This was different for me! Author Eleanor Dash is on a tour of Italy for his first book’s 10th anniversary. With her is her sister, Harper, Connor Smith (one of the characters in her book), and a few other authors, including her ex, Oliver. Connor believers someone is trying to kill him and enlists Eleanor to help him figure it out. It seems that whoever it is doesn’t have their sights just set on Connor. Now everyone is a suspect. Secrets are revealed, fun is had, and everyone is suspicious of everyone.

This cozy mystery is hilarious and clever. It’s written very differently than anything that I have read and I loved it that way! The tone was very conversational, and that’s because literally Eleanor is having a conversation with you about what is happening thereby breaking the “fourth wall.” This made it very easy to read and very easy to be engaged in the book.

There is murder, mystery and romance in this book. So it was all my favorite things in one book, so that was great. It was easy to like Eleanor because she seemed to be very self aware. I liked most of the other characters too, except Connor, but I believe that was don’t purposefully.

For me, the setting in Italy helped make the book. I went to Italy on my honeymoon, and to the places that were talked about in the book: The Vatican, The Coliseum, Sorrento, Capri, Anacapri, and Ravello!

I will say this – there were almost 200 footnotes and after a while, it did get a bit annoying. Especially because the footnote would be a page or two later and then I would have to remember what line was footnoted. I did like the idea, but the amount of them was excessive.

Overall, a great read and I will read more in this series!

Everytime I Go On Vacation Someone Dies is a hilarious, witty, fun, addictive mystery that will keep you hooked and laughing your butt off. I loved the setting, the whole plot was so well thought out, executed perfectly.

The characters were so much fun, they were truly the highlight of this book for me. They were so eccentric, so out there. The narrator was sometimes over the top and obnoxious, but truly it made for the charm of this book. I did want to get to know the characters a little more since this is the first book in the series, but I will definitely be reading the upcoming ones.

I really enjoyed how the author constructed this book with all the footnotes, the new book outline, the way it was written as though she was speaking directly to you, I thought that was really fun. This one does end on a cliffhanger ! This was a fun cozy mystery that I will definitely recommend.

✨️ Thank you to @minotaurbooks, @netgalley, @macmillanaudio & @catherinemack for my gifted ARC & ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book! The plot kept my attention along with getting to know the characters. I had never read this author before but I will be reading her again in the future!

I'm not sure what to say about this book. It's written in the first person POV and the narrator is a mystery writer on a book tour. Her publisher enlisted several other authors to join the tour as well as her character consultant, who is blackmailing her. There are numerous murder attempts on the author, her consultant and finally a fellow writer is killed. They all have motives.

I think that the hardest part of this book is that the narrator continuously posts "footnotes" that are actually her thoughts. They would have been better placed as an aside at the actual location of the comment that she is relating to rather than a footnote. As an e-book the footnotes were never near the area that it was related to.

I had very little trouble determining the murderer so a little work on the mystery was warranted.

This book is different from any book you've read before - I'm pretty sure of it.

OK, so it's a tour of Italy with 5 authors and some other book-related people. And a whole bunch of fans of Eleanor Dash, who are traveling alongside, but not really with the book people. Connor, a former lover of Eleanor, is there because he was the inspiration of the first book in the popular series and continued to be a prominent character in the series. He claims someone is trying to kill him. Eleanor doesn't believe him - at first. And then there are more attempts, including a (mistaken?) attempt on Eleanor's life. And there's a scene in a library with all the book people and an incompetent police investigator.

But have you ever read a book that's been footnoted by the author to give the reader background information, or to say "this might be a clue?" I've never read one like it before. Although I didn't read every footnote, it was a quirky and fun idea.

I enjoyed the book a lot. There was sex mentioned and happening in the book but it wasn't explicit so I'd say this book can be read and enjoyed by almost everyone.

I tried, I really tried to get through this book. I got to about 50% and just couldn't keep going. I just couldn't get into this and the FMC and the side characters were annoying. The story seemed to just be going in circles and the characters kept bringing things they'd already talked about multiple times. I wanted to like this one, the cover is fantastic the premise was good, but I just couldn't get into this.

"Every Time I Go on Vacation Someone Dies" by Catherine Mack a debut novel that is a smashing hit. It is a gripping mystery novel, but also a hilarious comedy with the beauty and allure of travel, all the while trying to solve a murder. This book was a thrilling ride! Despite being a murder mystery, it was highly entertaining. The main character Eleanor, is an author on a book tour in Italy with a cast of characters who will make you laugh out loud. The witty banter between Eleanor and Connor is hysterical. Mack's writing is engaging and immersive, whisking the readers away to picturesque destinations while weaving a complex web of intrigue, comedy and suspense. The characters are well-developed, each with their own motives and secrets that keep the reader guessing until the very end. If you're a fan of mystery, romance, and comedy, I highly recommend this book. I can not wait to read her next one.

Reading Catherine Mack's newsletter had me sprinting to NetGalley to request Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies - the first book in her upcoming Vacation Mysteries series! But also, how could I not read this book with a cover like this!? It's a thing of vacation beauty!

This book is fun, humorous, and clever! It's wild but plausible! It's atmospheric and vacation-y! It's exactly the kind of book I love reading in the summertime!

Main character Eleanor Dash is quirky, spunky, and full of vigor. She's a mystery writer, and there's just something I love about cozy mysteries with main characters who are authors! Simply put: I adore her!

This book has footnotes, which were handled really well in audiobook form!!! The insights they gave into an authors mind and the publishing industry were both enlightening and entertaining! Stylistically, the footnotes fill the reader into details in such a succinct way - which is brilliant author work if you ask me! (But Mack, I now need to know: do you write your own newsletter?)

Narrated by Elizabeth Evans, this audiobook is going to be one I recommend all summer (and after, because who doesn't want beach-y vibes in the middle of winter!?)! She truly added extra pizazz to Eleanor's character, and I love how she altered her voice to allow the footnotes to sound like asides to the main story!

If you like fun mysteries, this is the quick and easy read for you!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.

Like an Agatha Christie who done it with a mix of the mafia set in Italy. Written in the style of the main character, a famous book writer, is talking to you in footnotes giving you more details and thoughts. With a cast of characters and group of “Bookface Ladies” fans along for the mystery.
This book would probably be better to read on a real book and not the ebook/kindle version. Trying to find the footnotes and back to your place in the book is distracting and after a while annoying. Some footnotes were in black and some in red… I eventually gave up on them.

I was initially attracted to this book because it looked like a fun and light mystery read, set in Italy where I live. I think in hindsight this was perhaps not the book for me or my reading tastes? I found the main character a little too conversational with the reader (I guess I prefer to read as an "onlooker") and the footnotes sort of drove me crazy. They really broke up the flow of my reading, for what were often short pithy comments. You can certainly skip them, but I wanted the full experience of reading with them included. One thing that drives me a little crazy with books set in Italy are the cultural inaccuracies -- no you wouldn't order cannoli in Naples because those are from Sicily. No you would not have the same tour guide with you throughout as people are only licensed in certain cities. OK, maybe that makes me a bit of a spoilsport, but can someone with cultural knowledge start proofreading these books set in Italy for cultural accuracy?

I will say if you don't care about those cultural inaccuracies (most people would not pick up on them) and do like a more conversational, cozy mystery, this is probably the book for you -- especially as a summer beach read with a bit of escapism included.

#ETIGOVSD:⁣
⁣
Thank you @minotaur_books @macmillan.audio #MacAudio2024 for my gifted copies.⁣
⁣
This tickled my ADD brain in the best way, and audio is truly the way to go. The footnotes made total sense on audio and really tracked for my multiple track mind. I tried my kindle and threw a fit, did decent with the physical print, but audio? Elizabeth Evans, you made it shine for the reader.⁣
⁣
If you like your snarky banter with your cozy mystery, look no further. If you want to crave an aperol spritz while dreaming of Italy, buckle up. Eleanor Dash makes both things happen as she breaks down her book tour from hell, in a place that’s nearly heaven. Someone is trying to axe her and the real life inspiration behind her MC, and she’s not having it. ⁣
⁣
With quite a few nods to Dame Aggie, it’s a great murder mystery that one could enjoy. Dare I say… it’s to die for? (I’ll see myself out) first in a series, it’s wonderful and kept my attention. Can’t wait to see what happens next!⁣
⁣
Out April 30th!⁣
⁣
QOTD: Where is your dream vacation?

Every Time I Go on Vacation Someone Dies is a fun and entertaining romp through Italy. Is someone trying to kill Eleanor's ex? Or maybe they're after Eleanor? Is it someone on the book tour? So many questions, but enough limoncello spritzes will help her figure it out

I am still deciding on how I feel about the format, the footnotes, breaking the 4th wall etc. but it’s different which I always appreciate. Some of the twists were slightly predictable but still needed explanation. A fun read!

This was really cute, entertaining and enjoyable to read.
I found the premise to be fun and quirky and overall something a little different than my usual romance or thrillers. I thought the setting was amazing, the characters were cute and overall I enjoyed my time reading this one.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to review this ARC. I had a thoroughly fun time reading it, and I honestly think it got me out of a little reading slump I was in. The story had a good pace to it, and was witty and comical from beginning to end. While I had a little trouble with the footnotes on my Kindle (I was warned beforehand) they added another layer of building rapport with the main character, and also got some good laughs in as well. I predicted part of the twist(s?), but not all of it, which I liked. I like that I was able to figure it out on my own but also still be a little surprised by something. The ONLY reason I'm giving 4 instead of 5 stars is that I thought it was a little predictable, though. Overall I thought it was a fun, light, easy read that kept me on my feet.

This book is very much impressed with itself. I was not as impressed with it. It tried to hard to be quirky and cute. I just found it annoying. I’m a nerd. I love footnotes. Here they were unnecessary and distracting.

Every Time I Go on Vacation Someone Dies by Catherine Mack is a laugh-out-loud cozy mystery/rom-com hybrid, set in a “locked room” format, as all the characters/suspects are on a book tour of Italy!
The protagonist, Eleanor Dash, is well-drawn as the writer of a popular Vacation mystery series. Her sister Harper is her bestie and manager. Her ex-lover Connor is blackmailing her, and his ex-wife Allison still resents Eleanor’s affair with Connor. Rounding out the cast of fellow travelers are a couple of fellow mystery writers and the Book-faced ladies, groupies who have won this trip with Eleanor. Mayhem and murder ensue in a delightfully funny, witty comedy full of dead ends and red herrings!
Eleanor is a sassy, saucy heroine, and in her first person narrative frequently “breaks the fourth wall,” to address the reader with clues and snide asides. The lovely travelogue of Italy’s beautiful landmarks adds to the charm, as do the witty footnotes, which take some getting used to, but definitely add to the plot and the humor.
This is an entertaining ensemble whodunit, in the vein of Knives Out and Janet Evanovich novels. The epilogue broadly hints at a sequel, and I will eagerly look forward to it.
I recommend this for a 2024 beach read!

Thank you to Minotaur and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up. This book is a fun cozy mystery set in Italy, which would be perfect for a beach or pool read. If you're looking for a light mystery with no graphic content, I highly recommend giving it a try.

One thing to note is that the author uses a lot of footnotes, which add a quirky and fun element to the story. However, I suggest reading this book in its physical format rather than on a Kindle. The ebook formatting was a bit difficult to follow, with the footnotes appearing in the middle of the pages.

This cozy mystery was so cleaver and funny! While cozy mysteries are not my go to genre, after hearing the synopsis and seeing the beautiful cover, I knew I needed to give it a try.

I went between reading the ebook and listening to the audiobook, which in my opinion is the best way to read a book! I was hooked from the beginning but I felt that it was a slow build and lost some steam throughout most of the book. There were a lot of characters to keep track of and it caused me to struggle to keep my attention. Overall, I enjoyed the book and I was extremely surprised by the twists.

The narrator, Elizabeth Evans, was a new to me narrator and the female voices were enjoyable. However, I think the audiobook could have benefited by having a male narrator for the male characters since I was not a fan of her male voices.

If you are a fan of Finlay Donovan series, the you will like enjoy this series.

****Many thanks to Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for my gifted copies in turn for an honest review.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for my advance electronic copy via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

Author Eleanor Dash didn't think that this book tour of Italy would be such a nightmare. Sure, she knew that Connor Smith--the jerk who she got mixed up with ten years ago and who she's now stuck with--would be there, but she has a plan for him (note: kill off his character in her next book and be done). What she didn't expect was...well, anything else. And now Connor thinks someone's trying to kill him, and it seems like he may not be the only one in danger. But with so many people who have a grudge against him...and, it turns out against Eleanor too, how many killers are there, and how many people will wind up dead?

I did not like Eleanor, but that didn't get in the way of enjoying the book. She is not very bright, is helpless to the point of using those who care about her the most, and she is self-pitying when her troubles are pretty much her own fault. Having said that, I loved the creative idea of her including snarky little asides in the footnotes of the book, breaking the fourth wall to create mood and suspense, a la Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone (but different). I also enjoyed the idea of a murder mystery on a book tour, with plenty of suspects to go around and good food to imagine.