Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect

Benjamin Stevenson's Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect is an entertaining follow-up to Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, delivering another sharp, self-aware take on the classic whodunit.

This time, author-turned-reluctant-detective Ernest Cunningham finds himself aboard The Ghan, an iconic Australian train, attending a crime-writing festival. When a fellow passenger is murdered, the journey transforms into a real-life mystery, with five crime writers suddenly forced to play detective.

The novel's biggest strength is Stevenson's witty, engaging narration. Ernest's self-referential, tongue-in-cheek style makes for a fresh and humorous read.

The book plays with mystery tropes, occasionally breaking the fourth wall and reminding readers of the "rules" of detective fiction. The plot is well-constructed, with numerous red herrings, clever misdirection, and a satisfying resolution.

The setting is also a highlight. The confined space of The Ghan creates a compelling locked-room mystery, adding tension and atmosphere to the unfolding drama. Stevenson's love for the crime genre shines through in his homage to Golden Age detective fiction, with nods to Agatha Christie and other mystery greats.

However, while the book is undoubtedly enjoyable, it doesn't quite reach "amassing" status. At times, the meta-humour feels overdone, slowing the pacing and making some sections feel more about style than substance.

The large cast of characters - many of them crime writers - can be tricky to keep track of, and not all feel fully fleshed out.

That said, Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect is a fun, clever mystery that will delight fans of unconventional detective stories.

It may not be groundbreaking, but it's an engaging, well-executed novel that keeps readers entertained until the final stop.