This was a great sequel to Every Time I Go on Vacation Someone Dies. It was fun to be with Eleanor again. This is a witty, fun mystery and I enjoyed the twists and turn! Fans of Knives Out, Thursday Murder Club, or Only Murders in the Building will enjoy this one!

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the free ARC ebook.

No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding by Catherine Mack is a sharp, witty mystery set on a remote island during a glamorous celebrity wedding. The story follows **Eleanor Dash**, a bestselling mystery author who ends up playing real-life detective when a member of the wedding party turns up dead—and the island is suddenly cut off by a storm.

Eleanor is a clever, sarcastic, and highly entertaining main character. Her inner monologue, full of dry humor and fourth-wall-breaking footnotes, makes the mystery feel fresh and fun. As she navigates old friendships, Hollywood egos, and a crumbling romance, Eleanor uses her writer’s instincts to piece together clues and untangle secrets.

The cast of characters is colorful and suspicious, from the bride and her movie-star fiancé to shady producers and former co-stars. The plot keeps you guessing with red herrings, surprising twists, and just the right amount of drama. With a locked-room feel and a mix of humor and suspense, this is a perfect read for fans of cozy mysteries with strong female leads and a splash of Hollywood glam.

I absolutely loved this one!!

this series is definitely an easy summer read. I think I ultimately liked the first one more but this was still a fun addition. I'll say the reveal had me a little confused/unsatisfied and certain things felt extremely predictable but I think this is an easy one to pick up if you're looking for a quick beach read type of book. While I don't think I'll pick up a copy for my shelves, I'd consider reading a third installment if one came out!

I absolutely adored "Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies" and this second book in the series is just as fun. The main character, Eleanor, is a writer in the book and her first novel is being made into a motion picture. Not only that, but her best friend is starring in the movie and falls in love with the leading man. Sounds picture perfect, but when their surprise wedding hits some unexpected snags (a hurricane and threats of murder), Eleanor finds herself trying to solve another case.

Eleanor is truly a wonderful character to follow along with, I love her humor and personality just as much in this book. The use of footnotes and breaking the fourth wall occurs throughout, once again, and just adds so much to the storyline. Her relationship in this book is super sweet. It is fun to try to solve all the mysteries alongside her, and Catherine Mack did a great job of keeping me guessing the culprit until the very end. The pacing is great and kept me reading well into the night to finish. It is once again a wild, chaotic, and hilarious ride and the perfect cozy mystery to add to your TBR. I highly recommend it! Although it's the second book in the series, you could easily pick it up at book two without much confusion (but I would hate for you to miss out on the first amazing book!). I look forward to reading more in this series! I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley for my opinions.

BOOK REVIEW ✨🔪💍
No One Was Supposed to Die at the Wedding by Catherine Mack
4.5⭐️
Well thank goodness—we have another absolutely hilarious and fun mystery from Catherine Mack to add to our summer reading lists, and I for one am extremely grateful!
When bestselling mystery author Eleanor Dash heads to Catalina Island to attend her best friend Emma’s star-studded wedding, she’s praying for a low-key celebration. But with a hurricane looming, movie stars everywhere (including Eleanor’s ex… who’s now playing her ex… in the movie adaptation of her own book), and a very ominous anonymous note warning that “someone is going to die at the wedding,” Eleanor’s vacation quickly spirals into full-blown chaos.
Naturally, she’s the only one prepared to solve the case. (Perks of writing a bestselling series called The Vacation Mysteries.)
💭 What I love most about this series is that I’m totally absorbed in the mystery—yes, I’m taking mental notes and accusing everyone—but I’m also so invested in the messy, layered drama of this returning cast. The Hollywood egos, the old friendships, the romantic tension… it’s just delicious.
We also have to talk about the fourth wall breaks and the footnotes—they’re absolute gold. The way Eleanor directly addresses the reader makes you feel like you’re solving the case with her, and the snarky footnotes? Hilarious, clever, and surprisingly helpful. They make the book feel even more readable and fun.
I read the book and listened to the audiobook, and let me just say: Elizabeth Evans is the PERFECT narrator. She captures Eleanor’s cheeky charm and razor-sharp wit effortlessly. The dual format made the experience even more fun.
If you're into light-hearted mysteries, with a splash of Hollywood chaos, a sprinkle of slow-burn romance, and a heroine who might just be in on the joke—you need to read this series.
🎬 Think: Knives Out meets Only Murders in the Building meets The Wedding Planner, but someone definitely dies.
📚 Perfect for your beach bag, your poolside playlist, or your "I just need something fun and unputdownable" shelf.

This second book in The Vacation Mysteries series follows author, Eleanor Dash, as she attends her best friend’s wedding on Catalina Island. This isn’t an ordinary wedding and Eleanor soon finds herself involved in yet another murder mystery.

I enjoyed this second book more than the first one. I thought the story was more interesting. I liked that it took place during a wedding on this beautiful island. This story had the same craziness going on as the first book, but it seemed like there were less footnotes this time, which I liked. I don’t mind the footnotes, but they do kind of take you out of the story a little bit.

I liked the murder mystery. There were a lot of twists and turns and I enjoyed trying to figure it all out along with Eleanor.

I would continue on with this series if there’s a third book.

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨

No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding by Catherine Mack

4.5⭐️

OUT NOW!

Well thank goodness, we have another absolutely hilarious and fun mystery from Catherine Mack to add to our summer reading lists and I for one, am extremely grateful!

When Eleanor Dash heads to Catalina to attend her best friend Emma’s start-studded wedding, she is really hoping for a low-key vacation! But when she receives an anonymous tip that someone is about to be murdered during the celebrations, chaos ensues and Eleanor is thrust into another murder mystery and let me tell you… it’s a wild ride.

What I love most about this series is that I am totally absorbed in the mystery and trying to figure out whodunnit but I’m also so INVESTED in the drama surrounding this messy group of characters. I loved that the gang was back for book two and that their web of interconnected relationships and the Hollywood drama that seems to follow them everywhere continued to cause some trouble…

I had the opportunity to read an e-ARC and listen to an ALC of this book and thoroughly enjoyed both formats. However, I have to give credit where it is due because Elizabeth Evans is truly the perfect narrator, she brought the cleverness and cheekiness of Eleanor to life which made for such a fun reading experience!

If you’re a lover of light-hearted mysteries with a sprinkling of romance you absolutely need to pick up these books! They would make the perfect summer vacation read, you will have an amazing time!

Thanks to the author, @minotaur_books @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for the opportunity to read and listen to advanced copies of this wonderful book!

NO ONE WAS SUPPOSED TO DIE AT THIS WEDDING is available everywhere now! ☀️

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and found the premise to be a fun one. Since I was running late with reading this one, I did switch to the audiobook version for a little bit. Both were equally fun, although Elizabeth Evans does a wonderful job with the narration.

This book comes with footnotes, and in audiobook form, it comes across as the main character’s snarky inner stream of thoughts. It actually reminded me a little bit of the way Davi’s thoughts are a stream of consciousness in How to Kill the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler. But it was a really fun way to tell the story, and the footnotes never felt bothersome, which is a feat.

I found it really easy to get absorbed into the story, and it begins with some positives that have occurred since the last book—Eleanor’s most recent book is being turned into a movie, her actress/best friend is starring in the movie adaptation, her friend is getting married to her co-star, and Eleanor has her own slow-burn romance simmering. The wedding is being held on Catalina Island, which is under a hurricane warning. On top of all of that, someone has been sending Emma, the bride-to-be, threatening letters.

Although there is a lot going on in the story, it never gets to the point where it is too much or overwhelming. Instead, it kept me hooked to see what was going to happen next. The story is fast-paced and fun, and Eleanor’s snark kept me glued to the pages. I genuinely enjoyed watching her do her thing, because she’s a true amateur, and gets things wrong almost as often as she gets things right. But she does have relatively good instincts when it comes to people (aside from her previous relationship with Connor), and offers a lot of good insight into who people are.

Something unexpected shows up on the wedding schedule: a murder. In this locked room (locked island?) mystery, a dead body appears rather quickly, after some ominous notes sent to Emma. The events and the setting make this a really atmospheric read—a resort on an island that has mostly been evacuated due to the hurricane, although Emma, her fiancé, and all of their guests (aka cast and crew, no families) are stuck on this island due to the happy couple refusing to delay the wedding.

You know that it doesn’t end there—family drama, old patterns, and secrets step in to make it hard to tell who might be the murderer. Also, we’ve got Eleanor breaking the fourth wall and speaking directly to the readers, making it feel like I was her sidekick in crimefighting without leaving my house.

In this book, Eleanor and the side characters really stood out a lot more than in the first book, and there’s more depth to each of the side characters. It makes it feel as though we get to know them better as the series goes on, and I love the direction that Mack has been taking this in. Also, the fact that the MC is an author makes it even more enjoyable, and has me looking forward to more books in the series.

Happy to read the next instalment of the Eleanor Dash series, the twists and turns kept me guessing who the culprit was until the end!

I just did not enjoy this one as much as the first in the series. Not sure why, but it took me a long time to finish reading it because it just didn't hold my attention. I was hopeful since the first title in the series was a good mystery.

Thanks for the opportunity to read the e-book and audiobook review copies.

I was tickled by the first book in this series: quirky, winking, fourth-wall-breaking, lighthearted fun. The second book didn't work as well. The setting was a movie version of a book loosely based on the author, and I had an impossible time keeping everybody straight. Is this the author? The actor playing the author's bookish double? Who was dating whom? Who once dated whom? I was lost. I switched from the audiobook to the e-book to get my head straight, but was confronted with.... THE FOOTNOTES. The footnotes work seamlessly in audio format as the narrator says them as asides to the reader without breaking the flow of the story. But in eye-read format? Incredibly frustrating.

4.75/5 ⭐️ (so rounding up)
The second book in the series finds Eleanor and crew the wedding of Eleanor's best friend Emma. She's a famous movie star, marrying an even more movie star. However, Emma has been getting threatening letters in the days leading up to the wedding. Stuck on an island with a major storm approaching, things take a deadly turn when a dead body turns up. Eleanor wants to find the culprit so that her friend can enjoy her wedding.

While I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first (which I LOVED), I still really, really enjoyed this one. The same wittiness and sense of humor is present throughout here, and I rejoiced because the funny footnotes are still here too! Not all of the twists were unexpected, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment. Even one moment where initially I was like "well this is weird and potentially annoying if it's the solution" makes sense and gets rid of that slightly annoyed feeling. If you enjoyed the first one, then you will enjoy this one! If you haven't read the first, there are major spoilers here, but it probably will still be a fun ride.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This cozy mystery was a delight to read! It is the sequel to Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies, and I loved it just as much as the first novel in the series.

This book follows famed mystery writer Eleanor as she attends her best friend's wedding on a private island amidst the production of her first novel's film adaptation. A murder occurs, and everyone in the cast and crew seems guilty. Secrets upon secrets unravel throughout the story, and the reveals will make you gasp.

This book brings a clever mystery, without the gore in many mystery novels.

Anyone who loves a humorous, cozy mystery that keeps you guessing will absolutely devour this book (but please start with the previous novel).

I love the casts of characters created in these novels, and I cannot wait to see what Catherine Mack publishes next.

I really liked this!

I read the first book in this series last year, and enjoyed it so much. I had been hoping they would continue on and make this a series, so I was so excited when the second came out. I did the audiobook mainly for both, and the audiobooks are absolutely amazing. This series is just so fun and funny! The author continues with her little footnotes in this one, and where she breaks the fourth wall by talking to the reader directly, and I just loved it all.

This book continued to surprise me, and I was unable to solve the mystery again. I’m not sure what’s holding me back from completely loving this series, but it’s definitely not by being predictable. I will be happy to hear if a third book will be coming out next year- crossing my fingers!

𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝑰'𝒅 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐:
Lovers of “fun” mystery series (like cozy, but more entertaining and will have you laughing out loud)

4.5/5 rounded up

3.5 rounded up!

Catherine Mack is back with the sequel to Every time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies, this time, during the filming of When In Rome. Eleanor Dash is on the sidelines as filming wraps for When In Rome. With her best friend Emma as the leading character, she's been able to be along for the process. During the end of filming, Emma gets slipped a note saying that someone will die at the wedding. Whose wedding? Emma and Fred, the leading man of the movie.

While stuck on Catalina due to a hurricane on the way, sketchy things are happening, but Eleanor and Oliver aren't figuring out what is going on.

Mack writes twists and turns with a whole lot of whit! This was another quick read that has you questioning all of the characters! If you enjoyed book 1, the 2nd is a great follow up.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy!

This series so far is the perfect mixture of satire, dark comedy, and whodunit. It’s like Knives Out but in book form. I can’t tell if I hate Eleanor Dash or if I adore her. She certainly speaks her mind because as the book plays out, she breaks the fourth wall throughout the entire thing, giving you insight as a reader that you wouldn’t have otherwise.

I thought I had the whole book figured out from the beginning, but twists and turns along the way had be second guessing myself. Come to find out, I was right all along.

These books are so lighthearted, so it’s always so surprising when there’s actually a murder - but they’re happening throughout the book. It’s the entire premise. It’s literally a murder mystery. But they’re happening throughout just read so silly, in the best way.

I will say it was very cringey near the end of the book, however, when Eleanor described the celebrity news cycle as being the “9/11” of that time. As someone whose entire generation was defined by 9/11, that felt super icky and made me pretty uncomfortable. It was basically two sentences, and it knocked the book down an entire star rating for me.

I will definitely continue to follow along with Eleanor as more books in this series are released. They’re so fun and quick to read! That one part was just super cringey, though.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

No One Was Supposed to Die at this Wedding by Catherine Mack (aka Catherine McKenzie) was a nice surprise, a change from the usual genre I know her from. And I must say – this story kept me entertained throughout. So much so, that I have gone back and read the first book – though in physical form as opposed to this book, which I read on my Kindle.

This second book in the Vacation Mysteries series follows Eleanor Dash as she goes overseas for Emma Wood’s wedding. Also combining this event while promoting the movie of Eleanor’s first novel – When in Rome, in which Emma is the leading lady. The cast and crew are done with filming – “it’s a wrap”. Now everyone is invited to go to Catalina Island to witness the wedding of Emma Wood and Fred Winters (the leads in the film ☺) who are actually getting married in real life, as it were. As can be expected, many events pique the interest of Eleanor…including a couple of murders. Now further details regarding the deaths and Eleanor’s path to solving the murders will be left for you to read about – I don’t want to spoil anything for you! Suffice it to say – the weather does not co-operate and there are a few twists and turns, which will keep you guessing – well – it did for me.

What I think I like best is the inner dialogue Eleanor has with herself and to us readers. SO funny, witty, self-deprecating occasionally and at times – so on point. We soon learn that Eleanor is not the most skilled sleuth, but what she lacks in skill she more than makes up with her sheer determination. This inner dialogue made me feel like I was involved in solving the mystery around the murders right along with Eleanor.

My biggest piece of advice when reading this story (and book one in the series) is that I highly suggest you read this book in its physical form (unless you are good with footnotes on your e-reader) as reading the footnotes (at least for me) was WAY easier to read in the physical book (when I went back and read book one) than reading on my Kindle for this book.

I enjoyed this book SO much. Chuckle worthy with a very likeable main protagonist. It is a departure from the author’s usual genre and storytelling – and I do hope she continues with Eleanor’s stories because I find them a delight to read. Just the escape one needs when choosing a book to read. So grab No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding, get a beverage of your choice, a comfortable location and get reading…you won’t regret it.

I loved the first book so when I got approved for this, I lost my mind. I love the way Catherine writes the most witty, entertaining whodunnits.

A dark humored mystery filled with drama and dysfunction. Eleanor is such a unique character that entertains me with all her off the wall shenanigans. She's the only one who proposes more What Ifs in a day than I do.

This book made me smile so many times. It's the perfect balance of sleuthing and comedy. I will definitely look for more by this author & books in this series.

to be honest i remember almost nothing of the first book, but i still had a great time with this one. i doubt i'll remember much about it, either, but in the moment it's funny and easy to read! would def recommend.

A fun murder mystery sequel to Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies. The tone of the Eleanor Dash series is lighthearted and witty, similar to the Finlay Donovan book series. The perspective constantly breaks the fourth wall and uses (often cheeky!) footnotes. We again follow Eleanor Dash, a mystery writer who has hit it big with When In Rome, based on what happens in the first book of the series. This book is even more meta than the first!

When we meet Eleanor this time, she is on the filmset of the adaption of When In Rome. It's starring her best friend and being directed by an old high school rival. Her best friend and co-star have planned a surprise wedding on Catalina island, coinciding with a hurricane! The characters are now trapped on the island and bodies start dropping.

I really enjoyed the first in the series, but didn't like this one as much. I found Eleanor to be kind of annoying and there were too many characters and storylines to keep straight. I also had a hard time caring about the characters. There is a lot of action and murder, so the pace is pretty fast. Though it's best to suspend disbelief while reading. I listened to the audiobook, which is perfectly narrated by Elizabeth Evans. She captures Eleanor's snark perfectly. It's quick moving and super fun. Definitely a good beach read!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for providing this ebook / audiobook ARC. All thoughts are my own.