#BookReview: Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies (The Vacation Mysteries #1) by Catherine Mack

Synopsis: Ten days, eight suspects, six cities, five authors, three bodies . . . one trip to die for.

All that bestselling author Eleanor Dash wants is to get through her book tour in Italy and kill off her main character, Connor Smith, in the next in her Vacation Mysteries series―is that too much to ask?

Clearly, because when an attempt is made on the real Connor’s life―the handsome but infuriating con man she got mixed up with ten years ago and now can't get out of her life―Eleanor’s enlisted to help solve the case.

Contending with literary rivals, rabid fans, a stalker―and even her ex, Oliver, who turns up unexpectedly―theories are bandied about, and rivalries, rifts, and broken hearts are revealed. But who’s really trying to get away with murder?

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies is the irresistible and hilarious series debut from Catherine Mack, introducing bestselling fictional author Eleanor Dash on her Italian book tour that turns into a real-life murder mystery, as her life starts to imitate the world in her books.



Goodreads | Amazon

Rating: 1 Star
My Review:  At first I thought I was going to really love this book as the FMC was quick to make me laugh and I seemed to hate the MMC as much as she does. 

However as the book went on it quickly became confusing and I found it very difficult to follow the book due to the use of footnotes in the story and trying to change pages to figure out what was being talked about. In my opinion the foot notes in the story didn’t need to be there and could have just put in the story in parenthesis or as an additional sentence. 

This coupled with a lot of characters being thrown in at once with little to no background provided about them in the main text, but instead putting it in the footnotes didn’t allow the book to read in a way that made the story run smoothly.

Review

Library Journal’s Mystery Pick of the Month (April 2024)
One of Goodreads’ Readers’ Most Anticipated Mysteries & Thrillers of 2024
One of Criminal Element’s “Most Anticipated Reads: April 2024”

“This humorous mystery with a touch of romance was auctioned to Fox TV for development as a series, with Mack writing the pilot. For fans of Knives Out or E.J. Copperman’s “Jersey Girl Legal Mysteries.””―Library Journal (Starred Review)

“This novel is funny and suspenseful, featuring Eleanor as a witty and relatable narrator who constantly breaks the fourth wall in an entertaining and original use of footnotes. Mack's tale is full of lively references (Taylor Swift galore), beautiful Italian settings, romance, fun chapter titles, and an interesting mix of suspects who are almost all mystery writers themselves. It is an amusing, light read that invites the reader to gather the clues and solve the crime before Eleanor reveals the answer.”―Booklist

“This series debut is sure to delight fans of traditional mysteries as well as those who prefer a good CWC (cozy with corpses) . . . Perfect for fans of The Magpie Murders; the Finlay Donovan series; and Only Murders in the Building.”―First Clue

“This book is fabulous! A hilarious and fun romp with a great mystery all rolled into one. I couldn’t put this down and you won’t either. Take it on your next vacation!”―Liv Constantine, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish

"Quick, captivating, and oh-so-much-fun! This delicious mystery is as spellbinding as Knives Out, featuring a spectacular sun-drenched setting and an utterly engaging cast who all possess a motive for murder.”―Elle Cosimano, New York Times bestselling author of the Finlay Donovan series 

"The hijinks! The humor! The heart! I can't remember the last time a book made me laugh out loud so many times. If you need me, I'll just be over here waiting impatiently for book two.”―Colleen Oakley, USA Today bestselling author of The Most True Story of Tanner and Louise

“A brilliant concept so smoothly well-executed, Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies is a hilarious, sharp mystery that I couldn't tear myself away from. With laugh-out-loud insight into the world of publishing set in a fabulous locale, this witty novel is the definition of fun. Catherine Mack has penned a fast-paced, addictive story like no other.”―Samantha M. Bailey, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of A Friend in the Dark

“With her snappy dialogue, and hilarious footnotes, novelist Eleanor Dash is the perfect imperfect heroine to guide you on this madcap Italian odyssey, an Aperol Spritz in hand. I felt like I was on holiday. But with murder. I couldn't stop reading.”―Jessa Maxwell, author of The Golden Spoon

“Looking for the perfect escape? Then look no further: Catherine Mack’s uproariously hilarious mystery, Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies, is the binge-worthy, delicious read that you've been waiting for. Equal parts Finlay Donovan and White Lotus Season 2, with biting, razor-sharp social commentary and wickedly dark humor that made me cackle out loud, Mack has created the ultimate, root-for-worthy heroine in bestselling author Eleanor Dash, whom I'm prepared to follow anywhere!”―May Cobb, author of My Summer Darlings

“A sparklingly fresh take on the classic murder mystery novel. A fast-paced and twisty delight of a novel that kept me guessing till the end, with a fabulously witty and entertaining narrator and heroine.”―Kat Ailes, author of The Expectant Detectives

“Fans of Knives Out and the Finlay Donovan series will adore Catherine Mack’s smart and funny mystery set in picturesque Italy. With its unforgettable narrator, terrific ensemble cast, wine, romance, and even a murder...or two―this novel is pure delight.”―Amy Poeppel, author of The Sweet Spot and Musical Chairs

“Fresh, clever, and laugh out loud funny! Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies is written by an author about an author being an author. Mack smashes through the fourth wall, giving you an inside look at the complex and hilarious world of publishing, while making you feel like you're a part of the story. It's wildly fun, completely addictive, and an absolute must read!”―Jeneva Rose, New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Marriage

About the Author

CATHERINE MACK (she/her) is the pseudonym for the USA Today and Globe & Mail bestselling author of over a dozen novels. Her books are approaching two million copies sold worldwide and have been translated into multiple languages including French, German, Portuguese, and Polish. Television rights to Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies and its forthcoming sequels sold in a major auction to Fox TV for development into a series, with Mack writing the pilot script. A dual Canadian and US citizen, she splits her time between Canada and various warmer locations in the US.

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Posted in: 1 Star, CharlseyD., Minotaur Books, Netgalley, Review