I just adore the Ernest Cunningham books and this was no exception. Immediately ran out to buy it as advent calendar gifts for friends and family after reading it.

As always, Benjamin Stevenson has written a delightful, witty, twisty and fun mystery. It was short and quick but fleshed out and developed well enough to my liking. The quick pace made for a more exciting story.

Our narrator suggests reading the book a chapter at a time throughout December for an Advent Calendar experience. I admit I was very interested in the idea (how fun!!) but could not keep myself to one chapter a day. Instead I finished the entire book in a single day.

While not required reading for the series I definitely recommend adding this to your list if you enjoyed the previous two books in the series

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

This was that direct to home video sequel that you keep in your house and consider canon but not a necessary for everyone. I think it was cutesy done and a little side book to complement the series just not as enjoyable as the first two. Fun short read before Christmas though!

Ernest is back! Ernest’s ex-wife’s boyfriend is murdered during the Christmas holiday and when Erin is arrested, Ernest must prove her innocence by uncovering the real murderer.

This is a short novella, just under 200 pages, you can read in 1-2 sittings, or you can read a chapter a day like an advent calendar (if you can wait that long!). I recommend reading the first two in the series to understand some of the characters and references to previous storylines, but this can definitely be read as a standalone. This is one of my favorite mystery series because I love Ernest as a reliable narrator, the mysteries are plotted so well, and the twists are well executed!

Recommend if you enjoy:
🎄An advent calendar of clues
🎄Reliable narrator
🎄Locked room cozy mystery
🎄Murder mystery
🎄Abstract set of clues that tie together well!

Very entertaining Christmas mystery novella. Ernest is his humble self and solves this mystery beautifully. Not without putting himself in peril, of course. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

Thanks to NetGalley for my sneak read!


What a fun way to start my holiday reading.
This is my first taste of the series, I'll be reading the others!

This was a really quick, fun and entertaining read! There were the right amount of clever twists without being predictable. The story kept me engaged and guessing the whole time while also mixing in humor throughout. Although it is the third in the series, enough backstory is provided that it could be read as a stand alone. This review was also posted on Goodreads and Amazon.

Benjamin Stevenson’s “slapdash sleuth” Ernest Cunningham returns in a new adventure that follows the rules of both fair-play mysteries and holiday specials—and wants you to know that it’s following those rules. A few days before Christmas (Australian Christmas, so it’s scorching), Ern heads out to the desert ostensibly to see a performance by the magician who’s slated to appear at his upcoming wedding, but he’s actually there to clear his ex-wife of a murder charge. The case, helped along by an advent calendar, involves a drug abuse charity, with several administrators and graduates of the program implicated in multiple crimes. Stevenson again has Ern detailing the case after the fact, allowing him to jump ahead in the action and warn you about chaos yet to come. Stevenson also takes the holiday special conceit seriously, keeping the action trim, which aids the pacing after the occasionally bloated EVERYONE ON THIS TRAIN IS A SUSPECT. Ern seems a far more competent investigator in this outing, which has a cleverly-staged solution.

I cannot even believe how much I love these book - for me, they are just the best, consistently befuddle me, and just leave me with the feeling of having finished an excellent and very satisfying book [with some wondering at how I missed some - OH OKAY, missed most of the clues LOL].

This book was fun because even though I had NO idea WHO did it, I DID know two of the ways the killer did what they did [thank you CSI and the BritBox/iTV show 'Grace'] and to say I was very excited might not be a strong enough way to express it [there may or may not have been dancing]. :-)

Ernie is still a great MC and I love how the author uses Ernie to tell the story, and as with the Spanish Inquisition, no one expects murder at Christmas [with VERY unique murder tools - paper guillotine anyone?], and that really adds the uniqueness of this story [I *KNOW* there are plenty of Christmas murder mysteries out there {I have read a good chunk of them it would seem LOL}, but the MC as the narrator and the...umm...well, the STYLE of the...umm...deaths is what makes this book and series one-of-a-kind].

This was just what I needed and I am just waiting, holding my breath in anticipation for the next book!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Benjamin Stevenson, and Mariner Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved returning to this series for the third installment. These are always so cozy and feel like a classic mystery. I enjoyed the narrator's conversations with the reader as usual. The references to famous mysteries, authors, and their plots is always a fun little easter egg. Benjamin Stevenson definitely has a way with leading the reader to think one way, and then flips that thinking on its head by the end. Overall, the mystery was not my favorite of the books, but I still found it an enjoyable time. Can't way to see what Ernest Cunningham gets himself into next.

I loved this book! My one complaint is that it went by so fast. Ernest Cunningham continues to be such a fun, engaging narrator. I loved the way the clues were laid out as an advent calendar! I’d never seen anything like that before. I’m excited to read more Ernest Cunningham, maybe a wedding murder??

Every great series has a Christmas special so it’s only fitting that Ernie gets one!

While I love a good holiday rom com, this holiday murder mystery was the perfect change of pace. And at only 175 pages it makes for a quick read.

This series is just so much fun, filled with puzzles and keeping you guessing until the end. The addition of an advent calendar and some presents under the tree gave this cozy mystery just the right amount of Christmas.

Read if you love:
🕵️‍♂️ Detective mysteries
🎄 Christmas specials
🪄 Magic shows
📚 Quick reads

Thank you Mariner and Netgalley for my review copy!

I absolutely loved this book. I heard Ernest was getting a holiday story, and immediately requested it at the library. Ernest is en route to check out a potential wedding reception entertainer, or so we think. It turns out someone has been accused of murder and it’s up to Ernest to solve the case. Unfortunately for Ernest more murders happen while he’s solving the case as the countdown to Christmas gets shorter and shorter. I read this completely on the edge of my seat. Honestly, I was not a fan of mystery novels until I started reading and Ernest and his exploits. Do yourself a favor and spend some time with Ernest this Christmas. You’ll be glad you did.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for the advanced reader copy of Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret, in exchange for a honest review.
Ernest is at it again, this time stumbling into a new murder mystery just in time for the holidays. When he receives the call that his ex-wife, Erin, has been arrested for murdering her boyfriend, Ernest finds himself investigating the cast and crew at a magic theatre in search for the truth.
Creatively mimicking an advent calendar, each “day” a clue is revealed that helps Ernest get one step closer to solving the mysterious murder. While I appreciate the author’s sense of humor, I find I do have to be in the mood for it. Sometimes I chuckle to myself out loud at the witty prose, other times it feels more like we just need to get on with the story. For this reason, I landed on 3 stars for my review of Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret. Until next time, Ern!

Benjamin Stevenson has done it again. A twisty plot, a comprehensive cast of suspects, and a little sprinkling of holiday magic provide the totally reliable narrator with enough material to delight and confound the reader--while at the same time providing and highlighting clues that should lead us to the answers ourselves. I find his entire series charming and engaging, and was absolutely thrilled that this little "Christmas Special" lived up to the others.

This was fun and ridiculous and I absolutely love this author and his crazy escapades and asides. I will likely read anything by him. My only nit-picky wish is that this was longer!

Thanks to NetGalley and Mariner books for the e-arc!

While I have thoroughly enjoyed Benjamin Stevenson's first two novels, this one just seemed like too much of the same. I would love to see how this author can incorporate his special brand of humor into new characters and a new format. I hesitate to give 3 stars given how poorly one of his characters in a previous book reacted to his Goodreads rating (!), but I just didn't enjoy this book.

In this shorter holiday mystery, Ernest Cunningham investigates the death of a wealthy philanthropist. The prime suspect is Lyle’s girlfriend, who happens to be Ernie’s ex-wife. Using fair-play clues, Ernie relates the details of his investigation, speaking directly to the reader. There are twenty-four chapters and twenty-four clues that are given in the format of an advent calendar.

Lyle was the benefactor of a popular magician, so he and other suspects who work on the magic show are professionals at fooling others. This makes it even more challenging for Ernie to prove his ex’s innocence and catch the real killer.

This is the second book I’ve read by this author, but it would work just as well if you’re new to the series. Most of the characters in this story are new, and the author gives you what you need to know about the others. The magic show setting works well with the story and provides plenty of suspects and fun.

As Ernie questions suspects and uncovers clues, I have my suspicions, but I was not able to solve the crime successfully. The book has one of the most unique ways for a detective to lay out his case and reveal the true killer that I’ve ever seen, and it was dramatic and exciting. This is a funny, fast-paced mystery, and I already can’t wait for the next one in this clever series.

~ Christine

Fans of the series will not be disappointed with this third, holiday installment. It was witty, twisty, and had an ending that surprised me. What more could you want?
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc.

Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret is the third book in the Ernest Cunningham series by Benjamin Stevenson. The title caught my eye as I'm a big fan of holiday mysteries.
However, this is not your standard cozy mystery.
The narrator is the key to making this a unique and fun romp. He speaks to his audience as if we are in the room. He tells us his theories and warns us to avoid certain cliched tropes. He leaves clues along the way so the armchair detective will enjoy keeping score.

The story is fast paced and keeps the reader engaged. I have not read the other books in this series but they are going on my TBR list in hopes that they will be as much fun as this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Mariner books for the ARC of Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret by Benjamin Stevenson.