The Book:
Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies by Catherine Mack
Published April 30, 2024 by Minotaur Books
Date read: April 5, 2024
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Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies spoilers can be found below, but they’re hidden under a spoiler tag so you’re safe to keep scrolling if you’d just like to read my review.
The Characters:
Eleanor
Her sister Harper
Her exes, Connor and Oliver
Connor’s ex Allison
Other authors: Guy, Shek, and Emily
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The Plot (from Goodreads):
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.
Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies Spoilers
The Reveal:
Eleanor’s secret was that she’d (unknowingly at the time) played a part in the robberies that Connor “solved”. She felt uneasy about what he’d told her–that he was a PI and had discovered a pattern so he knew what bank the robbers would hit next–so she did some digging in Connor’s phone. Connor had been working with the robbers and planned all their heists. He turned on them when someone was murdered and got a finder’s fee for busting the robbers.
A bunch of red herrings: Shek’s publishing budget was given to Eleanor’s books, and Connor had led him astray with some bad crypto investments. Harper would get Eleanor’s whole inheritance if she died. Emily had stolen Eleanor’s plots, and Connor had cheated on Allison with Eleanor. Harper and Connor were hooking up being Eleanor’s back.
Shek dies about 2/3 of the way through the book (right after Eleanor and Oliver decide he has to be the murderer). He supposedly drank champagne meant for Connor, but the inspector later reveals that he was actually killed via a ring that stabbed him with poison, so he was the intended victim.
Sylvie was the wife of Anthony Giuseppe, whom Connor framed for the robberies in the past. Isabella and Marta, the publicist, were their daughters. Sylvie tried to push Eleanor down the stairs at a lookout but missed and fell herself. Isabella is taken into custody and Marta is in the wind. Shek, it turns out, was in on it with the Giuseppes and was the one blackmailing Connor. It’s not explained why they ended up killing him.
The Ending:
In the epilogue, Connor and Eleanor have reconciled, somewhat. He’s not blackmailing her anymore and she’s starting a new series. It’s hinted that they haven’t seen the last of Marta, so she’ll be coming back. Oliver and Eleanor are together, and they go to Eleanor’s best friend Emma’s wedding on Catalina Island. Eleanor goes to the bathroom and finds a member of the wedding party has been stabbed with the cake-cutting knife. We’re ready for Book 2!
I hope these Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies spoilers were helpful.
The Review:
This book was THE most fun. First of all, check out this amazing cover. I’d totally be recreating it if I still lived in Vegas and had access to poolside lounge chairs. Or if I were on vacation, if only!
If you liked Finlay Donovan or Blonde Identity, RUN to pick up EVERY TIME I GO ON VACATION SOMEONE DIES. I love these lighthearted cozy mysteries with an unwitting amateur detective. It’s the perfect fun summer read, and I can’t hype it up enough. I’ve read many of Catherine McKenzie’s thrillers as well and can confidently say that she nails the genre switch.
The narrator Elizabeth Evans absolutely nails the delivery. I obviously couldn’t see the footnotes when listening to the audiobook, but I loved that it felt like Eleanor was talking right to me. Her tone was the perfect match for El’s sarcasm.
Such a fun book, and I can’t wait for the next novel in the Vacation Mysteries series!
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