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whatmckennareads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Gore, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism
cheryl_gager's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This ending had me reeling in the best way possible. You are given clues, hints and reminders through out which makes all the reveals so easy to follow and you just sort of feel settled when it all hits the fan. One thing I truly love is that when you do work something out, and I did guess something fairly early on, you still don't know how it connects or the impact of it. I did sort of work out who did it in the section before the reveal, but it was more of a possibility due to an on going clue rather than me knowing this person did it. I think this took a little too much time to get to the actual murders compared to the first book but I think that is due to the fact that in book 1 Ernest was related and new all the characters and they all had their own relationship dynamics which had you instantly drawn in, where as in this book because Ernest didn't really know most of the other characters it took time to build those dynamics and get to know who they are alongside our main character. Overall, this was just so goo, and I don't think I am going to get passes the ending and the final ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Death
Minor: Gore, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Rape is off page, with a child also being a product of this. Pedophilia is also off page and only referenced in terms of an incident that took place years before the book is set.fkshg8465's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Why is this book so popular? I found it ridiculous. The plot was unnecessarily convoluted with too many red herrings and horrible people as characters. I wanted to read this before the first book in the series because this one was due back to the library tomorrow, but I’ll be returning the first book too, because I have no desire to read it after having read this one. Ghastly! (Admittedly, this will only make sense after you read the book.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
puddleshoes's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Gore, Misogyny, and Rape
Minor: Pregnancy
oxfordcommas91's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A very enjoyable sequel to the "Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone." Though there's plenty of action and murder, it's missing some of the charm and intrigue of its predecessor. Despite this, there was a great narrator, a great cast of complex characters, and the locked room mystery format continues to work for this series. I've been really into cozy mysteries lately, and Stevenson's books really hit the mark!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gore, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault
inirac's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Enjoyed this but getting a little weary of the asides, especially at the beginning. It's really jarring for an audiobook (that and the lists).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Vomit
Moderate: Alcoholism, Gore, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
azalya01's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I loved this sequel even more than the first book! If you haven't read Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone, the first novel in the Ernest Cunningham series, I highly recommend that you do.
Stevenson crafted an excellent story that made me both burst out laughing and gasp from suspense on multiple occasions. Stevenson's unique protagonist as a writer who writes about how to write mystery novels is a humorous and charming aspect of the book.
I couldn't put this book down! I really loved how all of these new characters were introduced. They all were fleshed out well and were able to make sense without feeling like the story is just a mess of strangers with confusing backstories. I did feel like the mystery was more confusing this time, so honestly I didn't solve much on my own. The denouement did have to do some heavy lifting to get me to understand everything, but I still enjoyed it. I look forward to what comes next from Benjamin Stevenson!
Stevenson crafted an excellent story that made me both burst out laughing and gasp from suspense on multiple occasions. Stevenson's unique protagonist as a writer who writes about how to write mystery novels is a humorous and charming aspect of the book.
I couldn't put this book down! I really loved how all of these new characters were introduced. They all were fleshed out well and were able to make sense without feeling like the story is just a mess of strangers with confusing backstories. I did feel like the mystery was more confusing this time, so honestly I didn't solve much on my own. The denouement did have to do some heavy lifting to get me to understand everything, but I still enjoyed it. I look forward to what comes next from Benjamin Stevenson!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gore, Gun violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
jillkaarlela's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Age rating: 15+ (no sexual content)
These mysteries are just such a delight to read! I love Ernest Cunningham and his whacky group! I liked how this book focused on changing genres instead of changing author inspirations (like book one). This was a whacky, kitschy murder mystery comedy that actually kept me guessing until the end! It breaks the “fourth wall” quite a bit, where the author directly addresses the reader, which I really enjoy. This is just a quick, fun mystery comedy, and I highly recommend!
There is an authors note at the beginning that mentions the triggering subjects that are touched on throughout the book.
These mysteries are just such a delight to read! I love Ernest Cunningham and his whacky group! I liked how this book focused on changing genres instead of changing author inspirations (like book one). This was a whacky, kitschy murder mystery comedy that actually kept me guessing until the end! It breaks the “fourth wall” quite a bit, where the author directly addresses the reader, which I really enjoy. This is just a quick, fun mystery comedy, and I highly recommend!
There is an authors note at the beginning that mentions the triggering subjects that are touched on throughout the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Rape and Sexual violence
The sexual violence is not on page, it is just mentioned as something that happened in the past.emetrock's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Child abuse and Rape
bibliomania_express's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Everyone on This Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson is a fantastic mystery and a worthy follow up to the first book. It has the same fourth-wall breaking charm, frank narrative voice, and sly introduction of clues as the first, with a new setting and cast of characters. I had so much fun following Ernest as he tries to navigate the world of authors and literary festivals, blunders about his personal life, and unravels multiple secrets from the past.
There were some things that I guessed, wondered if I was wrong, and then was vindicated. But that just enhanced my enjoyement of the story. There were also a lot of things I didn't guess, and I loved the whole denoument scene. And it's so fun thinking back to all the "spoilers" in the first chapter and seeing what they mean once you know.
I also really enjoyed the setting and how vivid the Australian countryside is. The bit about opal mining was particularly interesting. I also appreciated that the book has a map of the train, which made it clearer to see where everyone was in specific moments.
This book does deal with some heavy topics. In line with the fourth wall breaking, Ernest lists all the crimes committed in the first chapter.
There were some things that I guessed, wondered if I was wrong, and then was vindicated. But that just enhanced my enjoyement of the story. There were also a lot of things I didn't guess, and I loved the whole denoument scene. And it's so fun thinking back to all the "spoilers" in the first chapter and seeing what they mean once you know.
I also really enjoyed the setting and how vivid the Australian countryside is. The bit about opal mining was particularly interesting. I also appreciated that the book has a map of the train, which made it clearer to see where everyone was in specific moments.
This book does deal with some heavy topics. In line with the fourth wall breaking, Ernest lists all the crimes committed in the first chapter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Vomit, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, and Car accident