Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies
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Author: Catherine Mack

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: 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?

My Thoughts: This is the first book in The Vacation Mysteries series. Eleanor is in Italy trying to get her tenth book in the series written, where she plans to kill off character Connor Smith. The Conor character was inspired by her friend, Connor. He thinks someone is trying to kill him in real life. Then someone from the traveling literary group ends up dead. She goes in detective mode to try and figure out who the killer is and the list of suspects is large. Elenor has to contend with literary rivals, a stalker, and trying to find out who is the murderer, and finishing her tenth novel. This follows the tropes of cozy mystery.

Elenor relies a tremendous amount on her younger sister, Harper, whom is her assistant. Her character seems a little lack luster in the staying on track. However, I love Elenor’s humor, she was snarky, sarcastic, and witty. I love the inside look at the publisher world in a light, funny way. The story is narrated in the first person in present time. Set in Italy, the author does an amazing job with descriptive details, setting the tone and scene, the smells, the beautiful scenery, you really felt like you were there in Italy. The characters were well developed with depth, wittiness, mystery, and intriguing. The supporting characters were fabulous, eccentric, and really elevated the story. The author’s writing style was unique, funny, twisty, cozy, and creative. I love the author’s unique approach in the plot line.

I had the pleasure of having the digital and audio versions of the ARC. The story is narrated by Elizabeth Evans. Her voice was perfect. She really nailed the voice variation giving each character their own unique voice. The pitch was perfect and I could listen at 2x speed without having any issues. The book has footnotes in the chapters, which can be confusing. In the audiobook, the footnotes are woven into the story seamlessly. The audio was easier for me to follow along. I love thrillers and murder mysteries, along with romance novels. I am not a fan of cozy mysteries. This was a fun, lighthearted read. I would recommend picking up the audio.

An adventure through Italy - sign me up! Every time I Go on Vacation Someone Dies was such a fun cozy mystery to listen to by audiobook on my commute to and from work.

Because I don’t read synopses before I start reading a book, I was a little surprised that the book was written from the POV of a best-selling author writing a mystery book. Definitely made me pause the audio and see if this was in the middle of a series.

That said, I really enjoyed this set up and the book within a book theme. Not to mention, the book tour through Italy was a fun romp. (I totally need to try a Lemon Spritz!)

I 1000 percent related to Eleanor (I might slightly be a hot mess, too) and I need a Harper in my life (that would be my husband, seriously, he’s a godsend).

The audiobook was narrated by Elizabeth Evans, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite narrators.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the #gifted audiobook.

This was a fun and clever cozy mystery. It was reminiscent of Everyone in my Family Has Killed Someone, with its narrative style and breaking the fourth wall. I was engaged in the mystery the whole time and was surprised by the endings. I think I would have enjoyed more hijinks and action throughout the story--it was a little slow in terms of the mystery/murder element of the story. I was surprised by the ending and all my theories ended up being wrong!

I enjoyed the audiobook and definitely think this is a good story to consume via audio.

This is a series debut cozy mystery that gives readers an interesting experience that takes us behind the scenes of the life of an author and the publishing industry. The overall concept of the story ‘broke the fourth wall’ and was mind boggling. It is written to feel like there are really 3 different levels within the story. The story is about an author on a book tour in Italy who is also writing a book all while she is also talking to the reader, mostly through footnotes, making it feel like the reader is there with them on this once in a lifetime trip. Sometimes it was hard to distinguish between the three. I was thankful to have a physical copy to follow along with while listening to the audio. There were a lot of characters to keep track of plus the physical copy had charts, text boxes, outlines, interviews and footnotes that were obviously hard to “show” in an audiobook; however, the narrator did a great job making the multiple parts flow smoothly and giving the many characters unique voices.

I enjoyed the banter between the characters and even though the sarcastic, dramatic FMC was under a lot of stress, she was funny in the ways she chose to handle the pressure. I also enjoyed the many pop culture references and the book jargon and the use of literary element terms. Plus, the book cover is super cute, bright, and beachy!

The story leaves us on a cliffhanger preparing us for the release of the second book in The Vacation Mysteries Series.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for granting me early access to Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies in exchange for an honest review.

Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mic drop! 🎤 I did NOT figure out 🧩 this who dunnit completely by the ending. I was proud of myself for deducing who was behind the mystery but I was surprised 🫢 to find I was not entirely correct ✅️.
My first impression of this book 📚was the cover and title. The title made me giggle 😂 and I knew I had to listen to this story.
Eleanor Dash is on vacation with an ex-lover, Connor Smith, who, also, is the main character on her first nine novels. She wants to kill 🔪🔫 off his character in her tenth book so she doesn't have to interact with him anymore. While she considers what to do she, Connor, and several other authors are on a book tour in Italy. Connor thinks someone is trying to kill him and tries to enlist Eleanor 's support to figure out who is behind this conundrum.
This is narrated by Elizabeth Evans. This story is a light-hearted, funny, and cleverly written charade that is a delight to read!
#NetGalley #EveryTimeIGoOnVacationSomeoneDies #MinotaurBooks #CatherineMack #Mystery #CrimeFiction #HumerousFiction

"Ten days, eight suspects, six cities, five authors, three bodies . . . one trip to die for."

💬 Eleanor Dash, bestselling author of the Vacation Series just wants to get through her book tour. It doesn't help that the the main character of her series, and her ex boyfriend, Conner, is also on the tour. Blackmailed into continuing to write the Vacation Series and pay Conner royalties, Eleanor is ready to kill off her main character.... in the books of course. When Conner claims that someone is trying to kill him, Eleanor brushes it off as a dramatic attempt for attention....but then someone on the tour is murdered.
This book is the very definition of a fun time! Told with such witty humor through a main character that I would love to be friends with, I enjoyed this from beginning to end. With a great cast of characters coming together to solve a mystery, a fantastic setting in Italy, and a narrator that breaks the forth wall - what's not to love? The only thing that makes this book better is that it's the first in a series - I cannot wait to read what this crew gets into next!
🎧 The audiobook narrator did such a wonderful job capturing Eleanor's humor and sarcasm. I absolutely loved it! Pop in an earbud, grab a bottle of wine and a bowl of pasta and enjoy!

💕 Thank you to @minotaurbooks and @macmillan.audio for the gifted copy of this book.

This was such a fun read! The setting and the characters were amazing and I loved the mystery aspect. Can’t wait to read more from this author!

This is a cute book with a unique writing style. The characters are fun and a bit over the top at times. The parts that seem to be breaking the 4th wall ]got to be a bit annoying to me but not enough to ruin the story. Overall, if you want a cozy mystery that is good for a vacation or poolside read this summer, this is a good one to pick up.

Catherine Mack's "Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies" presents a unique blend of intrigue and humour, set against the captivating backdrop of an Italian book tour. The story follows a bestselling author who finds herself entangled in a real-life mystery that mirrors her own fictional tales, promising a delightful mix of suspense and comedy. However, the execution of this promising premise leaves much to be desired.

The protagonist, Eleanor Dash, is a character with potential. As a bestselling author on a mission to kill off her fictional character while managing a chaotic book tour, she should be a compelling and relatable lead. However, Eleanor's character falls somewhat flat, lacking the depth and charisma to immerse me in her world fully. Her interactions with the enigmatic Connor Smith, a con man from her past, are intended to add tension and intrigue, but they often feel forced and unconvincing.

The plot's structure initially seems promising with its ten-day timeline and numerous suspects. However, the rapid jumps between different locations and characters can be disorienting, making it hard to stay invested in the unfolding mystery. The array of literary rivals, stalkers, and ex-lovers adds layers to the story, but the narrative doesn't delve deeply enough into these subplots to make them compelling.

Humour is a crucial element that the book aims for, but the comedic aspects often need to be revised. The dialogue and situations meant to be funny sometimes come off as contrived or overly quirky. While there are a few genuinely amusing moments, they are not enough to sustain the comedic tone the book aspires to.

While the mystery has potential with its array of suspects and red herrings, it lacks the gripping suspense to keep readers on the edge of their seats. The resolution feels rushed and unsatisfying, leaving several loose ends that detract from the overall experience.

In summary, "Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies" has an interesting concept and a picturesque setting that initially draws readers in. However, the lacklustre character development, disjointed plot, and uneven humour make it a less engaging read than anticipated. Fans of light-hearted mysteries may enjoy, but those looking for a more cohesive and captivating story might find this debut needs to catch up to its potential.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the copies to review!

Oh my goodness I LOVED this book so much! I did not know what to expect going into this one and it was perfection. I loved the plot but even more so I loved how Eleanor ‘broke the fourth wall’ to include the reader in helping to solve the mystery here, and it was so well done. I also really enjoyed the audio for this, it was a great listening experience. I don’t want to spoil any more here but this was such a fun read, I enjoyed every single minute of it and I cannot wait for the next book!

I listened to the audio of this book and it was awesome. The narrator made the book interactive with the listener. The twists and turns made me want to keep listening to see what was coming next. Thanks NetGalley for the audio eArc.

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook of Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack. This was her debut novel and I thought it was well written, clever and laugh out loud funny at times. The audiobook was narrated by Elizabeth Evans and I felt that she did an outstanding job at distinguishing between the characters. It was set in Italy where bestselling novelist, Eleanor Dash, was celebrating her tenth anniversary as the author of a popular series of books, with a tour of Italy. Eleanor had been accompanied to Italy by her sister who was also her devoted and very capable assistant along with a group of devoted fans. The tour details had all been arranged ahead of time. Eleanor planned to use this time to strategize how she could kill off and eliminate the main character from the rest of her books. The main character had been modeled after her ex-boyfriend, Conner Smith and Eleanor was ready to completely erase him from any future books. She just had to figure out how to do it and how to get approval from her publisher to proceed with future books that did not include Conner.

Unbeknownst to Eleanor, Connor, ended up on her anniversary book tour. Early on the tour, Connor confided to Eleanor that someone in real life was really trying to kill him. He told her that he didn’t know who was trying to kill him but Eleanor suspected that Connor knew more than he was willing to share. As much as Eleanor wanted to eliminate Connor from her book, this was not how she wanted it to occur. Eleanor did not wish Connor any harm in real life. Then actual threats to Connor were actually attempted. Even though Connor was the intended target, others were killed instead. The realization of the murders were quite jarring. Who could want to really kill Connor?

The Italian police were finally called in when someone was found murdered in the hotel that all the people on the tour were staying at. One of the Italian police officers that was assigned to the case was no other than the police officer that had helped Eleanor and Connor solve a crime almost ten years ago when they were in Italy as boyfriend and girlfriend. Back then, Eleanor and Connor were able to solve a crime that involved members of the Mafia. Now here they were again right in the middle of another murder investigation. Will they be able to identify the murderer before anything else happens?

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies was full of twists and turns. It was fast paced with a very satisfying yet unexpected conclusion. The characters were a little quirky and each had their own unique qualities. Catherine Mack brought a very distinctive writing style to this book. It was told almost exclusively by Eleanor Dash who also included a multitude of informative footnotes, which were intended for the reader’s benefit. I enjoyed this cozy mystery. It was chock filled with intriguing details and funny moments. There were so many suspects who could have committed the murders that I found it hard to guess who the real murderer was. Every Time I Go on Vacation was the first book in The Vacation Mysteries series. I look forward to reading the other books in this series and I highly recommend this one.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

"Every time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies" by Catherine Mack, narrated by Elizabeth Evans, is a captivating mystery novel that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

The characters in the book are not only interesting but also likeable and relatable. The main character, Eleanor Dash, stands out as a smart and funny protagonist who guides readers through the story with her engaging personality.

One of the unique aspects of this book is its writing style. The narrative feels personal as if Eleanor is speaking directly to you, providing hints and clues along the way that keep you guessing until the very end.

The fast pace of the story combined with a satisfying ending makes for an enjoyable reading experience. The vivid descriptions of the Italian setting transports readers to each location mentioned in the book.

As someone who enjoyed this first installment, I am eagerly anticipating diving into the second one to see where Eleanor's adventures take her next.

Elizabeth Evans' narration adds another layer of depth to an already intriguing story. Her portrayal of Catherine brings additional life to the characters and enhances the overall listening experience.

"Every time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies" is a must-read for mystery lovers looking for a fun and engaging read. With well-developed characters, an immersive setting, and expert narration by Elizabeth Evans, this book delivers on all fronts.

Thanks to an advanced copy, I was able to devour this delightful (audio)book and experience all of Eleanor’s chaotic Italian adventures! Catherine Mack’s writing style is witty and clever, with a certain poignancy that had me feeling every emotion right along with Eleanor. I can’t wait for the sequel!

One of my favorites this year. Character development is flawless. Its self-awareness along with the pointed hints dropped throughout the book made it really fun and refreshing. And the footnotes! I LOVE the way they were done. I happened to read the ebook as well as audiobook and I surprisingly liked the ebook more. I typically exclusively do audiobooks so they're my preference, but the way the audiobook is read sometimes makes the footnotes a bit difficult to follow since there's nothing denoting the change from story to footnote. Still a 5 star for me, just an observation.

Overall, wonderful experience and one i'll definitely be recommending and rereading.

This murder mystery is laugh out loud funny with witty dialog and many humorous situations. Eleanor and her sister Harper are best friends and also boss/employee, and there is a bit of familial tension there. Connor, Eleanor's ex, is a somewhat bumbling blackmailer that relies on Eleanor's books to fund his lifestyle and drives her crazy. Oliver is the man Eleanor is in love with although she doesn't know it yet. Filled with quirky characters and a fun murder mystery this start to a series is a charming read and perfect for a day at the beach! The audiobook is a fabulous way to enjoy this story and Elizabeth Evans does a great job with the narration.

This story follows author Eleanor Dash on a thrilling adventure as she tries to make it out of her book tour through Italy alive all while dodging literary rivals, old grudges, bad exes and rabid fans.

This book cured my reading slump! It was funny, fast-paced and totally unique for the mystery genre. The addition of the main character’s footnotes throughout the book broke the fourth wall in a fun way while also teaching you a bit about being a writer and the publishing industry. And the narrator was great! Elizabeth Evans did different accents for all the characters, which were well done and made it easy to tell everyone apart.

I’d recommend this book to:
- Fans of Everyone in My Family has Killed Someone and the Finlay Donovan series
- Escapist readers who want to tour Italy
- People going on vacation who are looking for an easy read that will keep their attention

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this gifted copy, I feel like this is going to be the book of the summer!

This was such a "Choose Your Own Adventure"-like mystery for adults! You're not choosing what happens to the main character (the narrator), but the narrator treats the reader as though they know the reader is trying to solve the mystery. It's engaging. I love that the setting is in Italy and that there's so much drama leading up to the solving of the murders.

✨book review✨
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Thank you Catherine Mack, NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio for the advanced audio version of Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies!

This is a fun murder mystery set in Italy during a book tour for Eleanor. First, the inspiration for one of her main characters and past lover, Conner, says someone is trying to kill him, but it isn’t long until Eleanor finds herself in danger, too. Death is certain, but the question is who on this book tour has a good enough reason to hurt them both… among the many possibilities include Eleanor’s sister and PR Harper, who always wanted to be the writer, the dream Eleanor achieved instead; the ex boyfriend; the up and coming mystery writer who likes to use Eleanor’s plots as her own; a stalker; the list goes on.

In Agatha Christie fashion, this whodunit style mystery introduces a number of suspects, eliminating them as the story progresses, some through murder and others through alibi. The narration is unreliable in ways, which keeps readers on their toes. It also feels like a vacation mystery which is different and nice! However, the romantic element seemed a little bit overdone and cringy. I didn’t love the breaking the fourth wall narration of the protagonist, but that is a stylistic choice that others may enjoy! This would make for a nice summer read!

It’s set to be a series and I enjoyed the wit and humor enough to say I’d happily read the next one, which seems nicely set up!

I was hoping this was going to be a good story based on its anticipation. I was not a fan of all the footnotes or the fact that Eleanor spoke to the reader. This type of book and style of writing was not for me and I had a tough time listening and getting through it, just didn't hold my interest. Thank you for allowing me a free listen in exchange for my honest feedback.