This was such a fun book! Eleanor Dash is a great protagonist—she's smart and funny and more than a little snarky—and the plot is over the top in the very best way. Movie stars, a surprise wedding on a secluded island, luxe events ... and murder! (Multiple!) Come for the Agatha Christie-style mystery, stay for the banter and the footnotes. (Yes! Footnotes! This book has it all.)

Anytime Eleanor Dash decides to travel, she seems to encounter murder. After nearly being murdered herself, she thought that was a last of her being caught up in a murder mystery straight out of one of her books. That is, until her best friend Emma's wedding, a wedding that was only possible as Emma had met her future husband Fred Winters on the set of the movie adaptation of Eleanor's book. Now it seems someone doesn't want this wedding to happen, enough so that they may be willing to kill for it. What I love about these books is that they give the perfect combination of cozy mystery and humor. I love a book with footnotes and while it was very annoying to read in this proof as they were at the end of the chapter, I still enjoy them so much as they bring something new to the reading experience. Eleanor is a great character to follow as she tries to solve this mystery with her boyfriend, sister, ex-beau, and the other new side characters. I love this series and will continue to read whatever Catherine Mack puts out!

A cozy vacation mystery with a hilarious cast of characters that had me smiling almost the entire time I was reading. I do believe you should read book 1 before you read book 2. This was a quick read but not extremely memorably which is why I gave it 3⭐️. I would have enjoyed more twists and turns with this mystery but overall it was enjoyable

Thank You Minotaur books for giving me early access on Netgalley so I could read and review this book. I appreciate so much.

Your best friend's wedding should be a piece of cake to attend, but not for Ms. Dash. She is the best selling author of the Vacation Mystery series. Murder seems to follow her everywhere, it's her plus one that she did not want to bring. Emma Wood, Elenor's best friend since childhood is starring in a movie adaptions of When in Rome, Elenor's first novel. Emma is so to be married to Fred Winter's playing Connor Smith. Elenor's pain in the ass ex, but he is also the main focus of the book.

When everything is wrapped and finished they invite everyone to their wedding on Catalina Island. There is also a storm that is supposed to head their way as well. Nothing will stop them from getting married, not even murder.

Can we just talk about one thing for a second. The first book in this series is paperback, this is the second book in the series and it's hardcover. If books are in the same series, make them the same format, make them all paperback, instead of switching it when it's the second book in the series. That is one thing that author's/ publishers do that piss me off. Anyways back to the review.

I've read the first book, and now I have read the second will I be reading the third most likely.I also think that these books could be read as standalone's, you don't have to read them in order.

I will say however that I do think that I like the audiobooks more than just plainly reading the book. The audiobook just adds something to it. It was not a bad book, I did manage to get through it without a struggle and I finished this book pretty fast as well. The author of the book is funny as well, there's just something about this book that makes it just meh. I think it might be Connor Smith. He's just a really bad person and honestly makes Elenor miserable. I do like Elenor as a character and I like her boyfriends who's name escapes me right now. I do want to read the third book in the series, because it is entertaining. This time around when I was reading the book, I did not bother to read the footnotes, because there is no point. Some of the footnotes are funny, but to be honest most of them are pointless. I wouldn't say this book is thrilling or if has you on the edge of you seat, it was just okay and entertaining enough to be able to get through. I hope people enjoy this book, it is a decent read. Happy Reading!!!!!

The Vacation Mysteries series is back with Book 2: No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding by Catherine Mack. Author Eleanor Dash is attending her best friend's wedding on the picturesque Catalina Island. Even though an ominous storm threatens to cut off the island, the wedding goes on as planned. But when a murder occurs, Eleanor must solve the mystery to keep the celebration on track.

I was completely engaged in the story as I was drawn in by its intriguing plot and well-paced action. Eleanor's witty and snarky inner monologue adds depth and entertainment, making this cozy mystery extra enjoyable. The clever use of footnotes and breaking the fourth wall gives the narrative a unique touch.

I liked the pace of the story and the reveals and humor sprinkled throughout. Eleanor's sarcasm is particularly appealing, making for an enjoyable read. The satisfying conclusion left me eagerly anticipating Eleanor's next adventure.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Book for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

The second book in the Vacation Mysteries series does not hit a sophomore slump. If you enjoy your murder mysteries with a bit of humor, banter, as well as breaking of the 4th wall, I'd say this is a perfect book for you. (It reminds me of the vibes I got from watching the movie Clue.) Just such an enjoyable read from start to finish.

Thank you to the publisher for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.

Another great, fast-paced thriller from Catherine Mack! While I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first book in the series, I loved being back in the mind of Eleanor and being thrown back into her shenanigans! I feel like this was a bit slower at the beginning and I felt thrown into the solving of the murder, but I still really enjoyed this! The ending tho…can’t wait for the next book! Murder and death seem to follow these characters no matter where the go and I can’t wait to see her next adventure & crime solving!

Eleanor Dash is back, and by now it should be no surprise that everywhere she goes, someone dies. She is a very funny protagonist and I love how she tells the story through asides to the reader. The cast of characters is large, and can be confused, as this book is about a movie being made from Eleanor’s first book, which was based on her life. Some characters play other characters and some play themselves, and there are also stand-ins who look exactly like other characters. This, of course, adds to the fun. There is so much misdirection and back-stabbing that at times it seemed as if the crimes would never be solved. But Eleanor and her beau Oliver figure it out (with or without the help of their family, friends, colleagues, and enemies). It is all great fun and a lively story. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to provide an honest review.

This was a really fun book 2 in this series. I love the footnotes and continued complexity of these characters. I felt like a bit of "sexual tension" was a bit untrue to the characters with how they ended book one but understand something was needed to keep moving that storyline forward. It was a quick airplane read for me and I really enjoyed it. I look forward to future books in this series, where else can we go next!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable second installment to Catherine Mack's series -- fun, deliciously meta, and unpredictable. I'm officially hooked!

Oh my goodness was this book a great read! I really enjoyed this book. It was a hilarious mystery with a lot of twists that I did not see coming. I did not know what to expect but this book was great. I was laughing but so intrigued by the murder mystery itself. Loved it!

A solid and fun mystery. I liked this one as much as the first, which doesn't happen often. It's silly in spots and serious in others. I was definitelg surprised by the ending. Book 3 anyone?

Another delight from Catherine Mack! A wonderful fusion of suspense, humour, and intrigue. I couldn't put it down.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the chance to read this Arc.

I did not like this one as much as the first. Didn’t hold my attention or make me LOL like I wanted it to. It was still a fun read though!

Another fun and mysterious Eleanor Dash mystery, but seriously can’t this woman ever relax and try to enjoy a trip without a body or two popping up?!

This time, Eleanor is off to her best friend Emma’s whirlwind wedding with her costar lover (after they fell in love on the set of the movie of Eleanor’s book of course)- on Catalina island- during a hurricane (because of course locked doors, big storm, what else could you expect from a murder mystery!?). With twists and turns, humorous footnotes, a zany cast and crew of a movie, old loves and new, this story is entertaining and funny from start to finish. A murder mystery with some heart? Sign me up!!

Thank you so much to Catherine Mack and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoy these mysteries!! “No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding” is seriously such a fun book and so clever and witty. Just like the first book in the series, it is engaging and unique and has a fresh, funny narrative. I find myself relating to the main character with her self deprecating humor and anxious thoughts. The way the mystery is laid out is really smart and I’ll probably never guess correctly. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series! Those who enjoy comedic mysteries by Benjamin Stevenson would really enjoy this author too! Other comedic mysterious that I have read are usually pretty predictable but not the 2 that I have read from this author. They are written really well and although there were so many times that “I didn’t see that coming,” it was still acceptable and followed the laws of mystery novels. Like, the author didn’t bring in a random character 70% of the way into the story and they end up being the suspect and you’re like well wtf did I just read that 70% for. Right? Her twists are all very clever, I’m just not smart enough to piece it together and solve it on my own I guess. Haha Which I’m fine with because I read this book in a day. It was definitely a page turner!
I definitely plan on purchasing this book when released in May 2025 and I have already told several friends to look out for this book!
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to #CatherineMack and #Minotaurbooks and #Netgalley for the arc of No one was supposed to die at this wedding. I will be following this new author for any future books she writes because I really liked her witing style. To be honest I see a little of myself in her main protagonist, Eleanor Dash. The mystery is as engaging, no pun intended since the action takes place at a wedding Venue. I love the chacters and hope there are many more books in the series. It does have a little adult language for those that might be a little off put but it didn't bother me. I wont go into detail about the mystery since people want to find out on their own what happens.

This has everything I love in a thriller. I love the fact that they so many unexpected moments.

This is book 2 in a series and you don't necessarily have to read the first one to read this one, but it would significantly help and add to the reading experience if you do. Eleanor returns for her best friend's wedding.

Eleanor travels to her best friend Emma's destination wedding, and like the title says someone dies at this wedding. It starts off with just threatening letters but of course it escalates to murder.

I did thoroughly enjoy the first book in the series, but I liked this one so much more it there was just something about it that made me love the characters more and it might just be because I already know a lot of the backstory from the first book, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable thriller. I highly recommend picking up this series.

No One Was Supposed to Die at the Wedding
Author: Catherine Mack

Description:
And we are back with Eleanor Dash, who’s attending her best friend’s wedding on an exclusive island. And, of course, wherever Eleanor goes, there’s bound to be a murder mystery 😉!

My Thoughts:
This was such a cute read. My favorite part was Eleanor—she’s so quirky and fun! The phrase “having her foot in her mouth” perfectly describes her personality, and she’s what makes the story so enjoyable.

One part that really stuck with me was the idea that the type of partner you choose can bring out different sides of your personality—whether you’re calm, anxious, or somewhere in between. It was such a small detail but left an impression on me.

Overall, it’s your everyday fun murder mystery, and I loved it! My only critique is that it could have been a bit shorter.

Genre: Mystery, General Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult
Favorite Quote: “Because sometimes all you can do is laugh to escape the pain in life.”

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

The review will be posted on my instagram page on January 7th 2025

No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding started off a little slow for my taste and I struggled through the first half or so but I’m glad I stuck with it! The first third of the book set up for the murder(s) which is what I found to be a little slower but once I made it through that, the pace picked up a lot more. The banter between all of the characters kept the book very entertaining and only got better as the story went on. Once the murder(s) entered the story about two thirds of the way through, I couldn’t put it down and finished the rest of it so quickly. The plot twist had me absolutely gaping. The newest adventures of Eleanor Dash did not disappoint! I definitely recommend this for all mystery and thriller book lovers.