I had to read this follow up book from Catherine Mack. I really enjoyed the first one in the series and found this one equally enjoyable. I like how the narrator talks about events that happen in the first book. It was good to get those little flashbacks of what happened already and how it relates to what is happening now. I definitely recommend, especially those who read the first book.

Eleanor Dash is a very successful author and her book is being made into a movie. She's also about to head to Catalina Island to attend the wedding of her best friend. But everything isn't going to go smoothly. Eleanor reverts back into her role as an amateur detective as the murders and mysteries build up. The book is filled with unconventional characters and red-herrings. Funny and off-center situations abound.

I understand there are footnotes in the printed version but I listened to the audio version. The narrator reads them seamlessly into the story and they come across as Eleanor's thoughts. The writing is a little quirky and this is a lighthearted murder mystery.

The narrator did a wonderful job, bringing this book to life.

Book 2 in the “Vacation” series with Eleanor Dash. I listened to the first book about a year ago and LOVED it. I’ve been looking forward to getting my hands on the next book ever since. While I continue to love the unique sarcastic witty inner monologue of Eleanor, the storyline this time around never fully grabbed my attention. I highly recommend the audiobook option for the footnotes seamlessly woven in vs hard copies if you would find that distracting.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio
for this ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.

Pub Date May 13 2025

The ARC uses the phrase "The 9/11 of [spoiler]" in the epilogue. Yes I am giving it 4 stars, and yes I am knocking a star off for that, because holy crap who on earth thought THAT was a good idea? Otherwise wonderful book. What the hell.

I feel bad even rating this because I quit so early on but within the first 20 minutes the author/FMC breaks the fourth wall to reference or reflect on the previous book at least a dozen times. Since I haven't read the previous book, it became draining. The summary made it seem like a cozy mystery that I could pick up without much previous knowledge but all the call backs and asides made me feel like I was coming in on the 3rd season of a TV serial

THANK YOU NETGALLEY AND MACMILLAN AUDIO FOR THIS BADASS ALC!!!

Elizabeth Evans is *chef’s kiss*, absolute freaking perfection.

I don’t think I am supposed to be laughing so much at a murder mystery. This sequel is everything and more. Intriguing, hilarious, and of course, ends on a very slight cliffhanger that I hope leads to a third book!

Catherine Mack, I love you. You are hilarious and I love the footnotes and how the leading lady talks to the reader. If you write it, I will read (or listen!).