Hello, let me introduce you to the book that I will be recommending to everyone I ever talk to.

Bestselling author Eleanor Dash on her Italian book tour that turns into a real-life murder mystery, as her life starts to imitate her fictional world.

This book is hilarious. I loved all the inside jokes especially the Goodreads diss (sorry not sorry.) Iswitched back & forth from both the audiobook & the ebook & the audiobook made it feel like your friend was telling you the story.

This is such a good & it’ll be the perfect read for by the book this summer!

3.5 stars. Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies is the first entry in a new series of cozy mysteries by Catherine McKenzie, and it’s a fun and fresh take on the genre. Eleanor Dash writes the popular Vacation Mysteries series, but after 10 books she’s ready for a change – and that means killing off her main character, Connor Smith, who also happens to be a real person she met a decade ago, and who she now can’t get out of her life (or her books). Maybe a book tour throughout Italy will provide the inspiration she needs for (figuratively) killing Connor – until, that is, there’s a threat on the real Connor’s life, sending the entire tour group into a tizzy of chaos and suspicion.

This book has been compared to the Finlay Donovan series, but it’s also similar to the Ernest Cunningham books, in that Eleanor addresses the reader directly, in a narrative that includes plenty of meta moments about the book world and publishing. It’s light-hearted and entertaining and funny, full of zany characters, and it’s also a pretty solid mystery, with plenty of suspects and red herrings.

There are lots of footnotes, which Eleanor uses to provide snarky asides and tidbits of juicy gossip, and I have to admit those got a bit tiresome after a while. It felt like Catherine Mack was trying just a bit too hard to be funny and clever, and I’m not sure how much those really added to the overall reading experience. However, I do love that Eleanor is a Swiftie, and as to how she’s going to get out of the predicament she finds herself in at the end of this book? All I have to say to her is: YOYOK (IYKYK), but I’ll definitely be coming back to see how you manage it. Thank you to Minotaur Books for the early reading opportunity.

Bestselling mystery author Eleanor Dash is on a whirlwind book tour trip to Italy, looking for inspiration on how to kill off one of the main characters in her book series. She is joined by the real-life version of said character (Connor), her sister, fans, her ex, and a slew of others. Her book tour takes quite a left turn when she finds that someone is trying to kill her and Connor in real life, and suddenly her days are mirroring her books a little too much. With everyone on the tour as a viable suspect, can Eleanor solve this mystery before it’s too late?

This was such a cute read. The style sucked me in immediately, with the author leaving hilarious footnotes throughout, as though they were talking to the reader. It was a fun and fresh take on the “book about an author writing a book” storyline, I thought all of the supporting characters were done well, and I really enjoyed this lighthearted cozy mystery. I can’t wait to pick up the next one in the series when it comes out!

Thank you to Catherine Mack, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This charming story hit shelves yesterday!

Every Time I Go on Vacation Someone Dies was a quick, beach-read for lovers of murder mysteries and tales with comical protagonists.

The reader is quickly oriented to the events unfolding, and it begins in a most unexpected way - with Eleanor (our narrator) confessing to have sinned (even though she hasn’t acted on it yet). From opening scene right until the end, the reader follows El and a handful of other authors along on El’s book tour throughout Italy promoting her tenth (and possibly last) novel in her popular series. However, all is not what it seems as El and the others quickly realize someone is trying to kill Connor — or are they? And who among them is actually trying to kill Connor?

What I enjoyed most about this was the breaking of the fourth wall between El and the reader. I can’t recall the last time I read a book that had this writing style, and it made it more enjoyable and easy to read. The footnotes sometimes threw me off and didn’t always feel necessary, but they still highlighted the quirkiness of the narrator. The reveal at the end is fairly straightforward for mystery readers and watchers, and I would have liked to have seen it revealed in a more realistic nature.

All in all, this would be an enjoyable read for fans of Agatha Christie and other murder mystery fans. It’s a great beach or vacation read as it’s easy to pick up and follow without having to dedicate huge swaths of time before a chapter break. I am interested to see what else the author publishes in this series as the epilogue leaves off on a big cliffhanger.

Entertaining read , the author draws the reader in by have the main character "talk" to the reader . The storyline was more understandable when I listened on audio versus the written story . I did enjoy the story of authors and a who did it type mystery with a little "Clue " thrown in. I would read this author's work again for sure .

Overall I enjoyed this book. It was witty and mostly kept my attention - however the footnotes were a bit distracting. Another reviewer mentioned the audio book. I think this is an instance in where I would prefer audio for sure. Interesting characters and set in wonderful Italy which made the book more enjoyable.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5 Stars
Happy pub day to Catherine Mack and Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies! Thank you to Catherine Mack, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen 🎧 to this book for an honest review. Additionally, thank you to St. Martin’s Press (Minotaur Books) for allowing me to read 📖 this book for an honest review!

📅 Tuesday, April 30, 2024 is the pub date for Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies. 📅

🎧The narrator for this audiobook is Elizabeth Evans.🎧

Ten days, eight suspects, six cities, five authors, three bodies…one trip to die for.

Bestselling Author Eleanor Dash is on a book tour abroad with her sister (and assistant/consultant), a man (Connor - former love interest) that one of her main characters is based on, a few (roughly 20) fans, and a couple of friends (including current love interest). Eleanor plans to write Connor out of her next book but he starts to feel like someone is trying to kill him in real life. Multiple deaths ensue. Is anyone safe on the trip? Will they finish the book tour unscathed?

I love, love, loved the audiobook version! There were so many characters but Elizabeth Evans expertly crafted a distinct voice for each. Her narration helped me keep each character straight as I was listening. I originally started reading the ARC on my kindle but the footnotes were distracting to me. They didn’t provide for a smooth, seamless read. However when I switched to the audio ARC, the footnotes enhanced the experience and provided a fresh perspective with a lot humor. This was an engaging and fast paced listen that made me laugh out loud many times. It’s considered a cozy murder mystery. I suggest this read to any audiobook junkie!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A fun mystery with witty banter and descriptive world building. Eleanor Dash is a like able FMC with great supporting characters as well. The layout of the story was different with footnotes and clues to help you solve the crime.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur, and Catherine Mack (McKenzie) for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

This book was fun. Definite Enola Holmes vibes - the fourth wall isn’t just broken, it’s smashed - which I don’t always love but I liked it here. The conceit of an author writing about an author writing about being an author was right up my alley. I liked Eleanor, who is a hot mess but whose sense of humor (read: sarcastic and snarky) is a lot like mine. I did wish her sister Harper was a little less “support staff” and a little bit more of an active participant. I also expected a little more villainy out of the weaselly Connor. Oliver was great though, and every scene with Oliver and Eleanor together was magical. I also developed a strong urge to go to Italy and, seeing as that’s not really a current option, eat lots of Italian food.

One side note: if you’re not a footnotes person (humorous or otherwise) you might struggle in this book. There are almost 300 of them. It didn’t bother me, especially because the footnotes occurred on each relevant page instead all at the end of the chapter (which I find hard to follow).

The mystery is entertaining, the scenery is gorgeous, and the main characters are a lot of fun. What’s not to enjoy? This is a great summer/beach/vacation read. Here’s hoping your vacation is less… shall we say “fatal”…than Eleanor’s.

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

10 years ago, Eleanor Dash wrote a bestselling mystery novel, and now she wants to kill off her main character. Connor Smith isn’t just her crime-solving protagonist, it’s also the real name of the man that she unraveled a real mystery with. Now as she contemplates the fictional Connor’s demise, real life Connor is convinced that someone wants him dead. When a body is discovered, it seems that everyone had a motive.

Set in a gorgeous backdrop of the Mediterranean, this is a fun whodunnit. 3.5/5 stars

This debut cozy mystery is full of wit and quirky humor. The author uses footnotes to have a side conversation with the reader, and many are embedded with clues and funny quips. This definitely gives the book a unique approach and helps the reader solve the mystery on their own. I probably would have enjoyed the footnotes more in a physical book as I was reading on my Kindle while on a plane which made my finger accuracy in opening up the footnote link a but suspect with the bit of mild turbulence we enjoyed on our way from Columbus, Ohio to Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Overall, I would rate the mystery as a 3.5 (I did figure out the whodunnit midway through) as I like my mysteries a bit more onstage, but I rounded up for creativity and overall enjoyment

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

We are are whisked away on a whirlwind book tour of Italy with main character Eleanor Dash on, her sister/assistant, a couple of exes, other fellow authors, and a few too many dead bodies. We get to follow along as secrets are revealed, and Italy is explored.

This is compulsively-readable book that seamlessly blends humor, mystery, and the charm of Italian locales. Much like an Aperol spritz on a hot summer day, this cozy mystery offers a delightful escape into a world where secrets unravel against the backdrop of breathtaking scenery.

Combining the wit and charm of the Finlay Donovan series with a hint of White Lotus ✨vibes✨, "Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies" offers a perfect escape for fans of lighthearted mysteries. Perfect for readers who enjoy a dose of humor with their whodunits, this promises a fun-filled journey that doesn't take itself too seriously.

Mack crafts a fun story that keeps you guessing until the very end. I had a hunch about whodunit but there was just enough misdirection to keep me unsure. With its blend of humor, intrigue, and unforgettable characters, I can’t wait for what is next for Eleanor Dash and company.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read. All opinions are my own.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

Eleanor Dash is back in Italy, ten years after her first trip. The first time, she met a dashing investigator named Connor Smith and they solved a series of bank robberies together. She went back home to California with her head still spinning from everything that happened, so she decided to process it all by writing it down. That became her first book which became a runaway bestseller. Now, she’s back in Rome and working on the tenth book of her popular Vacation Mystery series. And she has a plan for it. But she’s not alone on the trip.

The publisher has set up this tour of Italy to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Eleanor’s book, and they are going all out. Not only is Eleanor there with her sister Harper (who also acts as her assistant), but Connor is there too, along with several other authors and twenty fans who won the trip through social media. And just to make things more interesting, the tour also includes Eleanor’s ex (the one after Connor), and Connor’s ex-wife (and no, Eleanor didn’t know that Connor was married that first trip to Rome).

So Eleanor’s plan for this trip, as she’s plotting this tenth novel, is to kill Connor.

Not the actual Connor, of course. But the character of Connor. She wants to end the series. She wants to stop being tied to this man, especially since he’s been blackmailing her for a cut of her royalties. But then he tells her that someone is trying to kill him. Before they left on the trip, someone cut his brake lines. And then in Rome, someone tried to push him into traffic. But Eleanor isn’t true that he’s telling the truth. She’s never completely sure if Connor is telling the truth.

And then someone tries to push Eleanor off a cliff.

It has to be someone on the tour who is trying to kill them, but who would do that? And why? And what if someone kills off real-life Connor before Eleanor can kill him off in her book? And worse, what if someone kills her off before she can figure out who is trying to kill them?

Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies kicks off a new series with a bang. This mystery sparkles with intrigue and interest, from the strong characters to the settings spread around Italy. With layers of secrets and lies and an assortment of crimes and victims to sort through, this novel is filled with questions, more questions, and pizza, pasta, and gelato.

I listened to the audio book for this one, narrated by Elizabeth Evans. Evans brings the character of Eleanor to life, complete with her snark and many, many footnotes. I think anyone who might be annoyed by those footnotes should try the audio book, as it just rolls right into the narration seamlessly, adding to the strong personality that Eleanor brings to the story. But there are so many footnotes that I think reading them would have been irritating.

But that being said, I loved this book. Author Catherine Mack opens up that fourth wall and invites the reader into the story. She encourages us to solve the mystery before her character does and offers fun spoilers throughout (including references to more books, which I really hope is true). This is not a traditional cozy, but instead a playful twist on the mystery genre, with nods to Dame Agatha Christie and notes about other good books to read. Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies is a brilliant start to this series, and I can’t wait to see where we go next!

Egalleys were provided by Minotaur Books and an early copy of the audio book was provided by Macmillan Audio through NetGalley, with many thanks.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this book. I found the book was funny and the writing style was good but I found some of the funny parts a bit forced and I just found it was trying hard to be a cosy mystery even though I found it to be okay. I may not be a cosy mystery reader even though I try.

But a very interesting title for this book.Because you really don't know what's gonna happen.You don't know if it's mystery a love story.But as we read out it becomes a mystery. E l e a n o r dash wrote mysteries through her vacation series. These stories take place in Italy and you find this out when she does.Different chapters and then puts like footnotes and like little synopsis.It's very very good writing. The main character is cornell smith Was the fictional character in a book?But he actually is a real life person in this book. It's funny because this man was a con man and he was suing her because she used his name in the books.So he kept black mailing her through different means. It was funny because she kept changing things in the book.Especially the book ladies who were taking a tour in In Roman. And this was really funny because they were just trying to meet the writer.And I was laughing hysterically. Title is like every time I go on vacation someone Dead in her box. Through the mystery.

Thank you @netgalley @catherinemckenzieauthor and @minotaur_books for this ARC! Funny. Witty. Light yet, Murder-y. I would kill to be on vacation in Italy right now and THIS BOOK would be my vacation read. 🥰 Also, the footnotes are to die for! (There’s a lot of puns in this book, I can’t help myself)

“𝙄 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙’𝙫𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣’𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣’𝙩 𝙗𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚.”

I had entirely too much fun reading this ARC! The author is constantly “breaking the 4th wall” and clueing the reader in on the story which makes for such an interesting reading experience. The characters are lovable and REAL. And a fellow Swiftie?!? YES. Sign me up.

“𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙬𝙖𝙮? 𝙊𝙝, 𝙖𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙝𝙤𝙡. 𝙍𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩, 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩.”

Definitely recommend this one if you want a fun, airy, vacation mystery! AND it’s the first of a series! I cannot wait for the next one! Hopefully I will actually be on vacation when I get my hands on it!
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ʏᴏᴜʟʟ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
•books about books
•witty humor
•murder mystery
•travel

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies is a cozy mystery that follows multiple authors on a book tour throughout Italy. Eleanor is the reason behind the book tour. It is her series that features Connor that brought everyone to Italy. Eleanor didn’t expect to have to worry about her life on the tour along with Connor’s life. I overall enjoyed the story, but I do think the formatting of my copy was a bit off. I think the story would have been more enjoyable if it was formatted the way the author intended. I also believe that the author could have explained more aspects. I found myself confused at some points of the book.

Thank you to St Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and Netgalley for the arc. I DNF at 18%. I picked this up at least 6 times over the past month to try and get through it and I just couldn't.

I felt like the characters were extremely unlikeable. The main character tried to be funny but came off as impersonal. I overall didn't love the storyline.

i also felt like the overuse of footnotes was very annoying. I wanted to like this so much but I didn't.

I had an absolute blast with this one, truly. A mystery writer? A last betrayal impacting the now? A crew of characters heading abroad to Rome and death threats abound? All told from the quirky and fun point of view of the writer herself as clues cause twists and turns at every page, red herrings and new secrets are revealed, and the murder is turned up a notch. This was an Agatha Christie-esque “locked room” (almost) mystery done in the most unique and personal way and I couldn’t put it down. Every time I thought I had it figured out, I was thrown another curveball, and I laughed until I cried in between the harrowing moments. I will absolutely be picking up the author’s next one!

This is an hilarious trip to exotic locations with an author, her con man blackmailer and her book tour entourage. The fun starts from page one and continues rolling along all the way to the end! I loved the characters, even con man Connor, also the about-to-be-victim of a killer. He was so arrogant and narcissistic that he was entertaining. Author Eleanor Dash had an honest vulnerability about her that made her a magnetic personality for me and one that was very realistic and relatable. The plot moved along quickly with a lot of laugh out loud moments and a few asides from the narrator that were somewhat thought-provoking and enlightening about what may happen next. This book was one of the most fun books that I have ever read, with a glimpse into publishing, the life of an author and the lives of those who are her followers or assistants. I especially loved the descriptions of the settings in Italy and felt as though I were actually there with Eleanor. This first in a series has more than a little promise as it was a real winner for me and I look forward to more!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”