24 advent calendar doors. 23 clues. And 1 killer to catch before Christmas . . . a deviously clever, classic murder mystery for the festive season

For fans of Janice Hallett, Anthony Horowitz and Peter Swanson’s The Christmas Guest

'Lots to enjoy. Light and fun . . . the sort of thing to pop in the stocking of your fellow mystery fan on Christmas Day' Observer

'Fun and diverting, with a plethora of red herrings' New York Times
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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?
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Why readers LOVE Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret!
'Expect murder, laughs and festive treats! A fun and fabulous story!' 5***** reader review
'It's great fun, and would make a perfect gift for an advent calendar' 5***** reader review
'I would recommend this book to anyone at any time. A murder mystery is not just for Christmas!' 5***** reader review
'It's snarky, entertaining, and will leave you with a satisfying Christmas glow' 5***** reader review
'This is an absolute must-read for every mystery enthusiast or anyone who loves Christmas' 5***** reader review
Praise for Benjamin Stevenson
'Leave it to Stevenson to make high-jinx and murder deviously good fun' Nita Prose
'This crackles on the page. Such an original voice' Jane Fallon
'It's Knives Out meets Richard Osman' A.J. Finn
'Deliciously dark, funny and intriguing' Alex Pavesi


Benjamin Stevenson, UK Bookseller bestseller, September 2024; USA Today Bestseller, January 2024