I loved the first book and only liked this one. The meta-narrative is fun sometimes, but the cleverness took me out of it. The mystery didn’t keep me engaged, but I enjoyed reading it.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a review copy.

I LOVED the first book in this series, so I was really excited to get my hands on an ARC of the sequel! Ernest is back, and still the trickiest reliable narrator around. Fresh off the success of the true crime/memoir book he wrote about the murders on the mountain, Ern attends a mystery writers’ festival which takes place on a luxury train headed across Australia. It’s not as much fun as he’d hoped – and becomes even less so when the star writer in attendance keels over dead in the middle of a speech. Turns out it’s murder, of course. And it won’t be the only one.

Ernest’s clever and engaging narration has the same witty observations and sly little hints at what’s to come as the first book, which makes this a really fun read. (The author drops an unobtrusive content warning in the beginning through one of his peeks forward, which I appreciated.) But it’s not all fun - Ern is, unsurprisingly, still dealing with the psychological and emotional aftermath of the first book. Unlike most mystery series, this book delves into how difficult it must be to have people dying around you and be helpless to stop it. (I get it. Cozy mysteries would be a lot less cozy if the cupcake-baking sleuths had to deal with pesky things like post-traumatic stress and survivor’s guilt. But I think the verisimilitude is one of the things that makes me like this better.)

This book wasn’t quite as good as the first but it was still a great read. 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.

CW: sexual assault, mention of sexual abuse of a minor

The book was entertaining enough. Did I get lost sometimes in my own thoughts while reading the book or hoping that it was almost over. Sure did. DId I think the main character was a bit whiny at time? Yep. The style of writing was entertaining the way it was laid out, but I'm not sure if there were enough meat and potatoes.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advance copy

I'm not sure that I *needed* this to become a series, but I enjoyed the first enough that I was definitely going to continue here. The same direct-to-reader is present, which I enjoy, and I liked that the whole story (mostly) took place on a train!

Thanks for the ARC! Caveat that I did not read his first book but that this story still made sense and felt complete and not just the second in a series. The cover and title are what initially hooked me but I enjoyed this fun mystery that was very reminiscent of the Queen herself, Agatha!

Thank you Mariner Books for allowing me to read and review Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect on NetGalley.

Published: 01/30/24

Stars: 2.5

Every book has an audience, some specifically target a group: I was not part of this equation. I only liked the author's attempt at a new style. Stevenson is explaining to me (the reader) how a mystery is written, pointing out why things are done, specifically states when the killer's name was first mentioned, the importance of the placement, etc. If when writing a mystery there was a checklist Stevenson covered it in a chatty sitting beside you way. The novelty wore off for me early on. The lists of names and how many times they were mentioned irritated me. Should I be paying attention or is this part of his tell how it's done style? There are going to be people who love the uniqueness. I enjoyed bits and pieces. Overall, it was too much and it may have worked for me if he chosen a different period. I had to read the story over many days.

He mentions high profile writers and characters. There were several times I thought give it a rest. Again, mentioning your favorites and the comparison may make you happy. I was just over it. I have seen several Miss Marple adaptations and the same with Sherlock Holmes; but I have never read either Christie or Doyle. Do they use foul language? Stevenson does.

Benjamin Stevenson is truly a mastermind. This book is an absolutely incredible experience. It’s not just a book, it’s a masterful literary experience. This was even better than his first.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone, and this installment was even better. The concept is the same (Ernest is writing a book about the events he’s experienced) but the setting and cast of characters is new, and I also thought the pacing here was better. The story is cleverly plotted and the resolution to the mystery is satisfying. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite mystery series and I’ll definitely be keeping track of future installments.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Benjamin Stevenson has done it yet again.

Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect, the second book in the Ernest Cunningham series, was such a well-crafted, intriguing mystery that is filled with as much charm as the first.

I was skeptical that the same gimmick from the first book could work again, but it did beautifully, with a whole new cast of quirky characters. My favorite thing about the book is how the narrator is writing the book through the events, talking to us, the reader. This quality makes the books so approachable and pulls you into the story.

I don't know how he'll do it again, but I hope he does because I cannot wait to read more from Benjamin Stevenson and ( fingers crossed ) Ernest Cunningham.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my complete and honest review.

Unfortunately this one was not for me. I couldn’t connect with the characters. I found the writing was all over the place and not to my liking. Life’s too short to read books I can’t get in to. It’s not for me, but may be for someone else

🔪 Everyone on this Train is a Suspect
By Benjamin Stevenson


Well Ernest Cunningham is back and if you haven’t read Everyone in my Family has killed Someone you probably should read it before reading this one. It’s not a must but it will fill you in on the back story and will make more sense. So Ernest is invited on a famous train for a crime-writing festival but when one of the famous authors turns up dead it’s quite a different story.

🤔- I wanted to love this one but it was just an ok read. While I still enjoyed the writing style ( very different) which I appreciate it just got a bit boring. There were just too many characters and I actually found it hard to keep track who was who. It felt like i never got to know any of them. It was a slow start and just lost its appeal. I wanted to be more mysterious but overall it was an ok read.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #MarinerBooks, and #BenjaminStevenson for the ARC of #EveryoneonThisTrainIsaSuspect. I am happy to leave a candid (though embarrassingly late) review.

Let me start by saying that I hadn't read the first book (Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone), but was easily able to follow along with this sequel, so don't feel obligated to read them in order. That said, I wasn't even 2 chapters in before deciding that I was ABSOLUTELY desperate to read the first book. The humor is sharp and clever and snarky and I LOVE it! There were several passages that did have me LOL for real. Our narrator, Ern Cunningham (a new writer), frequently talks directly to the reader about this book's structure and gives several clues (legit, but easily misleading) to solve the current mystery before the final denouement (de-noo-moh - another LOL).

The only [sorta] complaint I'll make is about the overwhelming cast-of-characters... there were a few instances where I lost track of who was who and how they were possibly related to other characters. Especially tricky when there were at least two alter egos floating around and a number of past crimes involving different people came together in a surprising manner. You need to pay attention as you go along.

If you like to be challenged in your murder mysteries, read this book - you will not be disappointed.

This is s terrific mystery. Really enjoyed seeing the character again. And I loved the concept of the train ride. Got this book in book form

This was everything I could’ve wanted from a sequel the the author’s first book and I truly can’t think of anything I didn’t like. We get a whole new cast of characters except for our main character Ernest obvi and two others from the first book. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and just like the first book, did not guess the killer! I really enjoy the narrative style of these books and how it breaks the fourth wall so to speak, with the main character talking directly to the reader at points throughout the book. I think this style is so unique and cool for a mystery novel and it makes for a fun experience. Definitely hope to see another book in this Ernest Cunningham world!

I LOVED this one so much! I really enjoyed the first in this series, it was unique and funny and aussie and enjoyable. I was very excited to get to this one and it didn’t disappoint! I thought it was hilarious (I’m still laughing at the pale imitation/tan line lololol – I read it aloud to my boyfriend I thought it was so funny. He didn’t find it as funny) and interesting. Loved the setting (yes, I looked at how much the train journey cost), loved the characters, loved the story. The only thing I didn’t like is that I don’t automatically have the next one/another book from Benjamin Stevenson to read write meow. I did see that it’s going to be a show though, and I am very excited for that!

This book kept everything great about the first book, but streamlined and polished the plotting and dialed back the distracting levels of meta commentary to a delightful level. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Ernest.

Everyone on This Train is a Suspect brings more of the witty charm Benjamin Stevenson gave readers in his debut novel, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone. Playing with familiar murder-mystery tropes, Stevenson delivers a satisfying whodunit complete with quirky characters and red herrings galore.

The story takes place on a luxury train that’s hosting the 50th Australian Mystery Writers’ Festival. The main character—whom we first met in Stevenson’s debut—is Earnest Cunningham, an author struggling to write his sophomore novel. When one of the writers on the trip turns up dead, every other writer—including Earnest—is a suspect.

Lots of sleuthing hijinks ensue, but the most fun for me was the relentless poking fun at the publishing industry. Smart and snappy from start to finish.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

The is the second book in Ernest Cunningham series. You definitely need to read book one first. I really enjoyed the first book and liked this one even more. Although the setting of a murder on a train is certainly not original, the way this mystery is carried out is unique. I hope the author continues this series.

Loved this more than the first! It gave me Agatha Christie/Arthur Conan Doyle in the best way, so good! Highly recommend!!!

Ernest is back and surprise, surprise he is thrust into another murder investigation. EVERYONE ON THIS TRAIN IS A SUSPECT brings the reader to a crime-writing festival with Ernest Cunningham as one of the members of the panel. Again, Stevenson’s combination of unique choice in the narrator, wit, and carefully plotted reveals allow the reader to be brought into the examination of the crime(s) taking place.

I have to say, this book was better than the first. The concept and general idea are the same where Ernest writes a book about the murders he is present for. His signature candidness and humor are present on every page you read. The noticeable difference is the cast. Though Juliette and Andy are intertwined with the story, there is a whole new group of characters consisting of authors, people who work in publishing, and attendees of the festival. These personalities were just the right blend of caricature and relatable traits.

From beginning to end, this book was pure entertainment and downright addictive. I cannot wait to see what craziness Ernest gets into next. And if what I read at the end is any indication, it looks like we will be seeing a little more of Juliette too. Bring on book three!

Audiobook Note: The audiobook for the second book in the Ernest Cunningham series brings back Barton Welch with the addition of Megan Smart. Having the same narrator is the cherry on top when you are listening to a series. Welch, again, brought Ernest to life with perfect pacing and just the right amount of inflection. I loved this story just as much as the first, but listening to this audiobook truly allowed me to feel like I was there on the train.