Catherine Mack has put together a fantastic mystery with a great cast of characters. This a delight of fourth wall breaking, winks to the reader, laugh out loud moments, and excellent world building. The best comparison I can make is if Jessica Fletcher was 30 years younger, sex starved, and a lot snarkier.

In this first book, Eleanor Dash is on an anniversary tour celebrating 10 years since her first 'Vacation Mystery' novel made her an accidental best-selling author. Accompanying her is her younger sister Harper, who was the one who wanted to be a writer but is now Eleanor's PA and the original inspiration for that book, Connor Smith. Connor is portrayed in the books as being a suave hero. The truth is he's a con artist and womaniser, but for a variety of reasons, Eleanor's been stuck with him. Now, she plans to kill him off. In print. But in reality, someone wants him dead in real life.

So I really enjoyed this. It was an easy listen, not too taxing. The narrator offered just the right amount of wry delivery. But (and there always buts with cosy mysteries) it's too easy in that it was very obvious whodunit. And there's way too much mooning about her exes. That got old quickly. Hence, 4 stars rather than 5.

All in all, it was very enjoyable listen.

Well this was definitely my most entertaining read of April - I loved every second of this fun murder mystery with a hilarious and neurotic author narrating!

There’s so much to love about this book - the Italian location, the publishing industry inside info, the potential romance (hello older Jonathan Bailey 👀), the fact that our MC is just as obsessed with Bridgerton as I am…but it’s really all about the humour! Eleanor is sassy and self aware and just so damn funny, even when she fears for her life…

Whilst I did guess the culprit fairly early on, that in no way affected how much I enjoyed this story, as there were still lots of other surprises in store, and it’s just non-stop entertainment - it’s the perfect summer holiday read, or when you just want totally joyful escapism! Highly recommend!

A fabulously written gripping story that was a pleasure to read. I would absolutely recommend this book, it was brilliant, I did receive the book to read review, but listened to the audio book

There’s a great deal packed into this title; murder mystery, amateur sleuthing, food and travel on the Amalfi Coast and a great deal about the publishing and promotion industry, At the heart, it’s frivolous and funny. Entertaining rather than engaging in terms of a whodunnit.

I’ve listened to the audio version which was well narrated throughout. I wasn’t entirely convinced by all the characters, but putting credibility to one side, it’s a lighthearted romp with some very interesting insights into what goes on behind the scenes with publishers. For many keen readers, that is likely to prove more interesting than the actual plot of this book, although I’m not sure that was the intention. It kep me engaged, just and it’s well written with a lot of humour so I’m giving it a generous 4* as 3 seems too mean.

The story of an author stuck with her Ex in a never-ending loop of writing book after book about the romance of the 2 of them in a murder mystery plot. But things have been dragged on far too long and she has finally decided to end the series, only someone might just beat her to it, by doing something in reality as she plots the next death in her book.

Reading this book felt like a child in a huge fair, enamoured by all the insights it offers about the other end of the table. I enjoyed reading the glimpses of writing a book, editors pushing, marketing campaigns and tours and all they need to keep up with before the book is ever even introduced into the world for readers like us. The book was entertaining, light-hearted and witty throughout its storytelling. The inner monologues were surely a funny addition. As much as I loved hearing out the inner thoughts of the author's head, I wished the solving part and a few other details were left out to the reader's intelligence.

Thank you @netgalley @macmillan.audio @catherinemckenzieauthor for the Audiobook Arc.
Genre: #mystery #thriller ##murdermystery
Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️

#EveryTimeIGoonVacationSomeoneDies #NetGalley

Ditch the sunny vacation vibes!

This audio book takes a dark turn. Eleanor Dash, creator of the popular "Vacation Mysteries," embarks on a 10th-anniversary tour that quickly spirals into a murder mystery. On this trip, fiction bleeds into reality when Eleanor's charming ex-partner, Connor Smith (inspiration for her book series hero), becomes the target of an assassin. With a growing body count and a cast of suspicious characters – including fellow authors on the tour – Eleanor finds herself playing detective alongside a sceptical police force. Can she untangle the web of deceit before another victim falls? The narrator masterfully delivers the suspense, with humour sprinkled in to keep the listener on edge. Buckle up for a thrilling ride that will leave you guessing until the very end.

Thank you Macmillian Audio, Netgalley and Catherine Mack for the audio Arc of Every time I go on Vacation, Someone Dies.

Narrated by Elizabeth Evans

This was a great fun, twisty read from Catherine Mack, A group of people, one of which is an author/book writer travel the world in search of ideas for her next novel. Trouble is, every time she goes on Vacation, someone dies. Is she killing for a story? Or is someone else following her and taking people out one by one? This audio book was read by Elizebeth Evans which made it an easy listen. She has a great storytelling voice and does well with both male and female voices. This thriller keeps you guessing right to the end!

4 stars

The book was intriguing, adventurous and suspenseful. Eleanor Dash is a bestselling fictional author and she go on an italian book tour with her sister and Connor Smith, the protagonist of her book. But it turns into something else when a real life murder happens and she gets tangled in the mystery of the murder and investigation. There is a rivalry, sisterly bond, secrets, mystery and suspense. The Author has taken us deep inside the publishing industry with portrayal of how the characters felt for each other. There were issues between sisters and Connor held the secrets for too long. I liked the description of Italy and italian food. I loved reading about Italian tours. I loved how the mystery unfolded. I loved the detail procedure of creating a plot. I loved the ending

The Narrator did a brilliant job. I loved the feel of it. The narrator certainly added an italian vibe and mystery too. The suspense was depicted well. I like the distinct voice of each character


Many Thanks to the Publisher, Narrator and Author.

So much hype about this book. now i'm not even sure if there was a series I should have listened to before or not. I listened to a couple hours when I was doing a work project, It was ok. Then put it down for a week and listened again when I did yard work. I still have five hours left and just not interested. I don't plan to finish it.

In this fun and fast, paces bovel, we follow murder-mystery author Eleanor Dash as she heads off on a planning trip to Italy for her next novel. As this is tenth in the series, her publisher has made it into more of an event and she has 20 of her biggest fans (including possibly a stalker and Eleanors muse/ex-lover) along for the trip. Along with her assistant, who also happens to be her sister, it isn't long before suspicions are abound that someone is plotting somomething, and not necessarily fictional.

This was a easy listen with the main character talking directly to the listener and the narrator did a good job with the many characters, but her male characters were a little jarring!

There was so much hype about this book and the setting and cozy crime genre really appealed to me. But sadly that was as far as it went.

I neither liked nor cared for the characters. The author tried too hard to be funny and was entirely unsuccessful. The breaking of the fourth wall just fell flat.

The dialogue was mediocre and the story was repetitive and went nowhere.

I know that I am in the minority here as many people loved it, but it didn’t work at all for me.

I’m very sorry to say, this is just a 1 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

10 days, eight suspects, six cities, five authors, three bodies……… one trip to die for…

In this book we follow Eleanor Dash, best selling author of a series of Vacation Mysteries. She is on the 10th @anniversary tour of her 1st book. The 1st book was based on her trip to Italy where she got involved with handsome Connor Smith and together they investigated a series of bank robberies and helped the police catch the criminals. Eleanor used this to write her 1st Vacation mystery and since then has written 9 more books with the same lead character. However she has now had enough and has decided to kill of the main man. But suddenly real life throws a curve ball as it seems someone really is trying to kill off Connor. Who and why? This is what Eleanor and the rest of the group on their tour begin to investigate together. Things take a turn when one of them ends up dead and the police become involved.
Can Eleanor find the perpetrators before it’s too late?

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The humour, the style of writing and the narrator all worked well together.
I am seriously looking forward to reading more (I do hope the series really comes out)

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan UK audio for this ARC.

A sun soaked comedic mystery on the Amalfi coast. This is the perfect holiday read. A stunning setting, a cast of unique characters and a potential murder plot or two. What more could you want, oh and there’s even a drop of romance.

I thoroughly enjoyed that the story was wholly from the perspective of author Eleanor. We get to know her through her sarcasm, biting wit and by breaking the fourth wall. The sole perspective also helps to build suspicion and intrigue throughout and you are even encouraged to solve the mysteries yourself with the clues provided. However you are left to question whether Eleanor is a reliable narrator.

This audiobook had one of the best narrators I’ve come across. They had perfect comedic timing and really encompassed the main character and the wide cast of supporting characters.

This is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Only Murders in the building and The White Lotus.

I think this will be my new favourite mystery series and I can’t wait for the next instalment “No one was supposed to die at this wedding.”

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6458269788

Author Eleanor Dash goes on an Italian book tour with entourage and fans. Should be fun touring the Amalfi coast and eating great food, but it seems someone wants Eleanor and her ex boyfriend Connor dead.

This entertaining novel is well written and well narrated (I listened to the audiobook). Great characters, lots of twists and turns. Good locations and food throughout the novel. Why does someone want them dead and will they succeed? Have fun finding out.

4.5 star!
Thank you Netgalley and Catherine Mack for the audiobook arc!

This book was so good! It was the perfect summertime murder mystery that will grab your attention completely.
The audiobook is so immersive, it's like talking to the person as they go through the book's events. I would definitely recommend picking this book up as an audiobook.

I love a book with realistic and complex characters especially when they each have flaws. I also really loved that although the book has a good amount of characters, it doesn't feel overwhelming or hard to keep track of them all.

This is a fun, entertaining book. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was great at all the different characters, easy to follow them all. She prompted all the chapters well read the story well.

Elenor is an author who’s about to write her tenth book, she wants to kill off the the main character Connor. They are on a book tour in Italy and people are ending up dead. Who’s killing them? Elenor is a great character, funny and easy going. The plot is fun and it’s a quick read. It’s well written, but the footnotes and play material is hard to get into while listening to the book, might be a better to read this one.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

🎧Audio Book Review🎧

Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies
Catherine Mack

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I absolutely loved the unique format of this brilliant whodunit mystery thriller.

Best-selling author, Eleanor, is taking part in a book tour across the Amalfi Coast with her sister.
Arranged by the publicist, she soon finds out that there a few others attending the party alongside them and as ever, she was too distracted to read the itinerary.
Things get complicated when her ex boyfriend and book protagonist announces that someone is trying to kill him.

I don't really want to talk much about the plot as there's a lot going on and it's way easier to read this than explain.
There is so much going on that at times it's hard to keep up, but don't worry, the format of this will keep you upto date throughout.

With Eleanor narrating this almost as though it's her own plot notes, this really does immerse us into the bookish world and I really loved this.
We almost get an inside view into the planning, plotting and writing of a mystery novel whilst also seeing a behind the scenes life of author promotions too.

Along with all of that, we have our own (attempted) murder mystery to solve and we work through this with the help of our narrator and the clues which are laid as we read through the events of the book tour.

There were many suspects and I'm pretty sure I got the who fairly early on, but not only did I have no clue why, I also doubted my choice many times!
This also didn't spoil the journey one bit because as intriguing and tense as this was, there was such a fun vibe throughout making this hilarious in places too.

I loved the writing style and unique format and going off the epilogue, I'm really hoping that this may be the start of a great series - I'd definitely love to spend some more time in their company.




💕Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my ARC copy - this is my honest review 💕

Thanks Netgalley for my copy.

Cosy crime isn't usually my go to but I was pleasantly surprised by this novel.

I enjoyed the twists and I liked to hate the baddies. I felt sorry for Harper and I really want to hear more about her in the future (ya know, if a sequal is in the works...). Anyway, a nice enjoyable read for fans of modern cosy crime.

Looking forward to more from Mack.

"Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies" by Catherine Mack, narrated by Elizabeth Evans, was an absolute delight to listen to. Eleanor Dash, the famous author on a book tour in Italy with the intent of killing off her main character, finds herself in the midst of a real-life murder mystery when someone tries to kill the real Connor Smith. The present-tense perspective and casual writing style, complemented by Elizabeth Evans' excellent narration, made for an engaging and enjoyable audiobook experience.
From the moment we meet the unlikeable Connor, the plot twists and turns as Eleanor delves into the mystery surrounding his attempted murder. The unique storyline, filled with suspects and unexpected twists, kept me hooked from start to finish. I appreciated the humour and witty banter sprinkled throughout the book, making it a light and entertaining read.
The rich descriptions of Italian locations and insights into the culture added depth to the story, immersing the listener in the setting. Eleanor Dash, with her dysfunctional and chaotic personality, makes for a compelling protagonist as she navigates the complexities of the murder investigation and attempts to solve the mystery. The references to Agatha Christie, Goodreads, and the vibrant cast of suspects made for an engaging and enjoyable read.
Catherine Mack's intricate and well-plotted murder mystery is a refreshing addition to the genre, offering a blend of humour, suspense, and captivating storytelling.
"Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies" is for fans of crime and mystery novels, especially those looking for a lighter and more humorous take on the genre. Choosing the audiobook format, with Elizabeth Evans' excellent narration, enhances the overall experience and brings the story to life in a captivating way.

Every Time I Go On Vacation by Catherine Mack is a delightfully entertaining and humorous mystery novel, the first in The Vacation Mysteries series, which I both read and listened to on audio, just over 9 hours and 30 minutes long, marvellously narrated by Elizabeth Evans, who juggles the wide cast of different characters, the drama, and foot notes with aplomb, keeping me joyously engaged from beginning to end. There are beautiful rich and vivid descriptions of the Italian locations and the coast, along with insights into Italian culture. The reader gets deeply immersed in the narrative, what with the author using the handy device of having well known, best selling and established author, Eleanor Dash, speaking directly to the reader in the present tense.

The dysfunctional and chaotic Eleanor is on a 10 day book tour organised by her publisher on the Amalfi coast with quite the entourage that includes her sister, Harper, other authors, fans and stalker, Oliver, and the dislikeable con man Connor Smith, ex-lover and blackmailer. He is certainly no hero, but he has featured in her mystery series, and she is desperately trying to kill him off in a literary sense, but this proves not to be so easy! Her goal meets the muddying and mystifying waters of the real life harsh reality of someone actually trying to kill Connor, and is Eleanor herself facing dangers too? Eleanor turns sleuth in this mystery of twists and turns, with its references to Agatha Christie and Goodreads, and a vibrantly colourful large collection of suspects to look into.

Mack writes a intricate and well plotted murder mystery, with its fabulous locations, and an appealing protagonist in Eleanor Dash with her own brand of snark and wit, embarking on a career as sleuth. This has me greatly anticipating the next in the series! I can recommend this to readers of crime and mysteries, particularly those looking for a break from the intense and heavy darkness of the genre. I would urge readers to consider listening to the audio as the narrator is simply wonderful. Many thanks to the publisher for the ALC and the ARC.