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.

In "Every time I Go on Vacation Someone Dies" we try to solve attempted murder, and actual murder, along with the narrator, a successful author of murder mystery books. This is the second book I've read that breaks the 4th wall and I'm quickly learning it's something I enjoy in my books.

We get to meet the author, her sister, a few love interests and friends in her circle as we try to unravel the mystery surrounding her. Part of the twist I did figure out early on, but I didn't figure all of it out until the reveal. The author does a good job mixing in humor, intrigue, and closed-door spice throughout the plot.

While it's not among my "top book of the year" contenders, I did enjoy this book and I will look to read additional books from this Catherine Mack.

This was cute and enjoyable and a sweet summer read. Pick this one up when you're on holiday and have an umbrella drink in your hand!

✈️ Everytime I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack ✈️

Pages: 352 pages 🎧
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book Goal 2024: 51/100 🎧
Narrated by: Elizabeth Evans

✨Do you hate when you’re reading a book and they spoil an ending for another book or a movie?✨

“That’s me, I’m the liar”

“We’re all drunk. Drunkity Drunk Drunk Drunk.”

“Day drinking, day murder… wait that’s not a thing is it?”

I will be forever thankful for the ARC audio copy of this book! 😂 Thank you macmillian audio, Catherine Mack, Elizabeth evans and netgalley for making me almost die with laughter. I found myself laughing at multiple parts.

This book/narration was an interesting take because there were parts of the story where the main character is talking to you! Asking if you have seen any of the clues or if you have solved the mystery! It was a really fun take because I felt like I was playing a game of clue!

Who was it? Eleanor on the boat with the posion? This book is giving… Murder Mystery (staring Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler) meets Clue, meets Knives Out. It’s such an interesting take and I spent the entire time laughing and trying to figure out who wants everyone dead. It was like RomCom meets Murder Mystery.

Also that Epilogue was to died for… I mean No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding…
👩🏼‍🍳💋👌🏼

#reads #0to100 #review #reading #book #books #bookstagram #reading100 #bookworm #lovereading #netgalley #ETIGOVSD #rating #catherinemack

Everytime I go on Vacation
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was such a Fun great book. I loved it. It will make you laugh out loud!! I could put it down. All the twist & turns were so good.
You will get totally involved with all the characters.
Thank U NetGalley!!

This book is a light-hearted, easy listen for anyone who enjoys the classic mystery style, but it is offered up in a contemporary setting. It also gives you an insight into the publishing industry, author talks, and the relationships between publishers, authors and their "adoring" fans. A great beach read in the form of a mystery.

3.5 stars
This book has a unique vibe. If you like your mysteries breaking the fourth wall and the reader being warned of upcoming events, this is your book! I wasn’t sure how I felt about it at first as everyone felt very unlikable at the beginning of the story and Ellie’s decisions/motivations seemed kind of sus. The narration was great— I’ve only heard Elizabeth Evans narrate fantasy books but she absolutely nailed the performance and was the best thing about this book for me. As I kept listening, I found myself more absorbed in the characters’ motivations and trying to figure out the mystery. There were a lot of hints about what happens in the next book, which I thought did a great job of hooking people into wanting to keep reading!

This was such a great audiobook! Talk about laugh out loud, captivating, and thrilling. This was my first by this author!

I loved this book so much! The characters are so dramatic and so fun! It was a riot! Eleanor Dash, the main character, is hilariously relatable as she stumbles through a murder mystery while on her book tour in Italy. The blend of humor and suspense was perfect, and the footnotes had me laughing out loud. It’s a cozy mystery that doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is exactly what I needed. Can’t wait for the next book in the series! 🕵️‍♀️🌟

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC!

This was a fun and twisty cozy mystery for fans of the Finlay Donovan series. I enjoyed the narrator as well and for me she really brought the characters to life.

*slight spoilers ahead*


I’m rating this one 3 stars because of reasons that are purely my own. I feel like a lot of people will enjoy Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies. It would be a great beach read.

Unfortunately I found the constant talk of alcohol (I’m sober), TikTok and Taylor Swift to be a bit redundant.

The breaking of the fourth wall was very clever and I got a kick out of the priest scene at the beginning.

Even with the things I didn’t enjoy, I would consider reading more of this series in the future. It was nice to turn my brain off and have a thriller explained to me and tied with a pretty bow at the end! Very similar to the Benoit Blanc movies, in the best way.

This was great! An easy read, lighthearted, and hilarious. It’s a book about an author being an author, it breaks the fourth wall giving you insights to what it’s like while speaking directly to you the reader. It’s like we’re a team trying to figure out everything together. I will say the main character Eleanor did seem almost a little immature, she just doesn’t have her act together relying on her assistant (her younger sister) for everything. All and all though great, fun read!

Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies

by Catherine Mack

⭐️⭐️.5 🌶️ 😇

Eleanor Dash accidentally became a writer. She fell in love with the dashing con man Conner Smith. When a scam with Connor goes astray Eleanor decides that it would make a perfect story. While surrounded by writers she surely can pull it off. Well she pulled it off and then some. She wrote the very popular Vacation Mystery series. So what’s the problem? Connor. He is still in the picture because he conned his way into profiting from each book. Which mean every book tour, signing, and book promotion, he is right there beside her. Well she has had enough of him. But the handsome leach is still profiting from her books therefore he just won’t leave.

A literary trip with some of your favorite authors (and handsome Connor) around Italy? Yes please! Eleanor, her infuriating sidekick, and the lucky winners of a contest, embark on a ten day dream vacation around Italy. What could possibly go wrong? Oh and did I mention she is going to kill off her main character in her books, Connor? She is tired of that smuck and if she gets rid of him in her books, she won’t have to deal with him anymore. One problem. Someone actually attempts to kill him on vacation. With five authors, eight suspects, and three murders, maybe Eleanor won’t have to worry about writing Connor out of her stories after all. Or maybe she won’t have any future stories herself when stalkers, literary rivals, ex lovers, and obsessed fans run amuck. Find out in this comical cat and mouse mystery that is made for book lovers.

What I liked:

I loved the fun, cozy, and comical mystery element.

The book worm elements sprinkled throughout the book. All book lovers will appreciate the references made.

The setting in Italy.

The unique writing style. Although I listened to this one, the author writes as if she talking to you in a conversation. I have heard however that is you physically read this it is very hard because there are a lot of blurbs and having to flip back and fourth in the book is just too much and too confusing. So something to think about when deciding to read versus listen.

What I disliked:

There were a lot of slow parts and repetition where I felt like a good majority of the book could have been cut out. Add the rambling and meandering it became boring often.

While there were indeed some genuine comical scenes in the book, there was also a sense of trying too hard to be funny. A lot of see what I just did right there moments that didn’t work for me.

Nearly all of the characters were unlikable. So it’s hard to enjoy a story when there is no one to root for in a murder mystery.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.