Murder Mystery based in Australia
⭐️Overall rating: 5/5
Favorite quote: “Family is gravity.”
This was a fun read because the narration style is unique. There’s not that many books I’ve come across where the character speaks to the reader, makes comments about the editors, and has comically pointed out foreshadowing.
This takes place at a ski lodge in Australia. The event? A family reunion. All the characters are pretty much met at once, which was a little jarring, but everybody is interesting enough that it was easy to keep them apart. The thing that threw me was the main character, Ernie, calling his mother by her first name.
Overall, this was a fun read that kept me on my toes. Just when I thought I solved the mystery, something else would come along making me change my mind.
#everyoneinmyfamilyhaskilledsomeone #murdermystery #lemon8bookclub #bookrecs #booksoflemon8 #fivestarbooks
Okay, fellow bookworms, let's talk about 'Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone' by Benjamin Stevenson again, because this one truly deserves all the hype and more! When I first picked up this book, I was drawn in by the intriguing title and the promise of a classic murder mystery with a twist. What I found was a reading experience so utterly captivating, it was genuinely hard to put down. If you're searching for a read that will keep you guessing until the very last page, where every character could be 'the suspect', then you absolutely need to add this to your TBR list. The genius of this novel lies in its truly diabolical plot. Just when you think you've pieced together the clues and identified who might be responsible, Benjamin Stevenson throws another curveball your way. The author's ability to weave such an intricate web of suspects and motives, all while maintaining a hilarious and engaging narrative, is truly remarkable. The 'Single POV' narration, as highlighted on the book cover, is key here. Our protagonist, Ernie, directly addresses us, the readers, offering witty asides, commentary on detective tropes, and even playfully pointing out foreshadowing. This 'Fun Narration' style transforms the typical whodunit into something fresh and incredibly enjoyable. It feels like you're in on the secret, yet you're still completely in the dark, which only makes the mystery more compelling. The setting itself, a 'Mystery on a Mountain' at a remote Australian ski lodge during a tense 'Family Reunion', is the perfect pressure cooker for secrets and suspicions to boil over. Imagine being trapped with your eccentric, complicated family members, knowing one of them is a killer – or perhaps all of them have killed someone, as the title cheekily suggests! Each family member is distinct and intriguing, making it a challenge to mentally keep track of their potential roles in the unfolding drama. You'll find yourself scrutinizing every interaction, every cryptic comment, trying to figure out which one of them is 'the suspect' behind the current string of events, or perhaps even past ones. The way Ernie refers to his own mother by her first name, for instance, is a small detail that adds to the dysfunctional charm and makes you question the family dynamics even further. The book isn't just about the 'who'; it's about the 'how' and the 'why', all wrapped up in a package that feels both classic and innovative. The original review mentioned how it kept them on their toes, and I wholeheartedly agree. It's one of those rare books where you genuinely can't predict the ending. The twists aren't just for shock value; they serve to deepen the intricate puzzle that Stevenson has so expertly crafted. The entire journey felt like a sophisticated game, with the author playing chess with my expectations. This isn't just a murder mystery; it's a masterclass in storytelling that will leave you thinking about it long after you've turned the final page. For anyone who loves a clever, witty, and truly unputdownable mystery, this 'Five gold stars' read is an absolute must-have.
