret “ for an honest review.

This was my first book by Benjamin Stephenson , and although this is the third in the series ,it didn’t stop me enjoying this as a standalone read.I loved the quirky style of writing, and the pace of the book.Im a big fan of Janice Hallett’s books and this was very reminiscent of hers .Really clever ending and kept me guessing throughout the read.
Not overly festive so an enjoyable read at any time of the year.

Ernest Cunningham returns for a Christmas special with this third book in the series. This story is a little shorter than the previous two novels, only 24 advent calendar style chapters, but it's every bit as packed full of wit and mystery.

Set in the blue mountains on the lead up to Christmas, which incidentally is the hottest time of the year in Australia, so no snow or log fires to be found here. Ern receives a call from ex-wife Erin who woke up covered in blood and has been arrested for the murder of her new partner. Ern must unravel the clues to get Erin out of jail.

I love Benjamin Stevenson's writing style. It gives a classic murder mystery a fresh and quirky vibe with some humourous meta commentary. I did manage to guess one tiny clue but most of the reveals were a surprise, the clues are not hidden as is the style of this author, just cleverly plotted.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for cosy crime with a difference. My thanks to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and Netgalley for providing an ARC.

I didn’t realise this was the third in a series however that didn’t make it any less enjoyable.

For lovers of Janice Hallett’s The Appeal/The Christmas Appeal and any sort of good festive mystery, you’ll love this one!

Great pacing, fun narrative style and good story to boot! I’m going to purchase the series for my dad for Christmas now!

Another excellent instalment in the Ernest Cunningham series, Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret is a wonderful, short, festive romp which introduces us to another spectacular Australian vista, and another kooky cast of suspects.

As with the last two books in this series, Stevenson contrasts unusual and humorous exchanges, with clever plotting, and expertly penned description, passages of poignant emotion face-off with quick, well-written action. As with the previous book in the series, this largely deals with people outside of Ernest's circle, committing crimes that have been brilliantly conceived. Unlike the previous book, I did guess the culprit pre-reveal, but that is always a risk with the Christmas special! This one reminded me of Jonathan Creek, with the magic elements, and I think fans of that iconic British series, would really love this contemporary Australian Christmas novella.

I will say, whilst I enjoyed this, and Everyone On This Train is a Suspect, I am missing the tense, grounded drama and grit of the first in the series. I hope Stevenson's next instalment gives a little more hard-boiled, and a little less sunny side up, but that isn't really a criticism! As with any iconic detective, their must be moments of levity.

4 stars!

Ernest’s ex wife calls him after being arrested for murdering her partner .
She wants Ernest to get the bottom of what happened to her partner , however it seems she is bang to rights for the murder after being covered in his blood and stating she can’t remember anything and doesn’t know how he has been murdered.
I love all the Ernest Cunningham books and this one doesn’t disappoint.
The writing is very clever with humour and red herrings peppered throughout .
An Australian Christmas certainly makes a nice change read instead of the usual snowy scenes in Christmas mysteries .
A must read for Benjamin Stevenson fans!
A quick and enjoyable read !
Thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph , Penguin Random House .