I ended up liking this book. I enjoyed the eclectic cast of characters, the beautiful European setting and descriptions of food and scenery, and the mystery kept me guessing. **BUT** The footnotes were unique and kind of funny at the beginning, and very quickly turned annoying for me. So much so that I had to put the book down and take a long break from it. When I came back, I still couldn't handle the footnotes and had to just skip them all together. I didn't feel like I missed anything from the plot in doing so and like I said, I ended up liking the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I was very intrigued by the title and summary of this novel and eagerly started reading it mere hours after my request was accepted. The premise and writing style felt fresh, but something in the novel itself made me pause constantly, almost every few pages. It became such an issue that I let my ARC expire and didn’t finish the novel until several months later. Even then, I paused in my reading of the second half of the novel until I reached the major turning points and the climax of the story. Thus, my review is very delayed, but I now understand why. Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies is an alluring read, but the protagonist, Eleanor, is a bit too difficult to relate to, as her characterization fails flat and many of the characters with whom she interacts more frequently throughout the story are never properly explored.

Loved this one! This book was such a fun mystery novel to read! I loved the characters and the plot! I thought it was done in a really fun and lighthearted way with lots of humor that kept me hooked from start to end on this story! This was such a quick light read that is perfect for spring and summer!!! Definitely recommend reading this book!!!

I really enjoyed this book. The story was fun and a quick read! I didnt love the footnotes used to tell the story - I found them a little hard to follow.

Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

I enjoyed the premise of this book... An author plotting the demise of her character, but the character is a real person, who believes his life is threatened. Some of the story is told in annoying footnotes that really got in the way of my reading pleasure, though. I'd have given this a higher rating without that device.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to #Netgalley and #Catherinemack for the
Free arc to this title. It is my fault for not getting it reviews before the publishing date. I really enjoyed this book, loved the references to the fictional titles our main protagonist wrote, and can’t wait to see If Ms Mack actually might write some 9f the books mentioned. After all they were mysteries and she is off to a great start with Everytime I go in Vacation, someone dies. I won’t spoil who dunit. I admit I didn’t see wh9mwas responsible for the mysteries involved. The cast for the more part are extremely likeable. Here’s hoping the secondary character of the sister, Harper starts writing books as well.

This was a fun murder mystery and a quick read! I happened to read this at the exact right time and it was the perfect palette cleanser. I'm really enjoying this genre of mystery, the ones that have some comedic elements woven through the narrative and I really felt like this book does a good job of including those. Eleanor is a bestselling authors of a murder mystery series, the main character of which is based on a former love interest, Connor. She is desperately trying to find a way to kill off the fan favorite character of Connor from her series in the next book so she can have a clean break. Eleanor, Connor, and a cast of ensemble characters embark on a book tour through Italy when Connor suspects someone is trying to kill him in real life. The ensuing mystery was so entertaining I kept turning the pages and had to keep reading. This book is laugh out loud funny and parts and is a very light hearted read. There's a small romance element as well, which obviously I loved. The author does a great job breaking the fourth wall through the use of footnotes, which are well placed and don't take away from the story at all. I would definitely recommend this light hearted mystery read to fans of the genre and those looking for a different kind of book. I can't wait to continue this series with the next book!

2.5/5
Ugh, I wanted to like this but just couldn't get into it. Anyone who knows me knows I am a sucker for stories about books, book stores, or writers.

The premise of Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies sounds like such a fun read. Initially, I liked the story, but then Eleanor got annoying. I detested her inner dialogue. I didn't care about any of the characters. At 50% in, I just wanted it to be over so I could move on to my next read. I didn't hate it. I just didn't like it.

4.5 stars! Eleanor never planned to be an author, but an event in her life compelled her to write her first "fiction" book. It hit big, and a series was born. However, she's had enough of one of the main characters, Connor, and wants to kill him off. When she is on a book tour event in Italy, it seems that someone is trying to kill the real Connor. Fictional sleuthing becomes real-life as the group tries to get to the bottom of the sinister series of murderous activity.

This book was so much fun. I loved the style, but I'm sure it's not for everyone. The writing was very quippy and snarky and was made that much more so by the footnotes, which were usually funny asides to the reader. Breaking the fourth wall worked so well here. It gave me vibes of Knives Out in the best way. This was a really enjoyable reading experience-I was thoroughly entertained. I hope the adaptation that is in the works comes to fruition. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an early reader's copy.

Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies is a darkly humorous yet surprisingly poignant novel that will keep readers guessing. The novel's charm lies in its playful tone and the engaging voice of the protagonist. It's a refreshing and entertaining read that will appeal to fans of cozy mysteries and quirky characters.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

A DNF. Seriously could have done a better job with formatting. I wanted to read it but I couldn't get into it with the terrible formatting.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this book.

Really fun book about a writer who takes a 10th anniversary trip of her first book’s release with a group of friends and fellow writers, when one member of the party claims someone is trying to murder him. Eleanor has written a series of books, set in Europe, where a private investigator, Connor, solves murders. The real-life Conner and Eleanor solved an actual murder years ago, and Eleanor decided to fictionalize it for her book. Then came nine more in the series.

And as much as Eleanor dislikes Connor these days, she can’t help but notice he might be right that someone is out to get him. However, Eleanor seems to be a target, also. Are they both destined for death? When one member of their traveling party actually does die, Eleanor has to figure out what is happening and who is the real target.

Great, snappy dialogue with beautiful descriptions of Italian food and scenery. Eleanor and her sister, Harper, are a lot of fun to follow along on the adventure. And the ending left me guessing as to who (if anyone) was the real target.

What an incredibly annoying main character, but what a great, exciting murder mystery. I read this book so quickly, and dare I say, I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

I wasn’t sure how much I’d like this one once I started it because this formatting is kind of weird. It’s very aware of itself as a book, and the main character is an author of a series of books that are often referenced, and also seems to be writing the book you as the reader are reading. It is very odd at first, but ends up working. It’s almost omniscient, in a way, but not really, because it’s all from the MC’s point of view, so we have to rely on her word.

I really thought I’d figured out the killer based on clues dropped throughout the book, then that person was disproven. I did note a few things about folks or mentions of folks that seemed so odd and at times obvious to me, but just kept things in the back of my mind until the end. I really appreciated that when the big reveal happens, you recognize the clues were there all along, so that’s really nice. You can figure it all out as the reader, but also, as any good murder mystery does, each character has a motive and/or the means or ability to be the killer.

I enjoyed this book very much, and read it so quickly! What an engaging story.

This was a fun who done it. I enjoyed the setting and the characters. So many suspects made for a good storyline. Never guessed who it actually was! The breaking of the fourth wall was done well, even though that isn’t something I normally enjoy, it worked well in this instance.

The comparison to Knives Out is a great one for this book! Recommended for cozy mystery readers and publishing nerds, pairs nicely with an aperol spritz on a beach chair. Great narrator on the audio edition, too.

How can readers resist going on a madcap book vacay with a side offering of mystery? The title of debut author Catherine Mack is an irresistible invitation to drop everything and devour her Vacation Mysteries series. Eleanor Dash is a bestselling author who wrote a runaway-success mystery based on a whirlwind Italian romance with a gentleman who sadly turned out to be a conman. Eleanor met Connor Smith in Rome; Connor was an investigator and Eleanor became caught up with his machinations and schemes. When the torrid affair finally lost its sizzle, Eleanor went home to Los Angeles and wrote her heart out. She got an agent and a book contract and ain’t life grand? An ending devoutly to be wished, no? Well, yes and no. Unfortunately, Eleanor’s mystery hewed too closely to her real-life affair and out of the blue, Connor reappeared and demanded aka blackmailed Eleanor and her publisher into gifting him a 20 percent “consultancy” fee. Twenty percent? Even agents only get 15 percent. Ten books later, Eleanor has had enough. She’s a successful mystery writer—she’ll write Connor out of her Vacation Series by murdering him on the page.

Here’s where it gets complicated. Eleanor and her younger sister Harper, a bountifully paid personal assistant and all-round factotum, are in Rome, ten years into the Vacation Series. They’re celebrating her fans, her social media presence, touring here and there, all whilst Eleanor desperately counts the minutes till her next Aperol Spritz. Eleanor is disinclined to read the elaborate itineraries her sister prepares for her, so she is shocked and dismayed when she realizes the magnitude of her ten-day schedule. She is so over this whole shebang. Consequently, she inadvertently disrespects and takes for granted her sister’s efforts on her behalf, even though she thinks to herself “my life would be a mess without her.”

“Harper?”



She brings her head down and turns. She looks disappointed, like I’ve woken her out of a particularly good dream.



“Yeah?”



“We’re not Catholic, right?”



“How could you not know that?”



“I remember church at Christmas, and didn’t we go at Easter sometimes? Am I making that up?”



“I’m not your memory palace.”



“Aren’t you?”



“Ha.”

And so on and so forth: Harper confirms they went to church on Christmas and Easter. Their parents died when Eleanor was eighteen—she thinks ruefully, “having to immediately become Harper’s parents seems to have erased most of my memories. The good ones, anyway.”

Could anything else further chill her vibe? Yes. Connor appears, he’s desperate—someone is trying to murder him. Is real life imitating art or the opposite? And how can Eleanor refuse to help discover Connor’s would-be murderer? Truthfully, she could quite easily shake off his plea for help, she thinks as she walks away from him.

I need to shake off the cognitive dissonance of the last five minutes.



Because what if someone did kill Connor?



That would be amazingly convenient.



Which is why it can’t be happening. Or maybe I’m magic. I’ve sometimes suspected as much. I know it sounds crazy, but sometimes I think something and then it happens. Okay, well, once. 14 But still . . . 15

What’s with the footnotes? Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies, is full of footnotes. They’re very amusing—check out #15:

Okay, I know that’s a lame example. But sometimes when I’m speaking to people, they pause, and I know the word they’re going to say before they say it. That’s a kind of magic, right?

Eleanor Dash’s brain is like a whirligig, dashing from thought to thought and emotion to emotion. She may be all over the map but she’s very smart. She has to be because folks do indeed die on her watch author junket and if she doesn’t want to end up in the kill column, she’ll have to figure out whodunnit.

Sometimes descriptions of books are absolutely on the nose, like this one: Ten days, eight suspects, six cities, five authors, three bodies . . . one trip to die for. Enjoy Catherine Mack’s unusual and captivating debut mystery.

I just finished reading Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack, and I can’t wait to share my thoughts with you!

This book is a delightful mix of mystery, humor, and adventure that had me hooked from the very first page. Mack’s writing is sharp, witty, and filled with just the right amount of suspense to keep you turning the pages.

One of the standout moments for me was when the protagonist, Lily, finds herself in a sticky situation at a luxurious beach resort. There's a hilarious scene where she tries to sneak into a restricted area to find clues about a mysterious disappearance. The combination of her clumsy attempts and the high-stakes tension had me laughing out loud and gripping my seat at the same time. Mack masterfully balances the humor and the mystery, making it a fun and engaging read.

What I love most about Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies is how it blends the charm of a cozy mystery with the thrill of a suspenseful adventure. Lily is a relatable and endearing character whose mishaps and determination make her a joy to follow. The exotic settings and quirky side characters add an extra layer of enjoyment to the story.

If you’re looking for a book that’s both entertaining and filled with twists and turns, Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies is a must-read. Trust me, you’ll be eagerly flipping pages to see what trouble Lily gets into next!

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This was a cute mystery, but like all mysteries I was trying to figure out the ending by looking for clues while reading. I can never just sit back and enjoy the read. Anyway, I figured out most of the ending before it happened.

The footnotes were a little hard to follow at first - wasn’t a fan of them. Once you got used to them it got a little bit better/easier.

*Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies!

This was a fun read! A nice change of pace for my usual reading. Would definitely recommend to my friends