Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies: A Novel

Catherine Mack
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Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies: A Novel

Catherine Mack
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Found in: MYSTERY., General Mystery

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Overview

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Promotional Details

Overall rating: 4.576923 / 5 from 26 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

This novel is celebrated for its engaging and entertaining narrative, featuring a captivating murder mystery with well-developed characters and numerous twists. Readers find it easy to read and highly recommend it, making it a popular choice among mystery enthusiasts.

Summary topics

  • Ease of Reading: 36%
  • Character Engagement: 16%
  • Overall Book Quality: 40%

Review topics: [book, read, mystery, footnotes, eleanor, characters, twist, spring, cast, writing].

Review highlights

  • "A good chatty vacation read and the title looks good when you leave the book right side up on a lounge chair."Valerie
  • "Eleanor and her sister/assistant Harper were alike yet different as Eleanor is famous and Harper seems to be overlooked."Robyn
  • "Thoroughly enjoyed this book!"Kara

Reviews

Loved the book, enjoyed my experience

"There was one left in the store and the staff were kind enough to help me find it."

Kimia (5/5)

Super fun, modern mystery

"What a fun ride this was! I took it on vacation and hoped the others on the train could see the title."

A S. (5/5)

It’s time to play the detective through this book

"The author is a genius. It’s my first read from this author and she exceeded all of my expectations. I loved her writing styles, using the footnotes is so unique and adds so much more personally to the narrator. I loved all of her characters, they were all unique. This book is a page turner, once you start it YOU CAN NOT put it down. I finished it in less than 24h. The plot twists were amazing and unexpected. The best thing was the narrator having us trying to solve the crime with her and getting surprised by the grand reveal. 100% recommend."

Penny (5/5)

12/10

"Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Great laughs and a great read."

Kara (4/5)

Nostalgic and thrilling

"The fourth book in the Savoy series, full of twists and turns and encounters with memorable characters inspired by real people from the 1960s. Priscilla Tempest survives political machinations and attempts on her life."

Diane (4/5)

An Entertaining Read

"3. 5 stars Before I even get into this review, let me mention that I'm either going into a reading slump OR discovering that cozy mysteries aren't really my thing. I don't actually know what's worse to be honest. With that being said, I still did really enjoy this read for what it was. I guess it could be categorized as a ""cozy mystery and in my brain that comes across as something akin to 'mystery-lite'. There's mystery, intrigue and suspense but also elements like humour and romance mixed in. Plus, I don't find these style of books as graphic or dark in content. You still get to 'scratch that itch' (uhh. . I don't know if I like that phrase) for a mystery but you don't need to be traumatized in the process. Another thing I found is that I SPED through this book without even trying. I think it was the combination of the writing style and the story's pacing. I wouldn't say that I was overly invested in the outcome to have raced through this book but that was the result. The added footnotes I have mixed fixed feelings on. Sometimes they were fun and added to the overall reading experience but at other times, I found them unnecessary. So really, I'm going to say that I'm neutral in regards to them. Even though the jury is still out on my like (or dislike) of cozy mysteries, I will be picking up the second book in this series."

@brooklynnnnereads (3/5)

Funny Murder Mystery

"Light and funny murder mystery. Love the footnotes!!"

Victoria (5/5)

Fun Summer Read

"Couldn’t put this book down! Well written, a genuine page turner"

Naomi (5/5)

Such Much Fun, I Bought it Twice!

"I purchased this book last summer as a beach read for a trip to Italy. It’s a fun, engaging murder mystery with great characters and many twists and turns, all while showcasing the beauty and travel highlights of the Amalfi Coast. It’s easy to read and hard to put down. I passed it along to a fellow traveller at a beach club to spread the love once I finished. I ended up purchasing it a second time for my daughter, who was going on her own sunny holiday—and she enjoyed it just as much. We both recently finished reading the author’s sequel, “No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding,” which was just released. It’s just as fun and entertaining. I highly recommend buying them together. Finishing the first book will leave you craving more of these characters, and Catherine Mack does not disappoint. I truly hope she’s working on book three—and a Netflix deal too!"

Nicole (5/5)

Better than expected!

"Great read! This book engaged me from the first few pages. Can’t wait to dive into the second book."

Tracy K. (5/5)

Q&A

  • Published date: Apr 29, 2025
  • Language: English
  • No. of Pages: 368
  • Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group
  • ISBN: 9781250325877
  • Dimensions: 5.4" W x 1.05" L x 8.25" H

One of Goodreads’ "Readers’ Most Anticipated Mysteries & Thrillers of 2024"
One of Criminal Element’s “Most Anticipated Reads: April 2024”
One of Crime Reads’ “10 New Books Coming Out This Week”
One of Jordy’s “10 Most-Anticipated April Books”
One of Buzzfeed’s “21 Books That Are Perfect For Lounging By The Lake”
One of AudioFile’s “May Audiobook Picks”
One of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Summer 2024 Book Recommendations (People)
One of Brit+Co’s “Darkly Twisted Books To Read If You're Obsessed With 'The White Lotus'”
One of People’s “Sunny Destination Thrillers for Peak Spring Break Vibes”

“[A] fizzy series debut . . . Mack, a pseudonym for the veteran Canadian author Catherine McKenzie, gleefully pokes fun at genre tropes while evoking Eleanor’s zany world . . . hilarious.”—The New York Times Book Review

“A delightful debut . . . it’s Eleanor, Mack’s writer, whose voice keeps the whole book going. She’s funny and smart and full of ginger, and she deserves all her royalties.”—The Globe and Mail

“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

“Eleanor’s first-person narration is a delight, chock-full of amusing asides (often in footnotes) that wryly examine the craft of mystery writing and business of publishing. A sequel would be welcome.”—Publishers Weekly

“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

“Mack pairs the book’s self-aware tone with picture-perfect settings that come to life on the page . . . With its breezy humor and likable heroine, Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies is delightful, escapist fun.”—Book Reporter

“The ultimate beach read has arrived with this zany, cozy mystery romp. Lovers of Knives Out, Only Murders In the Building, and the Finlay Donovan book series will gobble this beauty up like dessert. Catherine Mack has concocted a pitch-perfect romp set in the picturesque Amalfi Coast of Italy, filled with a cast of colorful, imperfect characters, delicious food, and a touch of romance . . . Mack proves to be a marvelous storyteller as she weaves multiple plotlines and motivations into a zany narrative with escalating intrigue and suspense.”—Mystery & Suspense

“Funny . . . I found Eleanor to be an engaging narrator. At thirty-five, she still regrets her affair ten years earlier with Connor Smith. She makes excuses, lies, and tries to cover up her past. But, there comes a time when she has to reveal all to the readers. The first Vacation Mystery is humorous with the right amount of romance. It will be interesting to see what format Mack uses for the follow-up to Every Time I Go on Vacation Some Dies.”—Lesa's Book Critiques

“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

“A well-constructed romp through the lighter side of murder. A meta-fictional puzzle mystery that delivers both humor and a satisfying resolution.”—Nina Simon, New York Times bestselling author of Mother-Daughter Murder Night

CATHERINE MACK (she/her) is the pseudonym for the USA Today and Globe & Mail bestselling author of twenty-two novels. Her books have sold two million copies worldwide and have been translated into multiple languages, including French, German, Polish, and Portuguese. Film rights to Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies have been optioned. Mack splits her time between Canada and the US.

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