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Reviews tagging 'Fire/Fire injury'
Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson
3 reviews
lastblossom's review against another edition
- 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
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!
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Rape, Alcohol, Blood, and Sexual assault
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
disguisedposer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Alcohol, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Minor: Rape, Car accident, Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
thumbeleia's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Car accident, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide, Addiction, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Child death, Grief, Sexism, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Gore, Gun violence, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Murder, Death, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Pedophilia, Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Rape, Incest, Pregnancy, and Vomit