A review by traceyroberts
Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson

adventurous funny informative inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

Ernest Cunningham returns for a Christmas special with this third book in the series.   This story is a little shorter than the previous two novels, only 24 advent calendar style chapters, but it's every bit as packed full of wit and mystery.  

Set in the blue mountains on the lead up to Christmas, which incidentally is the hottest time of the year in Australia, so no snow or log fires to be found here. Ern receives a call from ex-wife Erin who woke up covered in blood and has been arrested for the murder of her new partner. Ern must unravel the clues to get Erin out of jail.

I love Benjamin Stevenson's writing style.  It gives a classic murder mystery a fresh and quirky vibe with some humourous meta commentary.   I did manage to guess one tiny clue but most of the reveals were a surprise, the clues are not hidden as is the style of this author, just cleverly plotted.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for cosy crime with a difference. My thanks to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and Netgalley for providing an ARC.