The Vacation Mysteries #1
By: Catherine Mack
Narrator: Elizabeth Evans
Macmillan Audio
ISBN: 9781250325853
Publisher: St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books
Publication Date: 04/30/2024
Format: Other
My Rating: 4.5 Stars (ARC)
Ten days, eight suspects, six cities, five authors, three bodies . . . one trip to die for.
"Quick, captivating, and oh-so-much-fun! This delicious mystery is as spellbinding as Knives Out."—Elle Cosimano, New York Times bestselling author of the Finlay Donovan series
All that bestselling author Eleanor Dash wants is to get through her book tour in Italy and kill off her main character, Connor Smith, in the next in her Vacation Mysteries series—is that too much to ask?
Clearly, because when an attempt is made on the real Connor’s life—the handsome but infuriating con man she got mixed up with ten years ago and now can't get out of her life—Eleanor’s enlisted to help solve the case.
Contending with literary rivals, rabid fans, a stalker—and even her ex, Oliver, who turns up unexpectedly—theories are bandied about, and rivalries, rifts, and broken hearts are revealed. But who’s really trying to get away with murder?
Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies is the irresistible and hilarious 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.
My Review
Catherine Mack's (a pseudonym for the veteran Canadian author Catherine McKenzie) Vacation Mysteries kickoff, EVERY TIME I GO ON VACATION SOMEONE DIES,is full of mystery, humor, wit, and suspense! It features an author-narrator, an alluring Italian setting, an entertaining cast, footnotes, clues, and crimes to solve. Who is capable of murder?
Eleanor Dash, a bestselling author of nine murder mysteries, is working on her tenth installment, which she hopes will be the series' final book.
All Eleanor wants to do is complete the book tour and kill off her main character, Connor Smith, in the last installment of her Vacation Mystery series.
Her publisher has sent her on a ten-day tour of Italy with a consultant, her sister/assistant, twenty fans (including a stalker), and several other authors.
Ten days, eight suspects, six cities, five authors, three bodies . . . one trip to die for.
Connor is her ex (con) and has been blackmailing her for years, receiving royalties from her books. She has dealt with him for ten years, and now she wants him out of her life for good. Now, someone has attempted his real life.
Who is trying to get away with murder?
From fans, literary competitors, a stalker, the publishing business, and another ex, Oliver, a book tour that turns into a real-life murder mystery offers a lot of action and fun.
With loads of snarky humor, EVERY TIME I GO ON VACATION is a light-hearted, highly entertaining read with creative, fun footnotes to enhance your reading pleasure.
From the stunning front cover with fun, clever chapter titles, this delightful, hilarious, entertaining romp is for fans of authors Elle Cosimano and Janet Evanovich. I look forward to the next in the series.
I read the e-book and listened to the amusing audiobook narrated by Elizabeth Evans for a fun, lively, and entertaining performance. Ideal for your upcoming summer vacation escape.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for an advanced reading and listening copy. #SMPInfluencers
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: April 30, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
Praise
“This book is fabulous! A hilarious and fun romp with a great mystery all rolled into one. I couldn’t put this down and you won’t either. Take it on your next vacation!”
―Liv Constantine, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish
"Quick, captivating, and oh-so-much-fun! This delicious mystery is as spellbinding as Knives Out, featuring a spectacular sun-drenched setting and an utterly engaging cast who all possess a motive for murder.”
―Elle Cosimano, New York Times bestselling author of the Finlay Donovan series
"The hijinks! The humor! The heart! I can't remember the last time a book made me laugh out loud so many times. If you need me, I'll just be over here waiting impatiently for book two.”
―Colleen Oakley, USA Today bestselling author of The Most True Story of Tanner and Louise
“With her snappy dialogue, and hilarious footnotes, novelist Eleanor Dash is the perfect imperfect heroine to guide you on this madcap Italian odyssey, an Aperol Spritz in hand. I felt like I was on holiday. But with murder. I couldn't stop reading.”
―Jessa Maxwell, author of The Golden Spoon
“Looking for the perfect escape? Then look no further: Catherine Mack’s uproariously hilarious mystery, Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies, is the binge-worthy, delicious read that you've been waiting for. Equal parts Finlay Donovan and White Lotus Season 2, with biting, razor-sharp social commentary and wickedly dark humor that made me cackle out loud, Mack has created the ultimate, root-worthy heroine in bestselling author Eleanor Dash, whom I'm prepared to follow anywhere!”
―May Cobb, author of My Summer Darlings
“A sparklingly fresh take on the classic murder mystery novel. A fast-paced and twisty delight of a novel that kept me guessing till the end, with a fabulously witty and entertaining narrator and heroine.”
―Kat Ailes, author of The Expectant Detectives
“Fans of Knives Out and the Finlay Donovan series will adore Catherine Mack’s smart and funny mystery set in picturesque Italy. With its unforgettable narrator, terrific ensemble cast, wine, romance, and even a murder...or two―this novel is pure delight.”
―Amy Poeppel, author of The Sweet Spot and Musical Chairs
“Fresh, clever, and laugh out loud funny! Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies is written by an author about an author being an author. Mack smashes through the fourth wall, giving you an inside look at the complex and hilarious world of publishing, while making you feel like you're a part of the story. It's wildly fun, completely addictive, and an absolute must read!”
―Jeneva Rose, New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Marriage
“This series debut is sure to delight fans of traditional mysteries as well as those who prefer a good CWC (cozy with corpses)… Perfect for fans of The Magpie Murders; the Finlay Donovan series; and Only Murders in the Building.”
―First Clue
About the Author
Catherine Mack (she/her) is the pseudonym for Catherine McKenzie, the USA Today and Globe & Mail bestselling author of over a dozen novels. Her books are approaching two million copies sold worldwide and have been translated into multiple languages including French, German, Portuguese, and Polish. Television rights to Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies and its forthcoming sequels sold in a major auction to Fox TV for development into a series, with Mack writing the pilot script. A dual Canadian and US citizen, she splits her time between Canada and various warmer locations in the US.
