Eleanor is back! One think I loved is how well the first book in this series set us up for the sequel. As we know from the first epilogue, this wedding weekend may not be what the bride and groom always dreamed of. When Eleanor finds a body at the wedding reception, she’s back to her investigating roots and ready to find the killer.

One thing I love is El’s sarcasm and ability to really feel like a well rounded character and not just another protagonist. She acknowledges her flaws and truly does try to make herself a better person. I can’t wait for the next installment of this series!

The only thing I didn’t love about this book was the sheer number of footnotes. While some of them were funny, there were 5-10 footnotes for each chapter and by the time I got to the footnotes, I sometimes had to flip back to see what specific word it was attached to.

Thank you so much for Katherine Mack, the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC.

Eleanor Dash is back! This book is so funny! I love how she talks directly to the reader and gives us hints about what might (or might not) be coming next. I laughed out loud at all the craziness and can't wait for the next one!

I loved the first in this series, "Everytime I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies," so I was very excited to get this book to review. It did not disappoint. I love Eleanor Dash, her internal dialogue, her sister, boyfriend, and the whole crew. Mack does a great job of developing fun, engaging characters who the reader can root for (even if they're not great people). I was kept guessing throughout and found this to be a super fun mystery novel!

The quirky and endearing Eleanor Dash is back for another wild adventure in the second vacation mystery series as she sets off for a destination wedding on Catalina Island. As usual for Eleanor, and to the delight of readers, nothing goes according to plan. Drama and death seem to follow Eleanor everywhere like a jealous ex. After the end of production on the film being made about the events that took place the the first book, Eleanor, along with the others from the film set off for a secret wedding taking place between the two stars of the film. When a storm arrives on the island, trapping everyone who arrived for the wedding, threats start to surface, turning the fun filled wedding festivities into a potential crime scene. And if this isn't enough to throw a wrench into Eleanor's carefully laid plans, her ex and her current boyfriend just so happens to be attending the wedding as well along with a killer (or two). Eleanor is forced to once again become the investigator she really only writes about in books.

The first in the series, Every time I go on Vacation Somebody Dies was one of my favorite reads last year so I was beyond excited to see another adventure following our witty amateur detective Eleanor Dash. The sequel did not disappoint. No one was supposed to die at this wedding was equal parts suspenseful mystery and sardonic humor, the perfect combination to get lost in. Eleanor's chaotic but loving energy combined with the high stakes and swiftly moving plot was a recipe for success. The mystery is well paced and creative and will keep you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend this book, along with the first in the series for readers looking for a good mystery that doesn't take itself too seriously.

3.5 stars rounded up. No One was Supposed to Die at This Wedding by Catherine Mack is a fun romcom murder mystery and the second book in The Vacation Mysteries. I had the first book in this series and I really enjoyed both stories. I had the ARC for both book 1 and book 2. In both stories, our FMC is Eleanor Dash. In this story her first novel is being developed into a film. The film's two stars are getting married on Catalina Island and someone seems to be stalking our lovely bride and sending her death threats. The bride and groom ask the novelist, Eleanor Dash, to investigate. Clearly, they weren't serious about investigating. I love the light touch of the book, the comedic nature, and the complete breaking down of the fourth wall. Overall, enjoyable read. I did not care for the complete lack of character development for Eleanor and even her regression with regards to an emotionally abusive ex. I mean what is that all about? That's not tension or cute. The other totally implausible plot point was the impending hurricane to Catalina. Although it is possible, it is very, very rare. That's not tension or cute. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for my ARC.

Murder follows Eleanor Dash on vacation. Her best friend has the leading role in a movie. When everyone heads to nearby Catalina Island for the wedding, Emma gets a note stating that someone will die. A witty, fun romp of a read! Fast paced with characters that are well developed. Thanks #StMartinsPress and #Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

A fun romp of a murder mystery! It was fast paced and kept me on my toes, with witty dialogue and action perfect read for your summer vacation. If you like quirky, cozy murder mysteries, I'd definitely recommend you pick this one up when it releases. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

Wherever Eleanor Dash goes, murder seems to follow! Filming has just wrapped on “When in Rome”, the adaptation of the first book in Eleanor’s bestselling Vacation Mysteries series. The cast and crew are off to Catalina Island for the wedding of co-stars Fred Winters and Emma Wood (who also happens to be Eleanor’s long-time bestie). Wedded bliss is up ahead, until Emma receives a cryptic note saying “someone is going to die at the wedding.”

This series is so much fun, I’d call it cozy mystery-ish although snarkier and swearier than your typical cozy (which only makes me love it more!). Eleanor is sarcastic and funny, and I love it when she breaks the fourth wall to talk directly with the reader. The writing style is top notch (which is par for the course for this author, who you may also know as talented bestselling Catherine McKenzie), and aside from the witty banter, this is also an expertly-crafted mystery with plenty of suspects and red herrings that kept me guessing! Every time I thought I had everything figured out, it threw me for another loop!

I already can’t wait to see what happens in the next installment of this hilarious and zany series! Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books for providing me an advance copy of this book.

This is the second book in the "Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies" series. And yes, there will be a third!
Emma Wood, Eleanor’s best friend since childhood, is starring in the movie adaptation of When in Rome, Eleanor’s first novel. Emma is also marrying Fred Winters, a major movie star and Emma’s co-star, who just happens to be playing Connor Smith, Eleanor’s ex and leading man of the series. (Confused yet? Start with book #1 so you can keep the characters straight. There are A LOT of them.)
Filming wraps and they invite the whole cast and crew to their wedding at nearby Catalina Island. There may be a storm headed their way—because of course there is—but nothing will stop their nuptials . . . that is until Emma receives a note that says “Someone is going to die at the wedding.”
Eleanor is a professional at this point, and she’ll do everything she can to uncover the murderer so true love can prevail . . . before it’s too late for her and the rest of the storm-trapped wedding party.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this digital e-arc.*

“No One Was Supposed to Die at this Wedding” was a reminder of why I love to read. This book was witty, smart, captivating, and just downright fun. It was truly a pleasure to read. This is the second book in the Vacation Mysteries series. The first book was a five-star read for me, but I think I may have liked this one even more. The characters were as charming and hilarious as ever, and the mystery was captivating and full of surprising twists. I loved the fourth-wall breaking and footnotes, and I think that’s what made this book so much fun to read. This series has become one of favorites, and I am so excited for Book #3!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this fun book by Catherine Mack (alias of mystery writer Catherine McKenzie), with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Elizabeth Evans. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars!

Eleanor Dash is back! A film is being made of her last adventure, and her best friend, Emma, is both starring in the movie and getting married. But then Emma gets a note saying that someone is going to die at the wedding. Eleanor will do whatever she can to make sure that doesn’t happen.

I loved the first book in this Vacation Mystery series, and this second installment is a worthy sequel. I love how the main character, Eleanor Dash, “talks” to the reader, even giving clues, but again, if you’re able to figure out this mystery, bravo to you because I wasn’t even close. It’s a locked room mystery on an island with a storm (because of course!), with a film being made and a wedding set to happen. There’s lots of drama, lots of questionable people and motives, and once again, footnotes (so fun). I alternated listening to the audiobook and reading it; it was fun either way but the narration was great!

Delightful romp of a second book in the Vacation Murder series, witty banter, short chapters, all the plots, footnotes and complete break of the fourth wall. It’s a Hollywood wedding on a secluded island with the cast of the movie when in Rome. All your favorite characters from the first book are back along with some new cast and twists. Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur books for an advanced copy for an honest review.

A humorous action-packed mystery that will have you turning pages furiously to see what is going to happen next! Slightly edgier than a traditional cozy, but closer to a cozy than a gritty murder mystery wrought with witty dialog wrought with bantering that will keep you giggling and reading. The main character has the habit of speaking to the reader like they are friends and confidants. She describes what is happening in a snarky and witty manner that is oddly engaging and connects you to her even more. This particular installment in the series had some serious twists and turns. Just when you think you have it figured out, you'll find that you need to change your thinking and the book explains why very well. I do recommend that you read the books in order as they build upon each other and help flesh out the characters even more. I've quickly become a fan of this series and can't wait to read the next one and the one after than and.....hint..hint...dear author, keep writing and I'll keep reading!!!

4.5 stars

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and it definitely lived up to my expectations! This is such a fun series, and I love Eleanor's snarky, direct way of speaking to you, breaking the fourth wall both in the narrative and the (many) footnotes. She's unapologetically sarcastic, sometimes jealous, petty and unlikeable, and uses humor as a defense mechanism. Hmm, sounds familiar. No wonder I like her so much! 😅 When in Rome, Eleanor's best selling mystery book based on her involvement in an Italian bank heist caper, is being made into a movie, starring her childhood best friend Emma. Emma and her costar, Fred, fell in love on set and planned a surprise wedding at the end of shooting on Catalina Island for the cast and crew. As an unprecedented hurricane rolls up the coast, Emma starts receiving threatening notes claiming that someone will die at this wedding, and they are soon cut off from civilization. I'll admit that the story, motives, and character connections did start to get a bit convoluted, and laughed at Eleanor's (and surely the author's herself) commentary that she's a pantser, because at times it definitely read that way. But that zany, madcap feeling is all part of the fun for this type of over the top mystery, where you have to suspend belief to make it work. I can't wait to see what happens next in the Bahamas, where This Weekend Isn't Going to End Well For Anyone. ¹

¹ See what I did there?

This was a fun continuation of the series. I really enjoyed this story and the characters. This is a sequel so it is hard to to spoil the first book.

What a fun follow up! I absolutely loved this one, which isn’t something I can always say for a sequel. I thought the characters were fun, diving more into their dynamics was intriguing, and the mystery was quite well done. The pacing was different than a typical thriller or mystery, but I found it enjoyable.

Eleanor is off to a fabulous wedding weekend on Catalina Island for her best friend Emma. The only problem is, her friend has been receiving death threats. With the whole cast and crew of "When in Rome" on the island and ominous things happening (and not just because of the incoming hurricane), Eleanor will have to figure out who's out to get Emma, or if it's actually a ruse to steer people away from the actual murder target. A wacky, entertaining sequel that will keep you guessing until the very end. It's funny, suspenseful, and thoroughly enjoyable. Can't wait for the next book!

Eleanor Dash continues her amateur sleuthing, this time at her best friend's wedding. I love Eleanor's wittiness, especially with the footnotes and breaking the fourth wall. I listened to the audio for this one and it was a little harder to keep up with the characters, theories and what was the screenplay/movie vs the book. I think I would have followed along better if I read it. Overall super entertaining! Excited for a possible 3rd book!!

This second installment in the Vacation Mysteries was another hit for me! I really enjoy Catherine Mack's writing and the character of Eleanor Dash. This story follows Eleanor as she heads to Catalina Island for the wedding of her best friend Emma Wood to Fred Winters, another movie star. Chaos ensues as murders seems to follow Eleanor everywhere she goes. I found the book to be well paced and kept me entertained throughout. I look forward to the next book in this series! Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for a honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 stars
After the movie of her book wraps, Eleanor accompanied everyone to Catalina Island for the marriage of her best friend, Emma, and Fred Winters. Those two also happen to be the stars of the movie.
A large group of people stuck on an island during a hurricane warning with evacuation notices? Plus a bunch of outdoor activities that somehow get pulled off before the weather turns, except dead bodies keep turning up. And I don't know how realistic it is for a movie star bride to go on a ropes course the morning of her wedding?
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first one. The storm was a major plot point but didn't seem to have a very significant impact, other than people not coming or going from the island for a bit. I kept reading to find out what happened, but honestly it could have been anyonr and I didn't have strong feelings. It felt like there were some loose ends left at the end of the book - Eleanor's relationships with various characters, and more detail about the guilty and how that ended up.