Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'
Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
51 reviews
katharina90's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
This felt like a fresh take on a murder mystery.
The plot didn't wow me and I struggled to keep some of the characters apart at times, but the sassy self-proclaimed "reliable narrator" made for an entertaining and often funny reading experience.
I listened to the audiobook which I highly recommend. The Aussie narrator performed this brilliantly.
The plot didn't wow me and I struggled to keep some of the characters apart at times, but the sassy self-proclaimed "reliable narrator" made for an entertaining and often funny reading experience.
I listened to the audiobook which I highly recommend. The Aussie narrator performed this brilliantly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Murder, and Addiction
mels_reading_log's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The title of this book hooked me, but the humor and style of writing really sealed it, this was a great book! The narrator is an author of how to write mystery novels books. So he jumps in and out of the story explaining as the book goes on. So good!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Gore, Grief, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Drug use, Police brutality, Suicide, Body horror, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Blood, Death of parent, Violence, Medical content, and Murder
lyshbish's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? No
3.5
I loved how unique and self-aware the protagonist's voice was in this novel! It made for a mystery unlike any I've ever read. I thought the twist had good layers to it, but honestly, the book went on too long after the "big reveal" for my taste. I really liked how important family was is this book and how it defines what it means to bw a family. Probably wouldn't reread this one, but I would most likely read a sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Addiction, Death, Grief, Infertility, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Suicide, and Child death
Minor: Torture
oceanwriter's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
As the title suggests, this book is chaotic. An oddly fun kind of chaotic, but chaotic all the same.
It can’t be stressed enough that everyone in Ernest Cunningham’s family has killed someone including Ernie himself. With a narrator who breaks the fourth wall (and an author who knows which format of the book you’re reading…) and delivers his testimony with dark wit, it’s a good time. Unfortunately, I couldn’t follow a dang thing.
I blame a hectic month for my inability to retain any of the information being presented more than the book, but I just kept forgetting I was reading it. By the time I got back to it, I’d forgotten where I was. The writing/delivery is super fun and maybe if I’d chosen the audiobook I would have been more engaged. Wrong time for me I guess, but the hype is understandable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Suicide, Addiction, and Kidnapping
Minor: Death of parent, Infertility, Vomit, and Car accident
ekclar's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, Suicide, and Death
Moderate: Gun violence and Child death
tlholmes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Death, Child death, Death of parent, Confinement, and Murder
Moderate: Abandonment
heather_harrison's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.25
"I've never heard of someone witnessing a murder and having to wait for a McMuffin"
This is a book where the narrator is telling you a murder mystery while also writing a book about how to write a murder mystery - and it gives the murder mystery a nice spin.
The Cunninghams are spending a weekend at a ski resort as a family reunion. But it's sure to be an interesting reunion as our protagonist Ernie hasn't seen his big brother since he testified to have him put in jail. They all have a pretty colourful past and the further you delve into the mystery the more you start to learn about those skeletons in closest.
This is almost like a combination of Knives Out and Underbelly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Child death, Murder, and Death of parent
Minor: Violence, Grief, Suicide, Gun violence, and Drug abuse
brookey8888's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really enjoyed this!! I just loved the way it was told. It was so engaging and funny. The mystery was honestly whatever, but one part did make me gasp because I didn’t see it coming. I can see how this might not be for everyone, but I enjoyed my time reading this. The audiobook is really good as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Child death, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Torture, Violence, Cursing, Death, Infertility, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Murder, and Grief
preciouslittleingenue's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.5
SUCH a compelling, captivating read. It was actually very cool to read this kind of mystery after finishing Meddling Kids, because though they’re both mystery, they are VASTLY different. And yet, I giggled nearly as much reading both. This is a DARK story. Lots of death. Including Yet the author is so clever in how chooses to use the meta narrative, how he addresses his audience, and how he delivers information that it’s impossible not to giggle. Not to mention some of the dialogue was KILLING me (no pun intended). Like, I went from feeling sick to my stomach when to LAUGHING not a minute later because the author had a character crack a joke about the death that JUST HAPPENED. Insane. How does he do that??
And the mystery itself! It truly just kept me guessing. The title obviously immediately makes one curious, and you spend the whole book wondering under what circumstances EVERYONE killed someone. And each reveal had me going either “OHHHHHH DUH” or “*gasp* oh my god”. Seriously, the reveal that Audrey killed
And every little thing was important, as Ernie said it would be. I don’t know why I didn’t believe him right away when he said every little detail would matter but I should have! Also, I knew I didn’t trust
ANYWAY, just heard this will be a series and I CANT WAIT FOR MORE. Only reason it’s not a full 5/5 is just because I’m a little slow and a lot of the final explanations I kind of just went “well, okay, yes I guess that’s what happened” because I forgot/couldn’t follow wtf he was talking about lol. Also, I went from “oh another story where everyone is a horrible, irredeemable person, and I just get to wait and see who the worst of them all is” to “wow…I…actually feel very sorry for these people and I’m kind of sad so many of them died.” THAT is impressive. I am very difficult to sway on how I feel about people. Even fictional ones.
Spoiler
child death.Spoiler
Ernie found Michael and absolutely lost it, the poor baby,And the mystery itself! It truly just kept me guessing. The title obviously immediately makes one curious, and you spend the whole book wondering under what circumstances EVERYONE killed someone. And each reveal had me going either “OHHHHHH DUH” or “*gasp* oh my god”. Seriously, the reveal that Audrey killed
Spoiler
Jeremy by LOCKING HIM IN A CAR IN THE SUMMER ON TOP OF A PARKING GARAGE seriously made me feel so ill. But then!!! As soon as they revealed he was kidnapped after all, I KNEW HE WAS ALIVE! But I did NOT see it coming that he was in the cop all along! That was awesome!And every little thing was important, as Ernie said it would be. I don’t know why I didn’t believe him right away when he said every little detail would matter but I should have! Also, I knew I didn’t trust
Spoiler
poor Rebecca’s parents…what a motherfucker her father is.ANYWAY, just heard this will be a series and I CANT WAIT FOR MORE. Only reason it’s not a full 5/5 is just because I’m a little slow and a lot of the final explanations I kind of just went “well, okay, yes I guess that’s what happened” because I forgot/couldn’t follow wtf he was talking about lol. Also, I went from “oh another story where everyone is a horrible, irredeemable person, and I just get to wait and see who the worst of them all is” to “wow…I…actually feel very sorry for these people and I’m kind of sad so many of them died.” THAT is impressive. I am very difficult to sway on how I feel about people. Even fictional ones.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Child death, Blood, Death of parent, Child abuse, Confinement, and Death
Moderate: Drug use and Drug abuse
machenn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Child death, Death of parent, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder