🚂🔍 Book Spotlight: Everyone on This Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson
Genre: Mystery • Whodunit • Satire • Meta Fiction

☕ Book Details & Rating
Format: Audio Book
Series: Ernest Cunningham Mysteries #2
Year Published: 2023
Page Count: 368
Rating: ☕☕☕☕ (4 Coffees!)

Perfect Sip: Iced Flat White with a Shot of Hazelnut – Aussie-style
Why it Works: Smooth, bold, and just a little nutty—this drink channels the perfectly blended charm and chaos of a murder mystery set at an Australian literary festival. The flat white nods to the book’s setting, while the hazelnut adds just enough sweetness to cut through the tension. Ideal for sipping while side-eyeing everyone in your train car.

About the Book

A crime fiction festival on a luxury train through the Australian outback? What could go wrong? (Spoiler: yep, it’s murder again.) Ernest Cunningham is back—equal parts sarcastic and unlucky—and this time he’s surrounded by rival authors, clashing egos, and enough secrets to derail the entire trip.

This twisty, laugh-out-loud sequel is a smart send-up of the genre—equal parts clever and chaotic. If you like your whodunits with a wink and a twist, hop aboard.

My Opinion

Ernest and Juliet are fresh off their adventures of both having their books published. Ernest is dealing with imposter syndrome. His he actually a good writer or did he just capitalize off of his family’s tragedy? With encouragement from Juliet, he embarks on an adventure with other crime authors and fans and soon the first death happens. Ernest must decide if he wants to get involved or just leave it alone. Bet you can guess what he chooses to do.

This is written in the same style as the first book where Ernest talks to you, the reader. It makes for a quirky read for sure. I really do enjoy this style of writing. This time there is a name count. The person(s) with the highest count is the killer. Every so often he will break in to give you an update on the name count.

While this book still delivered on the twists and the humor, some of the plot points were predictable, which is why I rated it a 4 instead of a 5. It’s a little slower on the pace this time around. The epilogue though… you HAVE to stick around for that!

Final Thoughts

This sequel might not have packed quite the same punch as the first, but it still delivered clever twists, charming banter, and that delightfully meta storytelling I’ve come to love from Ernest. The pacing was a little slower and a few twists were easier to spot, but the ride was still entertaining—and that epilogue? Chef’s kiss. If you liked Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone, this follow-up is absolutely worth the read.