I love this series. This isn't my favorite Ernest Cunningham but it's fun and interesting! A good addition to the series.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

It’s great reading the author admit that this slim volume is a cash grab, capitalizing on the enormous success of the first two Ernest Cunningham books by coming out with a “half” mystery just in time for the holidays. After all, he figures, if Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle did it, he’s certainly not above it.

The book is set up like (and contains) an advent calendar that allows readers to keep track of twenty three clues in twenty three chapters, leading to chapter twenty four, and the solving of the mystery…and there are no spoilers for the earlier books.

Here the benefactor of magician Rylan Blaze has been murdered, leading to the following suspects: the magician (natch), the magician’s assistant, the executive (always slimy), the hypnotist, the identical twin (oh no! What about the rules?!?!) and the tech person.

This was cute, and exactly what it’s meant to be, very tongue in cheek. Fans of the series will enjoy immensely and may want to draw out by reading only a chapter a day.

If Benjamin Stevenson writes it, I read it. Ernest Cunningham is back to help solve another mystery this holiday season. I had so much fun with this novella. It was clever and kept true to the holiday theme. I particularly loved The 7 Commandments of Holiday Specials. I can't wait to read more in the series. 5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Mariner Books for this arc

Ernest Cunningham returns to save his ex-wife from being framed for her new lover's murder, after she awakens covered in blood with no idea how it got there.

This on-the-shorter-side read truly was a gift. Though Ernest is honest, the plot and his narration does an excellent job of gently misdirecting readers who are familiar with the staples of the genre as Ernest is. However, the chain of events and plausibility is never stretched to the unbelievable. Reminiscent of some Agatha Christie mysteries, it's a satisfying holiday interlude.

Thank you Mariner books and NetGalley for this e-arc. I loved this authors previous books so I was excited to read this Christmas novella. It was a fun, clever who done it with a holiday theme. I liked how they used the advent calendar as the chapters/clues to catch a killer. This one was two murders and his ex-wife is in custody and he plays detective to figure out who did it and why? Everyone had a reason and it reminded me of murder on the orient express. Just buckle up and enjoy the ride as this is one holiday read you don't want to miss!

This one was intense as so many had motives to kill them but who actually did it? This was so cleverly done and executed. The part where he gathers everyone on a cable car caused my heart to race as he knows one of them is a killer and feared what was going to happen.

I loved this brilliant, quick, holiday read of secrets and murder.

4 stars for Ernest's holiday outing novella, "Everyone This Christmas has a Secret"!! I've enjoyed all three of these "meta" type mysteries, they're FUN! And this one is no exception, and was a quick & easy read, cause it's a novella and the whole "advent calendar" format is a real winner!! Recommend this and the whole series highly! My sincere thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the DRC, my pleasure to review it!

Just the right length for a Christmas story. I think the author choosing to write a shorter story is the perfect choice here. Using the advent calendar premise for the chapters is also very smart.
Follows all the rules of mysteries just on a smaller scale. I liked this better than his second book and felt it was more in line with the first novel. The train ride story just didn't work for me, and the story seemed messy and forced.
Readers who follow this author will enjoy it, and hopefully, the Christmas theme will shed light on him for some new readers.
Bravo! Encore!

Ern's family has become involved in yet another murder, this time ex-wife Erin is arrested when her boyfriend is found dead. This was the self-proclaimed "Christmas special" of Ern's mystery arc, and if you enjoyed the first two books, this shouldn't disappoint, although it was not the best of the three and felt a little easier to predict (partly). 4 stars.

The Ernest Cunningham series is one of my all time favorites, so I lost my mind when I saw this available on NetGalley without even knowing it existed.

Ernest now has 7 Commandments of Holiday Specials to go along with his normal murder mystery rules, and they were everything I could have dreamed of and more. I truly feel like any book in this series should be read with as little knowledge as possible going in, so I'm not spoiling anything.

I was a little bummed that it was a shorter novel, but I loved it just the same! It's still just as wonderful as the other two novels and will hold me over while I wait for more :)

It is no secret that I’m not a huge fan of novellas. I always feel like there is something missing or the story isn’t all the way fleshed out. However, that is not the case in this book! I have loved Stevenson’s other two books in this series so when I saw this one I jumped at the chance to read it! I love how it is different and quirky enough to hold my attention. It was fun to see the twist this book took when it was also a Christmas special and how Ernest threw in some rules for the specials! It’s always interesting to try to follow the twists and turns and try to solve the crime right along with Ernest!

Thanks to NetGalley and Mariner Books for an eARC in exchange for my review!

Was SO thrilled to get an ARC of this book! Thoroughly enjoyed the first two, and this one lives up to their standard. Yes, it’s short, but has all the humor and twists that made the first two books so enjoyable. I will say this was the first one I was able to guess the killer relatively early—but I’m sure it’s only because I’m learning so much from Ernest 😉 seriously loved it, a must-read for anyone who liked the first two!

Thanks to NetGalley and Mariner Books for the chance for an ARC!

Thanks to Benjamin Stevenson and Mariner Books for this digital ARC. A new short entry into Ernest's world... loved this nod to Golden Age mysteries.

only benjamin stevenson could make me pick up a Christmas special in the heat of Oklahoma summer. I just couldn't resist this one the second I got approved on Netgalley. Fortunately Australian Christmas is also hot.
Benjamin Stevenson is just SUCH a talent. Such clever ideas and hilarious writing. I know that this tongue-in-cheek style isn't for everyone, but if you've already been enjoying this hilarious series, the christmas special won't let you down.
(also! I love the trend of Christmas special books. let's keep doing this forever)

Stevenson has done it again with his quick witted, lighthearted mystery solver, Ernest. I just can’t figure out how he does it so efficiently.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am so appreciative to NetGalley for letting me have the advanced readers copy. Thank you, Mariner, for approving my request.

Something to know about me, I am not only a December kid but I absolutely love the Christmas season. This book is set with the premise of a holiday special as the third book in the Ernest Cunningham series. Like the pervious two books, it is time to solve a murder (or two).

This book is witty, charming and full of Christmas spirit as Ernest goes forth finding out who killed the boyfriend of his ex-wife Erin. There are light call backs to the first two books (if you have not read then I recommend them!) but mostly this one is a stand alone like most holiday specials. The clues are clever and the breaking of the fourth wall is one of the more delightful qualities of these books. This one stands up as a strong addition to the series.

I love this author! His last book was so good, as was this one! This was a must read!!! I loved it!!

5.0/5.0

Benjamin Stevenson has done it again with his latest addition to the Ernest Cunningham series, Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret. This novel is the perfect continuation of the series, filled with the familiar charm and cleverness that fans have come to love.

Ernest Cunningham, our reliable and engaging narrator, once again finds himself in the middle of a real-life mystery. This time, it's during the Christmas season, backstage at the show of world-famous magician Rylan Blaze whose business partner has just been murdered. The suspects are a fascinating mix of professional tricksters: the magician, the assistant, the executive, the hypnotist, the identical twin, the counsellor, and the tech expert. The clues are as intriguing as ever, with a suspect covered in blood and no memory of how it happened, a murder committed in a locked room, and an advent calendar filled with deadly hints.

Stevenson's style of talking directly to the reader is one of the highlights of the book. Ernest's narration is both entertaining and uniquely trustworthy, adhering to the rules he sets for himself as a mystery writer. The clues and puzzles are expertly crafted, ensuring everything comes together perfectly without any unnecessary fluff or loose ends.

Overall, Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret is a delightful read and a testament to Stevenson's skill as a mystery writer. The novel is tightly plotted, engaging, and full of clever twists. It's perfect, and I can't wait for the next installment in the series.

Thank you to Mariner Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for the eARC of this work. Stevenson has done it again. His clever storytelling successfully brought me delight and intrigue wrapped in a Christmas package. Ernest is the same stumbling sleuth who reminds the reader the clues are there but brings the story to a satisfying albeit complex solution. I’m not sure there is a book Stevenson can’t sell to me at this point with how clever, fun, and complex his mysteries are.

A fun, quick read with a clever solution. Docked for not really exploiting the Christmas setting and for featuring shallow chacterizations.

Read this book in one sitting, not too short not too long! An amaateur sleuth, hi it’s me. Just kidding. But this was a cute Christmas story!