Everyone in my family has killed someone by Benjamin Stevenson


I started reading this book because it takes place in an Australian setting. The novel reads from the POV of Ern, who is an aspiring novelist and wants to eliminate all cliches that a murder mystery novel, it's characters, the criminal and the detectives may display.

This novel prominently displays an oath by some of the most prolific and unmatched crime authors to ensure that they avoid a few detective tropes and ensure that their books are exceptional. This is immediately followed by the ten commandments of murder, criminals and detectives. Each story told by Ern is in effect, related to these commandments. A murder takes place toward the conclusion of the novel; this is not a spoiler, it's told right at the beginning.

Phew. This book took me a very long time to finish and I simultaneously started reading The Trials of Apollo because I got very bored. Turns out, I am not a fan of this style of writing, because it didn't keep me engaged. The story got a bit boring, draggy and I was not very keen to finish it. It's not bad but it's not good. I'm glad I didn't DNF it.

It's funny in places, condescending in places and even witty at times. I like Ern's self deprecating humour and some of his reasons to do what he did. 

It's a 2.5/5 for me.

#everyoneinmyfamilyhaskilledsomeone #nsw #crimethrillerbooks
#crimethriller #crimefiction

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