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lastblossom's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
Strong (possibly better?) follow-up to the first book (although first book knowledge not necessary), with more signature meta-commentary, twists, and a solid mystery.
Thoughts
Ernest Cunningham is back, once again tripping over unfortunate circumstances and the corpses that come with them. In a role reversal from the previous book, Ernest is now one of many murder mystery authors, and probably the least qualified of the bunch, but he brings back his signature self-aware writing style and collection of adverbs to sassily, wittily, and sometimes accidentally, uncover a murderer. I previously enjoyed the energy and style of the first book. The sequel doubles down on that mood - heaping on the meta commentary about the "fair play" mystery. If you liked it the first time around, you'll like it this time too, probably even more. One bit of meta foreshadowing in particular, is extremely effective in its blatant-ness, and I applaud the author for leaning into it. Combine that with a blunt but honest look at The Industry, and you've got another fun mystery on your hands. If I had any complaints, they would be the same as the first. Ernest remains entirely un-earnest, with high emotional walls that make it difficult for a reader to care about him or the stakes involved. Two books in, it's clear this is purposeful, but it can have an alienating effect, and I can totally see this not being everyone's cup of tea. If you liked the first book, jump on it! If you haven't read the first book, but this sounds interesting, there aren't any major spoilers, and you can start here if you like.
Thanks to NetGalley and Mariner Books for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Strong (possibly better?) follow-up to the first book (although first book knowledge not necessary), with more signature meta-commentary, twists, and a solid mystery.
Thoughts
Ernest Cunningham is back, once again tripping over unfortunate circumstances and the corpses that come with them. In a role reversal from the previous book, Ernest is now one of many murder mystery authors, and probably the least qualified of the bunch, but he brings back his signature self-aware writing style and collection of adverbs to sassily, wittily, and sometimes accidentally, uncover a murderer. I previously enjoyed the energy and style of the first book. The sequel doubles down on that mood - heaping on the meta commentary about the "fair play" mystery. If you liked it the first time around, you'll like it this time too, probably even more. One bit of meta foreshadowing in particular, is extremely effective in its blatant-ness, and I applaud the author for leaning into it. Combine that with a blunt but honest look at The Industry, and you've got another fun mystery on your hands. If I had any complaints, they would be the same as the first. Ernest remains entirely un-earnest, with high emotional walls that make it difficult for a reader to care about him or the stakes involved. Two books in, it's clear this is purposeful, but it can have an alienating effect, and I can totally see this not being everyone's cup of tea. If you liked the first book, jump on it! If you haven't read the first book, but this sounds interesting, there aren't any major spoilers, and you can start here if you like.
Thanks to NetGalley and Mariner Books for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Rape, Alcohol, Blood, and Sexual assault
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
neeeek's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
To many buzzwords to fit trends that don't add to the narrative
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Child death, Car accident, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Addiction
inirac's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Enjoyed this but getting a little weary of the asides, especially at the beginning. It's really jarring for an audiobook (that and the lists).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Murder, Gaslighting, Alcoholism, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Rape, and Blood
whitneyfoster's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Murder
Moderate: Rape, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Blood, and Violence
kylieqrada's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
Just as fun as the first one, also not quite as traumatic for me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual assault, Alcoholism, and Rape
Minor: Vomit, Child abuse, and Child death
hannahyorkey's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Vomit, and Blood
Minor: Rape
azalya01's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Suicide
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Addiction, Grief, Car accident, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, and Violence
Minor: Gore, Gun violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
inhaledmocha's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
medium-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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, and Rape
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, and Vomit
boba_n_books's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit, Child abuse, and Child death
kirstym25's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Vomit and Rape