This book was pretty fun. It's one of those books where you're just trying to chill, but stuff keeps getting weird? This is that.

I enjoyed the main character and her antics, along with all the side characters we got to meet and the places they are traveling to. Some of them are definitely bucket list places for me!

Yeah, it's a bit over the top at times. But the jokes are good, and it's a solid, easy read. Four stars, because it kept me hooked, even if I rolled my eyes a few times. Good for a lazy afternoon, or, you know, a vacation where hopefully no one dies.

This was a really fun reading experience! The narrator was fantastic and was probably the best part about the book. The mystery was kind of interesting and had a few fun little twists that were refreshing. I'm not sure I care enough to read the rest of the series but this was overall a really good cozy mystery read.

Sadly I DNFed this book. I tried to finish it but it just wasn't for me. Rating it a 3 star because while it didn't work for me it might be the perfect book for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and McMillan Audio for the ALC

All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Cozy vacation mystery that gives Benjamin Stevenson/ Ernest Cunningham series vibes. Enjoyable enough, just not one to stick with you long after. Good summer beach read.

I had to DNF this. It was the first book but I felt like I somehow missed the book before this one. Also wasn’t a fan of the “fourth wall break” at all.

Thank you Netgalley. I enjoyed this book a lot. I listened to It on audio so I didn't see some of the other problems that a few other reviewers had. I thought this book was fun and entertaining. It keeps you interested from beginning to end.

Thank you to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for a free audio copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Catherine Mack's debut novel, Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies, is a clever and laugh-out-loud funny cozy mystery. Narrator Elizabeth Evans does a fantastic job bringing the characters to life in the audiobook. Bestselling novelist Eleanor Dash is in Italy celebrating the tenth anniversary of her popular book series with a fan tour. She's also planning how to kill off her main character, Conner Smith (based on her ex-boyfriend), but her plans are complicated when Conner unexpectedly shows up on the tour and reveals that someone is trying to kill him. Eleanor wants Conner out of her books, not actually dead, but soon, attempts are made on his life, and others are killed in the process.

When a murder occurs at their hotel, the Italian police are called in, including an officer who helped Eleanor and Conner solve a Mafia-related crime in Italy years ago when they were a couple. Now, they're embroiled in another murder investigation. Can they catch the killer before it's too late?

Full of twists and turns, Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies is a fast-paced read with a satisfyingly unexpected conclusion. The quirky characters are well-developed, and Mack's unique writing style, including Eleanor's helpful footnotes, adds to the charm. With a multitude of suspects, the mystery kept me guessing until the very end. This first book in The Vacation Mysteries series is highly recommended, and I'm looking forward to more from Catherine Mack.

4 Stars

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #macmillanaudio #everytimeigoonvacationsomeonedies #catherinemack

I was really excited to dive into Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies based on the intriguing premise, but unfortunately, I ended up DNF'ing it. I made multiple attempts to listen to this audiobook since its release, but I just couldn't connect. While the story had potential and the author’s writing style was solid, I struggled to engage with the characters, and the plot didn’t pull me in as much as I had hoped.

Despite the great premise, I found myself losing interest after a certain point. That said, I can see how others might enjoy it more than I did, but it just wasn’t the right fit for me at this time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack is a delightful and fast-paced mystery that perfectly combines humor, suspense, and a splash of romance. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Italy, the book follows Eleanor Dash, a bestselling author on her book tour, who finds herself embroiled in a real-life murder mystery after an attempt is made on the life of the character she’s written into her popular Vacation Mysteries series—Connor Smith. What was meant to be a routine book promotion quickly turns into a thrilling investigation, with Eleanor caught up in a web of rivals, fans, and unexpected twists.

The novel is filled with witty banter, intriguing suspects, and plenty of suspense as Eleanor juggles personal conflicts, professional jealousy, and the chaos of a mystery that mirrors the plots of her own novels. With a quirky cast of characters, including literary rivals, an ex, and a charming but frustrating former lover, Mack’s writing is sharp and full of surprises. The interactions between Eleanor and her entourage make for a delightful read, while the mystery itself keeps readers guessing until the very end.

With its engaging mix of mystery, humor, and a hint of romance, Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies is a perfect choice for fans of Knives Out and other witty, character-driven mysteries. The debut in this series is a charming, lighthearted adventure that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* This was a really fun read lol i love mysteries like this and this was such a hard book to put down! would recommend

I absolutely loved the narrator for this audiobook! She did a phenomenal job with the accents and flawlessly pronounced the Italian cities, which added so much authenticity to the story. This book was such a delight—it had the perfect balance of humor and intrigue. The low-stakes mystery made it a relaxing, enjoyable read, and I found myself laughing out loud more times than I could count.

The main character’s narrating voice was a highlight for me—witty, relatable, and full of personality. I especially enjoyed the breaking of the fourth wall, which made the storytelling feel fresh and engaging. The setting was beautifully crafted, and the charming cast of side characters only added to the book’s irresistible appeal. Overall, this was such a fun and unique listen, and I’d highly recommend.

This book sounded like it would be fun and entertaining but I couldn’t get into it. I really wanted to get into this but I just felt nothing for the characters. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

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, which is highlighted by excellent audio narration. 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.

This book sounded like it would be fun and entertaining but I couldn’t get into it. The footnotes were obnoxious and I felt nothing for the characters. It just took forever to get into and I was ready for the story to be over. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This book presents a lighthearted and quirky whodunit that is quite enjoyable. It strikes a good balance with minimal red herrings, which can often become tedious in similar genres. The plot is structured cleverly, with answers that are noticeable yet not overly obvious, keeping the reader engaged. Listening to the audiobook version was a delightful experience, thanks to the talented narrator, Elizabeth Evans, who effectively brings the characters and humor to life.

If you're in search of a murder mystery that incorporates humor, this is a great choice. The protagonist, Eleanor, is portrayed as a rather chaotic individual—an author navigating the complexities of life in Italy while getting embroiled in murder attempts.

The book offers a rich mix of elements including murder, vivid settings, cozy mystery vibes, romance, past relationships, blackmail, and international intrigue. This blend certainly keeps the reader entertained.

While some readers may find Eleanor's snarky personality off-putting, I personally find it makes her more relatable and enjoyable. Overall, this is a light and fun read that provides a nice escape. I’m looking forward to diving into the second book in the series!

I really liked this one! It can be hard to find a balance of being funny but also still a gripping mystery, but I felt like this one was able to do both without sacrificing on either side. The narrator was a great choice for the book as well!

This was a fun book! I loved the cast of mystery authors all together and also the setting of a vacation tour. There were lots of twists and turns and so much drama. I listened to the audio, so really liked the footnotes because they were imbedded right in the story (honestly I don’t realize it was a bit thing until someone else mentioned it).
I would definitely read another book by this author.

What a fun and funny read from the very first page I was drawn in. This was truly such a pleasure to read can’t wait to read the next book in the series! Also loved all the Taylor Swift references and the Italy setting so much

This is such a fun book! Audiobook was great and kept me very engaged the whole time. Love the concept and along the lines of Finlay Donovan but not as ridiculous

I called who the killer was and their motive about 2 chapters after she was introduced. So that defeated part of the whole story. But it was very fourth-wall-breaking and meta, so that was fun. 3.5/5 stars