This Weekend Doesn't End Well for Anyone: A Novel by Catherine MackSeries: The Vacation Mysteries #3
Publication Date: April 28, 2026
Pages: 352
Add the Book on:Goodreads
Rating: ★★★★
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Women Sleuths
Publisher: Minotaur Books / Macmillan
Synopsis:
The third in the witty series following Eleanor Dash, who once again has to swap her sun hat for her detective hat, when a body is found at a murder mystery writing conference in the Bahamas.
Eleanor Dash can never catch a break. Not only has she had to solve two real-life murder plots in the past year, but both times it was when she was meant to be on vacation. Now she’s finally got a ticket to a relaxing weekend—an all-inclusive resort at the Bahamas where she’s speaking at a conference for murder mystery writers—but she arrives to find a body on the floor of her hotel room. Because of course she does.With plenty of familiar faces at the resort, any one of them could have been the intended target or the culprit behind it all. Was it Oliver Forrest, Eleanor’s dashing boyfriend who’s in danger of getting dropped by his publisher because his sales are dwindling? Or Connor Smith, Eleanor’s infuriating ex-lover-turned-bestselling-rom-com-author with a sordid past of his own? Or her sister Harper, whose own stilted writing career has been a sore point for years as Eleanor’s has soared? Perhaps it’s one of the other writers also in attendance, as friends, frenemies and foes from Eleanor’s past all seem to be invited to the island.
Surrounded by mystery writers who know all too well the many ways to craft the perfect crime, Eleanor is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery and do whatever it takes to get out of this weekend alive.
REVIEW
Catherine Mack’s This Weekend Doesn’t End Well for Anyone is a wildly entertaining, high-energy ride that leans into chaos with both humour and heart. From the very first pages, there’s a sense of looming inevitability; the kind that keeps you hooked as you watch everything spiral just a little more out of control. Mack’s writing is sharp and playful, packed with witty observations and perfectly timed comedic beats. One line captures the tone beautifully: “There’s a specific kind of dread reserved for moments when you know everything is about to go spectacularly wrong—and you can’t stop it.”
What makes this novel stand out is its ability to juggle a large cast of characters without losing momentum or emotional clarity. Each perspective adds a new layer to the unfolding disaster, creating a tapestry of misunderstandings, secrets, and unintended consequences. The pacing is brisk, almost breathless at times, but it never feels overwhelming. Instead, it pulls you deeper into the story’s mounting tension. Mack skillfully balances absurdity with genuine emotional stakes, making the humour land even harder.
At its core, this book is about human fallibility: messy relationships, bad decisions, and the unpredictable ripple effects that follow. It’s hilarious without being superficial, and heartfelt without slipping into sentimentality. Perfect for readers who love character-driven chaos and stories where everything that can go wrong probably will, This Weekend Doesn’t End Well for Anyone delivers a satisfying, memorable experience.
*This book was provided for free by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
