Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
“Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone” by Benjamin Stevenson is a darkly humorous thriller.
Ernest Cunningham is the story’s aptly named and self-described “reliable narrator.” He presents himself as an earnest, forthright and upfront narrator – on page two he tells you everything to expect in the novel, right down to the page number for each murder.
However, like a magician stringing you along, the story isn’t always as it seems. Twists and turns abound as the narrative unwinds, slowly revealing how everyone on Ernest’s branch of his family tree is a killer.
A great deal of the fun comes from Stevenson’s clever conceit for the novel’s narrator. Ernest is an author himself, though of ‘books about how to write books’ rather than fiction. As such, he knows the rules of good storytelling, particularly the cardinal rules of mystery novels. Ernest leans on these conventions, frequently reminding the reader of them, and then choosing to follow or subvert them as his story demands.
Like many classic mysteries, “Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone” relies heavily on its remote and secluded setting: an Australian ski resort soon to be beset by a blizzard. This is the backdrop for the Cunningham family reunion, which just so happens to coincide with the release of Ernest’s brother from prison. Did I mention that Ernest testified against his brother in a murder trial, putting him in prison in the first place?
Shortly after their arrival, a dead body is discovered near the resort, and foul play is quickly assumed. The Cunninghams, a family name infamous to the police, soon come under suspicion.
Throughout it all, Stevenson crafts an engaging story that keeps the reader guessing and grinning as Ernest leads – and misleads – them through the narrative.
“Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone” should appeal to readers of mysteries, thrillers and anyone looking for a quirky, fun read. Visit wcls.org to find the book and other similarly themed stories.
“Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone” is the October selection for the Books and Bites book group. Join Books and Bites at 1 p.m. Friday, October 17 at Blaine Public Library for a time of community and lively conversation. For more information, visit bit.ly/3KHid5q.
Jonathan Jakobitz is an avid reader and the branch manager of Blaine Public Library.
(Originally published in The Northern Light, Wednesday, October 8, 2025.)