I wasn’t a massive fan of this. The main characters internal monologue was pretty annoying and a lot of the times she came across as really unnecessarily judgy. There were also slightly too many characters to keep a track of, especially as they all felt kind of the same. Unfortunately the plot didn’t bring this back for me either, as not a lot really happened and it felt really slow with not a lot of discoveries going on. This was fine enough for me to actually finish, but it was forgettable and I didn’t like the characters or the plot.

This first-in-series mystery book is a light and entertaining read, written in a first-person narrative that occasionally breaks the fourth wall to address the reader directly.

The book is littered with footnotes (which I found a little distracting to keep referring to, perhaps due to reading an ebook rather than a paper copy), humorous interjections and plenty of pop culture references, making for a light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek tone. Eleanor’s narrative voice often strays between the book she is writing in-universe and the story we are reading, which occasionally confused me but also added some funny moments to the story.

Eleanor was my main issue with the book, however. She comes across as rather shallow, childish and self-obsessed (which, to be fair, is played for comic relief) and keeps telling us how very bad she is, which got a little annoying after a while… I’d rather make my own mind up, thanks! Plus I struggled to see any chemistry between her and any of her past or potential love interests.

While a bit slow to get going, the plot soon picked up with plenty of suspects to choose from and a wide range of incidents to investigate. I was able to smugly pat myself on the back for spotting what was going on before the big reveal (always enjoyable!) and for once I sussed the right motive too.

This was a fun read in many ways and there was plenty to like about it, but with the footnote fandango and unlikable main character, this one just didn’t connect with me as well as I had hoped.

I enjoyed the writing style - it was a lot of fun! I love the Taylor Swift references. I love the way that Catherine Mack breaks through the fourth wall, making you feel like you (the reader) are a part of the story. Fun, addictive and a must read!

I enjoyed the fun style of telling this story and the cosy vibes of the mystery. I love finding a new series to dive into and will definitely be continuing with this series.

I loved Eleanor's storytelling, especially the footnotes and breaking the fourth wall to bring the reader into the story and inviting them to solve the mystery.

The cast of characters was fun and interesting and I enjoyed the writer's tour and tours of Italy elements in the narrative which brought the story to life.

I can't wait for the second book.

This book was so fun and funny!!! I laughed a lot but also found it super serious and mysterious. the best combo for a thriller!!!!

This is an easy beach read rather than a true thriller, perfect if that's what you're looking for but I was expecting something with a little more bite so this didn't quite hit the spot.

Catherine Mack’s Every Time I Go on Vacation Someone Dies masterfully blends mystery, comedy, and travel, creating an engaging and entertaining audiobook. The novel seamlessly shifts between humor and suspense, keeping listeners captivated throughout. Set in Italy, the story follows Eleanor on a book tour, where she encounters a quirky cast of characters that add both charm and comedy. Her witty exchanges with Connor elevate the humor, while Mack’s vivid descriptions transport listeners straight to the heart of the setting. The narrator’s performance enhances the experience, delivering the suspense and humor with precision. Fans of mystery, romance, and comedy will find this audiobook highly enjoyable. Mack’s storytelling and engaging style make this a standout listen—I eagerly await her next work.

A fun beach read. There's a solid mystery to hook you in and a lot of interesting characters. Looking forward to the sequel!

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the publication of the book that made her a best-selling author, Eleanor Dash is in Italy for a promotional tour. Accompanying her are Connor, the charming and yet annoying former private investigator she fell in love ten years earlier and took her on the investigation that inspired her novel; Harper, her sister and assistant who seems to be keeping secrets from her; Oliver, her ex-boyfriend who she is still in love with; Allison, Connor’s ex-wife who is always so nice; Guy, a former private investigator carrying a gun; Shek, a disgruntled author; Emily, a young publishing sensation whose book looks to be the exact copy of Eleanor’s debut novel; Isabella, the stranger girl that Connor picked up on the plane and who doesn’t mind all their shenanigans and drama; a group of fans that includes Eleanor’s own stalker; and let’s not forget the tour guide who seems to have no knowledge of Roman history.

Between the ruins of Rome and Pompeii and boat tours around Capri, someone seems determined to get rid of Connor and, as Eleanor uses her detective skills to figure out who may want him dead (and the list is long), she discovers that Connor may not be the only one in danger. Partly funny, partly twisty, I honestly adored this novel and I read it in one sitting. I loved the characters, especially as I rooted for Eleanor and Oliver to get back together, and I loved the author’s writing and how the narrator interacts with the reader, involving them in the investigation as it progresses throughout the novel.

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies is the first book in the Vacation Mysteries series and I am already looking forward to reading its sequel, No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding, of which the ending already gives us an exciting and captivating peak! Highly recommended!!!

Eleanor Dash is a successful author of a series of books, her publishers have organised a book tour of Italy with her sister and assistant Harper, a couple of her exes, their exes and more authors. A set of book-loving groupies have won a competition to join them at various places on the tour.

The main character of her book, based on her ex Connor - is feared someone is trying to kill him. Or are they trying to kill Eleanor? A series of botched attempts of murders occur, all the while set in the most scenic of places in Italy, from Pompeii to Rome.

Can the tour group solve the crime before Inspector Tucci, or is one of them the guilty assassin?

As suspicion turns to everyone, they’re in a race to solve the mystery before the killer is successful.

This is not my usual psychological thriller, but I really enjoyed it.
Packed with humour, alternate style of adding authors footnotes and a genuine mystery, what’s not to love?
I found this easy to read, easy to pick back up whenever to had to put it down.
It was a fun book, which made me laugh and kept my inquisitive mind guessing. Simple but very effective.

Definitely one I’d recommend in future

Thank you Netgalley for my free ARC in return for an honest review

I really enjoyed this book. I read it with another bookish friend. We both enjoyed the story and characters. Would recommend

Eleanor Dash is the main character of Every Time I go on Vacation, Someone Dies. She is the author of 9 very successful murder mystery novels and has been sent with a whole host of people, including fans and other authors on a whirlwind tour of Italy. Whilst there, Eleanor is planning her 10th and final book of the series, which is going to involve killing off Connor, one of the characters, who also happens to be a real person and her ex-boyfriend.

There are loads of plot holes in this book as well as the fact that no publisher would ever send a bunch of authors on a tour together with a load of fans.

The MC is annoying and the way that she leans heavily on his sister, who is her PA, is ridiculous . The issues that the sisters have could have been interesting but when the MC is so childish, that was never going to happen.

I can't even remember any of the female characters (and that's never a good sign) because that's how pointless and forgettable they all were.

The two main male characters were forgettable too, both of whom are ex-boyfriends of Eleanor. Connor is obviously the worse of the two but the other, Oliver, is just so bland.

I did not enjoy this book at all. It took me ages to read and it was a real, hard slog.

Slow to progress and didn’t really keep me hooked. More cosy mystery than thriller! But ok if that’s your thing

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book but I really enjoyed it, it was more cosy mystery than I thought picking it up but it was perfect!

I struggled to get into this book in spite of the other reviews I had seen.The main issue for is that the story didn't seem to go anywhere for such a long time. I may return to it at a later date but currently this isn't the book for me.

I was sent a copy of Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack to read and review by NetGalley. I really enjoyed this novel; it was fun and entertaining and I really liked the way it was written in the first person but as if it was being spoken to us. I also enjoyed all the footnotes – my only bugbear with this being that I was reading the book on my kindle so it made it more awkward for me to refer back to the passage referred to if I needed to. I almost gave up after the first couple of chapters because of this but I’m so glad I didn’t as it ended up being an absolute delight! I see that it is to be made into a TV series – I do hope that they keep the spirit of the book alive as I think it could be marvellous on screen. I can’t wait for the sequels – I’ll be reading them as a physical copy though, not on my kindle!

"Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies" by Catherine Mack is likely a clever and humorous mystery novel that combines the thrill of a whodunit with the light-heartedness of a travel adventure. The title suggests a protagonist who, despite their best intentions for a relaxing holiday, finds themselves repeatedly embroiled in murder mysteries wherever they go.

Mack's writing is probably filled with witty dialogue, quirky characters, and vivid descriptions of exotic locales, making the book both an entertaining read and a bit of an armchair travel experience. The plot might follow the protagonist as they inadvertently stumble upon crimes, using their amateur sleuthing skills to solve the cases while trying to enjoy their vacation.

This novel would be perfect for readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with a humorous twist, as well as those who appreciate a story that blends suspense with a fun and light-hearted narrative. "Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies" is likely a delightful mix of mystery, comedy, and travel, making it an ideal pick for fans of Agatha Christie-style puzzles with a modern, humorous edge.

This is such a light and funny murder mystery, perfect for those who appreciate a slightly dark sense of humor. It's easily the most amusing book I've read in ages. Eleanor Dash, the protagonist, is wonderfully quirky and endearingly awkward, making her a perfect fit for a character who dabbles in amateur sleuthing. Her fraught history with Connor, which fuels her fictional animosity towards him in her Vacation Mysteries series, adds depth and humor to their interactions.

Eleanor's relationship with her sister and assistant, Harper, is another highlight, showcasing their dynamic and supportive bond. The concept of a European book tour, combined with entertaining historical tidbits, provides a fresh and engaging backdrop to the mystery. Elizabeth Evans' narration is exceptional, bringing the story vividly to life. I'm thrilled to have a signed copy of the paperback on my shelf and am eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.

3.5/5.

This book kept me thinking Settings were beautiful Interesting characters and it really kept me guessing Could not put it down!!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! I read it on holiday on the rare few days where we actually had back to back days of sunshine in the UK - perfect timing for a murder mystery set on a tour of Italy. Catherine Mack writes so well about the tour that I almost felt I was there! It even inspired me to dabble in Italian on the Duolingo app!!
I loved the way Mack kept breaking the fourth wall and giving great insights in how an author works and thinks!
Kept me on my toes trying to work out who did it! Fab book! Grazie!