Reviews with content warning for Violence - Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect

I loved this sequel even more than the first book! If you haven't read Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone, the first novel in the Ernest Cunningham series, I highly recommend that you do.

Stevenson crafted an excellent story that made me both burst out laughing and gasp from suspense on multiple occasions. Stevenson's unique protagonist as a writer who writes about how to write mystery novels is a humorous and charming aspect of the book.

I couldn't put this book down! I really loved how all of these new characters were introduced. They all were fleshed out well and were able to make sense without feeling like the story is just a mess of strangers with confusing backstories. I did feel like the mystery was more confusing this time, so honestly I didn't solve much on my own. The denouement did have to do some heavy lifting to get me to understand everything, but I still enjoyed it. I look forward to what comes next from Benjamin Stevenson!

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boba_n_books's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Sometimes sequels to mystery novels don't hold up to the original. I'm happy to say that is not the case with Everyone in This Train is a Suspect.

Ernest Cunningham is back, and even at a crime-writing festival on a train, murders continue to follow him. Surrounded by crime writers, Ernest and the remaining 5 authors are on the case to figure out who did it. What first seemed like a simple murder turns out to bring in elements from years ago, and Ernest will need to give it his all, and trust some new friends, in order to solve the mystery.

I listened to this one on audio again and believe that audiobook is the best medium for these novels. The narrator is so funny, and the humor is so effective through the spoken word.

This novel has the same meta and fourth-wall-breaking tone as the first. I did miss Ernest's quirky family, but we do get some cameos from Uncle Andy, which was fun! There were just enough call-backs to the first book without it being too much. I just love this author's prose and the way he creates a compelling character arc through a typical whodunnit mystery.

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reagan_reads05's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

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jillkaarlela's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

Age rating: 15+ (no sexual content)

These mysteries are just such a delight to read! I love Ernest Cunningham and his whacky group! I liked how this book focused on changing genres instead of changing author inspirations (like book one). This was a whacky, kitschy murder mystery comedy that actually kept me guessing until the end! It breaks the “fourth wall” quite a bit, where the author directly addresses the reader, which I really enjoy. This is just a quick, fun mystery comedy, and I highly recommend!

There is an authors note at the beginning that mentions the triggering subjects that are touched on throughout the book.

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foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-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

4.5

I won this ARC through a giveaway that HarperCollins Canada hosted over the winter holidays, which I was stoked about because I loved the first book in this series and was highly anticipating the second.

This book absolutely lived up to my expectations and I’m already looking forward to the third! This series is fun and continues Ern’s breaking of the fourth wall. Of course, I’ve got a soft spot for books about books and this definitely fit the bill.

A unique take on a classic murder mystery that I’d recommend to all Agatha Christie fans and those who are looking for a laugh out loud read!

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