This is the third book in the series and like the first two it starts with a bang. Or rather a murder. It is shortly before Christmas and Ernest and Juliette are planning their wedding, but his ex-wife Erin has been arrested for the murder of her partner, and has asked him for help.

Ernest heads up to Blue Mountain presumably to see a magician’s performance, but in reality it is to meet with his ex and to solve her new partner’s murder. While there and investigating, he discovers secrets, lies, deceptions, conspiracies, and another murder. I can’t say more without giving away too much.

Everyone this Christmas has a Secret is a fast paced, gotcha from the first moment, murder mystery. Hard to put down; and following Ernest’s evolving rules of murder mysteries, and his new commandments for holiday specials.

As someone who has visited Australia and the Blue Mountain region, I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of the area and the way that Benjamin Stevenson used the natural environment to enhance his story.

I give this book 4 1/2 stars. And can’t wait for the next one in the series.

It's my own fault coming in mid series.

The mystery is sharp, but the lead feels more "breaking the fourth wall" than telling us their story. For me, it s=didn't work.

But, I can see why it does work for others.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

My name’s Ernest Cunningham. I used to be a fan of reading Golden Age murder mysteries, until I found myself with a haphazard career getting stuck in the middle of real-life ones. I’d hoped, this Christmas, that any self-respecting murderer would kick their feet up and take it easy over the holidays. I was wrong.

So here I am, backstage at the show of world-famous magician Rylan Blaze, whose benefactor has just been murdered. My suspects are all professional tricksters: masters of the art of misdirection.

THE MAGICIAN

THE ASSISTANT

THE EXECUTIVE

THE HYPNOTIST

THE IDENTICAL TWIN

THE COUNSELLOR

THE TECH

My clues are even more abstract: A suspect covered in blood, without a memory of how it got there. A murder committed without setting foot inside the room where it happens. And an advent calendar. Because, you know, it’s Christmas.

If I can see through the illusions, I know I can solve it.

After all, a good murder is just like a magic trick, isn’t it?

This was another great book in the series! Can't wait to read more!

Another easily 5 star read from Benjamin Stevenson. I simply adore the Ernest Cunningham series!

This Christmas special is on the shorter side, so I finished it in one sitting, though that probably would’ve been the case even if it was longer. The Ernest Cunningham mysteries are so fun and incredibly easy to get sucked into. I binged both previous books, and Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret was no exception.

I love the narration of these books. It really sets them apart from other books in the genre. Ernest is cheeky, smart, and very likable, and I really enjoy the fourth wall breaking style of narration. I’m always able to solve the mysteries along with Ernest, as he follows the rules of the genre nearly to a T, which means he rarely hides any information from the reader. You have absolutely every clue you need to solve the mystery at least by the time he does, if not before.

While not overly holiday-esque, this book has all the right elements to create a perfect “holiday special,” as Ernest calls it. Essentially, it just FEELS like a holiday special. This will be an absolutely perfect and quick read for the holiday season, so I definitely recommend checking it out! I’d actually enthusiastically recommend the whole series, I cannot wait to read Ernest’s next adventure!

Thank you Mariner Books and NetGalley for the advance copy of Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret! All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Mariner Books for my advance electronic copy via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

Ernest Cunningham doesn't seem to be able to escape murder, no matter where he goes. The good thing is, he seems to be very good at solving them. This time, it's almost Christmas and a famous actor-turned-philanthropist is found murdered in his home in the Blue Mountains and his girlfriend is covered in his blood. The clues lead Earnest backstage at the philanthropist's charity's Christmas special magic show where the clues lead him further into danger. Ernest shares with the reader all the clues (well, almost all) that he finds, Advent-Calendar style in 24 increments, inviting us along with him through this world of magic and murder, with the clock ticking down to a death-defying final act.

I love the idea of a shorter "Christmas Special" kind of mystery. The series is built around a "fair play," Golden-Age-of-Mystery structure, where the narrator keeps a door open in the fourth wall to invite the reader along with him on a journey with him. A journey in which he consistently makes bad choices (lying to his fiancée? Seriously? Does he never learn?) Somehow Stevenson sustains and heightens the suspense of the story, while making the reader still feel safe--quite a feat and one of the reasons why this series is an auto-read for me. He also uses a light voice to address heavy themes, making the subjects more approachable, though no less real (including the human, traumatic side of death and murder). Despite the "fair play," I didn't solve this one before he introduced the solution. Well, not all of it anyway...I was proud of myself that I got a few pieces right. This book can be read either as part of the series or as a standalone.

Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson. I am a big fan of the first two books in the Ernest Cunningham series.
Ernest Cunningham is back again to solve a murder, a Christmas one this time. There are 24 chapters in the book, each with their own clue.
I really enjoyed the book and can't wait for the next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Stevenson returns with another clever book that manages to mix detective-fiction tropes with a new spin via the main character who writes about how to write mysteries. The supporting cast is described and shown with just enough detail without bogging down the narrative. I prefer his books in audio format because of the great narrator of his previous titles in the series, but this “book-book” has been a fun and quick read. As a longtime fan of many genres of mystery fiction, I recommend the latest installment in the series.

A bit shorter than his other books, or at least it felt that way, I found myself finishing this so quickly. It helps if you've read the first two books because there is not much of an intro to the main character in this book. As per usual, I couldn't deduce the culprit, or culprits, before Ernest, but I've resigned myself to being a bystander, instead of an armchair sleuth. What I am really curious about is where the author will take Ernest next, given that he is a mystery writer that seems to only write about real-life events, or ghost write other people's books. I also wish I had a chance to spend more time with the characters, this book felt too fast for me to make a genuine connection of dislike with any one of the characters. I still like this author, but the short book left me unsatisfied, compared to the other two books he has written.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for an early release copy of Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret by Benjamin Steveson.

I enjoyed Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret a lot more then Everyone on This Train is a Suspect (the 2nd book in the series), this one was more thrilling and entertained me more but compared to the second book however there are still a few things I didn’t particularly like about this book. Ernest talking to the reader directly still takes me out of the book, he would talk to the reader about the events that already happened but he literally spoils what happens in the book before it happens. Example: “but wait a cow gets stabbed and a goat hasn’t been pushed off a bridge yet”. I feel the story would be a lot more surprising and thrilling if the narrator doesn’t spoil nearly exactly what has happened in the book.

I feel the writing is more complicated then it needs to be, the addition of unnecessary metaphors and confusing narration dialogues makes it a little confusing at times (the second book is definitely more confusing compared to this one). Ernest also in my opinion and his own does a lot, a lot, of guess work in here in order to solve the crime. The actually crime and how it happened, while it was interesting it was definitely far fetched.

Benjamin Stevenson doesn’t disappoint. Readers can gift this mystery at the holidays and rest assured that the package delivered will be filled with effortless humor and a fair play mystery with a satisfying conclusion.

I look forward to reading more from this author! Grateful for the advanced copy!!

Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson

Thank you NetGalley and Mariner Books for a complimentary copy of this novel!
This is Book three in the Ernest Cunningham mystery series. Here we see Ernest doing what he does best...trying to solve what looks like an unsolvable mystery. This is his third to date and at Christmas time no less! There are 24 chapters with clues just like an advent countdown! And now the main murder suspect who has been arrested is someone from his past who needs his help! She has blood on her hands and has no idea how it got there. As Ernest investigates, he comes up with seven other possible suspects and unfortunately, they are all good at deceiving others. Benjamin Stevenson has written a brilliantly constructed and witty novel!!! You have an advent calendar filled with clues; seven devious suspects who can expertly mislead anyone (except maybe Ernest Cunningham); and not one, but two baffling and seemingly impossible murders!!! Will Ernest be able to muddle through all the misdirection and solve this murder in time for him to enjoy Christmas?
AVAILABLE October 22, 2024

"Benjamin Stevenson returns with a Christmas addition to his bestselling, "deviously good fun" (Nita Prose), Ernest Cunningham mysteries. Unwrap all the Christmas staples: presents, family, an impossible murder or two, and a deadly advent calendar of clues. If Knives Out and The Thursday Murder Club kissed under the mistletoe.

My name's Ernest Cunningham. I used to be a fan of reading Golden Age murder mysteries, until I found myself with a haphazard career getting stuck in the middle of real-life ones. I'd hoped, this Christmas, that any self-respecting murderer would kick their feet up and take it easy over the holidays. I was wrong.

So here I am, backstage at the show of world-famous magician Rylan Blaze, whose benefactor has just been murdered. My suspects are all professional tricksters: masters of the art of misdirection.

The Magician

The Assistant

The Executive

The Hypnotist

The Identical Twin

The Counsellor

The Tech

My clues are even more abstract: A suspect covered in blood, without a memory of how it got there. A murder committed without setting foot inside the room where it happens. And an advent calendar. Because, you know, it's Christmas.

If I can see through the illusions, I know I can solve it.

After all, a good murder is just like a magic trick, isn't it?"

Oh Ernest, but Christmas is THE BEST time for murder!

4.5 stars rounded up. I very much enjoyed the previous two books in this series so I jumped at the chance to read an advance copy of this from NetGalley. My only complaint is that it was too short... after all, it is the 'Christmas Special'. I would have liked for it to be a little longer with a little more suspense. But that being said, it gets right into the action and keeps you moving along. In the usual style in this series, our narrator is amusing and admits his faults. If you were a fan of the other books or just want a quick cozy holiday mystery, this is the book for you. (I also want to note that you don't HAVE to read the other books to read this one but if you do, you'll be more familiar with the quirks of the recurring characters.)

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley, Mariner and Killer Crime Club..

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review

A fan of Golden age murder mysteries finds himself in his own murder mystery during the Christmas season. The suspect are numerous as the cast of character involved. It’s a murder mystery that will keep you guessing as no one is safe. An amusing Christmas themed murder mystery that will keep you turning the pages.

I'm a huge fan of Benjamin Stevenson's twist on murder mysteries and I was excited to see him offering us a Christmas novella. This story reads just like his others as we jump right back into Ernst's life with a new murder to solve that involves his ex wife. The humor and wit are there but I couldn't help feeling like this story was rushed. One of the things I love about Stevenson's writing is that he draws readers into the complex mystery by carefully introducing characters that we, as Ernst's fellow detectives, need to know so we can pretend like we knew who the killer was all along. In previous stories, Stevenson does this marvelously. However, in this one it felt like a half dozen or so characters are dumped on us without the benefit of understanding who they are and their role in the story. Often times I was confused about who was who and how they were connected and I think it took away from the overall story. I understand this is a novella and word count matters here but maybe a few less characters to introduce would've been better to really ground me in the story so I could follow along better. Overall the story is still a fun read but from now on I hope Mr. Stevenson will stick with the longer novels--I'm happy to pay for the extra words!

As a huge fan of Stevenson's previous two books, I was ecstatic upon seeing this book available on NetGalley. I'm not one who likes holiday-themed books, so I tried to temper my expectations. Stevenson, however, knocked it out of the park. This book was just as incredible as the first two and I was completely hooked. I finished the whole book in one sitting. I love how the narrator gives you all the clues, you just have to be smart enough to understand them. I had a suspicion about the killer based on one clue that I caught, but the ending still shocked me nonetheless. As always, I will be recommending this book, and the other books in the series, to every person I come across.
Thank you Stevenson, Mariner Books, and NetGalley for the review copy.

I adore the Ernest Cunningham mysteries. Ernie is a relatable protagonist and a halfway decent detective, considering he's learning the trade as he goes along. That he play fair with the reader, just as the Golden Age detectives he admires did, is an added bonus. His asides directing the reader's attention to points of note are one of my favorite bits of the books.

As always, the Australian setting is refreshingly adventurous and the Three Sisters rock formation provides a beautiful backdrop to the story. And the murders are pretty darn clever. This is a short one, just a bit under 200 pages. Perfect for a quick does of holiday hijinks. I've already added this to my Christmas list to add to my holiday mystery collection. This is a well plotted and super fun mystery all around!


*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is the holiday special novella in the EIMFHKS series, and it’s just about everything you’d expect (in a good way, of course).

The Best: The book was written in a very unique format. It’s written like an advent calendar, so if you start it on December 1st, you get to open one door (read one chapter) every day. If you follow this cadence, you get the solved mystery on Christmas. It doesn’t take away from the mystery if you read the book all in one sitting, but I find this to be a really fun format that I haven’t come across before. As I’m writing this review on October 7, I obviously didn’t read it this way. If I wasn’t reading this book as an ARC, I’m not sure if I would’ve had the self control to not keep reading, as some of the chapters ended on cliffhangers, but I think it would’ve been really fun to try to read it as the author intended!

The Not Best: I didn’t find this book to be quite as funny as the previous two books in the series. However I still very much enjoyed the mystery and will continue reading this series as future books come out!

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest rating and review.

The latest Ernest mystery is filled with the same sarcastic witty humor that makes these mysteries so enjoyable. I followed the mystery along with Ernest, except for where I accused the wrong person at the end The story kept my interest from start to finish. The Christmas theme did not seem integral to the storyline, and I would have still enjoyed the story without the it. However for those holiday lovers, I can see how it could add a little pizzazz to their reading. This book would to great for those who enjoy witty humor and playing along while reading their mysteries. It would be understood without reading the previous books, but they are mentioned and I would encourage them to be read first for full clarity.

Ernest Cunningham is back. This time it is just before Christmas and again, he is needed to solve a murder. There are a list of suspects, each with something to gain and each professional tricksters. 
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the Australian setting, in the Blue Mountains. There were plenty of laughs with his dry humour and it was the perfect Christmas murder mystery. For readers who have enjoyed the author's first two novels, this will surely be a hit. It was one I flew through and I could never have predicted where it concluded. 
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Mariner Books for this gifted review copy.