Murder takes a vacation - Laura Lippman

Mrs. Blossom’s character reminds me a combination of my mum and Vera. lol Widowed and newly wealthy after a spot of very good luck, Mrs. Blossom is vacationing from the US to UK, then to Paris.

There are lots of incidents and accidents (not to quote Paul Simon. lol) and Mrs. Blossoms vacation is very eventful.

I kinda guessed about halfway who the culprit was, but it didn’t ruin the storyline. I’d like this one.

Laura Lippman is a prolific writer of crime fiction and though I've only read a couple of her books, I've enjoyed her writing. It has a quality to it that isn't sacrificed by her books also being pageturners, a phenomenon I find all too frequent these days.

With her latest novel published in August, Murder Takes a Vacation, Lippman leans into the current trend for cosy crime/mystery (think The Thursday Murder Club, Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache novels or the Netflix movies Knives Out) and the good news for fans is that this is Book 1 in a new series of Muriel Blossom mysteries.

In this first instalment, Ms Blossom, a widowed sixty-something year old lottery winner and erstwhile private detective is setting off an adventure to Paris, culminating in a river cruise on the Seine but somehow, she ends up embroiled in an international art-heist-murder-mystery.

The Paris setting is wonderful, the writing is good and the story is well-plotted (if a little plodding at times) and overall, this is a decent mystery novel with more than a mod to Agatha Christie. It's perfect for the time of year if cosy crime novels are your thing.

The author's note at the end mentions that Ms Blossom first appeared in an earlier novel of Lippman's (in the Tess Monaghan detective series) and Lippman talks about the criticism she faced for her portrayal of fat characters. In Murder Takes a Vacation, she set out to correct her past sins. The thing is, it's almost as though she overcorrects as she comes across as completely fixated on weight, it is such a central tenet of Ms Blossom's personality, which ends up becoming a bit tiresome. Notwithstanding that criticism, this is a well-written and well-plotted mystery that is made for TV in the best possible way. 3.5/5 stars

*Many thanks to the publisher Faber Books and Netgalley for the advance review copy. Murder Takes a Vacation is widely available and if you're interested in the audio, I see that Kimberley Farr (a beloved narrator of many) narrates it.

This was a fun little cosy mystery. I enjoyed the character of Muriel being a bit older and overweight, it was a refreshing change from the typical main characters. However she could be a bit frustrating at times but I think it worked well. It was a nice easy read but I just wanted a little more.

Thanks Faber & Faber and NetGalley for ARC.

Widowed Mrs Blossom doesn't want to stand out, she wants to blend in, or does she? Previously a supporting player in Tess Monaghan's detective agency, her grandchildren's home and possibly even her marriage, she certainly gets a chance to be develop main character energy in this once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe from her Baltimore hometown. Lippmann's writing is never dull and even when the plot stretches credibility further than a pair of lived in elastic pants, this is seriously good fun from start to finish and you will be cheering our heroine on and wanting her to stay safe but live a little. I won't be the only one waiting to see if Lippmann wants to spend more time with Mrs B - I certainly do!

Unfortunately I have decided to DNF this one, it wasn't for me.
I will continue to check for future books from this author as I like to give author's a second chance and I won't be put off from DNF this one for my future reads.

A fun cosy crime novel I hope is the first in a series.
Occasionally frustrating - there's a huge 'how can she not have remembered the...' issue for me. I mean, elderly or not, nobody forgets being handed something like that, but overall its an easy read you won't regret.

I’ve just finished this cosy crime mystery and after reading a few pages I was beyond excited- I have just returned from the very same Paris River Cruise where this novel is set and I have also recently flown home from Baltimore airport to London after visiting my son! I have been to all the places mentioned on Mrs Blossom’s itinerary including Giverny, Les Andelys, Honfleur and the Normandy Beaches. I highly recommend both the cruise and “Murder Takes a Vacation”
I really liked the central character, 60 something Muriel Blossom who is embarking on the trip of a lifetime.
Widowed and lamenting the sudden move of her family to Tokyo without her, she plans to return to her native Baltimore after the holiday and start a new life alone.
However whilst checking in at the airport she meets a mysterious stranger and her life becomes very complicated as she becomes involved in a plot she does not understand and then a possible murder or unexplained death is revealed after she arrives in Paris.
When A fellow traveler called Danny starts to take an interest in her she is not sure whether he is friend or foe.
Mrs Blossom is lonely and has a poor body image due to her size but she has hidden skills and talents having worked for a private detective when she was first in Baltimore, She also feels guilt. about a secret involving her late husband and cannot get past this negative feeling despite her long and happy marriage.
What a fun read, definitely good for a holiday as it is so entertaining and enjoyable. I’m sure if you read it you will be tempted to try the river cruise and I can tell you that it is definitely as good as it sounds in the book. My only regret is that I didn’t read this novel whilst on the cruise - I was too tired to read after all the excursions involving early starts every day. Yes they really did leave you behind if you were not in time!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

Murder Takes a Vacation is an elegant and absorbing mystery that stands out for its unconventional heroine. Muriel Blossom, a widow in her late sixties, is not the sort of character usually placed at the centre of a crime novel, and Laura Lippman uses that to great effect. What begins as a long-overdue holiday soon unravels into something far more complex, with Allan’s sudden death and the intrigue surrounding a stolen artefact drawing Muriel into danger.

Lippman’s strength here lies in the way she balances suspense with thoughtful character work. Muriel is portrayed with nuance and dignity, her observations shaped by experience and grief but also by a quiet determination to embrace life again. Themes of ageing, desire and visibility run throughout the novel, giving the mystery real emotional weight. The European setting, particularly the river cruise, adds atmosphere and a sense of escape, while her friendship with Elinor provides both grounding and warmth.

If there is a weakness, it is that the crime plot occasionally recedes into the background, with pacing that feels slower than the genre often demands. Some of the secondary figures are more lightly sketched than one might hope. Yet the novel’s reflective tone and its focus on character make it distinctive rather than disappointing.

Overall, this is a thoughtful, character-driven mystery that lingers well beyond its final pages.

Murder Takes A Vacation is my first novel by Laura Lippman, and it sits firmly within the cosy mystery tradition. The story follows Muriel Blossom, a newly widowed retiree who finds a winning lottery ticket. She uses her windfall to fulfil a long-held dream of a European river cruise, but the holiday takes a darker turn when a fellow traveller she meets on the journey is found dead in Paris. Soon she is caught up in a tangle of secrets, a stolen artifact, and a cast of suspicious passengers.

The descriptions of the locations were great and reminded me of a trip I took last year to the same places. That connection made the book more enjoyable, though it also confirmed that cruising isn’t something I’d want to try. What I found less effective were the frequent references to “Mrs Blossom,” which quickly became repetitive

Overall, this is a readable and competently constructed mystery. While not outstanding, it delivers what many readers look for in a gentle, atmospheric crime novel.

thanks to NetGalley for the ARC but it was annoying that my place was lost every time I stopped reading.

Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman is a delightful read and I notice the some marketing materials tag this as 'a Mrs Blossom Mystery' which means there may be more to come from Muriel Blossom. It must be said though readers will need to suspend their disbelief somewhat as Lippman jumps on every possible cliche she can here - presumably on purpose. Mrs Blossom is initialy portrayed as this bumbling old woman who is worried about everything and anything. Who allows a handsome stranger to take control as she navigates her first trip overseas. I shook my head as she took the offered 'relaxant' to help her sleep on the plane. And willingly let him change her travel plans on arrival in London before heading to Paris. I think what would have been MORE surprising was if he WASN'T playing her.

Things turn quickly though when we discover that Muriel is a multimillionaire. Her circumstances are similar to Mary Higgins Clark's Alvirah (and Willy) Meehan. In Muriel's case it's a recent thing as she literally found the winning lottery ticket on the ground. She claimed it after waiting to see if anyone else came forward. Hence her very expensive European jaunt and newfound glee in spending that money. We also learn she works for Tess Monaghan (a PI who features in Lippman's popular series) so has experience in sneaking around and following people (and apparently appeared briefly in a previous novel). All of which seems at odds with her doddery ineptitude earlier. And it's not like it's a Miss Marple reveal - she looks like a wooly old woman so people judge her so, but in reality she's shrewd and savvy. Muriel's our narrator so she's the one who's been telling us how naive she is... taking her time to tell us about her 'win'.

Having said that we come to another part of Muriel's personality that I think will divide readers. She constantly talks about her weight. She jokes about it but internally stresses big time. I did see a review of this in which the reader commented on much it irked her... as if Lippman herself was making a statement about overweight women and how they're perceived. As for me... I cringed as I'm conscious of many of the same thought patterns as Muriel. I blame much on my weight. And I could relate to that fear of taking up too much space (literally and therefore metaphorically), fitting into seats, fear of them breaking and the like.

I ran into an author I know not long after reading this and we talked about the inclusion of weight-related dialogue / thoughts in novels. I explained that I didn't mind this because it was Muriel's own perception of herself, her own thought patterns. I read another book a while ago that garnered a lot of criticism with which I agreed. It however features others making cracks about the character's weight, rather than the character's thoughts and that's why I think this worked for me. I could certainly relate to an over-preoccupation about one's weight. In fact (I said to Amy) I cannot even imagine what life would have been like had my own weight and body issues obsessed me for the last four-plus decades!

That said, Muriel isn't short of admirers and though no one is supposed to know about her lottery win, I'd be suspicious of the sudden attention... just sayin! But back to the plot itself, which I enjoyed - this is akin to a cosy read and fun one at that with the crimes more about money and opportunity than 'evil'. As well as theft, murder and fraud, Lippman throws in a couple of characters who (I suspect) could become part of the series, adding colour and contrast into Muriel's world. All of which I'll enjoy meeting again.

Mrs Blossom is 68 years old and a widow. She has had the fortune to find a winning lottery ticket and is taking a vacation to France. At the airport she is upgraded and befriended by a handsome man who supports her through an unscheduled stopover in London. However when the man is found dead, Mrs Blossom becomes entangled in the search for a missing statue.
The saving grace of this book is the central character of Mrs Blossom, she is a terrific lead for the novel. I loved the fact that her hang-ups about her size and her guilt about infidelity drive her self-esteem. What I didn't like was the plot which was rather convoluted and didn't make a lot of sense. Likewise the character of Danny - fashion stylist and FBI agent??? It's a cosy enough read for the summer holiday but not enough to really satisfy

I really loved this book! I just loved Mrs Blossom she was so quirky. I just loved the story as I love a cosy mystery and I just loved all the characters.

I would highly recommend reading this book if you love a cosy mystery with wonderful characters.

I would like to thank Faber & Faber and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

I loved the quirkiness of Mrs Blossom’s character, the plot line was interesting but didn’t blow me away. Having said that the book is a cosy crime drama that you can soon get myself lost in. This is the first book I’ve read from this author and I probably would like to read more. Thank you to NetGalley, Faber and Faber Ltd and the author for the chance to review.

Review - Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman (3.5⭐)

Murder Takes a Vacation is a charming cosy murder mystery that follows Mrs. Blossom, who is finally treating herself to her first international holiday, ten years after the death of her husband. Her trip begins with a flight to Paris via London, where she’ll spend a week before her friend joins her for a cruise along the Seine. An unexpected upgrade to business class introduces her to Allan, a charming stranger, and from there, her journey truly begins. What follows is a mix of murder, mystery, and a touch of self-discovery.

I really enjoyed Mrs. Blossom as a character she is warm, relatable, and quietly determined. The supporting cast was equally memorable. The book is a light, enjoyable read, with a cosy travel-meets-crime vibe. While the plot did lean towards predictability at times, Lippman slipped in a few well-placed curveballs that kept me engaged right to the end.

Murder Takes a Vacation had an intriguing premise and a promising lead in Muriel, a retired PI navigating mystery aboard a cruise ship. Unfortunately, the execution left me somewhat disappointed.

While I appreciated the attempt to center the story around a strong, middle-aged, plus-sized woman, Muriel's characterization felt one-dimensional. Her size was mentioned repeatedly—often in ways that overshadowed her intelligence, experience, and capability as a former investigator. Rather than celebrating her as a well-rounded character, the narrative seemed overly focused on her appearance, which became a distraction and ultimately made it harder to connect with her.

That said, I did enjoy the central mystery involving a stolen artifact and the tension surrounding who Muriel could trust onboard. The pacing worked well, and while the ending was predictable, it was still satisfying and tied up the story neatly.

Oh, this was a real treat! I like books where an 'ordinary' person is put in extraordinary circumstances but rarely have I liked the central character more. The narrative subverted my expectations at every turn and the climax was pleasingly Christie. A fantastic read.

A really enjoyable quick, cosy mystery. Mrs Blossom makes for a quirky lead. Sometimes smart, othertimes naive. I raced through the story and enjoyed the ending. The characters and plot were not too twisty and although there was slight danger for Muriel it was not edge of your seat danger. Would recommend if you enjoy a light short mystery. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me access to this enjoyable book

This was not what I expected
I am a bit disappointed
It’s not boring but it’s not entertaining either
I expected more investigation earlier
Also it’s too much focused on the physical aspect of the FMC which makes it a bit more irritating.

Mrs Blossom, widow, mother, grandmother, and now Lotto winner (thanks to finding a dropped ticket on the floor outside) has booked herself a cruise along the Seine. But far from the relaxing trip she imagined, strange things begin to happen. A missing artefact, disturbed belongings, a dead body. Just who is the mysterious Danny who claims he's trying to help!

This was a cosy murder mystery set along the beautiful backdrop on the river Seine. With the many must-see sights mentioned, it's enough to have you searching for flights, that is, if the mystery doesn't put you off!
It took me a while to get into this one, and was perhaps a little too 'cosy' mystery for me to start with. Although it had enough twists, especially in the second half, to leave me constantly second guessing and the ending wasn't quite what I'd thought it to be, which is always a good thing.
Perfect for those who enjoy cosy mystery or are looking for a less gruesome murder.

I do like Laura Lippman, but it's a good while since I've read any of her books. Murder Takes a Vacation is essentially an engagingly old-fashioned crime caper involving a stolen artefact and precious stones. At the unexpected centre, and the undoubted highlight of the story, is the utterly delightful Muriel Blossom, a sixty-something widow from Baltimore, embarking on her first ever overseas trip.

With her daughter and grandchildren moving to Japan - with no place for Mrs Blossom - and her beloved husband Harold ten years dead, life is looking a bit empty. On the positive side, money - rather a lot of it - has surprisingly arrived. So why not spend some on a spot of international travel?

Mrs Blossom's adventure takes her from Baltimore to London to Paris to a river cruise, both alone and with her oldest friend Elinor (who's on the lookout for husband number 4), encountering various people including some charming older men who may or may not be trustworthy...

Mrs Blossom is a larger lady, and her references to and reflections on this recalled the "traditionally-built" Mma Ramotswe of No 1 Ladies Detective Agency fame. (Actually, a Blossom/Ramotswe partnership would be a definite force to be reckoned with.)

This definitely feels like a series - let's hope so.