Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies is the cozy mystery series debut of Catherine Mack. Focusing on a mystery writer and her friends and colleagues, this was a pretty quick read with numerous suspects.

Author Eleanor Dash is on a book tour with her sister/assistant Harper, ex-boyfriend/novel's hero Connor, and several other writers when Connor asks for Eleanor's help because he thinks someone has been trying to kill him. Filled with humor (a lot in the footnotes) and too many suspects to keep straight, El has her work cut out for her. When she's pushed and almost falls down a steep flight of stairs, they start to wonder who has it in for BOTH of them. Taking place over several days in different Italian cities, the perpetrator has to be someone in their group...Is it Harper, who hates that Eleanor got the writing life she wanted? Connor's ex-wife, who divorced him after finding out about Eleanor? Shek, because his marketing budget is being "diverted" to Eleanor's next book? It could be anyone!

The writing is casual, a lot of the time it's as if she's talking directly to you, the reader (which seems to be popular right now). There are several people, and at some point I gave up trying to remember who they all were. I thought I knew the whodunit early on, just not the why, but I was so far off!

All in all, a great start to the Vacation Mysteries series. For anyone who loves books about books, or books about authors, this is a contemporary cozy mystery that hits all the right places for cozy lovers.

Thank you to @NetGalley and @Minotaur_Books for a digital copy for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own. ( )

After the success of her first book, When In Rome, Elenor Dash has been coerced by her publisher to continue writing book after book including her ex-lover Oliver. Not only has she had to tour with him, he’s found a way to extort more and more money from the books she’s writing. Elenor’s had it! She’s ready to murder him, but may have to settle for writing him out of the series. First she’s got to make it through the tenth anniversary of her first book with a tour through Rome. With her trusted assistant (also her sister), her ex, and a group of super fans along for the ride what could possibly go wrong?!
Catherine Mack has crafted a humorous mystery, that employs a really unique format. She’s chosen to include footnotes…a lot of footnotes. I didn’t have a strong opinion when I started, by the time I finished I was struggling with the flow. Some readers have loved them so it’s going to be very individual. I loved vicariously visiting all the different places of the itinerary. It made me dream of sitting under the sun by the sea, with a lovely drink!
I recommend for readers who like unique writing formats, lovers of the Finlay Donovan series, and those that like humorous who-done-it’s!

Thank you to Minotaur Books for the advanced reader copy and the finished copy. ( )

Ten years ago, Eleanor Dash wrote the first book in her vacation mystery series. What many don't realize is she based the plot on her own adventures on an Italian vacation. Of course changing the names to protect the less than innocent except for main character, Connor Smith. The real Connor Smith turns out to be quite the cad who ends up wriggling his way into receiving part of El's royalties for making him a character (of course there's more to it, but that would be spoilery). Fortunately, or unfortunately, for Eleanor, the series is a huge success, but with each success she becomes more and more indebted to Connor.

Now, she's on a tour for the anniversary of the first book while late on her deadline for the 10th (and possibly final?) book. It's time, she's decided, to do away with Connor - the character, not the person - once and for all. Eleanor is ready to start fresh maybe write a new series, maybe take the vacation mysteries in a new direction. Regardless, she's finally ready to be out of his reach and grasp. However, it seems like Eleanor is not the only one with a grudge against Connor - the person, not the character. Connor has become increasingly convinced that someone is trying to murder him. . Looking at every one on the tour they all have a motive for potentially wanting Connor dead including but not limited to Eleanor herself. But then Eleanor, too, has a near deadly experience and one thing becomes abundantly clear: it's time for her to solve another mystery. Honestly, though, it's a lot more difficult in real life than fiction.

Listening to the audiobook was maybe the best way to go into this this story. Told from Eleanor's point of view, she's kind of chaotic and all over the place with her not-so-inner dialogue and I think it's easiest to get the full effect in audio format. However, there are quite a few footnotes in the story and I love a good footnote. I think it's interesting when authors include them, but it was difficult to tell in the audio narration when we were getting a footnote and when it was part of the main story. For that aspect, reading, as opposed to listening, was the best format.

I liked the twists and turns the story takes and how as a reader you feel like you're solving the mystery side by side with Eleanor. Mainly because at various points she is talking directly to readers giving hints or even going so far as to highlight things we should keep in mind. It's also a good indication that Eleanor has a certain knowledge about how everything is going to play out, if you catch my meaning. This is her reiteration of events that have already passed.

I liked the combination of side characters and their tie to either Eleanor and/or Connor. They have all somehow benefitted from or been influenced by the vacation series whether they readily admit so or not. Which also means that each of them is a plausible suspect and Catherine Mack toggles between each of these plausibilities with ease.

Where the story does slightly falter is that I found Eleanor to be a bit too much at times. A little irritatingly scattered to the point where her sister - also her assistant - has to get Eleanor up in the morning and packs for her and tells her where she needs to be/go. She kept making jokes at her expense about how reliant she is on her sister, Harper, but to me that doesn't suffice. It made her come across as a little self-absorbed at times.

Also, I understand the idea of a mystery is to keep the readers guessing until the big reveal but, for me, there were a few too many feints. We'd end the chapter on a cliffhanger with a character's life seemingly hanging in the balance, only to turn the page and it's not what was expected at all. This is fine to keep the suspense, but started to edge toward too much until we finally got some true forward momentum in the story.

Overall, I did enjoy the book. I liked the quirky approach to the storytelling. There's already a clear sign that we'll be getting another book, and I look forward to seeing how the mysteries continue to follow Eleanor around. ( )

"Every Time I Go on Vacation, Somebody Dies" is an absolute gem in the world of mystery novels! Catherine Mack's storytelling prowess shines brightly in this witty, suspenseful, and utterly enjoyable read. From the charming backdrop of Italy to the quirky characters and the intricate plot, Mack keeps readers hooked from the first page to the last. The way she seamlessly blends humor with suspense is nothing short of brilliant, making this book a delightful rollercoaster of emotions. With each page turn, you'll find yourself drawn deeper into Eleanor Dash's world, rooting for her as she navigates through literary rivalries, unexpected twists, and heartwarming moments. Mack has crafted a masterpiece that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in this captivating series. If you're looking for a mystery novel that will keep you guessing while also leaving you in stitches, "Every Time I Go on Vacation, Somebody Dies" is the perfect choice! ( )

Eleanor Dash, best selling author, wants to finish this book tour and get home and kill off her main character, Conner. She has had enough of him, in her books and in real life. So, when Conner (real life Conner!) insists that someone is trying to kill him, no one really believes him. But strange things start happening and it just might land Eleanor in jail!

This is a novel by Catherine McKenzie, writing as Catherine Mack. I have been a fan of this author since I read her first novel, Spin. She has changed genres quite a few times…Romance, and women’s fiction then on to suspense and thrillers and now, this tale. This is more of a cozy mystery style.

I enjoyed how Catherine Mack portrays the narrator of this little jaunt through Italy. The narrator is the best selling author, Eleanor Dash. And she is very close, not quite, but close to a hot mess. She is a bit self centered and egotistical. So, you can just imagine some of her comments…these had me laughing out loud!

Now, this is not my favorite by this author but I did enjoy the hunt for the killer…did I figure it out…yep! But y’all it is a fun read! It has great characters, good setting, and cute quips!

The audiobook narrator, Elizabeth Evans, is impressive. Lots of characters and she distinguishes them all!

Need a good murder mystery…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. ( )