03 Jun Book Review of No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding (The Vacatio…
No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding: A Delightful Mystery on Catalina Island
As an avid fan of Catherine Mack (the pseudonym for the talented Catherine McKenzie), I couldn’t have been more excited to receive the ARC of No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding. It feels like a reunion with an old friend—as Eleanor Dash, the eccentric, brilliant author, is back for another escapade, and I was all in for a weekend of suspense and laughter on Catalina Island.
In this second installment of the Vacation Series, Eleanor finds herself at the impromptu wedding of her best friend, Emma, and Hollywood heartthrob Fred Winters. As you might expect, the island is gearing up for a spectacular celebration until a storm threatens to rain on everyone’s parade. Unbeknownst to the guests, however, a different form of “storm” is brewing, leading to a murder that shakes the festivities to their core. I was instantly drawn into Eleanor’s world where chaos often seems to follow her, and she steps into the role of amateur sleuth with a mix of trepidation and determination.
Catherine Mack excels at blending humor and tension, creating a cozy, locked-room mystery that kept me on my toes. The writing style is sharp and witty, perfectly capturing Eleanor’s quirky persona. Mack balances character development and plot intricacies beautifully, presenting us with both familiar and new faces. While it isn’t necessary to read the first book, Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies, doing so enriched my experience, providing delightful context about Eleanor’s relationships and the complex dynamics at play.
One of my favorite aspects of this novel is Eleanor’s dynamic with her ex, Connor, and her current boyfriend, Oliver. Their complicated relationship adds depth to the storyline, demonstrating how well Mack understands the intricacies of love and friendships. The tension between characters is palpable, especially when stakes are high—a testament to Mack’s skill as a storyteller.
The pacing of No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding keeps you engaged, with twists and turns that surprised me right up to the final pages. I found myself laughing out loud at Eleanor’s one-liners, and the interplay between characters was just as entertaining as the unfolding mystery. The ending was both shocking and satisfying, leaving me yearning for more. The delicate hints about the next installment had me buzzing with anticipation, as I already felt a fondness for the world Mack has created.
For anyone who appreciates cozy mysteries with a humorous twist and a strong, relatable protagonist, this book is for you. It’s perfect for those lazy weekends when you want to curl up with a good read that combines lightheartedness with a gripping plot. Personally, this delightful romp through a wedding weekend reminded me of the joys of friendship, the complexity of love, and the thrill of a well-crafted mystery. Catherine Mack has, once again, captured my heart, and I can’t wait for Eleanor’s next adventure!
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