4.5⭐

This series has been a lot of fun to read so far. There's a lot of charm and wit to the writing and the characters that make the book really entertaining. It's really the perfect blend of humor, mystery and chaos. I did enjoy the mystery I wasn't able to figure out who the killer actually was till the end. I loved the fact that everyone was stranded on an island it had that classic who done it element.

My favorite element of these books is the narration, I love when a book breaks the fourth wall. When it's done right it can be really funny and it succeeds very well in this. The audiobook narrator did a very good job with the book, they made me laugh when I was meant to and also brought me to the edge of my seat when I needed to be.

Great sequel, very fast paced! A must read if you loved Every time I go on Vacation, Someone Dies.

Thank you to NetGalley and @MinotaurBooks for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding is book two in The Vacation Mysteries series, and wow—it does not waste time heating things up. What’s supposed to be a glamorous movie production (based on the protagonist’s first book) turns into yet another murder scene... because of course it does. This crew cannot go anywhere without someone winding up dead, and honestly? I’m here for it.

The story is delightfully meta—there’s a book within a book within a film within a murder mystery, and it somehow works without getting confusing. Catherine Mack does a great job keeping readers grounded, even as the plot layers get twistier. There’s a strong Agatha Christie energy running through this one: quirky suspects, clever clues, a sleuth who's in way over her head but keeps going anyway.

What I especially enjoyed in this second installment is how the characters feel more fleshed out. They’re still eccentric, still funny, but there’s more heart and nuance this time around. The relationships get messy in all the right ways—blurred lines, secrets, and just enough emotional weight to make the drama hit harder.

Also, shoutout to the audiobook narration—it kept the pacing tight and the tone pitch-perfect, especially with such a large cast of characters.

Honestly? I liked this one even more than the first. The stakes are higher, the humor sharper, and the mystery more satisfying. If you're into slightly chaotic, highly entertaining whodunits with a literary twist, this is one to add to your TBR (or playlist). 4.25 Stars!

"No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding" by Catherine Mack is a delightful and witty follow-up in the Vacation Mysteries series, and I had the pleasure of reading an ARC. This time, bestselling author Eleanor Dash finds herself attending her best friend Emma's wedding on Catalina Island, which, naturally for Eleanor, becomes the backdrop for a perplexing murder mystery.

Mack has a knack for creating a lighthearted yet engaging tone, and Eleanor's blend of authorial observation and amateur sleuthing is as charming as ever. The added meta-layer of Emma starring in the movie adaptation of Eleanor's own book, with Eleanor's ex playing the lead, injects a fun and slightly chaotic energy into the proceedings. The glamorous setting of a celebrity wedding on a picturesque island, coupled with the looming threat of a storm, creates a wonderfully atmospheric and slightly claustrophobic environment.

The arrival of the ominous note predicting a death adds an immediate layer of suspense, and Eleanor's professional approach to uncovering the potential killer is entertaining. The cast of characters, from movie stars and crew to wedding guests, offers a satisfying pool of suspects, each with their own secrets and potential motives. Mack keeps the plot moving at a brisk pace, with plenty of witty banter and Eleanor's insightful observations adding to the enjoyment.

While the mystery itself might not be the most complex, it's cleverly plotted and provides ample opportunity for Eleanor to exercise her deductive skills. "No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding" is a fun and engaging read, perfect for those who enjoy a cozy mystery with a touch of Hollywood glamour and a protagonist who can't seem to catch a break from stumbling upon crime, even at a wedding.

★★★★☆

⭐ 5 Stars | Laugh-Out-Loud Mystery | Perfect Audiobook for a Chaotic Week! ⭐

If you loved the first book in this series, prepare yourself—this sequel somehow manages to be even more delightful. Eleanor is exactly the kind of messy, snarky heroine I adore. She’s not a flawless detective; she’s just determined, a little chaotic, and absolutely committed to figuring out who’s behind the threats—even if it means accidentally turning the wedding into her personal crime scene.
The mystery itself kept me on my toes. I love when I can’t guess the ending, and this one had me guessing right up until the big reveal. Plus, the cast of side characters is gold—full of suspects with big personalities and even bigger secrets.

This book is perfect if you want:
- A fast, fun cozy mystery with a modern twist.
- A quirky, lovable main character who’s not afraid to stir up some drama.
-Laugh-out-loud moments balanced with a clever whodunit plot.
Also, can we talk about the audiobook narration? Absolutely fantastic! It brought Eleanor’s snarky humor to life, and I swear it made the packing and unpacking fly by.

Why I LOVED the audiobook:
The audiobook version of No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding is honestly the BEST way to experience this story!
The narrator does a fantastic job bringing Eleanor’s snarky, witty personality to life, and the real-time delivery of her famous footnotes as hilarious asides made me feel like I was right there inside her head. It adds so much charm and humor to the story, and I found myself laughing out loud constantly!

I love this series. I did enjoy the first book a little more but I’m going to consider rereading this on the beach this summer. I will definitely be reading more from this author.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc. This book was cute, but I did not read the first book in the series. Overall, I enjoyed it, and I thought the narrator did a really good job. I would definitely read more books by this author in the future. It was a good mystery and if you like the Finley Donovan series, you will enjoy this book.

Catherine Mack does it again! Who knew a murder mystery could be so downright fun?! Told through an abundance of wit, No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding is a delightfully enjoyable second book in Mack’s Vacation Mysteries series. (Though this book can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone!) Using unique humor and an unforgettable style, Mack breaks the fourth wall throughout the story and will have you laughing out loud and pointing accusatory fingers at each member of the eclectic cast!

Huge thank you to Catherine Mack, St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, & NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

Sometimes I get a bit weary about sequels when I enjoyed the first book, but I have to say that this second book in a series was so much fun! I actually might even like this one a bit more than the first book. I have the mind of a goldfish when it comes to books, but the author did such a fantastic job of jumping right back into this series with subtle reminders of the last books plot and the major players. So much so that I do think that you could read this standalone, however I highly encourage readers to read the first one. I do love the breaking of the fourth wall during the reading of the book and the footnotes didn’t seem as cumbersome this go around. The narrator did a fantastic job of interweaving those footnotes as well, and brought all the characters to life. I also loved that the reader gets to figure out the murders at the same time as our leading lady. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend if you like a fast moving murder mystery that has you chuckling while putting on your detective hats!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced listening copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, Catherine Mack, and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook. An entertaining listen, expertly narrated by Elizabeth Evans. This "whodunit" mystery delivers plenty of laughs, a vivid setting, and some clever twists along the way. A fun and engaging ride from start to finish!

Where Eleanor is, there is murder and mayhem. Can this woman go on one vacation or one wedding without someone dying and someone plotting something sinister? Is she a trouble magnet? Would something happen to people who read these books?

Eleanor's book is made to a film now and usual suspects are taking the main roles: El's childhood friend and ex-boyfriend. After filming is wrapped, the crew heads to Catalina Island for a real life wedding. Everything is cool, everything is nice until this point. Then Eleanor receives a note telling her someone will die at this wedding. After that, Eleanor will turn into the investigator and try to solve the mystery while a storm is heading to the island locking them in.

It's sad as people end up dead on this island, but also it's witty as conversations and relationships are entertaining. I read this book as a palate cleanser and I think it could be added to the summer reading list of those who are looking for fun reads on the beach.

I loved this story. Catherine Mack never disappoints when it comes to her vacation mystery series.

Many of the characters are from the previous novel, with a few new added for the new mystery. The main character, Eleanor, is as good as ever. She’s still her witty writer self through the whole story, and I loved it.

I can’t say I saw any of the twists and turns coming. It is the kind of story that keeps you on your toes the whole time. I loved every minute. This is definitely the perfect summer read for any mystery fan.

Audio Review

The narrator couldn’t have been picked better for the characters, especially Eleanor. This is the only voice I feel would fit hers and couldn’t imagine it any other way. She tells it so well and keeps you sucked into every word.

Loved this second installment in the Vacation Mysteries series, but you could read it without having read the first. This one gave me more Finley Donovan vibes than the first, but maybe just because the characters have become loveable and familiar in their amateur sleuthing.

Eleanor Dash is back, and this time she’s in the midst of her best friend's wedding celebrations, only to find herself having to play detective again and investigating a murder. In No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding, Catherine Mack strikes the perfect balance between mystery and sass. The book offers a fresh, modern take on the classic cozy whodunnit, complete with a locked-room mystery feel that kept me hooked. Mack excels in pacing, and I found myself eagerly turning pages right up until the final twist.
Elizabeth Evans did a great job narrating this. Her tone provided a great way to include the footnotes throughout the book. Her voice was easy to listen to and worked well with this book.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing the audiobook!

As much as I loved all of the fourth wall breaks in this series I will say this book wasn’t as good as the first. Although that ending, I definitely did not see coming and it absolutely improved the rating for this entire book for me. As always, Elizabeth Evans was absolutely phenomenal in this narration. She is by far my favorite female voice. If she narrates it, I for sure will read it. I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series. Thank you NetGalley for this audio arc. This is my honest review.

The second installment in this series was just as good as the first! The narrator cracks me up, and I definitely love the overall narration of this book. I loved the twists of this book and I believe the author set it up so that there could possibly be a third book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC for exchange for my honest opinion.

Quirky, chaotic, and filled with destination wedding drama, 𝗡𝗢 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗦 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗗𝗜𝗘 𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗯𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗸 is the second installment in The Vacation Mysteries series. While still a fun read, it didn’t quite live up to the charm and cohesion of the first book. Eleanor Dash—our awkward, anxious, and accidentally crime-prone heroine—is back, and this time murder crashes her best friend’s celebrity-studded island wedding. The setting, stormy suspense, and tangled secrets give this a classic cozy mystery feel. But Eleanor’s back-and-forth feelings for her ex, Connor, got repetitive and took away from the murder plot. Her footnotes, while quirky, were hard to follow in the audio version and interrupted the flow. Despite the flaws, this series still delivers wild fun, eccentric energy, and unpredictable twists.

The narration by Elizabeth Evans was well done.

Book two in The Vacation Mysteries series. I have grown to love this author's style. The story is entertaining and humorous with a captivating mystery. I really enjoyed the setting of Catalina Island as I've visited there a few times. The author is very descriptive and accurate in regard to the setting. The footnotes are back in this book as well and add a fun extra component. The narrator does a great job in changing the tone in her voice to know when she is reading one of the footnotes. I was able to easily differentiate between the two. I really enjoyed the audio version of this book and feel that it elevated my experience. I am hoping we get more in this series!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

It was so fun to go on another adventure with Eleanor Dash! The footnotes were fun. The narrator breaking the fourth wall to speak to the reader was great. The characters were amazing both the returning ones & the new ones. The story started off on a movie set then moved to celebrating a wedding. Shenanigans ensued & as usual, Eleanor gets up to all sorts of trouble. I smiled & laughed so much in this book. I never had the mystery figured out & was surprised by the ending. I loved the nods to Agatha Christie again & will likely try one of her books because of it. The narrator was fabulous to listen to and made the book all that much more fun. I really hope there will be more books in this series.

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for a copy of this audiobook.

I’m always happy to get an ARC — especially when it’s one that I’ve been counting down the days to receive. Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley!

No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding was such a fun listen. Catherine Mack delivers another twisty, self-aware mystery that kept me hooked from the jump. It gave me strong Benjamin Stevenson vibes — that same clever style where the narrator kind of takes your hand and walks you through the chaos, dropping hints and red herrings along the way. I really love that immersive, let’s-solve-this-together feel.

What I appreciated most is that while this isn’t just a repeat of the first book, it also doesn’t completely abandon what made the first one great. We’re not dropped into an entirely new world with a brand-new cast — there are threads of familiarity and connection that make this feel like a true follow-up, not just a spin-off. That balance worked so well for me.

Overall, I had a great time with this one and I’m already looking forward to the next installment. I’ll definitely be putting in an early request for book three — let the countdown begin!

The grip this book had on me was unreal. I listened to this book in a bout a day and it wasn't just the "whodunit" that has me in it's grasp. I loved the humor and the history behind the characters.
I did not read the first book in this series but I still followed the story just fine and loved this premise of a Mystery author who now finds herself wrapped up in a real life murder mystery. Her dry sense of humor kept me laughing the whole time I listened and I did not even kind of guess the ending!

Thank you Net Galley, Macmillan Audio, and Catherine Mack for an ALC of this story!