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A review by jstilts
Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
In a genius move, Benjamin Stevenson has his lead character (the supposed author of these books) be emotionally vulnerable to criticism of the first book and wracked with self-confidence issues on his right to be considered an author at all - to the point where I felt guilty giving that book a scathing 2 star review and fully committed to giving Ernest Cunningham a second chance.
I wasn't disappointed - this was a huge improvement over the first book - genuinely funny, more distinct characters, rattles along at great pace - and a final mystery that didn't require a pin board and red string.
That doesn't mean it's simplisitic - there are plenty of mini-mysteries amongst the suspects that are connected enough to make an interesting whole without making that whole a muddle.
I think I complained last time about the genre-critiquing style of the book and narrating lead character - perhaps setting this book in the publishing world makes that meta-critique a better fit, but I found the style more settled, less intrusive - and much funnier.
It certainly had me laughing out loud - there's an excellent scene with a Landcruiser that I can see perfectly in my mind's eye, absolutely ripe for a hilarious movie adaptation. The overall tone is quite light-hearted (the first book veered to hard for me between real-life awful tragedy and jokes), but nevertheless the twists still hit hard - the arrest in particular!
I'd definitely recommend this book - you don't need to read the first in order to enjoy the second, although it will certainly tempt you to go back for it - as the lead character is well aware!
I wasn't disappointed - this was a huge improvement over the first book - genuinely funny, more distinct characters, rattles along at great pace - and a final mystery that didn't require a pin board and red string.
That doesn't mean it's simplisitic - there are plenty of mini-mysteries amongst the suspects that are connected enough to make an interesting whole without making that whole a muddle.
I think I complained last time about the genre-critiquing style of the book and narrating lead character - perhaps setting this book in the publishing world makes that meta-critique a better fit, but I found the style more settled, less intrusive - and much funnier.
It certainly had me laughing out loud - there's an excellent scene with a Landcruiser that I can see perfectly in my mind's eye, absolutely ripe for a hilarious movie adaptation. The overall tone is quite light-hearted (the first book veered to hard for me between real-life awful tragedy and jokes), but nevertheless the twists still hit hard - the arrest in particular!
I'd definitely recommend this book - you don't need to read the first in order to enjoy the second, although it will certainly tempt you to go back for it - as the lead character is well aware!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Murder
Minor: Alcoholism and Vomit