"Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies" is a delightful romp through Italy consisting of a book tour with a hand-selected group of fans. Since the publisher coordinated the tour, there are actually multiple authors on the trip. The problem is, they each have a reason for wanting the others dead.

So when Connor Smith tells author Eleanor Dash that he suspects someone is trying to kill him, she doesn't know what to think at first. After all, he's a weasel who has been blackmailing her for years. So, if someone wants to go to the trouble of knocking him off, why should she care?

But then when she begins to suspect that she might actually be the intended target, she has a change of heart. The question is, who can she trust with her life?

This was a cleverly written story that reminded me of Knives Out with all its complexity. It certainly wasn't easy to figure out "whodunit" since so many people had the means, motive and opportunity! And I loved how Eleanor walked us through the whole situation, frequently breaking the fourth wall through her footnotes to help point out relevant clues or gives us necessary backstories.

This truly was a fun book to read!

Thank you to Catherine Mack, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advance review copy!

This book should’ve been right up my alley. But I found it tedious. I wanted to like it but I got bored and had to make myself finish it. I am a character driven reader and these characters were not doing it for me.

This is the first book I have read by author Catherine Mack. The synopsis caught my attention because I enjoy reading books about authors, librarians, or bookshop owners. This book is kind of slow until about halfway through. It is somewhat of a cozy mystery. It does contain some humor but not enough to allow the story to ride on the humor alone. This book has a cute premise but was just too slow for my taste.

The narration was crisp and well done.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

I might try this book in physical form, but having an audiobook where the narrator is also an author and not being able to differentiate between the narration, inner monologue, and spoken words was making this insanely challenging for me to follow and I lost interest FAST.

I really enjoyed this mystery set in an exotic place! The story did keep me wondering “who done it” and the character development was very enjoyable. I also enjoyed the audio narration.

"Every Time I Go on Vacation Someone Dies" by Catherine Mack was an entertaining yet somewhat uneven read for me. The concept is refreshingly quirky, blending murder mystery with dark humor in a way that immediately piqued my interest. Following protagonist Emma as she unintentionally stumbles into murder investigations during her vacations was both amusing and intriguing. Mack's writing style is engaging and witty, making the book an enjoyable escape.

However, the story occasionally felt a bit disjointed. The rapid succession of deaths and the lighthearted treatment of such serious themes sometimes made it hard to connect with the emotional stakes of the narrative. Emma, while a likable and funny character, could have benefited from more depth and development. The mysteries, although clever, often resolved a bit too conveniently, leaving me craving more complexity and suspense. Despite these drawbacks, the novel's charm and humor make it a fun, if not entirely satisfying, read.

I kept seeing this book pop up on Bookstagram and it had fabulous reviews so I wanted to dive in head first. Unfortunately it fells a little flat. I do think narrator, Elizabeth Evans, did a great job with the story she was given. There is a host of characters and most of them are pretty unlikeable or just easy to write off. I struggled to really connect with the story and the mystery was a little muddled. There were bright spots within the pages, I especially liked the references to the attractions and food in Italy. I struggled with the FMC breaking in to talk to the reader, that's a pet peeve of mine---and it would break the trance of the book.

If you enjoy books about books and mysteries, you may love this one, it just wasn't for me.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC!

This humorous mystery was so much fun to listen to! It had me laughing and enjoying twists and turns the whole story long! Catherine Mack has written the exact type of mystery that I enjoy, funny and light! I look forward to future releases by her! Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the chance to listen to this delightful ARC.

I really wanted to love this book, but it unfortunately fell flat for me. I didn’t really enjoy the characters in this book, and I really didn’t like the footnotes. I felt like there was so many interruptions in this book. I wanted to DNF it so bad, but I stuck it out in hopes that it’d get better. I know others loved it. So I recommend checking their thoughts as well! It may just not have been for me.

What a fun read for summer! This cozy mystery has a beautiful setting (Italy!) and a great cast of characters. I really enjoyed Ms. Mack's writing style. There is humor throughout, and the footnotes were fun. - they worked really well in the audiobook format. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

This is such a light and funny murder mystery. I have a slightly dark sense of humor and this is the most amusing book I've read in ages. I loved Eleanor Dash as a main character with her slightly introverted and awkward personality, perfect for an author who occasionally acts as an amateur sleuth. Her history with Connor added so much to their relationship dynamic and justified her reasons for hating him and wanting to kill him in her fictional Vacation Mysteries series. I also enjoyed Eleanor's relationship with her sister/assistant Harper. Also, the idea of a European book tour was so original combined with the fun history tidbits thrown in along the way. The narrator, Elizabeth Evans, did a fabulous job bringing the story to life. I'm so glad I also purchased a signed copy of the paperback to add to my shelf in anticipation of the next book in the series.

Bestselling mystery author, Eleanor Dash, is ready to kill off her main character. She also wouldn't mind if his real-life namesake and inspiration, Connor, met an untimely demise either. The blackmailing, lecherous, sleezeball would get what was coming to him. But when it actually seems like Connor's life may be in danger Eleanor can't help but wonder who's behind it--especially when she's a suspect, and someone seems to be after her, as well. Traveling across Italy with both a killer and the police hot on her heels, surrounded by her sister, fellow authors, and multiple exes, Eleanor is having the trip of a lifetime, and perhaps her last.

This book was so much fun. With tons of fourth wall breaking and footnote commentary, Eleanor is just such a fun character. The book feels fresh yet not annoying, similar to Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, a bit. Because of the footnotes it's almost impossible to read on an e-reader or other digital device, though, and is much better suited to a print copy. But I loved the descriptions of travel and food, the presentation of clues, and the unraveling of the mystery. I guessed some pieces, but certainly not all, which is exactly how I like my mysteries! I can't wait to see what the next book in this new series brings.

Thanks to Minotaur for my ARC and ALC of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 9/10

The story is well paced, the characters all have depth, and I have the biggest urge to take off to Italy. I feel like this is an excellent book for some people, but for whatever reason it wasn’t my cup of tea. The narrator did an excellent job, but I think the footnotes pulled me out of the story too much.

Thank you, @macmillan.audio for this early listen. This was recommended to me because I’m obsessed with the Finlay Donovan series, and it did not disappoint. If you like some light-hearted thrillers or whodunits, this is a great summer read for you. The banter and sarcasm is so good. Throughout the whole story, you’re trying to figure out who is trying to kill who on a summer book tour overseas. Action-packed and messy, and so much fun! 4 ⭐️

A vacation read that's to die for!

Catherine Mack's "Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies" is the perfect beach read with a killer twist. Meet Lexi, a travel enthusiast with a knack for stumbling upon dead bodies. It's a hilarious and suspenseful mystery that will keep you turning pages faster than you can say "all-inclusive."

Mack's writing is witty and engaging, and Lexi is a relatable protagonist you'll be rooting for from page one. The supporting characters are quirky and memorable, adding to the charm of this unique mystery. The plot is fast-paced, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end.

If you're looking for a fun, lighthearted read with a touch of mystery, "Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies" is the perfect escape. Just be warned, you might think twice about booking your next vacation!

Thanks, Minotaur Books, for the early review copy via NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook. #macaudio2024 (Available Now!)

What a fast and fun series debut! Eleanor Dash is an accidental best-selling novelist of nine murder mysteries at various vacation spots. She’s plotting how to k!ll off her MC (real-life ex-boyfriend Conner) while on an Italian trip with her ex, her other ex, a couple of rival authors, a group of rabid fans, and her sister when she realizes someone is trying to murder Conner IRL. Hilarity and hijinx ensue.

I’ve heard chatter about the footnotes used as part of the story and was concerned about reading this via audiobook, but they completely worked! Maybe even better than in print, as each one felt like an aside from the author/main character, like she was breaking the fourth wall to wink at the audience. They made me cackle. “Foreshadowing? Duh!”

Narrator Elizabeth Evans was perfect as Eleanor! She captured her unique blend of snark, wit, and insecurity, and I could see each character in my head. I can’t wait to watch the Fox TV series.

Pair this with your favorite sunnies in a comfy lounge chair by the bluest pool, sipping something crisp and lemony.

Vacation and mysteries, what could go wrong? The fact that the main characters were all authors was a bonus for me. I liked the twists, and trying to guess "who done it." I hate when i know right away who the perp is, makes for a boring book. I'm glad this book wasn't that way.

It was a fun “who dunnit” that kept me guessing, even when I figured it all out. I like a good mystery that makes me question my deductions.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exhibit for an honest review.
#EveryTimeIGoonVacationSomeoneDies #NetGalley

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack: is this a cozy mystery? More. On the steamy side? A little. Has you laughing? Check. Has you anxious? Check. Want to read the next book? Check. It’s a win.

Book Review
Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies
Catherine Mack
reviewed by Lou Jacobs


readersremains.com | Goodreads


The ultimate beach read has arrived with this zany, cozy mystery romp. Lovers of Knives Out, Only Murders In the Building, and the Finlay Donovan book series will gobble this beauty up like dessert. Catherine Mack has concocted a pitch-perfect romp set in the picturesque Amalfi Coast of Italy, filled with a cast of colorful, imperfect characters, delicious food, and a touch of romance.

Her heroine, Eleanor Dash, is a mystery writer on a promotional book tour with a group of people with extremely diverse backgrounds and motivations. Supposedly, she is working on details and settings for her next book in her wildly successful series. It happens to be the tenth anniversary of her first bestseller, When in Rome, a somewhat fictionalized account of her own adventure in Italy, when she met and had a whirlwind romance with the dashing but equally smarmy private eye, Connor Smith. She got involved in solving a series of bank robberies that brought down an Italian crime family. In her book, she kept Connor’s name as her love interest. This was a gigantic mistake. He then began extorting her for 10% of her profits from that book. The book was so successful that her fans clamored for “more Connor,” which ended up costing her 20% of the next eight books.

Lately, she has been devoting great energy and thought to how to kill Connor—in her next book. Accompanying her are a cadre of “fan readers” who have won the trip as a promotional prize, her sister Harper Dash, who is her valued assistant (whose own literary dreams were “dashed” by her sister’s success), Allison Smith, the ex-wife of Connor (whose existence she was unaware of when in Rome), Oliver Frost (her boyfriend at the time of the Rome tryst), several other mystery novelists (one who apparently keeps stealing her plot lines), and several other guests of dubious purposes and motivations. The romance with Oliver is rekindled but put on hold. Connor announces that someone is trying to kill him—glory be—and asks for Eleanor’s help. Bodies start dropping around them. It becomes unclear if Connor or Eleanor is the actual target. Who is stalking them and why is unclear… clues and red herrings abound.

Catherine Mack proves to be a marvelous storyteller as she weaves multiple plotlines and motivations into a zany narrative with escalating intrigue and suspense. Intermittently, she utilizes a second-person soliloquy to impart possible clues and red herrings to the “reader” (or audio listener). She pauses the story to discuss it with the reader. Eleanor continually drops in morsels to consider in her thought process of solving the murder. In the book, they are presented as “footnotes,” but in the audio version, they are presented more effectively in a linear fashion as the mystery unfolds. The excellent narration is provided by Elizabeth Evans, who expertly captures the personality, tone, wit, and snakiness of Eleanor Dash.

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for providing an advance audio version in exchange for an honest review. Hopefully, we will follow Eleanor Dash on her further vacation adventures.