Hardcover, 371 pages
English language
Published Nov. 29, 2023 by HarperCollins Publishers.
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
A very clever, silly, book that is more about family than murder. I still can’t figure out who died on page 250 though (actually I think after a few days I’ve figured it out. The person doing it wasn’t speaking at the time though)
There's a solid mystery underlying this novel, and as the title betrays, it also indulges in a meta-narrative that is delivered by the narrator of the story. The mystery/thriller that is the core of this book would work really well on its own with plenty of twists, turns, revelations, and clues sprinkled in so that the savvy can start to put together the picture, and yet it adds in more with interesting narrative choices, such as telling you near the beginning what chapters people die in and acknowledging the novel as an already completed, written work. There was a good deal more going on in this story than I had expected at the start, and by the end, I was really enjoying it.
I listened to the audiobook, and the 4th wall was broken a lot throughout and I'm not sure if that happens in the book as well because the breaking was all referencing listening to the audiobook. This is fully presented as an active telling of the story by the "author" Ernest. I really enjoyed this presentation of the story!
I kept putting this one off because of the hype, and I'm a little sad that I did, because I found this to be such a fun read! The comedic timing, the dry and dark humor, just everything was chef's kiss. I don't even know what else to say about it, I absolutely loved it and will be getting a copy to keep on my shelf.
Read it!
