No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding

This second book in the Vacation Mysteries was an engaging romp. Eleanor Dash is on the set of a movie being made from her first book - the book that launched her career. Her best friend Emma is playing her main character and A-List movie star Fred Winters is playing the part of Connor Smith. Unfortunately, the director is a childhood frenemy. Things should be going well despite her disputes with the screenwriter who has seemingly changed not only her dialog but the ending of the story.

The finale of the filming is a trip to Catalina Island for the wedding of Emma and Fred. Eleanor is convinced the Emma is moving too fast. Sure, she's had a crush on Fred for years, but she doesn't really know him. Then the notes start arriving - vaguely show more threatening and cut out of letters from recent scripts.

Does someone want Emma dead? Or is something else going on? Connor has shown up claiming to be hired by the director who wants Connor to look into Fred's finances. Fred owes him bunches of money. And not only are there threats but a hurricane is bearing down on Catalina Island leaving one lone rookie cop when threats escalate to suspicious deaths.

This was a very twisty story with generous punches of humor. One seldom reads a mystery with footnotes, but they are very successful here. And the story is told by Eleanor in the first person. She has a very quirky viewpoint and voice.

For fun and thrills, this is an excellent story. show less

Fast, fun, and funny — this second in the series is a must read for fans who love when an author breaks the fourth wall. I’m one of them!

This time, author Eleanor Dash and her sister, Harper, are involved on set during the filming of her previous blockbuster, When In Rome. Her best friend, Emma, has the lead role, and the two sisters couldn’t be more excited because Emma is going to marry her costar,Fred Winter, after the wrap. They’ll all go to Catalina Island for an intimate ceremony with some close friends, including Eleanor’s new main man, Oliver Forrest. There are a couple of problems right off, however. First of all, Hurricane Isabella is going to make landfall in Southern California that weekend and secondly, on the show more hand pressed wedding schedule, the last line says, “A midnight murder will be served.” Now that’s some kind of invitation for amateur sleuth Eleanor who obviously has some skills since this kind of thing is her writing forte. Except the guests get a lot more than they bargained for.

At times hilarious and laugh out loud funny, this is also an expertly plotted murder mystery with lots of red herrings and a group of possible suspects along with the requisite storm locking them all on the island. I have really enjoyed both of these books and can’t wait for another. I love the writing style, the main characters, and especially Eleanor who is self-deprecatingly wry and clever as she tries to figure out the whodunit. This has the feel of an atmospheric cozy. Some irritating things but I just glossed over.

I was lucky to receive both the audio book and the e-book ARC provided by the publisher so I could read along while listening. The narrator is Elizabeth Evans and she does an excellent job of voicing all the characters and giving them different accents and such to provide dramatic effect. It was a good production and it definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book. show less

Attending a best friend’s wedding should be easy, but for Eleanor Dash, bestselling author of the Vacation Mysteries series, murder always seems to be an uninvited guest. When Emma Wood—Eleanor’s childhood best friend and star of the movie adaptation of her first book—marries her co-star Fred Winters, the celebration on Catalina Island takes a dark turn. A chilling note warns, “Someone is going to die at the wedding.” With a storm rolling in and no way off the island, Eleanor must solve the mystery before the killer strikes.

This sequel delivers the same sharp wit and humor that made the first book a hit. Eleanor’s sarcastic narration, which frequently breaks the fourth wall, makes her an engaging and hilarious protagonist. show more The blend of playful banter, mystery, and fast-paced action keeps the story moving, and the immersive setting adds to the tension. The mix of Hollywood drama, murder, and an isolated location creates the perfect storm for intrigue.

The mystery itself is well-crafted, with enough twists to keep readers guessing. Just when you think you’ve figured out who did it, the story takes another turn. The dynamic cast, including familiar faces from the first book, adds to the fun. Even if you haven’t read the first book, this one stands well on its own—though reading in order adds extra depth to the characters’ relationships.

While entertaining, some elements didn’t fully land. Connor Smith, Eleanor’s ex and the inspiration for her leading man, is insufferable, making certain parts frustrating. The footnotes, while sometimes amusing, often feel unnecessary.

Overall, No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding is a fun, fast-paced read filled with humor, mystery, and just enough drama. If you enjoy witty, self-aware protagonists and a touch of Hollywood glamour mixed with murder, this series is worth picking up. show less

This is a fun, fast-paced mystery with just the right mix of suspense and humor. Eleanor Dash goes to her best friend’s wedding hoping for a break…but instead, someone ends up dead and she’s pulled into solving the case.

The setting is dramatic, the characters are entertaining, and the mystery keeps you guessing. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, which makes it a super enjoyable read.

For anyone who likes a lighthearted twist on murder this book is a must. I must admit I am a bit obsessed with this series because it entertains and makes me smile! A perfect blend and it hits all the right feels!!!

It's been 3 months since Italy and now Eleanor Dash finds herself back in California where the movie of her book When in Rome is wrapping up production. Coincidentally, the lead character is being played by Elle's best friend from childhood Emma. Emma and lead actor, Fred Winter, have happily found love during filming and, now that filming is complete the entire cast and crew are joining them on Catalina Island for a not-so-secret wedding. Everything seems rather idyllic until Emma receives a note saying someone is going to die at the wedding. Not on Eleanor Dash's watch. Elle will do everything in her power to make sure this wedding goes off without a hitch including throwing herself back into the investigation. Hey, at least this time show more she's not the target... at least she thinks she's not the target.

I think I was better able to handle this book after reading the first one and kind of understanding what I was getting into. Hello footnotes! Because of that I feel like I enjoyed this book more. Also, the first book took place in Italy, all over the place, so I also think the paired down locale in this book - being on an island and all with limited room to move - helped corral the ensuing chaos a bit.

I liked and appreciated how this second book continued the story from the first book and how Catherine Mack decided to place all the returning characters in a plausible way. Looking at you Tucci! Mainly, it's that I like that these characters are becoming familiar and I'm starting to recognize all their quirks and dynamics with one another.

The twists with the mystery were also done well. The outcome wasn't immediately apparent, but I also wasn't super surprised in how things turned out. I think by the time we got to the end we had already exhausted every other scenario so how things ended up just made sense.

Like the first book, the epilogue leads us perfectly into Eleanor's the next murder mystery infused vacation and I'm here for it. show less

There is nothing like multiple murders to liven up a wedding. Eleanor is the maid of honor for her best friend, Emma. The wedding is taking place on an island, and not even an impending hurricane will stop it. Of course, the murders do slow it down a mite. Eleanor is a successful writer and Emma is a renowned actress. The wedding party is filled with stars and other important people. It seems everything is pure bliss, until a note delivered to Emma states that someone will die at the wedding. Eleanor goes from professional writer to amateur detective in a flash. This mystery is fun from beginning to end. The author breaks the fourth wall, and Eleanor talks to her readers often. The personalities of the characters shine from the pages, show more and audio narrator Elizabeth Evans brings them to life with her excellent performance. This is a great series, and I hope it continues for a long time to come. show less

writers, contemporary, laugh-riot, threats, series, sisters, verbal-humor, situational-humor, amateur-sleuth, cozy-fiction, chick-lit, tv-film-industry, twisty, California, whodunit****

Good silly fun with the Hollywood crowd. The characters are just too much fun, and the interactions sometimes had me having giggle fits! The publisher's blurb gives good hints about the plot (but not the twists). Fine mystery and even better distraction from whatever.
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected digital galley from St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
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