Devi Nair
š§ Listened in audio š¢ Narrated by Barton Welch ā± Duration: 10 hours š·ļø Publishers: Harper Audio & Mariner Books š Release Date: March 17, 2026 š ARC provided by NetGalley
Ernest Cunningham is back, and somehow Benjamin Stevenson keeps finding fresh ways to drop him into delightfully stressful situations. This time, a locked-down bank full of suspects who all feel just unhinged enough to be guilty. The series continues to live in that sweet spot between cozy mystery and something sharper: not quite hardboiled, not fully comfort-read, but leaning cozy thanks to the humor, wit, and Ernestās deeply self-aware narration.
What really makes this series shine (and this book in particular) is the narrative structure. We open with Ernest in danger (classic Cunningham!!!) then rewind, skipping back and forth in time as the puzzle pieces slide into place. Itās playful, smart, and completely aware of the genre itās inhabiting. The suspects are suspicious in the best way, each one entertaining enough that you want them to have secrets. And yes, this is a proper whodunit: I didnāt crack it early, and the reveal genuinely landed.
Barton Welch deserves special applause here. His narration brings Ernestās self-deprecating humor, panic, and observational chaos vividly to life. Every character feels distinct, and the pacing never drags, which is an impressive feat in a single-location mystery. This book reinforces why the Ernest Cunningham series works so well: itās clever without being smug, silly without being shallow, and consistently entertaining.
Would I Recommend It? Absolutelyāand with enthusiasm. If you enjoy clever mysteries with humor, unreliable narration, and genre-savvy storytelling, this series is a must. That said, do yourself a favor and start with book one. The payoff is richer when youāve grown alongside Ernest. This ARC only solidified my love for the series. Add this to your TBR and mark your calendar for release day.
Originally posted at www.viewsshewrites.com.
š§ Listened in audio š¢ Narrated by Barton Welch ā± Duration: 10 hours š·ļø Publishers: Harper Audio & Mariner Books š Release Date: March 17, 2026 š ARC provided by NetGalley
Ernest Cunningham is back, and somehow Benjamin Stevenson keeps finding fresh ways to drop him into delightfully stressful situations. This time, a locked-down bank full of suspects who all feel just unhinged enough to be guilty. The series continues to live in that sweet spot between cozy mystery and something sharper: not quite hardboiled, not fully comfort-read, but leaning cozy thanks to the humor, wit, and Ernestās deeply self-aware narration.
What really makes this series shine (and this book in particular) is the narrative structure. We open with Ernest in danger (classic Cunningham!!!) then rewind, skipping back and forth in time as the puzzle pieces slide into place. Itās playful, smart, and completely aware of the genre itās inhabiting. The suspects are suspicious in the best way, each one entertaining enough that you want them to have secrets. And yes, this is a proper whodunit: I didnāt crack it early, and the reveal genuinely landed.
Barton Welch deserves special applause here. His narration brings Ernestās self-deprecating humor, panic, and observational chaos vividly to life. Every character feels distinct, and the pacing never drags, which is an impressive feat in a single-location mystery. This book reinforces why the Ernest Cunningham series works so well: itās clever without being smug, silly without being shallow, and consistently entertaining.
Would I Recommend It? Absolutelyāand with enthusiasm. If you enjoy clever mysteries with humor, unreliable narration, and genre-savvy storytelling, this series is a must. That said, do yourself a favor and start with book one. The payoff is richer when youāve grown alongside Ernest. This ARC only solidified my love for the series. Add this to your TBR and mark your calendar for release day.
Originally posted at www.viewsshewrites.com.