I adored this audiobook. If you are a fan of Agatha Christie or Sir Authur Conan Doyle, you can’t skip this one. I have recently discovered that I am smitten with a story that is self-aware and pokes fun at its own genre. Self-deprecation is my own personal brand of humor, and this book doubles down on it.
Our main character, Eleanor, is an author who just really wants to kill off her main character (who is based on a very real ex, and who she wouldn’t mind killing in real life, either. SHE HAS HER REASONS!). She never set out to write a book, but here she is on book tour with a slew of authors in her genre represented by the same publisher, two exes, and a sister that probably maybe is still bitter that she stole her dream. Somebody drops dead, and somebody in their group is the killer. But who?
My absolute favorite part of this whole book was that it had me so unsure if I was dealing with a reliable narrator OR NOT! I couldn’t decide. At one point, Eleanor even asks the question “can you trust me?” to the reader and my jaw hit the floor. Another hysterical moment is when Eleanor actually discusses closing versus opening the doors. 😉 There is, however, a lot of strong language. Not so much that I walked away, but had it heightened anymore, it would have been a problem. It was character-specific (some characters cursed, while others didn’t), but still… unnecessary to an already accomplished plot.

This was so much fun!! Part rom-com, part murder mystery, but all enjoyable! This was something a little different than your typical rom-com, and I absolutely loved it. Between the cast of characters, the narrator breaking the fourth wall frequently to speak to the reader, and great audio narration with different voices and accents, I loved every second of this one. It sounds like it's going to be a series, and I'll be first in line for the next one! This is definitely a fun read for vacation this summer.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC of this audiobook! All thoughts in this review are my own.

𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐈 𝐆𝐨 𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐬
𝐁𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐤
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝟒.𝟑𝟎.𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒


Thank you @macmillan.audio for the gifted audiobook.


I love books that let you inside a writer's life (or even better - inside their head). I had so much fun listening to author Eleanor Dash as she heads out on her book tour - in Italy.

It all becomes a tangled mess as Eleanor plans to kill off the main character in her popular book series, Connor Smith. The problem is that she based it on her real ex, Connor, and now someone seems to be trying to kill him.

I found this a light and breezy, cozy mystery that was entertaining and refreshing. I loved that it all takes place on a book tour. Several authors are on tour, and a fan club called the “book-face ladies” and Eleanor’s sister, plus Conner, are along, too, which lends for plenty of suspects when the bodies start dropping.

Besides the fabulous setting of the European cities and all the book talk, I loved Eleanor’s snark and humor. She would also break the fourth wall, speaking directly to the reader, which I found delightful.

I highly recommend the audiobook as Elizabeth Evans’ narration perfectly brought Eleanor’s character to life.

Thank you to McMillan Audio as well as Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This is the story of Eleanor Dash, who is on a book tour through Italy and is just ready to get it over with. She is wanting to kill off her main character of her story who is a real life con man.

The book had lots of humor but some scenes seemed to move along very fast. I was not a fan of the breaking of the fourth wall part I felt like it took me out of the story and I lost a little interest after that.

I had so much fun with this book. I quickly read it and then got an audio copy and LOVED the audio version so much, if not more. Eleanor is an author and while on vacation with the book ladies they are joined by other authors represented by the publisher. When people start dying there is definitely something going on. I love that it is sort of narrated by the main character and she is talking to us through the entire story and walking us through the mystery and helping us figure it out. Will you figure it out before it is too late?

Catherine Mack’s travel murder mystery was a fun and entertaining read (and listen)! Best-selling author Eleanor Nash is on the book tour of a lifetime in Italy with a group of fans and friends - and some enemies. After there is an attempt on someone’s life, everyone becomes a suspect and red herrings abound. Will they make it out of Italy alive?

This is a start to a new series and I thought it was a fresh and enjoyable story. Narrator Elizabeth Evans did a great job with the cast of characters and I kept looking forward to listening to it on my commute. Eleanor breaks the fourth wall quite a bit, leading the reader to feel like part of the story. I will definitely pick up the next book in this series to see what Eleanor & co. get up to next! I recommend this to fans of funny and witty mysteries, like the Finlay Donovan series by Elle Cosimano.
I Received an advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

Holy Moly. This book is incredible. I absolutely can not say enough things about this book. Its Fantastic. Its cozy romance + cozy mystery + hilariousness. It was just perfection!!

"Every Time I Go on Vacation, Somebody Dies" is an absolute gem in the world of mystery novels! Catherine Mack's storytelling prowess shines brightly in this witty, suspenseful, and utterly enjoyable read. From the charming backdrop of Italy to the quirky characters and the intricate plot, Mack keeps readers hooked from the first page to the last. The way she seamlessly blends humor with suspense is nothing short of brilliant, making this book a delightful rollercoaster of emotions. With each page turn, you'll find yourself drawn deeper into Eleanor Dash's world, rooting for her as she navigates through literary rivalries, unexpected twists, and heartwarming moments. Mack has crafted a masterpiece that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in this captivating series. If you're looking for a mystery novel that will keep you guessing while also leaving you in stitches, "Every Time I Go on Vacation, Somebody Dies" is the perfect choice!

I listened to and read an ARC via NetGalley

A different, fun read - an author writing about an author. It mixes an interesting blend of humor and murder, with a little romance. Obviously gorgeous setting. And breaking of the fourth wall, which made this unique. The audio definitely made you feel more a part of the story.

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fun story. I listened to the audio version and loved the narrator. She did a great job with all of the voices. I loved the pace of this book. I will definitely be looking for the next book in this new series. It’s the perfect book to read on your next vacation!

The title of this one grabbed my attention and from the beginning I was intrigued in what was going to happen. I liked the fourth wall breaks which made me feel like I was part of the story. I think the beginning/ending was more successful as I found my attention wandering at times in the middle of the story. I will say that I wasn't fully invested in continuing the series, but there was a part where the author says something along the lines of you don't know this character yet you will meet them in the next book, which actually made me want to continue on with the series.

Loved the writing style on this one, but the plot wasn't as good. I appreciate all the insights into the world of publishing and how it changed our FMC El's life. She was a super fun lead character to follow with a great voice. She's animated and brings a lot of life to the book. I found the storyline extremely lacking, with El being overly dependent on her sister, atrocious ideas of blackmail, and just a chaotic turn of events in general. The narrator did a good job with the ensemble cast, and the fact that the eBook has footnotes, which Evans seamlessly wove into her narration. her vice was captivating, and I think it made up for the shortcomings in the book in some ways. Not sure if I want to read more of this series as it wasn't a terrible read.

Every Time I Go on Vacation Someone Dies" is another great popcorn thrillers, perfectly tailored for fans of Finlay Donovan, Stephanie Plum, and "Peril in Pink." This novel has all the elements of a light-hearted mystery, mixed with personality, suspense, unexpected twists, and doses of humor.
The plot unfolds around the protagonist's vacation escapades, each time shadowed by the unfortunate demise of someone nearby. It's a premise that promises both intrigue and amusement, and the book delivers on both fronts with finesse. The author's knack for crafting engaging narratives ensures that readers are kept on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning pages to uncover the next twist. The cast of characters, both likable and unlikable, adds depth and complexity to the story. From charismatic protagonists to enigmatic supporting roles, each character contributes to the overall charm of the story.

The audiobook captivates listeners with its gripping narration. The narrator skillfully brings the characters to life, infusing each line with emotion. The pacing and tone keeps the suspense alive, making it hard to pause.

"Every Time I Go on Vacation Someone Dies" is a quick, easy, and enjoyable read. With its blend of mystery, humor, and travel escapades, it's sure to captivate fans and earn its place on the vacation reading list of many. So, pack your bags, settle into your favorite spot, and prepare for a thrilling journey that promises to entertain from beginning to end.

This book was so fun! Like a cozy Hercule Poirot murder mystery mixed with the humor of the movie ‘Knives Out’ and set in the beautiful vacation destination of Italy. I smoothly breezed right through it because I just couldn’t put it down!

I enjoyed the way it was written- an unreliable FMC who was plotting her next vacation murder mystery book while seemingly living it. Very creative idea and although I could tell who the culprit was in this ‘whodunit’ it was very entertaining nonetheless! My favorite part was the FMC’s humorous and sarcastic inner monologue and book plotting.

I did opt to listen to this one on audiobook despite also having an e-galley. I absolutely loved the narrator (Elizabeth Evans) and I think listening on audio made it way more fun! I highly recommend doing the audio version for anyone who is able.

I’m so happy this will be a series. I love these characters and I can’t wait for the next one!

Thank you so much to Catherine, SMP, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for the advance e-galley and audiobook.

I am in the minority here but this book was not for me which is odd as I do enjoy a good cozy mystery. It was very hard to get into and I just couldn’t connect or care about the main character (or any of the characters really). It just took to long for me to get into any of the story.

The protagonist’s witty comments throughout the telling of this mystery are hilarious and entertaining. I haven’t read a book like this before - it was laugh out loud funny and super engaging. The narrator did a great job with the story and voices - it really added to the book. I thoroughly enjoyed this listen and cannot wait for the next book!

My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this AUDIOBOOK in exchange for an honest review.

I read the book and listened to the audiobook at the same time. Very well dramatized by the sultry-voiced Elizabeth Evans.

Catch my full review of this story on my main review of the book.

Written from an Authors POV. Best Selling Author Eleanor Dash and her side kick Sister Harper find themselves in a real life mystery. While on a tour to research her next novel everyone becomes a suspect. Is her ex Boyfriend and muse a target? Is someone trying to kill him or is it his imagination?.
Take a trip of a lifetime with a wild assortment of characters. As events unfold so does this captivating mystery of who, what, when and why. This book is difficult to put down!
Captivating and Bingeworthy!
I enjoyed the Audiobook version of this book. I couldn’t help but listen on the car, on my lunch break just to find out who done it!

"Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies" by Catherine Mack is a cozy mystery type of book. It's the first of her Vacation Mysteries series.

This book is told in first person by the main character, Eleanor Dash, who is a best-selling writer of vacation mysteries (self-referential much?).

This book breaks the fourth wall many times, but later in the book, it's extremely obvious when she tells us, the readers, to solve the mystery. It irritated me. Tell me your story. Don't tell me what to do!

I didn't find any of the characters particularly likable, especially the main character. The plot was a bit confusing and required a back-story. There is a bit of a romance in it, but no spice.

Elizabeth Evans narrated the audiobook and did well with the various voices.

There was far too much drinking for my comfort in this one. Eleanor's life was in danger, yet she was constantly flippant and snarky. This didn't make me want to root for her.

Characters - 3/5
Writing - 3/5
Plot - 3/5
Pacing - 4/5
Unputdownability - 3/5
Enjoyment - 1/5
Narration - 5/5
Cover - 4/5
Overall - 3.25

This book has received a lot of love in my book groups on social media. Unfortunately, I didn't feel the same way.

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and Catherine Mack for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies is the series debut from Catherine Mack, introducing bestselling fictional author Eleanor Dash on her Italian book tour that turns into a real-life murder mystery, as her life starts to imitate the world in her books.

This was a light mystery. with a wide cast of characters. The author breaks the fourth wall with her main character, which was a fun approach. There was nothing groundbreaking here in terms of a mystery, but it exceeded my expectations. It was an enjoyable read, and I would read the next in the series.

The narrator did a great job with all of the characters.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for a free copy of #EveryTimeIGoonVacationSomeoneDies by Catherine Mack. All opinions are my own.