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mauve_heard's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A beautiful cocktail pairing to Brian Johnson's Knives Out with a few extra shots of classis Aussie wit. Stevenson played with the tropes of the mystery and whodunnit genre and had fun doing it. This was an easy page-turner and a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Sexism
esme_ellen's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This was really good. I very much enjoyed the previous book in this series, Everyone in my family has killed someone, because it was so beautifully written, and so deeply meta. I was worried, coming into this one, that it would be hard to recreate what was so effective in the first book. I was somewhat correct: at it's core this had the same Golden-Age-turned-modern vibe and a meta, tongue-in-cheek humour that I really enjoyed, but this instalment wasn't as gritty, the characters weren't quite as well developed, and some of the interactions felt more farcical.
Stevenson has an exceptional talent for description: he is a master of the quirkily effective simile, and the way he layers in detail and energy, colour and texture, comes together to create deeply impactful imagery. I also really enjoy how he builds characters, introducing details like clues, letting our understanding of these characters grow with our suspicion. I do not know if Elmore Leonard's are another set of writing rules he subscribes to, but Stevenson does avoid physically describing his characters, beyond what they're wearing. This isn't a problem, but personally I find it harder to connect to them, because I can't really picture these people in a real way. He is an immensely talented writer, and that is as clear in this book as it was in the first.
I really enjoyed the story of this one, the characters were not quite as realised as the last, but I don't think that hurt anything. These are all first person, so it makes sense that they wouldn't be as real and fully-fleshed to Ernest as his own family. Like the last, the mystery here was complex, the clues slotting together in a comedic, exciting and multi-faceted denouement. Ernest is a wonderful narrator, he is both actively and self-consciously pro-woman, he bows to superior understanding, and he appreciates his role as accidental protagonist. In many ways Ernest is the anti-thesis of the Golden Age male detective, because he sees and understands the value of others, he is Watson to the universe's Holmes. In this second book we see Ernest trying to find his feet in this new space, and trying to unlearn some of his bad-habits, I loved seeing Ernest grow as a character, and the way he found confidence in himself.
A last little issue, this is not a romance. It isn't trying to be a romance. But Ernest's relationship with Juliette is possibly the only weak element of this book. Juliette tells us she is not the stereotypical sidekick girlfriend, Ernest tells us she is talented, she is helpful, and they are in love. We as the reader see very little of this, we see, in fact, very little of them together. When they are together they converse, they kiss, they don't really seem any closer than any other two people. Given that we didn't see them get together, and we have no real insight into their day-to-day together, Stevenson needs to give the reader a little more to understand why these two are together at all. His lack of physical description is also an issue. Ernest tells us Juliette is beautiful, but we don't know what she looks like, she is not lovingly described. In fact, the only detail we get is that she is 'a head' taller than him. What I'm saying, is that it's hard to picture this loving couple, when you don't know what they look like, or why they're in love. I hope this series continues, I would love to read another, but I would hope if it does that their relationship is more fully realised.
Overall, this was a fantastically written, well-formed, exciting mystery novel. I throughly enjoyed reading it, and I will be reading any further instalments.
Stevenson has an exceptional talent for description: he is a master of the quirkily effective simile, and the way he layers in detail and energy, colour and texture, comes together to create deeply impactful imagery. I also really enjoy how he builds characters, introducing details like clues, letting our understanding of these characters grow with our suspicion. I do not know if Elmore Leonard's are another set of writing rules he subscribes to, but Stevenson does avoid physically describing his characters, beyond what they're wearing. This isn't a problem, but personally I find it harder to connect to them, because I can't really picture these people in a real way. He is an immensely talented writer, and that is as clear in this book as it was in the first.
I really enjoyed the story of this one, the characters were not quite as realised as the last, but I don't think that hurt anything. These are all first person, so it makes sense that they wouldn't be as real and fully-fleshed to Ernest as his own family. Like the last, the mystery here was complex, the clues slotting together in a comedic, exciting and multi-faceted denouement. Ernest is a wonderful narrator, he is both actively and self-consciously pro-woman, he bows to superior understanding, and he appreciates his role as accidental protagonist. In many ways Ernest is the anti-thesis of the Golden Age male detective, because he sees and understands the value of others, he is Watson to the universe's Holmes. In this second book we see Ernest trying to find his feet in this new space, and trying to unlearn some of his bad-habits, I loved seeing Ernest grow as a character, and the way he found confidence in himself.
A last little issue, this is not a romance. It isn't trying to be a romance. But Ernest's relationship with Juliette is possibly the only weak element of this book. Juliette tells us she is not the stereotypical sidekick girlfriend, Ernest tells us she is talented, she is helpful, and they are in love. We as the reader see very little of this, we see, in fact, very little of them together. When they are together they converse, they kiss, they don't really seem any closer than any other two people. Given that we didn't see them get together, and we have no real insight into their day-to-day together, Stevenson needs to give the reader a little more to understand why these two are together at all. His lack of physical description is also an issue. Ernest tells us Juliette is beautiful, but we don't know what she looks like, she is not lovingly described. In fact, the only detail we get is that she is 'a head' taller than him. What I'm saying, is that it's hard to picture this loving couple, when you don't know what they look like, or why they're in love. I hope this series continues, I would love to read another, but I would hope if it does that their relationship is more fully realised.
Overall, this was a fantastically written, well-formed, exciting mystery novel. I throughly enjoyed reading it, and I will be reading any further instalments.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Alcoholism
Moderate: Sexual violence
Minor: Rape
This is a murder mystery, and there is death. It is not gorey, but it is made clear the ways in which people are killed. There is reference made to multiple historic sexual assaults, including both rape, and the sexual exploitation of children. This is not referenced in explicit detail, but is mentioned more than once.jackierobinson's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.75
This was so funny and clever! Loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Alcohol, Death, Murder, and Vomit
Moderate: Medical content, Drug use, Sexism, Rape, Violence, Sexual harassment, Car accident, and Sexual assault
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
cartridgepink's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Now dealing with a kooky cast of relative strangers (instead of strange relatives), Ernest is still a compelling detective/narrator and an endearing lead. Benjamin Stevenson's writing is fast, goofy, sarcastic and self-effacing in equal measure, expertly juggling a dozen tiny threads and obsessions. It's very funny, a great follow-up to one of my favourite books I read last year. I need to know if Ben has played Ace Attorney.
also as a media critic I knew exactly who the murderer was the second their occupation was revealed LMAO. love your work Ben!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual violence
nerdyprettythings's review
3.5
A follow-up to Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone and featuring the same narrator and style. I really like the "I'm just presenting the facts, ma'am” thing, where you're promised it's fair play and you'll have the opportunity to solve the mystery. But the meta-level felt a little overboard for me this time, it's a sequel about a sequel about a man trying to write a sequel. Also, all of a sudden he's presented as kind of dumb this time? There are some clues they bash you over the head with that he's lost on and some that are important to the mystery that get glanced over… and the narrator says he doesn't know what adverbs are?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Rape, and Vomit
savtank's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect was my first ever “whodunnit” style read and I was pleasantly surprised. At first, I must admit, I considered DNFing it due to what I felt was a very slow start. BUT! I am SO GLAD I stuck it out. The plot grew and morphed into a dizzying web of clues, speculation, and humor. What a wonderful introduction to the murder mystery space. I hadn’t realized until I already started it that this is the sequel to the first Ernest Cunningham story, Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone. Thankfully you did not need to have read the first go thoroughly enjoy the second. Now the first had made its way up my TBR list.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Alcoholism, Murder, and Rape
christygsp's review against another edition
5.0
Hilarious.
Just as witty and interesting as the first, but with a new feel and plot.
I missed Ernest but didn’t realise until I started reading.
Story was clever enough to keep me engaged and throw me a lot of curveballs that fit into reliable narrator, with some fun windy roads.
Loved it
Just as witty and interesting as the first, but with a new feel and plot.
I missed Ernest but didn’t realise until I started reading.
Story was clever enough to keep me engaged and throw me a lot of curveballs that fit into reliable narrator, with some fun windy roads.
Loved it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Rape and Gore
ivylee's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I came for the train full of writers, and stayed for the snarky narrator and well-layered mystery.
A murder mystery and loving sendup of the publishing industry. A sequel in the style of Sherlock Holmes, where references are made to the previous work but it doesn’t super matter if you haven’t read it. I hadn’t read Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone, and I still loved this book. Stevenson succeeded in getting me to add his previous works to my TBR! Also, as a bookseller, the start of this book especially had me cracking up. If you’re at all involved in bookselling or publishing, Stevenson will wink directly at you more than once.
A reliable and snarky narrator accompanies you through a series of crimes, casting you as Watson - making you privy to all the clues and able to piece it together yourself, if you pay close attention. Presented as a true crime retelling of events in the narrator’s life, he will often speak directly to us and discuss the facts of the case. I was able to put together one of the twists, but the plot and motives are sufficiently layered to keep a keen reader guessing and second guessing through till the end.
I listened to the audiobook and was delighted by not one but two moments of direct address to audiobook listeners. I do wonder if those are in the printed version. It would be very fun if they weren’t!
A murder mystery and loving sendup of the publishing industry. A sequel in the style of Sherlock Holmes, where references are made to the previous work but it doesn’t super matter if you haven’t read it. I hadn’t read Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone, and I still loved this book. Stevenson succeeded in getting me to add his previous works to my TBR! Also, as a bookseller, the start of this book especially had me cracking up. If you’re at all involved in bookselling or publishing, Stevenson will wink directly at you more than once.
A reliable and snarky narrator accompanies you through a series of crimes, casting you as Watson - making you privy to all the clues and able to piece it together yourself, if you pay close attention. Presented as a true crime retelling of events in the narrator’s life, he will often speak directly to us and discuss the facts of the case. I was able to put together one of the twists, but the plot and motives are sufficiently layered to keep a keen reader guessing and second guessing through till the end.
I listened to the audiobook and was delighted by not one but two moments of direct address to audiobook listeners. I do wonder if those are in the printed version. It would be very fun if they weren’t!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexism
Minor: Rape
The rape happens off-screen and in the past, but a character you spend time with is a perpetrator, and there’s a general vibe that several of the men have toward women. Not the MC, he’s fine, but be warned if you’re sensitive to micro aggressions.erinn93's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Rape and Drug use
aloevera's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A very good sequel. I love this writing style and it was fun to have something that builds but feels different. I will say having the reveal rely on a mystery identity again is maybe pushing it. I think it was fun but I hope it branches out more when the series continues.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Vomit, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Sexual assault, and Violence