Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone (Ernest Cunningham #1) by Benjamin Stevenson -- Restarting December 19th 2025

[Jenn]

Everyone in my family has killed someone. Some of us, the high achievers, have killed more than once. I'm not trying to be dramatic, but it is the truth. Some of us are good, others are bad, and some just unfortunate.

I'm Ernest Cunningham. Call me Ern or Ernie. I wish I'd killed whoever decided our family reunion should be at a ski resort, but it's a little more complicated than that.

Have I killed someone? Yes. I have.

Who was it?

Let's get started.

EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY HAS KILLED SOMEONE

My brother

My stepsister

My wife

My father

My mother

My sister-in-law

My uncle

My stepfather

My aunt

Me

[Karen]

I remember seeing this in Waterstones last year and was immediately intrigued - seemed to be in the same vein as , so I'm curious to see how it goes.

[Karen]

First couple of chapters get our characters in place. There’s a air of superiority to the narrator that I think will annoy me.

[Aneta]

I'm going to start reading tomorrow.

[Karen]

First quarter (view spoiler)[ A very mixed bunch of characters. Not sure why Michael is being arrested, unless this is part of some bigger con. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Second quarter (view spoiler)[ The revelation about Michael’s original kill makes a little more sense, but they all seem too quick to judge each other. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Third quarter (view spoiler)[ With more bodies, this is seeming to be a link to events earlier in the family history. I wonder if Lucy’s disappearance is the proverbial red herring. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Finished. Review on home page. Quite a crazy story, but cleverly put together and a lovely dark undercurrent.

[Karen]

Aneta wrote: "I'm going to start reading tomorrow."

I'll keep an eye out for your comments. I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would, but the end felt a little contrived (though it does make sense).

[Aneta]

I'm sorry it took me so long. I was at team building with work for 3 days. I thought I would have some time to read but I had none.

Chapter 5
I'm not sure how I feel about this yet. Writing style isn't my cup of tea but I think I will get use to it and when (or if) it happens I think it's going to be alright. But there is a lot of characters and family ties to remember!

[Karen]

I spent the first part of the book wondering how much to trust the narrator. Though there’s a lot of family members they are all addressed separately which makes it a little easier to keep track of people.

[Aneta]

Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[Family ties are messed up in this family! Bingo is funny for this kind of reunion. (hide spoiler)]

[Aneta]

Chapter 21
(view spoiler)[I hate when I hear that someone left their kid or pet in a car in summer. To be honest I don't get it. It's sad that Jeremy died this way. (hide spoiler)]

[Aneta]

Finished
(view spoiler)[Unfortunately I was bored for most of this book so when big reveals started to happen I was at the point where I didn't care anymore. It started with the writing start for me. I thought I would get used to it but it didn't happen. I just didn't like the way it was written. I'm kind of sad about this because I really thouht I'm going to love this book. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting August 2nd 2023. Happy Reading ☺

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[ellen]

Just received my copy and looking forward to starting this one!

[Sibil]

Yay! Let's hope we will both love it!

Chapters 1-9
(view spoiler)[I really like our narrator and how he is telling us the story!
But we have a lot of different characters (even if they are not as many as I feared at the beginning, because all the talks about a family reunion made me think about a huge family) and sometimes it is hard to tell who is who, but I think that things would get better as the book progress, or at least, I hope so!
I was expecting the deaths to be in the family, but there are not enough of them around, so it makes sense, and maybe there would be some deaths between them, too, since we know that we'll have more than one murder.
And I am curious to know more about his wife!!! (hide spoiler)]

[ellen]

Sibil wrote: "Yay! Let's hope we will both love it!

Chp 1-9: (view spoiler)[ Yes! I am very much enjoying this setup. I love a good mystery, especially a closed-door mystery. You are absolutely correct, there are a LOT of characters. I actually had a thought of writing them all down and the connections if I wasn't able to keep up. So far, I have a handle on it as we move further in the story. Ernie's wife, Erin, I am very intrigued as to what happened cause that was a very short and curious chapter about her. I am a little suspicious of Ernie cause he still has the money so this will be an interesting plot point once his brother arrives. I am also looking forward to the aforementioned plot hole and wonder if I can figure it out. (hide spoiler)]

[ellen]

Chp 13: (view spoiler)[ ERIN and MICHAEL!?! I did not see that one coming. (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

ellen wrote: "Sibil wrote: "Yay! Let's hope we will both love it!

Chp 1-9: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[The chapter about the wife was really curiosity inducing!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

ellen wrote: "Chp 13: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I suspected that one, since Lucy was called the ex-wife, and that Michael and Erin would come to the resort the same day. I wasn't sure, but I was strongly suspecting it, but there was so much that I didn't suspect and that it blew me away!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

chapters 10-17
(view spoiler)[The first couple of chapters in this group too me completely by surprise! I can't believe that his father wasn't a policeman! I was so trustful of his whole "I am a reliable narrator" routine that I was convinced his father was a policeman for real! Even if I have to admit that a lot of things make more sense this way.
And I was surprised that Michael was out of prison a day before what they all were expecting. It was strange!
But I have still so many questions, because there are some things that do not click for me, like: they are not really a strong family, who loves each others. I get that family relationships are not easy and not black and white, but there is no affection in there, I mean, sure, the married couple seem to be affectionate, up to a point at least, but I don't really see signs of affection. It's more like everyone mildly hate each other. So why the reunion? It does not make sense for me.
And it does not make sense that they organized the thing in such a place. I mean, if you just get out of prison every place would be good (maybe not closed in a small apartment, sure, but there are a ton of other options that are less strange than the ski resort!). And what's more is that Michael didn't keep contacts while he was in prison, sure Ern said that he had some contacts, but few and no visits at all so... again, why the reunion? I really don't get it! (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

Chapter one (Brother)
(view spoiler)[ dude hits a guy with his car, spends time checking the body out to see that he's been shot, took the time to count out the money, then drove to his brother's house to "deal" with the body? sheesh. then the body "stops breathing"... sure sure, you definitely finished him off. (hide spoiler)]

[ellen]

Sibil wrote: "ellen wrote: "Chp 13: [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Great deduction skills! I need to pay more attention. So much is happening. I do wonder who the other person was in Sophia's room. Another clue that I need to follow the thread closely on. (hide spoiler)]

[ellen]

Sibil wrote: "chapters 10-17
The first couple of chapters ..."

(view spoiler)[ Right! All the relationships are very transactional. Sophia and her father, Marcelo, are a big one. He fights tooth and nail to have his daughter be his surgeon, even though it is ethically wrong, but doesn't support her in her legal woes? That is very glaring.

Ern is not a reliable character or narrator. Seeing now that he bends the truth, gives half-truths, and omits information. He still is being "honest" but only when he wants to be. I wouldn't be surprised to find out if he is involved in this murder somehow.

I love the ski lodge setting. It plays into the homage of the golden era detectives and the big mansion mysteries. But it was a big surprise for me once I realized they were in Australia. I live in the U.S. and the idea that their temps constitute winter (anywhere from 88ºF-34ºF depending on where in Australia) is still about 20+ degrees warmer than here; also the months are flipped so I had to orient myself to that. (hide spoiler)]

[ellen]

Brooke wrote: "Chapter one (Brother)
[spoilers removed]"

LOL. My thoughts exactly. Yes, this starts off with a bang.

[Sibil]

Brooke wrote: "Chapter one (Brother)
[spoilers removed]"

Yep!!!!!!!

[Sibil]

ellen wrote: "Sibil wrote: "ellen wrote: "Chp 13: [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[That is buggering me, a lot! And the strange thing is that at some point he tells her that, but nobody seems particularly concerned about that. I would be worried and intrigued as hell. Why they are not purchasing that line of investigation??? It's a bit maddening! (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

ellen wrote: "Sibil wrote: "chapters 10-17
The first couple of chapters ..."

Right! All the relationships are very transactional. Sophia and her father, Marcelo, are a big one. He fights tooth and nail to have..."

(view spoiler)[ Marcelo's refusal to defend Sofia is strange, and the story she told Ern about the whys Katherine is so angry at her it does not really click. It is plausible but weak!

And I love the snow and the setting, and it is true that it is a strong link to the golden Age but still it does not make sense for the family reunion, at least to me. It's not such a big thing, but it is something that keeps making me wonder why! (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

chapters 18-25
(view spoiler)[Well, Ern and Michael's childhood was damn hard! I mean, I got that it wasn't easy since their father's death but Jeremy's death was atrocious! Poor boys, even more so because they risked their lives too. I wasn't expecting something like that to be honest.

But now I have something new to bugger me. This book is like a ginormous hitch at the back of my brain! My problem at this juncture is with Crawford (I hope I write that right, I mean the policeman). When they find the dead body Sofia tells everyone that it's a murder and not a natural death or an accident, and I believed her but we don't really know for sure, because we have only her word for it so it can be debatable. But then we get to see the body and... it was quite obvious that it wasn't a natural death. And from Ern description is something quite visible too, it's not like they need an autopsy to see what happened (sure, an utopsy would help, and it is necessary from a legal standpoint but... it's pretty obvious he didn't frozen to death because he was lost!) and it seems like nobody knows who alereted the police in the first place. And the agent seems just too okay with that too. I mean, you have a kill on your hands, because you can say to everyone not involved that it's an accident to not make people panic, that I get, but it is obviously not natural in any way, and you have some mysteries piling up and... nothing. It's just not possible!
And I know that the storm blocked help, and he can't do a lot because he has not experience and he is waiting for someone to come and do something but still... he can talk to people that are back in the civility, because he knew that Michael was out of prison earlier, and to know that he had to do some internet research or speak with someone who has access to police database or whatnot so why on earth he hasn't tried to find who alerted him by asking back to the police station ??? I don't get it!!!! (hide spoiler)]

This was quite a long rant, sorry about that!

[Brooke]

36%

(view spoiler)[ Lucy being a MLM girl boss really ticks a box for me, much like the boxes on Sophia's bingo.

I don't see how Marcelo could have gotten his daughter to do the his own surgery, like i work at a hospital and even i only get so much say in who did something in a surgery i had there, but then again, a hefty sum of a "donation" helps.

i get why he can't be her lawyer thou, the law is way more strict about things like that and anything the other lawyer can use against you can break a case.

It's turning into to a cozy mystery now, doing some investing on our own. (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

Sibil wrote: "ellen wrote: "Sibil wrote: "chapters 10-17
The first couple of chapters ..."

Right! All the relationships are very transactional. Sophia and her father, Marcelo, are a big one. He fights tooth an..."

I'm not big on the setting either. like it's so covered in snow and so hard to walk around to see each other, doesn't make sense for the big deal they're making the reunion out to be.

[Sibil]

Brooke wrote: "36%
."

(view spoiler)[I like the bingo cards, even if they are a tad morbid and not really a nice thing to do, but I totally get them!

And I get what you say about Marcelo and the law but still... it's like he does not want to be involved at all, and that sounds strange. Even more so because he is described as quite the protective and proud parent so it should make more sense if he tries to help (or manage) her defense, at least partially. Because even if he can't be involved at a professional level, he could still be more active or involved in some ways, may it be even only for moral support (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

27-32
(view spoiler)[This is just a passing thought but the story about the Rolex doesn't really sit right for me. I mean, Ern talks about that Rolex a lot, and now we discover that it should be a legacy for Jeremy. And the strange thing is that the father left it to him in his will, but there is no mention of other things left to the other two sons. Why?? It sounds strange. And also the thing that Marcelo and the mother decided to wait and keep it... again, why? I mean, Jeremy died pretty soon after the father and Michael and Ern were young so I understand keeping it for a time, but once they reached their adulthood (I honestly don't know when you are considered an adult in Australia, but I guess when you're 18 or 21, and they are both past that) why don't give it to them? It is a minor thing for sure, but it's like an itch I can't scratch! (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

Sibil wrote: "Brooke wrote: "36%
."

."

(view spoiler)[ Maybe he knows something, maybe his surgery didn't actually go well or she told him something about the one surgery that went bad. (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

64%
(view spoiler)[ oh no Michael is dead! what the heck?! the ash death thing is kind of interesting thou. sadly he only got a few days of freedom. but now what is Erin gonna do? just leave? is she good to stay there? (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

Brooke wrote: "Sibil wrote: "Brooke wrote: "36%
."

."

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[You are right, I haven't thought of that! (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

Brooke wrote: "64%
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I feared for him as soon as they put him in the only room that was cell-like. He felt more secure, but he was also alone and easy to find and corner. But I was hoping to be wrong. I am quite sad that he died! (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

finished
(view spoiler)[I am glad that all my questions got an answer. Some more than others, but all in all, every doubt I had was addressed so... that's good. And I suspected Jeremy was alive but I didn't think for him to be present, to be honest. The big revelation about Jeremy/Crawford being the killer wasn't something I saw coming, but it didn't blow me away, other revelations blew me more, but I am quite satisfied with the reading. And I really like the structure of the book and the way in which the story is narrated! (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

90%
(view spoiler)[ Poor boss babe Lucy is dead :(

But also connecting all these dots, sheesh great detective work! Sophia being an addict, didnt see that coming, stealing her dads watch during surgery! Wth! But Ernie knowing its a fake because the punch he received wasnt hard enough so he knew it didnt weigh the right amount, crazy! (hide spoiler)]

[Sibil]

Brooke wrote: "90%
Poor boss babe Lucy is dead :(
"

(view spoiler)[Sophia's addiction was a surprise for me too!!!! (hide spoiler)]

[ellen]

Sibil wrote: "finished
[spoilers removed]"

I've finished as well. I have to sit on this one for a bit to decide on a rating. I do say around the 50/60% mark it started to drag for me and get a tad bit tedious to get through due to the structure of having to stop and explain everything before moving the plot forward. I did enjoy the ending(s) and everything was wrapped up and answered which made me content.

Great reading and discussion! If you haven't read: you might enjoy it since it has a fun premise as well.

[Sibil]

ellen wrote: "Sibil wrote: "finished
[spoilers removed]"

I've finished as well. I have to sit on this one for a bit to decide on a rating. I do say around the 50/60% mark it started to drag for me and get a tad..."

Glad you enjoyed it, even if it's true that in some part it was a bit... slow to get going!
And thanks for the recs! I have put it on my TBR right away!

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting December 19th 2025. Happy Reading ☺

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
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[MelanieJoy]

Got my copy and I'm ready to go!

[Prisha]

That's great :) I'm just a few pages in

[MelanieJoy]

50% in - just finished ch 23

(view spoiler)[
It took me a while to figure out the premise and the plot. The author really slowly and with dry humor added things in there to help you along the way - it's a really cool writing style.
Not sure what to think about Michael, he seems really likeable.
I wish I knew what Sofia was hiding with her personal desire for 50k that seems unrelated to the lawsuit!
Also... is Marcelo sus? And what's Andy's deal? Is he just spineless?
The author is very good at describing the characters enough for them to be distinct. I'm hooked. (hide spoiler)]

Prisha any thoughts so far?

[Prisha]

I'm so sorry, I'm still at the start! I hope to send my first update by tomorrow :)

[MelanieJoy]

No worries! I finished it and I’ll be happy to talk about parts when you get to them!

[Prisha]

Thank you! I've read the three chapters and it has set the scene a bit
(view spoiler)[ So he did end up telling the law what his brother has done, I wonder if he did it straight away or if some circumstances compelled him. So, I'm sure his brother must hold a grudge against him-and most of his family. Good luck to him. (hide spoiler)]