Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret by Benjamin Stevenson
Publication date: 24 October 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars
Thank you to Michael Joseph and Netgalley for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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.

I'm 3 for 3 with Benjamin Stevenson; the Ernest Cunningham series is just so much fun!
I love the direct-to-reader narration, the plot is well-paced and engaging, it's witty and it's clever. Despite two gruesome murders, this still manages to be light-hearted and a bit silly. I appreciated this slightly shorter Christmas “special”, structured like an advent calendar but instead of a chocolate, you get a clue to solving a double murder behind each door. Fun! Did I work out whodunnit this time? Absolutely not. If you want to get away with murder, I'm your girl!
I hope Stevenson brings out a 4th book in this series at some point; I'll happily read it.

Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret is the festive fun I have been waiting for. This continues the wickedly meta, darkly humoured crime series I have thoroughly enjoyed sinking my teeth into this year.

The Ernest Cunningham books have been absolute gems as I have picked them up this year. There is just such a sense of love and pastiche in them in equal measure towards classic mysteries. They play with conventions of the genre and the use of footnotes, foreshadowing and lines that break the fourth wall are superb. That zanier style makes them stand out in a crowded space. This Christmas themed novella was therefore a real treat.

It delivers a lot in a small space, with tightly compacted plots and the same meta humour of the rest of the series. Throughout, Ernest acknowledges the conventions of a holiday mystery and keeps us up to date with the countdown. The way Stevenson weaves the holiday into the murder is brilliant. It has plenty of snark and irony, but there is also a real sense of heart and festive cheer buried in there somewhere.

As always, the plot is tight, tense and terrific. We are presented with plenty of suspects and potential victims, with some clever misdirection and a wonderfully inventive way of revealing whodunnit and why. It is a very enjoyable and entertaining read. I also loved that it is still accessible for new readers coming into the series but there is a richer tapestry if you have read the previous two stories.

Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret may have a fixed setting but the story is timeless and could be (and should) be enjoyed all year round by everyone.

This series has me in a choke hold, I ADORE IT SO MUCH! So clever, so ingenious, and just so lovely to be back in this world! And to have a festive addition is even better in my eyes! You’d be a fool not to unwrap this wonderful mystery for Christmas this year!
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Thank you to the publisher for the early read

The perfect cosy Christmas murder mystery. I love the style of how this is written (almost like research/writing for a book). Set with the lead up to Christmas after the mmc ex wife is accused of murder and he has to prove her innocence. A couple of shock moments along the way and I didn’t guess the killer until the big reveal at the end. Need to read more by this author! Binged in a day!

P.S I later found out it was book 3, imo it can be read as a standalone, but I did feel like I’d missed a bit of background information. Oops 🙈.

Billed as a Christmas murder mystery, Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret, takes Ernest Cunningham, the narrator, up to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains of Australia. He is there shortly before Christmas because he has received a frantic call for help from his ex-wife Erin. She has been taken into police custody as she has been accused of murdering her current partner, Lyle Pearse, an actor turned philanthropist. Erin was found with her hands covered in Lyle’s blood, but she has no recollection of why. If his ex-wife didn’t do it, there is a motley collection of other suspects, all of whom seem to work for the Lyle Pearse Foundation.
I am probably going to be an outlier here, but I did not enjoy this at all. I really didn’t like the way the clues are all laid out, then the reader gets to see how Ernest works it out. I didn’t like the Advent Calendar format. Lastly, I couldn’t take to any of the characters, including Ernes, who I found more irritating than amusing.
Mercifully, the book was short, more of a novella than a novel. Any longer and I would have given up reading.
It also gets a slightly generous 3 stars. It’s not that bad a book and I know others will love it. It’s just that I personally could not take to it at all.

Ernest Cunningham is back for a third-outing and in-typical fashion for series detectives finds himself embroiled in another mystery. This time his ex-wife is the main suspect when she’s caught red-handed next to her husbands dead body.

Like the previous books, they are told as a retelling of events that have already occurred with Ernest regularly breaking the fourth wall which I really like as the author gives you pointers on what clues to pay attention to and adds a nice touch of humour. It was fast-paced owing to it being a Christmas special and you will finish it quickly - the suggestion to read it one chapter at a time like an advent calendar will only be for those with excellent self-control.

Whilst I did really enjoy it and would definitely recommend, it is my least favourite out of the 3 as I felt that the shortened length restricted the development of the suspects and I didn’t feel like I ‘knew’ them like in the other books. It was also a shame that his fiancée was relegated to a cameo role. But apparently that’s one of the rules of a Christmas mystery so I’ll try not to judge too harshly.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

Ernest Cunningham returns for his third mystery set in the lead up to Christmas. He receives a desperate plea for help from his ex-wife Erin who has been arrested for the murder of her boyfriend. Ernest quickly realises the only way to help Erin is to solve the murder himself. Cleverly written in twenty four chapters, it's the perfect mystery lovers Advent Calendar although I defy anyone to be disciplined enough to only read one chapter each day. I was soon reeled in by the conundrum - who out of the six suspects could have committed murder?

Written in the first person narration style of his previous two mysteries, this is a witty and entertaining novel. Plenty of intrigue, red herrings and teasers to keep the reader captivated. The climax is very clever and, despite Ernest helping the reader piece together the events that led up to the murder and subsequent clues, I didn't work out whodunit until the final reveal.

Highly recommended as a fun way to ameliorate any stress the lead up to Christmas brings.

With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for my advanced reader copy in return for my honest and unbiased review.

The murder mystery was an intriguing blend of suspense and humor, offering a refreshing departure from the typical mysteries I indulge in. I found it thoroughly enjoyable, though I couldn't help but wish it was longer and didn't feel hurried at certain points. I am looking forward to the possibility of it becoming a TV show in the future. I think it could be the perfect show to watch.

My name is Ernest Cunningham and I am watching the Christmas magic show with Rylan Blazewhen a murder occurs and everyone is under suspicion.

I like solving murders but I need to make it home for Christmas!!

Ernest Cunningham can’t stay away from murders, it would seem. After Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone and Everyone On This Train is A Suspect he is back for a third instalment when his ex-wife Erin asks for his help. Her partner has been murdered and she is found with blood on her hands without having any idea how it got there. And, as if one impossible murder isn’t enough, it isn’t long before magician Rylan Blaze is decapitated by a blade made of paper. With only a few days until it is Christmas, Ernest is, once again, up against it.

“I’m not a private investigator. I just happen to have a knack for understanding how mysteries tick, provided they follow the rules set out by the classics, of course.”

As was the case in the previous two books, the narrator in this story is Ernest Cunningham himself and he often addresses the reader directly. In fact, he plays a game with the reader, providing them with all the clues needed to solve the mystery without actually pointing them out. In other words, plays fair and according to the rules set by the writers of the Golden Age of Mystery.

“You’ll find no hidden clues or unreliable narrators here. My job is to relay to you everything you need to reach the same ‘lightbulb’ moment I did.”

And, because we’re dealing with a Christmas mystery, the story has a seasonable flavour:

“…this whole thing’s best treated as an advent calendar. Twenty-four chapters hold twenty-four clues and various bits and bobs that help me with the case. Well, twenty-three clues and a killer.”

Readers with great self-control could treat this book like an Advent calendar and read one chapter each day starting December 1st. I like that idea, but I wouldn’t have been able to limit myself like that. There’s too much happening and the use of cliffhangers at the end of each chapter pushed me straight from one chapter into the next one. In fact, I found this book all but impossible to put down. Ernest’s chatty narration pulled me along and had me swiping through the pages as fast as I could. The cast of characters was fascinating and the possible motifs for murder kept me guessing until Ernest revealed all in the rather spectacular denouement. Did I pick up on all the clues? No! Did I figure out whodunit? Also, no! But did I thoroughly enjoy myself while reading this book? Absolutely!

If you’re looking for a captivating, well-plotted, at times laugh-out-loud funny, and faultlessly executed mystery this Christmas, you are probably looking for Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret.

I’ve read both of the previous books in this series and I do appreciate the humour and the style of writing, particularly the breaking of the fourth wall to explain his actions. This Christmas novel is quite short and moves quickly. An ingenious solution which I didn’t come close to solving. A fun, festive read.

Thank you for this advanced reader copy.

Having read Benjamin Stevenson's other work, I was very excited to start this one!

Whilst I didn't enjoy it quite as much as his previous books, It was still thoroughly thrilling and really got me in the festive mood (in October)

Rated 3.5/4 /5

The writing was in a chatty, direct style that made you feel as if you were being personally spoken to and therefore felt more involved with the story. I did have to concentrate on what was happening due to the odd bits of narration suddenly being aimed directly at you, the reader. You were being taken in and out of the story and given the facts as the main character saw them throughout. Whilst there were lots of little bits going on, it all tied up well at the end.

The chapters were a mix of lengths which meant that you were steered through the story at the author's chosen pace. You were given bits of information at the same time as the main character was finding them out.

The pace of the book was good. The facts were laid out and worked through. You didn't hang around on anything for too long.

There was an interesting flow to the story because the narrator kept pausing the story and speaking directly to you as the reader.

The characters were good. As the title suggested they all had their secrets and motives, which made it harder to work out who the murderer was. There were lots of little clues dropped along the way and the interesting style kept you guessing.

Lastly the settings. I haven't read many books set in Australia so that made a refreshing change. Reading about Christmas in the Summer heat was something new to me!

Overall an interesting Christmas Murder Mystery.

This was such a great read, it was so fun to read, full of darkness and humour. I love the set up and layout, it felt like something new and exciting. Would be a fantastic Christmas present.

I love this series. I love Ernest (the main character) and I love the tongue-in-cheek writing style. I also like that, as Ernest explains in the prologue, it's "a fair-play mystery" with "no hidden clues or unreliable narrators" so you can play along. For example, when Ernest describes a photograph he says: "I'll be honest and tell you that, of course, there is a murderer in this image."

Slightly disappointingly, as Ernest also explains, is that because it's a Christmas special this book is shorter than normal and doesn't feature the full cast (I particularly missed Uncle Andy). But it was another great story. The secret santa aspect of the murder was really clever. And more importantly it worked without feeling farcical that Ernest would find himself at the centre of yet more murders.

It's just as funny as previously too. For example, "no offence, of course, always means some" and that "people are generally less likeable the more you get to know them." So, another 5-star read (in my opinion) and I can't wait for the next....

The genre-savvy Era Cunningham is back and of course, he knows all the rules of a holiday special.

Set up like an advent calendar where each chapter has a clue so we have all the tools to figure out who the killer is along with him, this was clever and another great cosy mystery. If you love the series, you'll like this too.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin for the copy! I also loved this version's cover.

3.5

I requested this book before I listened to Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect which, unfortunately I didn't particularly like. However I listened to the audiobook and wasn't keen on the narrator.

This Christmas Special is slightly better. It's shorter and the murder has been committed before Ernest arrives - a plot line I found implausible in the second book.

So the book begins when Erin, Ernest's ex-wife calls to ask him to help. She has been accused of murdering her new boyfriend, Lyle. She has been caught literally red-handed, having woken up to find herself covered in blood and Lyle stabbed to death.

Ernest must unravel a seemingly impossible murder and try to prevent another whilst proving Erin innocent.

I guess the thing I find annoying about this book - although it's nowhere near as obvious as the previous novel - is the way that Ernest keeps going backwards and forwards to remind us that he's sticking to the rules of writing a murder mystery. I just wish he'd get on with it.

If you liked the previous novel (and I believe the first was similar) then you'll love this. It's short and definitely a Christmas novel. I'm still not a fan I'm afraid although this was better because I read it rather than listened.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the advance review copy.

4.5*

My favourite instalment in the Ernest Cunningham series so far! This time Ernest aims to save Christmas by clearing the name of ex-wife Erin after she’s accused of murdering her husband. With its trademark wit, fourth wall breaking and truly intriguing mystery this novella edition of the series is fun, and fast paced with clever and intricate plotting.

A highly recommended Christmas themed murder mystery that will be going into my annual holiday reading rotation!

Thank you to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and Netgalley for inviting me to read an eArc of "Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret is a real joy to read. Yes it's got murders, and a fair amount of blood, but the storytelling is delightful. Ernest Cunningham has fallen into solving murders, and this time (as it's Christmas). it's his ex-wife's turn as prime suspect. Ernest can't help but get involved, taking him across the country, into the world of magic and embroiled in dodgy business dealings. With all the classic elements of a Christmas whodunnit, Ernest must get to the truth and get Erin out of jail.

I loved the narration style and the short sharp chapters, cleverly arranged around an advent calendar. A real Christmas treat!

It is not surprising to find out the author is a stand up comedian. Despite it being a murder mystery with some tense moments towards the end there were plenty of laugh out loud moments.. this is a stand alone novel but it would have helped to read the two preceding it. However, the plotline is very carefully worked out with all loose ends tied in nicely even if some of the circumstance are slightly unrealistic. There is a nice touch where the author narrates his story and gives plenty of asides directed to the reader. This has the effect of involving you in the story. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read.