Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone

Book review by Bonnie Tollefson

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, Benjamin Stevenson, Harper Collins 2022.

Sometimes when you go to the library, books just seem to reach out begging you to take them home. Other times… Well, this was one of the times that many books called out. Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake, Mad Honey, Code Breaker’s Secret, and Phasers on Stun are all there waiting for you and for me. However, the one that got to go home with me this time, had the interesting title of Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone.

Author Benjamin Stevenson creates the character Ernest Cunningham, who serves as “writer” of the book, as participant in events, and as commentator making asides to the reader. Ernie explains to the reader what pages the dead bodies show up on, how we should have picked up on certain clues and assures the reader that he never lied to us as twists and turns occur. The setting is a remote ski lodge, the highest drive-in ski lodge in Australia, which according to Ernie is like saying “the world’s tallest jockey”. The reason for the trip is a family reunion to welcome brother Michael when he gets out of jail. As might be expected in a book about murder and family interpersonal relationships, a storm is approaching that will trap everyone at the ski lodge, or does it? Each family member reveals his or her contribution to the story and Ernie finally thinks he understands it all. He stages a denouement in the old wood panel library because, if they ever make a movie of this story, it is the perfect setting. Things don’t go quite as planned (of course) and the book ends with an epilogue that tries to explain it all. On the advice of Ernie’s lawyer, some things are left for the reader to draw their own conclusions. If a book about family dysfunction and murder can be a fun read, this is it – light without bogging you down – mayhem without offending – and intriguing enough to keep you reading.

This book is available from the RVM library in large and regular print and from the Jackson County Public Library System in multiple formats.