Everyone in my family has killed someone. Some of us, the high achievers, have killed more than once. I’m not trying to be dramatic, but it is the truth. Some of us are good, others are bad, and some just unfortunate.

I’m Ernest Cunningham. Call me Ern or Ernie. I wish I’d killed whoever decided our family reunion should be at a ski resort, but it’s a little more complicated than that.

Have I killed someone? Yes. I have.

Who was it?

Let’s get started.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

The wind was cruel; it found every crevasse in my clothes, invaded and patted me down like I owed it money.

Lucy smokes like she’s siphoning gas…

Time was not only borrowed, it was charging interest.

People have a habit of saying “That’s all I’m saying” when they’re saying an awful lot, I’ve noticed.

The hatred had scuttled back to her edges, like a closet full of roaches exposed to the light… An anger hangover, Erin and I used to call them: when you argue over nothing and realize in the cold light of morning that you just look stupid.

Family is not whose blood runs in your veins, it’s who you’d spill it for.

 

My Review:

This one is rife with amusing and wickedly clever observations and insights, which were tossed out to readers as asides, to include us as fellow collaborators to his efforts. The writing was entertaining and compelling with a complex plot and storylines thick with complicated issues, strained family relationships, dry wit, and a large cast of oddly quirked characters. I reveled in the dark humor and the undercurrents running through each crime, which were prickly and confounding yet smartly nuanced when I looked back at them. Some were cringe-worthy twisted with gruesome descriptors, but not enough to have me regretting my nibbles while perusing. I see there is a book two listed, I am eaten up with curiosity to see what quagmire the well-intentioned Ernest lands himself in next.