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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
To fully enjoy this lively mystery, start with Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies (The Vacation Mysteries, #1). Catherine Mack builds on the world and characters from the first book, and much of the humor, tension, and emotional payoff relies on that foundation.
The audiobook is the best way to experience both the original and this sequel. The main character has a lot of internal dialogue, and the narrator masterfully shifts tone to distinguish between inner thoughts and spoken words. This adds clarity, personality, and a layer of humor that really elevates the listening experience.
What really shines is the banter and chemistry among the large cast of characters. The drama—between family, friends, and coworkers—secrets, and clever quips keep the pace brisk and the mood engaging. Despite the murder mystery at the center, the story maintains a fun, snappy tone that makes it a fast and enjoyable read (or listen).
Highly recommended for fans of witty, fast-paced mysteries with smart female leads and ensemble casts that feel like real people you’d love (or love to side-eye) at a wedding.
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. This is my honest review.
The audiobook is the best way to experience both the original and this sequel. The main character has a lot of internal dialogue, and the narrator masterfully shifts tone to distinguish between inner thoughts and spoken words. This adds clarity, personality, and a layer of humor that really elevates the listening experience.
What really shines is the banter and chemistry among the large cast of characters. The drama—between family, friends, and coworkers—secrets, and clever quips keep the pace brisk and the mood engaging. Despite the murder mystery at the center, the story maintains a fun, snappy tone that makes it a fast and enjoyable read (or listen).
Highly recommended for fans of witty, fast-paced mysteries with smart female leads and ensemble casts that feel like real people you’d love (or love to side-eye) at a wedding.
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. This is my honest review.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What a fun romp! Full disclosure, I won a free copy of the audiobook, so my review may contain unconscious bias. The audiobook narrator did a fantastic job, and the writing was witty and self-referential. The story is very meta—the author is writing about an author writing about an author who's a self-insert of herself—with lots of fourth wall breaking and playing with genre tropes. This is a book that doesn't take itself too seriously, and invites you along for the fun.
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This series is so much fun! I don't think this sequel was better than the original but I will say I still enjoyed the hell out of it. The characters are so crazy and so much fun; and the mysteries are actually pretty decent. I love the energy, the humor and the suspense. One of the best "cozy mystery" series
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
“I went to Hollywood, and all I got was this lousy murder.”
Let me explain this audiobook, which is a murder mystery set at a wedding on the film set of a movie adaptation of a novel written by the protagonist, based on an experience she had during a trip to Italy. You with me? I love it.
Eleanor, the protagonist, a California native, and amateur sleuth, brings her sister and boyfriend to her best friend Emma’s wedding. Also, Eleanor’s ex-boyfriend, her ex-boyfriend’s ex-wife, and the bride’s ex-boyfriend are also attending. Eleanor breaks the fourth wall often, interjecting with footnotes and humorous backstory, and mentions Taylor Swift at least twice. She’s secure yet insecure. She is observant but caught in the moment. She has a stalker. Eleanor and the cast of her best friend Emma’s movie (based on Eleanor’s novel) are trapped on Catalina Island during a rare Pacific hurricane. What can go wrong will.
If you’re like me, and love Agatha Christie mysteries, Clue, Noises Off, Knives Out, and The Glass Onion, you’ll appreciate the cast of characters, the humor, the twists, and the wit that Catherine Mack brings us in No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding. Elizabeth Evans made me laugh out loud narrating as Eleanor. Highly recommend the audiobook!
This is the second novel in the Vacation Mysteries series. I’m going to listen to book #1 in the series – and am looking forward to book #3!
Thank you to StoryGraph and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy!
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Too many characters to follow easily on audiobook.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced