chronic_listener's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

tabea1409's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ammah's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging funny informative mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

sarahb919's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

bugferbrains's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny mysterious sad tense medium-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

Twist after twist after beautiful twist! Benjamin Stevenson does an awesome job subverting your expectations even when setting all the pieces up in front of you. There were a few shocking moments that made me pause and laugh in surprise. The misdirection is fantastic. 
I’m used to reading more fantasy/sci-fi fiction, so it took a few chapters for me to really get into it, but once it roped me in it was hard to put down! I really enjoyed the meta writing. If there’s one nitpick I have, it was how Ernest, who had stated to be not much of a detective, completely nailed all the motives and the truth in the end, with some of his deductions being guesswork that happens to be correct. Am I too hung up on this though? No. This was a good ass book, and I am very eager to read the next one. The back of the book says it will be turned into an HBO series too, so I’ll have to watch that.
One final thought, a thank you to the author for suggesting the reader to pick up more Aussie crime fiction in the Acknowledgements section. I am DEFINITELY going to do that. Would’ve liked a few suggested authors though lmao. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

bellebookstitch666's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging lighthearted mysterious 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? Yes

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

bookish_bell's review against another edition

Go to review page

I read probably 90% and gave up because I was so sick of the MC and I just did not care at all about how it would end. 

One of the worst mystery books I've encountered. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

choirgirl171's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes

4.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

aliciavalenski's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

oxfordcommas91's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was an amazing cozy mystery that really hit the sweet spot of Agatha Christie-esque whodunnit with some fun twists along the way. In this unique book where our narrator helps authors write mystery novels (amazing mystery novel inception here…) and frequently breaks the fourth wall to talk to the reader, we are engulfed in the family drama of the Cunninghams, all of whom have killed someone. But this book isn’t quite what it appears to be on the surface. With dark humor and plenty of red herrings along the way, this book sped to its satisfying and gasp-worthy conclusion. I read this book in only a few sittings - I honestly had a hard time putting it down. This isn’t a twisty psychological thriller that will keep you up at night and instead relies on pretty straightforward murder mystery mechanics that are really good for a reason! This book just works. Can’t wait to read Stevenson’s 2024 sequel!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings