Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy. Everyone On This Train is a Suspect follows on from his Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone. Reminiscent of Agatha Christie, A group of writers, agents, publishers, and fans convene on a rail trip across Australia on The Ghan for the 50th anniversary of the Australia Mystery Writers’ Festival. It’s not long before there is a dead body. Natural or murder? It becomes quickly apparent that murder is the answer and the narrator, Ernest Cunningham, and others, set out to solve it.

It’s fun to see the reasons attendees are there and to watch as the motives emerge. It is atmospheric. The story is constructed using some foretelling by the narrator yet keeps you guessing until the very end. It looks at the creative process, the use of AI, and what’s considered art. “…true art is undervalued, and commercial art can be concocted”. There are with many twists until the denouement. This was a fun read though it took a little while to get going.

What is it about trains that scream murder mystery??? Perhaps this association is just limited to readers 😂 but I swear trains always give me a bit of an eerie vibe.

Amateur sleuth Ernest Cunningham returns with an attempt at writing a second book—fiction this time—and hopes to gain some inspiration while traversing the countryside of Australia on a train for a crime writing festival. He might just get the inspiration he needs when a fellow crime writer ends up dead and everyone becomes a suspect…

If you read Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, you will absolutely LOVE the second installment of Ernest Cunningham—It seems impossible but I like this one EVEN MORE. If you haven’t read the first, do yourself a favor and grab both books, they are such a treat. Stevenson’s writing is so clever, so tongue in cheek, so entertaining, so—perfect.

Cunningham addresses the reader directly so I felt totally immersed in the story and was trying to put the clues together as I went along, but alas, I was foiled again!

Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect publishes on January 30. Thank you to @netgalley and @marinerbooks for the digital ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mainer Books for giving me an advanced reader copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.


Earlier this year, I read Stevenson's previous book, "Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone" because that's a really eye-catching title. I picked it up on audiobook and after what I thought was a slow start, really enjoyed the book. (I was a little disappointed that it wasn't about a family of assassins but it is what it is.)



When I saw the sequel on NetGalley, I immediately requested it because not only did I like Steveson's writing style but I also wanted to catch up with Ern, our (mostly) reliable narrator and protagonist.


Summary according to GJ: Approximately 2 years after the disastrous family reunion of the first book, Ernest Cunningham and his SO Juliette have both written books about their experience. Ernest gets invited to a mystery writers' convention that is taking place on the historical Afghan Express ("The Ghan" as it's often called). Caught between his Imposter Syndrome, writer's block, and the strange atmosphere between the writers, a special guest suddenly dies. Seriously, Ernest hasn't found himself among another murder mystery, right?


Right?


Review: I feel like saying if you liked the first book, you'll also enjoy this one is a copout. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely think it's true but let's go a little bit deeper.


When I saw the sequel on NetGalley, I immediately requested it because not only did I like Steveson's writing style but I also wanted to catch up with Ern, our (mostly) reliable narrator and protagonist. Ern spends a significant amount of the plot assuring the reader that he's not messing with us and that he stumbled over many of the red herrings that tripped us up.


I appreciate that Steveson tries to give the reader a fair shot. I'm the type of reader who will fixate on any small details in a mystery. Which is fun but can be punished by certain writers. Stevenson, however, trims the excess details and will have tallies for a specific thing to make sure you remember. It gives me a more narrow field to focus on so I can actually remember everything and when Ern does his big denouncement, I keep up with him as he goes around the room.


I also appreciate that Ern is an idiot. Not in a "YOU FOOL, THE CLUE IS RIGHT THERE!" type of way but in a "I love you but please get your head out of your butt" way. Part of this book discusses the bittersweet nature of writing a second book. To quote Linkin Park "Even a blueprint is a gift and a curse....Everybody wants the next thing to be just like the first".


The mixture of Ernest's dread of writing a second book as well as his PTSD has Ern on edge for most of the book. It's very understandable from a human prescriptive and even helps you understand the other characters on the train. The treacherous waters of the publishing industry are very much a plot point of the story. The other writers are all kind of Ernest but ones who gave into their cynicism and isolation so seeing our very flawed and squishy hero get out of his own way is rewarding.


(That said, I did reach a point where Ern's stupidity was just too much and put the book on ice for a while. It was like watching dashcam footage where you see the wreck about to happen and you're stuck stomping on your imaginary brakes. That scene was rough but well done to Stevenson for making me feel VERY real feelings.)


In the end, some of the meta stuff occasionally got too much but I really did like this book. I give this book 4.5 stars


"Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect" comes out on January 30, 2024!



TW: Mentions of sexual assault, mention of sexual assault of a minor, suicide, sexual harassment, murder, blood, vomit, handling of a dead body, alcoholism, PTSD

“So I’m writing again. Which is good news I suppose, for those wanting a second book, but more unfortunate for the people who had to die so I could write it.” Here are reasons to read the mystery book:

Australian Train - Aboard the Ghan, an Australian train that runs from top to bottom of the continent
Writers Conference - a group of mystery writers gather for a conference
Sequel - Among them is Eddie Cunningham, who has to write his sequel
Unique - And if you have read the first book by this author, you know how unique his voice is, and that there will be at least one murder

If you have been following my posts throughout 2023, you know that the first book, Everyone in my Family Has Killed Someone, was in my top 5 for the year and I actually read it twice. That being said, this book took me awhile to get the same feel as the first. Same fun author voice, but the cliffhangers are not as great. However, the ending is genius yet again, so it still ranks pretty high for me.

4 stars! Everyone in my Family Has Killed Someone was SO good, that I was both very, very excited, and also a little bit nervous to pick up Benjamin Stevenson's second book — I did not want to be disappointed, and I wasn't!

This time, Ernest Cunningham finds himself on the Ghan, a luxury train traveling Australia from top to bottom, with other writers and guests invited for a mystery writers festival. Just like with the first book, I have to say I've never read a mystery novel quite like Stevenson's. It's impressive that the narrator can tell you exactly what's going to happen, and as the reader, you're still surprised and captivated as the story unfolds. There's also a comedic element that makes it really fun, and the story feels so easy to connect to as Ernest breaks the third wall, speaking directly to the reader and candidly admitting that he's writing this story, telling it as it unfolds. I might be slow to follow, but true to his word, Ernest did give you all the clues you need to solve it yourself! I just prefer the surprise of the reveal at the end :)

I also think Ernest grew a lot as a character in this book! It's a bit more reflective and there's more relationship building. The new cast of characters is fun, and each character is unique and well developed.

Overall, this was really fun! I will definitely be picking up anything else to come from Stevenson, though I would be open and excited to a new narrator.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Collins for a DRC in exchange for my honest review!

I wondered if Stevenson could meet the high standard he set with Everyone in My Family has killed Someone, but he has, and then some. Ernest Cunningham returns to narrate the second book, as one of six mystery authors attending a major Australian conference held, of all places, on a train that’s crossing the country. The writers have history, sometimes contentious, with each other. When one of them is killed, police have five suspects with motives — and they all know how to mislead the cops and get away with murder. I love the humor and the sharp portraits of a bunch of flawed and competitive authors. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy a quirky mystery that doesn’t fit the standard mold.

Ernest Cunningham has returned. Who doesn't go into a sequel of a beloved book without a healthy does of trepidation? I certainly do. But do not fret, Everyone on This Train is a Suspect hits it out of the park securing my admiration for author, Benjamin Stevenson. He has done the impossible. Book Two has lived up to Book One, Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone.
Ernest Cunningham, the accidental solver of crimes, once again is besieged with dead bodies and a seemingly impossible book to write. This outing has Ernest on a touring train which is hosting an annual Book Festival. Sounds good except for the attending authors have history with one another and a great disdain for the work of Ernest. Ernest is insecure in his place amongst his literary heroes and experiencing writer's block at the same time.
When one of the author's is found dead, Ernest once again is forced to break the 4th wall of writing to bring us, the readers, into his world. And, his world is an amazing plot and twists and clues that all neatly come together for a smash ending and epilogue. All of this is to say, Ernest is one of my favorite characters out there and he just gets better.

Thank you to Mariner Books and Netgalley for access to an early e-copy. All opinions are my own.

huge thanks to netgalley & mariner books for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

What an absolute joy! I'm so happy with this sequel and it really cements Stevenson's Ernest Cunningham series as one to watch. You've definitely got to read the first one. While the mystery here isn't connected to the mystery in Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, Ernest's narrator voice is so specific it is worth the introduction. So definitely go read that if you haven't already. I can wait.

Okay, now that you've read the first book we can continue. One of my favorite facets of the first book was the way in which, underneath the novelties of the narrator style and some very funny writing, there was an emotionally resonate story about how Ernest connects with his family and experiences grief. I love that Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect continues that and, without being overly beholden to the previous book, naturally considers how he would have been impacted by the events depicted there. (I kind of want the next book to somehow be about Ernest going to therapy...)

Similar to the first, this is a mystery through and through. There's a lot of affection for the genre here and for writing in general. (I was especially amused by the references to Goodreads!) If you are a reader that enjoys trying to puzzle out a mystery, I think you'll like a lot of the elements in this series, especially this book. I typically don't try to puzzle it out, but found myself pulled into coming up with theories and trying to fit the various pieces into place.

I would easily recommend this. I will definitely get the next in the series. This is one of those series that will become the frame of reference for books published in years to come. As an aside - I also think the audiobook is probably really cool to read. Get that Australian accent really coming through!

What a trip (pun fully intended!). I may be one of the few readers left on Earth who hasn’t read Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, but that fact did not hinder my enjoyment of Stevenson’s second work of meta-fiction. With delightful callbacks to the Golden Age of mysteries, this is a delightful and playful romp through a locked room mystery. The characters are nicely realized, and the author shows a real flair for painting a scene. There were moments where I was sure I was on the Ghan alongside him! I would highly recommend this read, even if you haven’t Stevenson’s first work. I’m certainly thankful I was approved for this ARC from Mariner Books – not only did I enjoy the read, but I’m pretty sure I discovered one of my new favorite authors!

Loved it and amazing as a follow-up, feel the author navigated and regarded it as a sequel in great ways. The self-aware style remains on point (and if you haven’t read book one yet, you should), it’s almost annoying how insightful the commentary is on people, books, and the story itself. The few sentences on authors, popularity/sales, and talent/authenticity was particularly apt.

And it’s also wildly entertaining. The cast of characters filled in a variety of writer/publishing caricatures, but in a good and thoughtful way. The interactions are varied degrees of fun, funny, frustrating. I could guess some things but I also just wanted to see it play out and discover all the hows and whys.

I only had a couple issues which I won’t detail since it’s all spoilers but boiled down to the genre tropes we saddle on women. It’s still far superior to most murder-mysteries I’ve read and I highly recommend this series. I am a huge fan and can’t wait to see if another believable addition can be added to this series. I hope so.

CW: Mentions of child molestation and adult rape. Murder and death. Violence.

This was a fun read! I did struggle to keep all the characters straight, but it eventually sunk in. I was not able to guess the murderer, even with all of Ernest's clues ;)

The premise was great while the execution proved confusing. As I read this book I thought, more of a draft for a screenplay than a book so I wasn’t surprised that the earlier title by this author, which I didn’t read, was picked up by HBO. I didn’t care for the narrator, the number of suspects confusing. I know it was purported to be like an Osman book however except for the attempt at “breezy” writing ✍️ don’t see the comparison. Definitely didn’t live up to the hype.

This is a fun read -- I enjoyed the sort of 'meta' view of mystery writers trying to solve a murder mystery and the narrator very overtly & conscientiously following the recipe or format for this -- and his snarky but clever tone. I hadn't realized that this was the 2nd in a series when I started it, and though the narrator emphasizes that several times, I don't think it makes too much difference whether you've read that one first.

This reminded me of the Anthony Horowitz (Hawthorne & Horowitz) series a bit in the way the author inserts himself/a first person narrator along the way.

The writing was very clever and continually amusing to read -- lots of astute yet humorous observations -- about his Uncle Andy, whose job is to grow grass on football fields: "He is, suitably to his profession, a man often trodden on." and "Holidays are, after all, mostly extracagant charades with which to justify an addiction."

It wasn't really so much a page turner, as a bumbling, funny, clever meander and play on the 'locked room' mystery - I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Another five-star read! I loved Benjamin Stevenson’s book “Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone” and was so excited to receive this one. His style of writing may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but that’s likely only due to the fact that some people don’t appreciate wit and humor, which is seen throughout his books. He is an auto-buy author for me!

Sequels aren’t always disappointing, Ernest! The first book hooked me with a unique premise you could spot from the title and kept me with so many amazing things I wasn’t expecting, but this—although following a more “typical” mystery/thriller formula—kept me interested through Ernest’s narration. That’s not to say the rest of it wasn’t amazing, but I think that the constant fourth-wall-breaking and Ernest dropping hints and call-backs every couple of pages is what made this so addicting!

The mystery was well-written, the characters were all incredibly frustrating and intriguing at the same time, and, as always, LONG LIVE THE OXFORD COMMA!

A sequel to EVERYONE ON THIS TRAIN IS A SUSPECT - this is the second installment of the Ernest Cunningham murder mystery series. What a fun book this was!! An absolute delight. Ernest Cunningham is back and looking for inspiration for his next book - but whoa, someone gets murdered on board the train. Who did it? Who can be trusted? At this point, everyone on the train is a suspect. Loved all the twists and turns and had a blast with this book. I definitely recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for an eARC in exchange for this review / honest opinion.

Thanks so much to Mariner Books and NetGalley for this eARC! I loved Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, so I was very excited for book 2! I felt like Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect started a little slower, but the ending had me reading as fast as I could. It has the same humor and crazy twists we all loved from book 1! I just love the unique way these “locked room” mysteries are written. Count me in as a permanent Benjamin Stevenson fan!

Ernest Cunningham survived a serial killer, and wrote a book about it, which leads him to getting invited to from the Australian Mystery Writers’ Society crime-writing festival on a train. Ernest excepts hoping for some inspiration for his second book, however, ends up embroiled in another murder.

The book is written with a unique style, where Ernest gives a step-by-step narrative with many clues that still left me guessing who the murderer was. Overall, I enjoyed the humor, but it did take me a while to get into it.

I received this advance review copy from NetGalley & the publisher for my honest review.

You know how it's basically a rule of law that a sequel is ALWAYS disappointing?! Well, throw that rule right out the (train) window because Benjamin Stevenson's EVERYONE ON THIS TRAIN IS A SUSPECT, the second installment of the Ernest Cunningham murder mystery series, surpassed ALL my expectations and was a ABSOLUTE DELIGHT! Let's start off with the basics of the book:

Ernest Cunningham is back and just as cheeky as ever as our 4th-wall breaking detective, This time however, he is fresh off the publication of his first book and invited to attend the Australian Mystery Writers’ Society aboard the Ghan, the famous train between Darwin and Adelaide. Ernest is on the hunt for inspiration for his next book (which he's planing to be fiction after all the action in the first book!) and is hoping that time spent in the Australian outback with a panel of fellow crime-writers will provide just that.

He gets more than he bargains for when fiction turns into a reality and one of the authors is murdered on-board. Together Ernest and the other authors try to band together to become detectives, but soon realize that even though they have the knowledge to crack the case, they also all have the knowledge to commit and cover up the crime. So the question begs itself - which author is capable of murder? The author of legal thrillers, psychological suspense, forensic science, literary fiction, or true crime? With ample motivation, big egos, and even bigger secrets, it turns out that everyone on this train is, in fact, a suspect.

I LOVED all the twists and turns this book takes, and was impressed by how it all weaves together in a memorable way. I personally am a fan of Ernest 'leveling the playing field' and breaking the 4th-wall, and thought the admission that the murder's name was mentioned 106 times in the book at the beginning was especially fun as it was tallied up throughout the book. And the ENDING. I don't want to spoil too much, but I will reveal that the case is solved with a comma. And yes, you did read that right.

EVERYONE ON THIS TRAIN IS A SUSPECT by Benjamin Stevenson is out January 30th, 2024, and you'll definitely want to get your hands on a copy!
I want to thank NetGalley and Mariner Books for an DRC in exchange for my review!

Wow!! I loved this! I didn’t think a sequel could be as good, but somehow this one is even better!

We have our lovable narrator, Ernest, back for this book and he has somehow gotten stuck in a situation again where he finds himself locked in with a body and a murderer. This time it’s with a bunch of crime writers and readers, who are all potential suspects with motive.

The comic relief is this book is so good. The plot was fantastic and I loved the characters this time even more than the first book. But what I loved the most is the way Ernest is talking to you and giving you clues and tips the whole time, like you are his crime-solving partner.

This is a sequel, but you don’t necessarily have to read the first one to read and enjoy this one. But, it does help understand a few returning characters better. Plus they are both amazing!!

Thank you Mariner Books and NetGalley foe the advanced copy of this book. :)