Unfortunately for me Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret had two of my pet irritations. Firstly a book about Christmas which barely mentions it and secondly, a humourous writing style when I wasn't expecting that. In fairness, I did get invited to read a galley of this book and I should have done more due diligence when I would have realised that the author is also a stand up comedian and a Christmas book set in the Blue Mountains of Australia is never going to be heavy on scenes with masses of snow and mulled wine.

The book is short and the third in the series by author Benjamin Stevenson about his wannabe detective, Ernest Cunningham. Ernest has been texted by his ex, Erin, who is in police custody for the apparent murder of her new man. Her hands are covered in blood but she has no recollection of why. Ernest was able to know this as Erin texted him before calling the police or checking if the deceased was actually dead or not. This was just one of many parts where I had to suspend belief as to the sanity of the characters within.

The character, Ernest, breaks the fourth wall by addressing the reader directly on many occasions. Another pet hate of mine as it removes me from the work of fiction and brings me back to reality. This really wasn’t a book for me but I can appreciate that it will appeal to a lot of people.With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This holiday chapter of Benjamin Stevenson's mystery series is a lot of fun! I appreciate how it's designed so you can read it like an Advent calendar, opening one chapter each day until you have enough clues to solve the mystery. This is an absolute must-read for every mystery enthusiast or anyone who loves Christmas.

Thanks to NetGalley for an E-ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Everyone this Christmas has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson is the third in the series and, first off, it's really important to have read the first two I now realise. I hadn't read the first two so a lot of the character development and call backs were completely lost on me. I enjoyed it, it was a well thought out mystery with a satisfyingly twisty ending that I didn't see coming. I liked the humourous tone and the breaking of the fourth wall by talking directly to the reader. I especially enjoyed the character of Earnest our detective and I'd definitely read the previous books to get his full story. The story revolved around opening doors on an advent calendar so I think you should read it as a countdown to Christmas and I do think this would be most successful as a physical book rather than an eBook.
Overall, an enjoyable book but undoubtedly more enjoyable if you'd read the previous outings!

Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy of this book. I haven’t read any of the others in the series but it was a really good read. A romp of a murder and beyond the usual whodunnit. Nice Christmas special for the murder lover in your home!

Posting this review in August does feel a little like committing the cardinal sin of mentioning Christmas too early (a crime usually perpetrated by chain stores who start selling advent calendars and Christmas cards in the summer). However, in a feeble attempt to mitigate this, Stevenson’s book does come out on the 24th October and I know some readers like to organise their Christmas themed mysteries ahead of December.

This is my third read by Benjamin Stevenson and I would definitely recommend reading the first two books in the series: Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone (2022) and Everyone on this Train is a Suspect (2023)

Synopsis

‘My name is Ernest Cunningham. I’m not a detective. I just happen to have a knack for what makes mysteries – and murderers – tick. I’d hoped, this Christmas, that any killers out there might be willing to take a break for the holidays. I was wrong. So here I am, backstage at the Christmas show of world-famous magician Rylan Blaze, whose benefactor has just been murdered. From the magician’s assistant to the hypnotist, my suspects are all professional tricksters. Masters in the art of misdirection. My clues are even more of a mystery: A suspect covered in blood, with no 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. Solving the murder is the only gift I want this year. But can I catch a killer, and make it home for Christmas alive?’

Overall Thoughts

The opening quotes for the books in this series invariably have a link to older crime fiction. For example, in one of them Ronald Knox’s Decalogue is elliptically quoted, and in this latest story, the author went for a quote from Arthur Conan Doyle talking about Katoomba in Australia:
‘It is a very real danger to the young or to those who have no sense of direction, for many people have wandered off and never come back alive.’
I hadn’t realised Arthur Conan Doyle had travelled to Australia, so a little Googling ensued, and it turns out he went to Australia during 1920 and 1921, as part of a speaking tour he did, on spiritualism.

Since the second book in the series, the author seems to be more interested in utilising different forms of typography and in this, the third book, it become more structurally integral to the plot and the mystery. At the start of the novel a page (shown below) displays different shaped window/door panels with numbers on, mimicking an advent calendar. There are 24 chapters in this book and 23 key clues pointing towards the killer, so in theory you could read a chapter a day this December, but as the author writes: ‘Many people like to eat all the chocolates at once.’ At the end of each chapter one of the doors on the calendar is opened, with the key clue written inside. I thought this was a neat idea.

This series is not afraid to acknowledge its own artificiality, with the narrator, Ernest Cunningham, openly discussing the genre he is part of, and how his life embodies it:

‘I used to be a fan of reading Golden Age mysteries, until I found myself with a haphazard career getting stuck in the middle of real-life ones. 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.’

I enjoy this aspect of the series’ style, and I like how this story openly has fun with genre tropes and conventions. For example, in the prologue Ernest says:

‘If murder mysteries have rules, so too do Holiday Specials, which the universe has kindly obliged here. You'll find ahead Santa-fied clues aplenty, and don't rule out characters having to dress up in silly costumes for some tangentially related plot reason, which I will satisfy in a minor turn as Rudolph. And of course, by the end of these things, the detective has to learn the true meaning of the word Christmas.’

This last component is creatively explored in the story which follows, as the first victim writes the dying message of ‘Christmas’, using their own blood. The ultimate significance of this is very clever and unexpected.

In addition, Ernest also makes this comment on the rise of the Christmas mystery in current publishing:

‘I'll remind the cynics out there that the favourites aren't immune to a little yuletide cash grab. Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle both caved to the whims of the popular desire for holiday murders, though Sherlock Holmes only picked up his single festive case on 27 December.’

In recent years Christmas mysteries have been published more prolifically, with some authors writing series which are set exclusively at Christmas. Alexandra Benedict springs to mind. I am not a huge fan of modern examples of the Christmas mystery. The ones I have tried so far have been disappointing from a plotting and cluing perspective. Stevenson's novel though is the exception to this rule and is my favourite modern Christmas mystery read.

In true classic crime fashion, Stevenson limits himself to six suspects for his Christmas crimes and their introduction into the narrative is staggered, with their entry heralded by one of these tags. These are a nice touch and I liked how a secret Santa is made part of the plot too.

The story proper begins on a more domestic note, as Ernest and his fiancée Juliette discuss their anxiety over Ernest's uncle having been put in charge of the entertainment for their wedding day entertainment. It seems he might have booked a magician. Although in fairness this is no ordinary magician, but Rylan Blaze, who plays to packed audiences and performs dangerous illusions. Nevertheless, Ernest plans to see his Christmas show to see what his act is like. But us readers will not be surprised to learn that Ernest has an ulterior motive. This turns out to involve high stakes. Not only is Ernest going to see his ex-wife, Erin, but his former spouse is currently under arrest for the murder of her current partner. Ernest justifies not revealing his full intentions to Juliette: ‘The literary detective's pact of honesty is with the reader, not unfortunately, with other characters in the story.’ The circumstantial evidence against Erin is particularly damning, as she claims to have woken up to find herself covered in her partner’s blood, yet his dead body is downstairs in the kitchen.

Ernest takes Erin’s story seriously but is fully prepared to pull it apart and examine it, to look for clues or discrepancies, even to the extent of working out what time she must have woken up to go to the toilet earlier in the night, based on her pre-bed fluid intake habits. Yet Ernest does not act like the mysterious Great Detective who just happens to randomly know all kinds of obscure facts. He admits to googling the information, ‘I'm not a practised enough detective to spout such obscure facts.’ He further adds that:

‘Besides, this is my third murder case: it isn't enough to do the grand showdown reveal at the end anymore. When you're in a series, the detective has to prove their worth early on with a little bit of inspecting razzle-dazzle.’

This is a feature I have always loved about Stevenson’s books, is that they drip feed the clues and case progress consistently throughout the narrative. I much prefer this to novels which give you a famine or a feast, with clues and solution information clumped into big blocks, with long gaps in between.

In keeping with the other two books in the series, armchair detection is encouraged from readers, with Ernest flagging up potential clues or alerting the reader to the fact there is a clue in a room. For instance, before describing a room Ernest says:

‘Pearse's office contained one very significant clue, and the omission of another. At first glance, though, the meaning of both what was and what wasn't there went over my head.’

I found this helped me to be more engaged in the novel, as usually I find scene descriptions less interesting. Moreover, I was pleased that whilst a photograph is used in the plot, Ernest does go on to describe it: ‘Obviously photographs in mystery novels are important. I'll be honest and tell you that, of course, there is a murderer in this image. So let's unpack it.’

However, although this mystery is packed with clues, it is not without heart. For example, this story picks up on the fact that Erin has been struggling with events from Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone, with her PTSD leading to sleepwalking and nightmares. This is a puzzle mystery, but it is also one which acknowledges the negative kickback from witnessing and experiencing murder investigations.

A new source of conflict and tension is introduced into the series, with this latest case, namely a newspaper reporter called Josh Felman who reports on Ernest’s sleuthing. He tends to pop up at inconvenient moments and to then write less than flattering columns such as: ‘The Slapdash Sleuth’. We are told that he works alone, so he must carry all his kit around. I liked this description of him: ‘He looked like a cross between a paratrooper and a one-man marching band.’ Felman has more than one purpose in the story. The first is to introduce the idea of Ernest gaining a nemesis: ‘A nemesis isn't about matching wits or being equal. It's about making the detective less. Will I be different by the end of this telling? Well, I'll have been shot in the chest. If that counts.’ In addition, Felman is also able to provide useful information regarding the case, including live footage of the second murder.

Speaking of the second murder, I thought it was well revealed and executed, directly in front of the reader, as well as Ernest himself. False alarm is toyed with wonderfully here. It is perhaps not fully surprising, but I felt it reminded us of Ernest’s fallibility and I liked how it leaned into the secondary theme of the mystery, magic.

The reveal scene is unusually set. It is the kind of setting which offers certain narrative opportunities, but it is also a highly dangerous and foolhardy choice on Ernest’s part. Part of the reason for choosing the more perilous option is because Ernest needs the killer to confess in some way:

‘Still, it was only theories I was spouting. Correct, ones, I assure you, but legally, in order to exonerate _______, I needed _____ to confess. Or shoot me. I had a distinct preference.’ [Character names removed to avoid spoilers]

The endings of the three Ernest Cunningham books kind of give off a John Mcclane (of Die Hard fan) vibe, with their hard boiled tendency to have their protagonist get badly injured on a regular basis.

Given that Ernest’s case involves a lot of theory, deductions and guess work, I don’t feel bad for not coming remotely close to solving this case. The interconnected crimes are convoluted, but not painfully so. However, it is a case with a lot of moving parts, so it can be hard to hold them all in your head simultaneously. I would describe this book as an intense cluing experience. There were some clues that I particularly liked, such as a variation on one found in Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot’s Christmas and there is another which is so sneaky, yet despite it being well-established earlier in the story, it is still one you are liable to miss.

So all in all this was a great read.

Rating: 4.5/5

I am wholly enthralled by Ernest and I love reading his adventures!

This was a deligthful book to read and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a murder mystery with an old school vibe

How do you open your advent calendar? One day at a time, or all at once?

The good thing with this advent-styled story is it doesn't matter either way, you can pick it up and put it down with each 'door', or like me, you can open all the doors and devour the treats all in one sitting. It's snarky, entertaining, exceptionally clever, and will leave you with a satisfying Christmas glow.

This is the first Benjamin Stevenson book I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I liked the writing style and the narrator voice. I also liked the “rules” of the murder mystery. As Ernest said, everything was there.
I am now off to find the first two Cunningham mysteries to read.

This is a perfect, feel-good, cosy up with the fire and Christmas tree lit behind you kind of book. Perfect Christmas read, simple and easy! This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

‘Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret’ is the latest book in the ‘Ernest Cunningham Mysteries’ series. Set in the Australian Blue Mountains, our amateur sleuth, Ernest, finds himself solving not one but two murders—all whilst trying to keep his own wedding plans on track. This book is shorter and simpler than the earlier ones but still has the same wit and humour that they had.
Having read the earlier books, I feel that this one can be enjoyed as a standalone, however, to fully appreciate the character dynamics, it's worth starting with the earlier books in the series, plus they are great reads too. (I hear that book number one - ‘Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone’ is currently being adapted into a TV series!!!!!)
Overall, this is a fun, quick read perfect for fans of cosy murder mysteries - role on book 4!

Thank you to net gallery and the author for this arc copy. Sadly I hadn’t read book one and two before this book as I didn’t know it was a series and this showed in this book as one of the characters is in the 1st and 2nd books and because I hadn’t read them I didn’t really understand the back story of this character. It was such a good read and I really did enjoy reading it and the character are all so well written and so well described. I think am going read books one and two and then re read this one again to get the most out of the series. I really liked this book and can’t wait to go back to read the others and see how good they are. This author is such a good writer.

Really cool and interesting way to continue our journey with Ernest Cunningham.

I absolutely loved the previous two books and this ‘holiday special’ was no exception. It’s irreverent and unique narrative style is a really engaging read. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This is the third Ernest Cunningham mystery book, and I haven't read either of the first two and mostly this doesn't matter, although things in those two books are referenced it doesn't feel like I'm missing much except maybe a couple of in-jokes.

This mystery involves Ernest looking to solve the murder of his ex-wife's new beau, for which she is the main suspect. Running along with the Christmassy theme, there is plenty of magic and mayhem and plenty of humour too.

I certainly enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone who likes similar or who has already read the first two, which I suspect will be in a similar vein and which I will look forward to reading myself.

#EveryoneThisChristmasHasASecret #NetGalley

Australian Christmas, Murders. Magic, Death by paper cut.
A short-ish festive story featuring Ernest. Throroughly enjoyable as always.
If you haven't read the authors previous books in the series, I urge you to check them out asap.

Ernest Cunningham # three

Yes, Ernie is back for Christmas. Maybe you get an advent calendar for the run-up to Christmas? Ever thought of a murder mystery advent calendar? Twenty four chapters, 24 clues, solve it by Christmas Eve and get a chocolate reward. Just kidding about the chocolate. Six suspects and seven presents lying under a tree. So who is the victim? I’m getting to that.

Our Ernest is about to get married to Juliette and learns his uncle Andy has booked magician Rylan Blaze as the entertainment which he’s less than thrilled about. So, he decides to head to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains where he’s performing his magic show to check him out. By dint or not of coincidence his ex-wife Erin is banged up, charged with murder of her partner, the loaded philanthropist Lyle Pearse in the very same place. I kid you not. She tells a very strange story, her version of the events is extremely weak in terms of an alibi and that’s how Ernest knows she’s innocent. She wants him to get her out of jail before Christmas and oh yes, before his wedding. In the process of investigating Lyle‘s murder he also drops onto another. Shock horror, that of the magician, Rylan Blaze. It’s a twofer or a bogof, it could only happen to Ernest. Thankfully, he has twice as much perspicacity as the rest of us and is sure to get his man or woman.

Murder, mayhem and Christmas in a fabulous Aussie setting in the Blue Mountains, a slice or two of magic. The novel is funny, irreverent, entertaining, very complicated and at times makes my head spin. Natch, I don’t pick up the clues but that’s what we’ve got Ernest for.

Ernest is an extremely likeable central protagonist and of course, he’s darned clever in the best possible spirit of the Golden Age mysteries that he loves so much. He spots every little detail just as Hercule or Miss Marple would. This is a tricky one as he’s dealing with a magician and those who work for him, so misdirection and illusions are a given.

It’s a shortish novel, the pace is brisk and it’s great fun, and would make a perfect gift instead of an advent calendar. Maybe read a chapter a day from the 1st to the 24th of December and do a better job than me at spotting the clues,

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to the publishers for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Ern is back with a Christmas bang!!!! Expect murder, laughs and festive treats!!! A fun read and fabulous story!

Loved this book - I have read the others but it can be read as a stand alone. It’s whitty and fun and made me feel all festive and fuzzy! LOVE Benjamin Stevenson! Roll on the next book!

Another cracking Ernest Cunningham novel from Benjamin Stevenson! As always, this was a delight, although a little shorter and simpler - but, as Ernest himself highlights, that's exactly what you want from a holiday special, number 2.5 in the series!

I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for this honest review.

I was excited to get to read Benjamin Stevenson’s latest book, Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret.

I’ve read the other two books in the ‘Everyone…’ series and thoroughly enjoyed reading them. This instalment didn’t disappoint and is an easy and entertaining read. The book centres on Ernest (Ern) Cunningham, who is a writer and accidental sleuth. The amusing twist is that all his family have killed someone!

In this instalment, he travels to the Blue Mountains to help his ex-wife, Erin, who has been accused of murder.

As in all his books, I love the way in which Ern’s quite knowing of the crime genre and discusses the rules of the genre and when he’s going to break them in his writing.

You can read this book as a standalone festive read, but I’d urge all those who haven’t read the other books in this series to read them. They are such fun reads!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House, for making this e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

"Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret" is the third novel in the 'Everyone' series by Benjamin Stevenson. It follows, the brilliantly plotted "Everyone in my Family Has Killed Someone", from 2022 and the second book, "Everyone on this train is a suspect" from earlier this year.
As a shorter novel that it's predecessors and with less of Ernest's family popping up throughout, it may prove to be an easier jumping point for readers who are interesting in diving into the series.
Our protagonist, remains, Ernest Cunningham, author and (increasingly frequent) sleuth. And as always, Ern finds himself at the center of a series of particularly nasty murders. This time around, Ern is visiting the Blue Mountains in the days leading upto Christmas. But this is not a relaxing pre-Christmas trip. Instead, Ern has been requested to visit the area to help his ex-wife Erin, as she has just been arrested for murdering her current partner, philanthropist Lyle Pearse. Ern believes Erin's statement of her innocence and begins his own investigation into the murder. It's not long before there's another body and Ern is racing to save himself from becoming the next victim.
Shorter than the previous novels, there are not as many twists in this novel but that does not mean that the revelation is any less ingenious. And of course, as Ern mentions, this novel is a "Christmas special" so you can expect costumes, Secret Santa and chocolate Advent Calenders among other festive references.

What could be worse at the scene of a murder than a list of suspects who are all professional tricksters?

But that's exactly what happens backstage at the Christmas show of famous magician Rylan Blaze, when his benefactor is the corpse in question