I enjoyed this read overall but had trouble getting invested in it because I didn't like Mrs Blossom's character very much to start with. I didn't realize she was a character in previous novels so maybe my experience would've been different had I read some of those.

3,5 stars rounded up. This was a cute, sort of cozy mystery with a fun setting. It's the kind of mystery that works best if you just go with the flow and try not to overthink things. It wasn't a particularly exciting book, but it was easy to read and had likable leads. That's always a plus.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

I love an older protagonist (Killers of a Certain Age, Thursday Murder Club, Mrs Plansky...). This one didn't do it for me. The MC is so naive and much more helpless than she should've been. She talks about her weight quite a lot, though she isn't bothered by it, but she's constantly ready to be offended about it. She's far too gullible.

Thank you for the ARC. I purchased a copy for my library. I wouldn't read others with this character.

The ending was cute but not cute enough to read through the rest of the book. I have read Laura Lippman before and enjoyed it, so I was trying this out as the book description piqued my interest. I thought since it was less than 300 pages, I would fly through it and that was not the case, at all.

An overweight, newly wealthy, older woman decides to take a vacation with her best friend. The anticipated cruise is foiled by both of them "finding romance" with terrible men. After being followed, attacked, and having her room searched more than once, Muriel helps discover what happened to am ancient art piece that was being searched for.

Thank you HarperCollins Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

Muriel Blossom is a plus sized widow, taking her first trip out of the United States. Muriel is an appealing protagonist, finding her way first to London, then to Paris for a river cruise with her best friend. While on the plane, she meets Allan, a handsome older gentleman, the first to show interest in Muriel in years. Their quick association plunges Muriel into a mystery over stolen goods, and a murder. I really enjoyed the story, especially as a fan of river cruises myself and as an older woman. There are not many books focusing on this age group, so this cozy mystery was a pleasant surprise. Recommended. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

I received an ARC in return for an honest review.

This is a cozy mystery that was light on the story, character and plot. There were so many holes in the story, the characters were ridiculous and the plot was just......dull.

To be fair, I did read the entire book. But I did so only to see if it got better. If you like cozy mystery with a little substance than this is for you!

This book is ancillary to a series but I didn't feel like I was missing anything by not having read previous books. Mrs. Blossom, Muriel, was an assistant to an investigator, but now she's about to have an investigation of her own.
Muriel's life has turned upside down a few times recently; her husband died, the family (grandchildren) moved to Japan and left her behind, and she won the lottery. It's the last that allows her to take a fancy vacation in Europe.
On the way, she meets Allan. He seems attracted to her and, while she's shy to believe it, she is willing to vary her journey plans to stay with him. Unfortunately, the romance doesn't last long and she's back on track for the travel plans she was given. There's a young man (forties), Danny, who is following her. But his story keeps changing as to why.
Lippman explains that, in the previous books, she was accused of fatphobia based on how she described and treated Muriel. This book is... maybe bettter? She had sensitivity readers but I'm not sure how much she listened to their reviews. There's still a lot of focus on Muriel's frame.

Three and a half stars
This book came out June 17, 2025
ARC kindly provided by William Morrow and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

I really liked this book and the main character is great. I will admit the very beginning of this book had a couple of things that made this rating a 4 star instead of 5. As I got further into the book I understood why the author might have added them to show how lonely the main character is, but they still didn't seem believable to me.

Overall, the setting is great and I would read more books in a series. I haven't read anything about this book being anything other than a one off, but the author leaves space at the end for two of the characters to have more of a story.

This book is perfect for anyone who loves mystery, with non-graphic murders and a great setting.

If this book were a macaron (and given the fact that it is mostly set in France, I find that the best pastry of choice) you would want to eat it in one bite. From beginning to end this book was an absolute delight, and a breath of fresh air when it comes to the lead character Mrs Muriel Blossom. She is a woman in her 60s, full figured (with no wish to change it) and just the sort of person you'd want to solve a crime with. Her experience working with a private investigator (and as she would tell you, her age) gives her the upper hand when it comes to blending into the background.

However, when she shows up at the airport to fly to France for a river cruise along the Seine, she didn't expect her trip to have quite as much intrigue as it did, nor that her life would end up being in danger at every turn. Filled with descriptions of some of the well-known spots in Paris and stops they make along the Seine, this book will keep you guessing who is involved in the theft (and resulting murder) and who isn't.

Uh oh. I'm older than Muriel Blossom, definitively overweight and did not hate this novel just because these are parts of her she obsesses about. I enjoyed this novel as a light, fun read with a protagonist I enjoyed. Muriel won the lottery and is taking a trip to France and a river cruise on the Seine with her oldest friend. She was widowed many years ago, is in her early 60s and is way more interesting than she gives herself credit for. She once worked surveillance for Tess Monaghan. She's moving back to Baltimore after an absence to live with her daughter's family and help with her children. Her daughter and family are moving to Japan and Muriel isn't invited. The thing is, nobody out there but Muriel obsesses about her age or weight and she calls people out when they do stereotype her in some way. And frankly, this is a novel of adventure and growth. That's the whole point. While she did spend time learning about and enjoying art over many years and has an adventurous streak, Muriel hasn't had the means or imagination until now to take risks and she evolves throughout this story. I will not be a critic of a person for being rather conventional, after living a conventional adult life, yet having a past where she went clubbing and took some chances she regrets and some she loves to remember.

Muriel gets unstuck in this novel. A friendship of many years is featured. A mystery is involved. There's a lot of sleuthing and false starts and some danger along the way and this is a very pleasurable adventure with a very normal person whose life and self worth is changed by the end. Get a grip folks.

I liked this book, but I didn't love it. The atmosphere was really fun! I love being in an isolated area with a small set of characters. I wanted a stronger mystery and stronger characters. I feel like we had a lot of the mystery in the beginning and the end, but not throughout. The ending to the mystery just felt like it was all explained instead of us and the main character putting the clues together throughout. I liked our main character, but she really brought herself down a lot. It was an easy read, but unfortunately it will be forgettable to me.

Thank you to Atria and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman
Harper Collins, released June 17, 2025


What a delight! Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman is a huggable mystery. One of those books where the main character, Muriel Blossom, reminds you of someone you know and love like your mother, grandmother, older neighbor, or yourself. Muriel, a widower and recent lottery winner, decides to take a bucket list Parisian river cruise with her life long friend, Elinor. Possibly because of Muriel’s age (68), plumpness, and overall compassionate demeanor, she becomes a dupe within a crime. But, as the story unfolds, we learn that Muriel is much smarter than anyone thinks.

I had a lot of fun with this book. Laura Lippman is a seasoned mystery/detective writer with numerous awards and it shows. It is a heist turned into a murder mystery wrapped up in 270 pages. Muriel Blossom proved to be a great travel companion with her warmth, humor and wit. Mrs. Blossom hinted at being bitten by the travel bug. Yes, more Muriel Blossom adventures please. The pacing was great and I often found myself laughing out loud.

This book is a perfect book club read with themes such as aging, identity and second chances. But, this is also a fun cozy read - go ahead, allow yourself the indulgence of traveling with Mrs. Blossom. I give it five out of five stars.

Thank you Harper Collins for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Murder Takes a vacation is about Mrs. Blossom who is going on vacation with her friend. Mrs. Blossom decides to go early and explore Paris. On the plane trip she meets Allan. Allen then passes away which starts a chain of events that happens on her Parisian river cruise.

This book was okay. I just couldn't get into the characters. Mrs. Blossom too much about her weight. Every other page it felt like she was so worried about her weight, and everyone was judging her by her weight it really took away from the story. The other characters just didn't really seem like to have much of a personality in my opinion.

I did like Danny though I though he was the most interesting character in the story. I did enjoy the mystery. The story would have been more interesting if they put some of the mystery throughout the book verse telling most of the story at the end of the book.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for the arc copy.

What a fun ride! Mrs. Blossom, recent lottery winner decides to take a cruise through Paris- on her plane ride to Europe she meets a most fascinating man who takes a keen interest in her- the first romance she’s entertained since her husband’s death many years prior. But shockingly after a fun day spent together, she finds out he’s died unexpectedly. Meanwhile some other cruise guests are getting weirdly close to her- what ensues is a fun, cozy, cat and mouse mystery full of fun, laughter and a keen eyed Mrs. Blossom,

If you love an entertaining mystery with a fun loving main character, you should pick this book up. I would love to see more stories following Mrs. Muriel Blossom!

Thanks to the publisher William Morrow and author Laura Lippman for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

In this new book by Lip pm an Mrs. Blossom finds finds a winning lottery ticket and decides to make some changes to her life. Her first idea is to take a cruise through France and see a bit of the world. While on her new adventure she meets a man named Allan who is the first man to catch her eye since her husband died. Things take a turn when not even a day later Allan is found dead in Paris. Mrs. Bloom wants to know who killed the man but isn't sure she can trust anyone on board. A man name Danny seems to pop up at the oddest times and places. Follow along as she delves into Allan's murder hoping to put.the pieces together and solve the crime. Will she find the killer before something else bad happens?

68-year-old Mrs. Blossom may not play the lottery, but she certainly won the lottery by finding a winning ticket. From a private investigator who excelled at blending in when it came to surveillance, to a doting grandmother, she has now booked a cruise to France. Her journey begins with a long flight across the ocean, where she meets the charming Allan. From a shared flight to a few drinks, she can’t believe that after ten years of widowhood, she finds herself drawn to him.

However, just 24 hours later, Mrs. Blossom’s life takes a dramatic turn when she is visited by the Paris police. They are full of questions and ultimately ask her if she knows Allan. Upon confirming their brief connection, she is informed that Allan has tragically fallen off a balcony to his death. Allan is not the only new man that Mrs. Blossom meets on her trip. She soon finds herself in constant company with Danny, who practically has become her shadow. Who is Danny, and why has he stuck so closely to Mrs. Blossom?

As Mrs. Blossom delves deeper into the mystery, she discovers that something sinister is afoot. A precious artifact has been stolen, and it turns out that Allan was not the man she thought he was. Not sure how she got connected to Allan, then Danny, and is now entangled in the stolen art, Mrs. Blossom puts on her private investigator hat and sets out to uncover the truth.

This one-sitting story is a thrilling and entertaining read. Although I received a digital ARC, I was also delighted to receive an audio copy for review. Kimberly Farr’s narration is excellent, and Laura Lippmann’s writing is simply captivating. I particularly enjoyed Mrs. Blossom’s relatable character. She is not embarrassed by her age or size, and her relentless pursuit of answers is a pure joy to witness.

Many thanks to William Morrow and to Libro.fm and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I have long read and liked Laura Lippman’s books and I looked forward to reading Murder Takes a Vacation. I’m sad to say that it falls far short of the quality of her previous novels. The story is uninteresting and unbelievable and the characters are underdeveloped and either dull or, in the case of Muriel Blossom, well, still in the budding stage. Mrs. Blossom is a relic of the past, a woman of the 50s or 60s; think Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris but without the charm and oozing with naivite. There were times when I wanted to hurl my kindle across the room in frustration. Only Lippmann’s staunchest fans and readers who will accept the most banal of cozies, will give this one a go, although many will be disappointed, 2 stars because the quality of the writing itself exceeds basic levels.

Rounded up from 4.75. I’d read 100 more Mrs Blossom books. Well, I mean, I read everything Laura Lippman writes but loved this character.

I heard Laura Lippman discuss this in person on a book tour and dove right in. A super quick read, I enjoyed it on the beach.

Read a signed/owned hardcover copy, also got free advanced copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

As someone who grew up in Columbia, Maryland I have always enjoyed Laura Lippman's books. Murder Takes a Vacation is a fun book about a grandmother, Mrs. Blossom, who finds a winning lottery ticket and hits it big! Mrs. Blossom is a widow and wants to see the world now that she has the money to do it. She worked as an assistant to Tess Monaghan, a private investigator. Mrs. Blossom is great at surveillance because no one suspects an older woman. She's retired now and has booked herself and a friend on a cruise through France.

Mrs. Blossom arrives at the airport very early for her flight. They offer her an upgrade for free into business class and Mrs. Blossom accepts since it doesn't cost anything. While in line and considering her upgrade, Mrs. Blossom meets Allan. Allan is on the same flight, always flies business class, and offers to help her find her way around. There's a special lounge for business class and they get to board the plane first. There's something about Allan that Mrs. Blossom likes so she is happy for is help. Allan is very nice and is seated right across from Mrs. Blossom on the plane. Little did Mrs. Blossom know that Allan would be found dead at his hotel in Paristhe next day. Allan wasn't supposed to even be in Paris. Why had he lied to Mrs. Blossom?

Once aboard the cruise ship, Mrs. Blossom goes to her cabin to await her friend, Elinor. She keeps seeing a man who seems to be following her. The man's name is Danny and he tells Mrs. Blossom that Allan was transporting a stolen piece of valuable art. Danny thinks that Mrs. Blossom could be his accomplice or at least knows more than she's saying. Danny tells her that Allan was murdered and it was likely regarding the valuable statue that he was carrying. Is Danny who he says he is, an FBI agent in the art theft division? Why does he follow Mrs. Blossom everywhere she goes? How does he know where she'll be and turn up there? Who has the valuable statue? Why does her room get ransacked as if someone is looking for something? Who can Mrs. Blossom trust? Why do people think she has something of Allan's?

I absolutely loved Murder Takes a Vacation and rate it 4 stars with a high recommendation. You will love reading about the adventures of Mrs. Blossom and finding out what happened to the valuable statue. Does Mrs. Blossom know anything? Did Allan tell her something on their long flight?I hope there's another book in the Mrs. Blossom series because it was a light, fun, enjoyable read! The book is out now and should be added to your TBR pile. I'd like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy of Murder Takes a Vacation in exchange for a fair review. #MurderTakesAVacation

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC!

This was a short and cozy mystery. It struck me a bit odd the number of times Mrs. Blossom’s size was brought up or remarks were made. Overall it was amusing read.