Benjamin Stevenson, the bestselling author of Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, is back with another riveting novel that pays homage to Agatha Christie and other writes from the golden age of mysteries while offering a modern, fresh take on the classic whodunit.
Ernest Cunningham has a problem. The protagonist, who first appeared in Stevenson’s last novel, has turned those events into a book of his own, landing a lucrative publishing deal in the process. Except that book, his first, was nonfiction. Ernest lived that story as it played out, and now, as he stares down a fast-approaching deadline, he finds himself buried under the crushing pressure of turning in his first actual novel, which he’s hardly started writing.
In hopes of clearing his head and perhaps finding motivation for a new plot, Ernest accepts an invitation to the 50th Australian Mystery Writers’ Festival. Though his first book was successful, his sales and accolades pale in comparison to the other five authors in attendance, all of them far better known than he is to the general public.
The festival, which is being held aboard the Ghan, the famous train between Darwin and Adelaide, starts out rocky from the very start. Not only is Ernest’s literary agent present, serving as a constant reminder that he’s only growing further behind with each passing moment he’s unable to construct a plot worthy of writing about, but the reception he receives from the other panelists is tepid at best.
After a few chapters of needed setup, the story takes its first turn when one of the writers is found dead, making Ernest and everyone else aboard the train car a prime murder suspect. On the one hand, the tragedy does provide Ernest with a plot worthy of being told. On the other hand, Ernest realizes rather quickly that he’ll be telling said story from behind bars if he can’t prove his own innocence, and as every mystery reader knows by now, the fastest, most surefire way to prove someone is innocent, is to unmask the real killer—a task Erest sets out to do, taking him on a winding, twisting adventure with more than a few surprises along the way.
Right off the bat, whether you’ve read Stevenson’s previous book or not (which isn’t necessary to understand and enjoy this one), it’s clear from the start that he’s a gifted writer. Where Ernest may be struggling to develop his own story concept, Stevenson’s strongest attribute is his plotting, which is nearly flawless from beginning to end. Moreover, his dialogue is witty and crisp, and he’s able to paint scenes with his words in a way that allows the reader to feel as though they’re aboard the Ghan with the rest of the passengers. Of course, if you’re going to write a book that leans heavily on Christie’s classic Hercule Poirot mystery Murder on the Orient Express, you had better be able to plot, nail character interactions, and transport readers to each scene as it unfolds. All of that is to be expected. But while that expectation is obvious and undoubtedly daring, considering Christie’s work is considered some of the finest ever written, it’s no forgone conclusion that any author can actually pull it off in a way that feels less-rip-off-ish and more unique. More homage, less imitation. And yet, that is exactly what Stevenson has done.
Packed full of misdirection and twisting surprises, it’s easy to get lost in Stevenon’s smooth and distinct prose, forgetting the similarities to Orient Express and instead appreciating Everyone On This Train is a Suspect for what it is—a genius and wildly satisfying closed-door mystery that proves even the classic whodunit can be tweaked to thrive in today’s world.
Mystery fans, especially those who fancy Christie and Anthony Horowitz, should run and not walk to grab their copy of the instant it hits store shelves.
Book Details
Author: Benjamin Stevenson
Pages: 336 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 006327907X
Publisher: Mariner Books
Release Date: January 3o, 2024
Praised as “One of the hardest working, most thoughtful, and fairest reviewers out there” by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline, Ryan Steck has “quickly established himself as the authority on mysteries and thrillers” (Author A.J. Tata). Steck also works full-time as a freelance editor and is building a growing community on Twitch. His debut thriller, FIELDS OF FIRE, which #1 New York Times bestselling author Jack Carr says “will leave you speechless and begging for more,” is now available. His second novel, LETHAL RANGE, is also in bookstores, and his third book, OUT FOR BLOOD, comes out on June 4th. For more information, be sure to follow him on Twitter and Facebook. To interact with other readers and talk about your favorite books and authors, join The Real Book Spy’s Discord server.