I'm not a huge fan of all the swearing, especially multiple f-bombs. But I can overlook that when the book is good - and this book was shaping up to be good. I was hooked by the mystery and I was enjoying the writing style and the narrator.

Unfortunately, what was a deal breaker for me was taking the Lord's name in vain. Several times (in the bit that I read) and quite emphatically. So I DNF'd.

I was thrilled to be back in the presence of Eleanor Dash, author, amateur sleuth, and one zany lady. I love her character. Everywhere she goes, whether on vacation (as in the first book) or to a wedding, chaos and murder are sure to follow. And so does her book character, real-life ex, and now film co-star, Connor. It’s messy, especially when they are all trapped on an island for Eleanor’s best friend’s wedding.

This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery, a host of quirky characters, a fantastic setting, and a main character who continually breaks the fourth wall. The humor in this book was just what I needed, and I laughed out loud at many points.

I'm eagerly looking forward to the next book and curious to see what hilarious situation Eleanor finds herself in next.

🎧 Elizabeth Evans was the perfect narrator! Mastering Eleanor’s humor, including her footnotes and running monologues, she kept me thoroughly engaged with the story. Plus, she did a fantastic job with the other characters' accents.

Thank you @minotaur_books and @stmartinspress for this gifted book. #SMPinfluencers Thank you @macmillan.audio for the gifted audiobook via #NetGalley. #MacAudio2025


Maybe more like 4.5 🌟

4/5 stars

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy!

This was a solid follow up to the first book in the series -- EVERY TIME I GO ON VACATION, SOMEONE DIES. It did take me a while to get grounded and settled back into this world and these characters. While this could probably be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the first one to really get a sense of these characters and their relationships -- your experience will be much better.

Speaking of characters, there were SO many! It was really hard to keep track, especially with some IRL versions, some book versions and some movie versions, all of which had overlap. I listened to this one on audio, and that made it extra challenging to track all of these different people and their relationships. I also don't love our main character, which can make it hard to have a ton of buy-in. Sorry to Eleanor -- I think she means well, I just find her a bit annoying. Her footnotes and banter with the reader can be fun at times, just not all of the time.

The setting of this one was great -- I am a sucker for mystery tropes and this one was set at a wedding on Catalina Island during a storm... and I loved it lol! As with the first one, I wasn't really sure where this one was going and I think that Catherine Mack does a great job of misleading us enough that I have predictions, and they're all wrong haha.

Overall, this one was fun with a few flaws. I'd read more in this series for sure.

(3.5)
This book was pretty good. I think if you liked the first one you may like this one as well. It has most of the same characters and the storytelling is done in a similar style.
This story revolves around a wedding of the well to do Hollywood scene and the making of a movie based on the book of the main character. A lot happens that I won't tell you about since it would ruin the story, but it does have some nice twists and turns here and there.
This is well written albeit a bit on the over-the-top side. It's enjoyable though and I'd recommend it.
I had the chance to listen to the audio of this book as I read along, and I have to say that it was so much fun that way. The narrator was really good and brought a lot to the story.

Eleanor Dash wrote a book. And that one book changed her life and the lives of those around her. Over and over.

She was just a teenager when her parents were killed in a car accident, and when she took over raising her younger sister. Eleanor put her dreams of college aside while Harper finished high school. And when Harper went off to college, Eleanor used some of her inheritance to go to Rome. In Rome, she met Connor, and they fell in love while investigating a string of robberies in town. That story didn’t end how she expected, but she turned it into a bestselling novel.

That novel is now being made into a movie, and her best friend Emma Wood is playing the part of the protagonist. The role of Connor is being played by Fred Winters. And like their characters in the movie, Emma and Fred have fallen in love. After they wrap shooting the film on Catalina Island, they’re planning a small wedding. Eleanor and Harper are invited, as are others from the movie. Eleanor brings her boyfriend Oliver, and Connor is invited as well.

Just as the whole gang is back together, getting ready for a Hollywood wedding, complete with a photographer from People magazine, there is a storm brewing. A couple of them, actually. There is the actual hurricane that weather reports say is heading their direction. And there is the storm of anxiety that comes when Emma hands Eleanor a note saying that someone was going to die at the wedding.

At first, they’re trying to figure out if there is an actual threat or not. But when Emma, Eleanor, and Harper were heading to a series of pools to relax and Harper’s phone dropped in the water, it was clear that had the women gotten in, they would have been electrocuted. The police can’t help, as most of them have already evacuated the island. But as the weekend continues, there are actual murders. Eleanor feels like the answers are there for her, if she just looks hard enough. But first, she’ll have to keep Emma, Harper, and herself alive until the storms have passed.

No One Was Supposed to Die at the Wedding is a crime adventure novel full of snark and well, frankly, backstabbing. Everyone at the wedding has secrets, and the pressure of the wedding is bringing it all out into the open. Revenge, infidelity, gambling, blackmail, and that is just the start. The way this story unfolds is a little bonkers but lots of fun, with the comic timing of one not-a-detective detective bringing laughs throughout.

I listened to the audio book of No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding, narrated so beautifully by Elizabeth Evans. She gave each character a distinct voice (and there are a lot of characters to keep track of), and even added some charming accents to keep this audio book rolling along. Eleanor is narrating the story herself, no third person writing here, and she loves to add snarky footnotes throughout the book. In the narration, those notes are added as they show up in the narrative, just with a little extra attitude, so they don’t slow down the listener at all, which I appreciated.

I enjoyed this book a lot, but I will admit that there is a lot going on and a lot to keep track of. There are a lot of characters, and author Catherine Mack does a good job of using context clues to keep readers on track with them, but there is still a certain amount of mental work to keep it all sorted. And when you get toward the ending, there are a lot of story loops that get a little bonkers to put together. Still, I had a lot of fun going on a trip with Eleanor and company again, and I look forward to the trip to Greece she talked about at the end, even though I know that it will not end well for everyone involved.

Egalleys for No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding were provided by Minotaur Books and an early copy of the audio book was provided by Macmillan Audio, both through NetGalley, with many thanks, but the opinions are mine.

I had a great time with the first book in the Vacation Mysteries series and could not wait to read this installment. I’m happy to say, this did not disappoint. I adore Eleanor’s character even though she keeps finding herself in ridiculous murder investigations. I also love how Mack takes readers to different locations and includes plenty of detail where it feels like the readers are on vacation too — in this instance Catalina Island. I enjoyed the glam of the Hollywood wedding backdrop while also getting to learn more about Eleanor’s background via her best friend’s wedding. Also, I really enjoy Mack’s fun writing style and how she regularly draws the readers in to participate in the investigation. Mack also keeps the books lighthearted by including over the top plot lines. I also enjoy how well thought out the mystery is. There are plenty of misdirections and once you think you finally have a handle on the culprit and reasoning, Mack throws another curveball. The narration for this book was top notch. Elizabeth Evans is the perfect choice for nailing Eleanor’s character while also drawing the reader’s interest. It really feels like you’re sitting down to coffee with Evans and she’s having a conversation with you all. I also felt that Evans did well incorporated the footnotes into the narration without it feeling like you were breaking up the story. Overall, I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

3.25 out of 5

This book was a fun, chaotic ride! One of the things I really enjoyed was the character development and the immersive world Catherine Mack builds—it’s quirky, sharp, and full of personality. Mack’s writing is clever and laugh-out-loud funny, and her unique voice really pulls you in.

That said, the breaking of the fourth wall didn’t always work for me. While I can appreciate the nod to mystery readers who love solving the whodunit alongside the narrator, at times it felt a little forced or distracting from the plot and overall tone.

Still, this was an entertaining listen. The narrator, Elizabeth Evans, absolutely nailed the delivery and added to the experience. The book juggles a lot—it's a story within a play within a novel, plus the author's commentary—but the mystery was well-plotted and kept me guessing. Definitely worth checking out if you like meta-mysteries with humor and heart.

🔪💍 Book Review: No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding by Catherine Mack
(aka: The most fun you’ll ever have at a deadly destination wedding)

Catherine Mack has officially claimed her crown as the queen of twisty rom-com suspense with this pitch-perfect second novel! No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding is everything I hoped for and more—witty, wild, and utterly impossible to put down.

Packed with snappy dialogue, delightfully over-the-top wedding drama, and just the right dose of who-can-you-trust tension, this book reads like a murder mystery and a rom-com had a glamorous, slightly unhinged baby. The characters are chaotic in the best way, the pacing is razor-sharp, and every chapter leaves you grinning, gasping, or both.

Mack’s sophomore novel proves she’s not just a one-hit wonder—she’s a must-read author, full stop. I’m officially obsessed.

I love a good thriller or mystery. And when you throw in a comedic aspect, it is a double win for me. No One Was Supposed To Die At This Wedding was a highly anticipated sequel for me. I absolutely loved Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies and this one has all the same dry wit and sarcastic running commentary combined with a good old fashioned murder mystery. All with the same characters. I cackled out loud so many times. I loved all the Taylor Swift one liners. And I just loved all the snark. And I had no clue who did it until the very end. All while I was giggling.

3.5 stars. Thank you NetGalley for the audio version of this book. This is such a cosy and funny mystery series. The footnotes are great!!

I adore this funny mystery series! This story is about Eleanor Dash, a bestselling mystery author at her best friend's wedding. My favorite part of this series is that the author breaks the fourth wall for readers and has plenty of snarky and funny asides that really feel like a storyteller is involved.

Eleanor's best friend Emma is a famous movie star who is starring in an adaptation of one of Eleanor's books. Emma is marrying her leading man, who is also her co-star in the movie. Emma has been receiving threatening letters and then all sorts of accidents occur at the resort where the wedding will be -including an unplanned hurricane.

The banter makes me laugh out loud and the mystery is very entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the storytelling of this book. Highly recommend.

The set up is cute. I liked this one much more than the first. I think part of it was that I listened instead of read. The footnotes work really well in audio. I think you could read this without the first, but it will be more fun in order.

Eleanor Dash has written a best-selling novel that is being made into a movie starring her childhood best friend, Emma Wood. When production concludes, the cast and crew are off to Catalina Island to celebrate. Little do they know that while there they will be attending the surprise wedding of Emma and her fiancé (and co-star), Fred Winters. But no wedding is complete without a raging storm, death threats and a dead body!
What is different about this book is that the narrator is talking directly to reader, so you are privy to all of her thoughts as she investigates and tries to solve the murder.
No One Was Supposed To Die At The Wedding is book number two in the Vacation Mysteries series. While it can be read as a standalone, there were numerous references to the first book that left me feeling like I was missing pieces or playing catch up. While I haven’t read the first book yet, I get the impression that to fully appreciate this book, you should read book one first so you will understand more of the inside humor.
This was a cute and fun cozy mystery complete with an eclectic cast of characters, dark humor, witty banter, drama, secrets, and second chances.
A shout out to Elizabeth Evans who did a tremendous job narrating this story and bringing it to life. The portrayal of the characters made it so entertaining.
Thank you to Macmillian audio for the ALC of this audio book to listen and review. It was quite a fun listen!

*No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding* by Catherine Mack, narrated by Elizabeth Evans, is the second book in a series. While I hadn’t read the first volume, I found that the story was still easy to follow, despite occasionally feeling like I was missing some references to the previous book. The plot follows an author who is on the set of a movie being made based on her book. The director is an old acquaintance from high school, adding a personal connection to the unfolding events. The story takes place on Catalina Island, where the movie shoot is also serving as a cover for the wedding of two of the actors. As a hurricane looms over the island, the tension builds, and that's when the murder happens!

While the plot is entertaining and filled with twists, I found the overall tone of the book to be a bit lighter than what I typically prefer in a mystery. The combination of a film set, a wedding, and a hurricane makes for an interesting and unique backdrop, but the story’s whimsical nature might not be as gripping for readers who enjoy more intense thrillers. However, the light-hearted approach does make it an easy read, ideal for a relaxing day at the beach or by the pool.

Despite its lighter tone, the book does have an engaging plot with enough intrigue to keep the reader interested. If you’re looking for a fun, easy read with a touch of mystery, this book is a solid choice. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars. I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, and I appreciate the opportunity to enjoy this entertaining, albeit light, mystery.

Elizabeth Evans once again gives a stellar performance as mystery author Eleanor Dash. Her narration captivates and entertains to keep listener on their toes as the mystery progresses. You can’t help but listen in one sitting til you get to the end.

NO ONE WAS SUPPOSED TO DIE AT THIS WEDDING is the entertaining sequel to EVERYTIME I GO ON VACATION, SOMEONE DIES, I really enjoyed this audiobook. Our heroine, Eleanor Dash is a smart and funny fiction writer who gets entangled once again in a murder situation. The supporting cast is engaging, the plot is fast-paced, and a good deal of humor is mixed in. The twist was a surprise yet not inexplicable which made this for a satisfying read. Definitely recommend it for your summer vacation but read its predecessor first!

The narrator,Elizabeth Evans, was once again fantastic!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this audiobook!

Okay, if I’m being completely honest, I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first one! No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding was such a fun mix of murder and mayhem with a side of snark. It follows Eleanor Dash, a famous mystery author who ends up at her best friend's fancy wedding on an island only for things to take a seriously deadly turn. Someone leaves a note saying there’ll be a murder, and then… well, someone actually dies.

Eleanor's voice is hilarious! She’s super sarcastic, sharp, and a total drama queen in the best way. The story’s got some solid twists and doesn’t take itself too seriously, which makes it a pretty easy, entertaining read. Think cozy mystery, but with a modern, sassy edge. I’m obsessed with the footnotes, breaking the fourth wall and speaking to the reader and the many references to Agatha Christie.

I really enjoyed the chemistry between her and Oliver. I feel like I know all the characters. I highly enjoyed seeing some characters from the first book. Come back to this book. Iykyk. It’s not super deep, and yeah, a few things felt a little over the top, but honestly? That’s kind of the fun of it. If you're in the mood for something clever, light, and murder-y (but not too scary), this one's worth picking up. I look forward to reading more Eleanor Dash, and hearing what’s going on inside of her mind. Also I am obsessed with this narrator she does a fantastic job.

Thank you, NetGalley, the author, and the publisher, for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An excellent sequel to the original. I loved reconnecting with these characters and their hilarious sleuthing skills. A wonderfully written humorous murder mystery.

This is a fun, fast-paced mystery with just the right mix of suspense and humor. Eleanor Dash goes to her best friend’s wedding hoping for a break…but instead, someone ends up dead and she’s pulled into solving the case.

The setting is dramatic, the characters are entertaining, and the mystery keeps you guessing. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, which makes it a super enjoyable read.

For anyone who likes a lighthearted twist on murder this book is a must. I must admit I am a bit obsessed with this series because it entertains and makes me smile! A perfect blend and it hits all the right feels!!!

Eleanor Dash is at it again in this second book in The Vacation Mysteries series by Catherine Mack. While on vacation on Catalina Island for her best friend’s wedding she suddenly goes from wedding guest to murder investigator when everyone is a suspect.

This is a fun locked room cozy mystery that doesn’t take itself too seriously and draws you right in, literally, since the authors breaks the fourth wall and invites you to help solve the case. I enjoyed the quick pace and witty and sometimes snarky dialog. While there are a lot of characters, and each has their own motives and opportunities, Mack has written this in a way that lays it all out for you, but still keeps you guessing. This is a very unique writing style and makes for a very easy read that doesn’t require a lot of brain power. This is an enjoyable cozy mystery that is perfect for a vacation or beach read.