Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone

Bookseller recommendation

“A perfect blend of classic and modern writing, humor and wit, mystery and character development. Narrator Barton Welch is supreme and having read this book in print and audio, I highly recommend the audio version. The author makes the proper modifications for audio and Welch's execution is flawless. Plenty of twists and I did not see the end coming, despite the author's guidance and recaps. I devoured this book in a day and clapped at the end. Refreshing and light, Stevenson does a great job of presenting challenges and themes in his character development and delivers them in relatable prose without gory details. This book is appropriate for a broad audience and is a great example of craft for mystery writers.”

— Kara • Tia Book Cellar

Bookseller recommendation

“I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting into with a title like that, but this book was everything you could want in a 'cozy' mystery and more. Humor, suspense and a great atmosphere. Listening to this one was a joy! ”

— Madison • Saltwater Bookshop

Bookseller recommendation

“The Cunningham family reunion turns into a murder mystery when a body is found at their snowy mountain resort. Each chapter puts another Cunningham on the suspect list, as we find out they have all killed someone. The audiobook is an absolute delight! ”

— Kimberly • The Tortured Readers Department

Bookseller recommendation

“When I first began listening to Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevens, I was uncertain. It opened with a series of rules for the novel, which made me skeptical. However, I'm glad I continued despite my initial pessimism. After learning the rules, a murder occurs, and it's clear what happened. Three years later, we find ourselves at the Cunningham family lodge, with Ernest (Ern), the black sheep of the family, narrating the events. Without giving away any spoilers, there are more murders and multiple members of his family are involved. Using the rules established at the beginning, readers can work through solving the crime alongside Ern. The writing style is amazing, and I'm still pondering whether books can break the fourth wall, as Ern frequently addresses the reader throughout the novel. The path to the solution isn't shrouded in hidden information or overly technical explanations. Although I was only partly correct in piecing together the clues, I highly recommend this novel, especially as an audiobook. The narration is exceptionally well-suited to the story. ”

— Jackie • Parthenon Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Very fun. For fans of Knives Out and classic murder mysteries. Stevenson is like a stage magician who tells you how the trick works and still makes it work. ”

— Robin • Books & Books @ The Studios of Key West

Bookseller recommendation

“This is your classic murder mystery turned on its head by calling out every single trope. Literally. The whole concept is that the narrator writes how-to manuals for crime writers, so when he has his own murder(s) to solve, all the rules are right at his fingertips. Does that stop the twist from being pretty satisfying? I'd say not. Maybe I would have seen it coming if I'd been reading it in print but frankly that made listening to it all the more enjoyable once I gave up on being able to keep track of the details in my head. The characters were all sympathetic (though some of them took longer to warm up to than others). There was a bit of stomach churning violence, but not gratuitous, and there was a surprising amount of warmth that felt much more genuine than your average 'cozy mystery.' Like what said mystery would be if the characters were real and not caricatures of themselves.”

— Maren • Nook & Cranny Books

Bookseller recommendation

“All those who love the classic mystery genre will greatly enjoy this jaunty and exceptionally written novel. I look forward to Benjamin Stevenson’s next book, as this is one fabulous read! ”

— Carolyn • Water Street Bookstore

Bookseller recommendation

“A fun take on mystery that reads more like a memoir! With an overly reliable narrator and multiple twists, this is a quick and fun read! ”

— Hayden • Schuler Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Loved it so much! The Australian narrator was a great fit for the setting, and it was refreshing to listen to a mystery that "plays by the rules" so to speak. Looking forward to reading/listening to all of this author's books now!”

— Amy • Woven Words Bookshop

Bookseller recommendation

“A smart, funny mystery (read delightfully on audio by Barton Welch), that pokes fun at the genre while being a solid mystery. Clever and a lot of fun to read (or listen to!)”

— Melissa • Watermark Books

Bookseller recommendation

“A great who dunnit. That captivates and enthralls you into this fictitious frozen land of a family who has more skeletons in their closet than a close should be able to hold! ”

— Sarah • Cavalier House Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Being such an avid Mystery/Thriller reader, I am always trying to figure out the twists and turns of a story before the main character is able to solve it- and I'm usually pretty spot on. This book, however, was a breath of fresh air- a clever, surprisingly deep mystery that kept me on my toes throughout, even though the self-proclaimed 'reliable narrator' Ernie was very forthcoming with every piece of evidence and his deductions throughout the story. Even though there's a lot of death and suspense, at the heart of this story is a complex family that's trying to come together to defy their generational curses, even though the odds are stacked against them (and some members are stacked against each other). I loved listening to this story, not only because of the dreamy Australian accent, but also because the tone made me feel like I was in on the investigation- Stevenson's writing and approach to turning tried and true mystery tropes on their head has definitely made him a must-read author for me!”

— Maggie • East City Bookshop