That engrossing title really gets me anticipated, also reading through its prologue did tempt me to know more on the backstory of all the Cunningham and how it were all started.
Meet Ernest Cunningham (Ernie/Ern) a self-published writer of how-to guides who just became a family backstabber when he provides a testimony to convict his brother, Michael as a murderer. He gets ostracised by his family from the aftermath and on the eve of Michael’s release from prison, Ernie was summoned to join the Cunningham family reunion up on a mountain resort, never to realise it’ll be a beginning to another series of murders and more family conflicts to come.
I love Ernie’s tone in narrating his story; he was playful, bit hilarious and so honest. He even served you spoilers ahead with a chapter of recap. The moment he appointed himself as sleuth to find the real murderer at the snowy resort, I knew the plot would thickens too much and I need to be ready with all the twists and turns, those secrets and the unexpected revelations. The characterization was the best; flawed and bold yet so grippingly crafted. Think the author did great too in managing the plot execution that even when it became too complex in the middle, the storyline was still smooth and enjoyably written.
Ernie’s dynamic was surprisingly smart and cunning, and I was amazed on how he could relates those murder cases to years ago kindnapping case, of getting a hunch to deduce possibilities and making hypothesis just by observations; an impromptu sleuth to save the day was a good choice, afterall. Such an ingenious whodunnit, utterly fun and the epilogue too was so good I was so perplexed with that end disclosure.
“…we’re not a family of psychopaths. Some of us are good, others are bad, and some just unfortunate.”
A recommendation if you’re a classic crime mystery fan loving much on domestic drama and dysfunctional characters; of anxieties, a distress past and addiction. So distinctively raw, full of suspense and riveting galore of twists. 4.4 stars to this!
Thank you Times Reads for sending me a copy to review!