Off the Charts and On the Horizon – everyone in my family has killed someone (Benjamin Stevenson)

Ahoy there me mateys!  I received an eArc of this mystery through NetGalley in exchange for me honest musings.  Though this log’s focus is on sci-fi, fantasy, and young adult, this Captain does have broader reading tastes. So occasionally I will share some novels that I enjoyed that are off the charts . . .

Title: everyone in my family has killed someone
Author: Benjamin Stevenson
Publisher: Mariner Books
Publication Date: TODAY!!! (hardcover/e-book)
ISBN: 978-1250781734
Source:  NetGalley

With that wonderful cover, fabulous title, and fun blurb I knew I had to read this.  And it was absolutely delightful in terms of humor, family dynamics, and crazy shenanigans.  I sped through this book and really enjoyed the story of the family as told by Ernest Cunningham.  I loved how the history between the family members unfolded.  I loved the stories behind how the current and past murders occurred.  I loved how Ernest would drop hints about plot points to come and provide commentary on his own writing.  Unfortunately the big reveal at the end of the book through the end of the book didn’t work for me.  Check the cut below for why.  This book is apparently the first in a series.  While the book was 100% successful, I would certainly read the next one because I loved the majority of this book.  The flaws were personal preference. Arrr!

Side Note: Check behind the cut for some spoilery thoughts about why I disliked the ending:

Okay seriously, why did the murderer have to be the supposedly dead brother? This made no sense to me and basically from the reveal to the end of the book is what made this go from a five star to a four. The “dead” brother’s motivations were silly and lame. But it was SO good up until that point. I also guess I thought that someone was going to have consequences but the family in general seemed rather blasé about their dead relatives. This bothered me for some reason even if all the characters were selfish. Oh and I wanted more closure and explanation for the dead child and why her family did what they did. Next book?

Goodreads has this to say about the novel:

Everyone in my family has killed someone. Some of us, the high achievers, have killed more than once. I’m not trying to be dramatic, but it is the truth. Some of us are good, others are bad, and some just unfortunate.

I’m Ernest Cunningham. Call me Ern or Ernie. I wish I’d killed whoever decided our family reunion should be at a ski resort, but it’s a little more complicated than that.

Have I killed someone? Yes. I have.
Who was it?
Let’s get started.

EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY HAS KILLED SOMEONE

My brother
My stepsister
My wife
My father
My mother
My sister-in-law
My uncle
My stepfather
My aunt
Me

To visit the author’s website go to:
Benjamin Stevenson – Author

To buy the novel visit:
everyone in my family has killed someone – Book 1

To add to Goodreads go to:
Yer Ports for Plunder List

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