Meta mysteries put a refreshing, new twist on the genre. Just as a metapuzzle might refer to the act of solving puzzles or using solutions from mini-puzzles to solve a larger conundrum, so do meta mysteries involve self-aware narrators talking directly to the reader, twisting and subverting the tropes of detective fiction in novel ways.
Thus, meta mysteries not only acknowledge the long and rich tradition of murder mysteries, as popularized by Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, but also engage with the very structure and tropes of mystery fiction, surprising the reader and pushing the boundaries of form and genre.
In other words, they’re pretty fun, smartly written, and will definitely delight you and rewire your brain! And one of the most exciting writers of contemporary meta fiction is none other than Benjamin Stevenson!
A famous stand-up comedian and bestselling author whose books have sold over a million copies worldwide, he has written four books in the “Ernest Cunningham” series and two books in the “Jack Quick” series—among other suspense-ridden stories.
If you’re new to Stevenson’s work or to meta mysteries in general, you can get started with our reading guide!
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone
Stevenson’s entertaining and gripping writing style masterfully blends meta fiction with mysteries reminiscent of Agatha Christie novels.
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone is one of his best-known books, introducing readers to Ernest Cunningham, an Australian writer and amateur detective, as he investigates a locked-room murder in his own family.
Hugely hilarious, this one’s an absolute page-turner, especially coupled with Ern’s self-deprecating humor, and will definitely appeal to fans of Knives Out and Thursday Murder Club.
Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect
Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect is a stupendous follow-up to Stevenson’s Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone.
The book follows Ern and a group of big-shot crime writers aboard a train en route to a crime-writing festival, except that one of them is murdered before they reach their destination.
Filled with twists and turns, and narrated by the main character as he experiences the events and deduces things in real time, Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect is a sure-fire, riveting ride.
Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret
By now, if you’ve read one or more of Stevenson’s books, you’re probably in it for the long haul. The third book in the series, Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret, is perfect for the holiday season, as Ernest Cunningham finds himself in the middle of another murder investigation involving talented magicians who are the masters of misdirection.
Unlike the previous two books, this one’s a shorter read (more of a novella, really)—a mini holiday special as you wait for the next book. It also works as an entertaining, quirky standalone, making it the ideal gift for a mystery fan who still hasn’t discovered the glorious thrills and twists of meta mysteries.
Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief
The fourth book in this hugely entertaining series takes readers in a new direction—bank heists. Except there are ten heists and ten suspects, and Ernest Cunningham must solve a super-complicated murder mystery in the middle of it all.
Clever, shocking, and hilarious, Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief is an utterly immersive read with a great cast of characters, taking the readers on an unforgettable roller-coaster ride.
Trust Me When I Lie
This one’s Benjamin Stevenson’s debut novel—originally published in Australia as Greenlight. As a debut novel, it’s a pretty strong one, introducing readers to the complex figure of Jack Quick, a producer of an Australian true crime documentary series.
But just as his series wraps up and postulates that the man who was imprisoned, Curtis Wade, wasn’t probably the murderer, there’s another murder—and Wade has just walked out of prison.
Quick is now forced to revisit the past and question all the facts and his own judgment. Enticing, tongue-in-cheek and full of intrigue, Trust Me When I Lie is intricately-plotted, and makes for a satisfying read.
Either Side of Midnight
Either Side of Midnight is an excellent follow-up to the first Jack Quick novel, which deals with a fascinating premise—a man commits suicide on live television, yet his twin brother is convinced it was actually a murder.
If you love clever and twisty crime thrillers with a refreshingly original plot, don’t give this one a miss.
Fool Me Twice
Finally, if you’re in the mood for a double bill, you can’t go wrong with Fool Me Twice, which collects two of Stevenson’s twisty mystery stories for the price of one.
Both tales in the volume, “Find Us” and “Last One to Leave,” are engrossing and entertaining in equal measure—perfect for readers who want a taste of Stevenson’s uniquely funny writing style, without committing to a series.
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