No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding: A Novel by Catherine MackSeries: The Vacation Mysteries #2
Publication Date: May 13, 2025
Pages: 352
Add the Book on:Goodreads
Rating: ★★★
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Women Sleuths
Publisher: Minotaur Books / Macmillan
Synopsis:
The second in a witty, USA Today bestselling series following author Eleanor Dash as she goes from wedding guest to murder mystery investigator at her best friend’s wedding on Catalina Island.
Attending your best friend’s wedding should be a piece of (wedding) cake, but not for Eleanor Dash, bestselling author of the Vacation Mysteries series. Because murder seems to follow her every time she goes on vacation and is definitely her uninvited plus-one to the special occasion.Emma Wood, Eleanor’s best friend since childhood, is starring in the movie adaptation of When in Rome, Eleanor’s first novel. Emma is also marrying Fred Winters, a major movie star and Emma’s co-star, who just happens to be playing Connor Smith, Eleanor’s ex and leading man of the series.
Filming wraps and they invite the whole cast and crew to their wedding at nearby Catalina Island. There may be a storm headed their way—because of course there is—but nothing will stop their nuptials . . . that is until Emma receives a note that says “Someone is going to die at the wedding.”
Eleanor is a professional at this point, and she’ll do everything she can to uncover the murderer so true love can prevail . . . before it’s too late for her and the rest of the storm-trapped wedding party.
REVIEW
Catherine Mack’s No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding is a sparkling mix of humour, mystery, and escalating chaos, set against the backdrop of what should have been a picture-perfect celebration. From the opening moments, there’s a delicious sense of anticipation as small tensions and quiet secrets begin to ripple beneath the surface. Mack leans fully into the absurdity of things going spectacularly off track, delivering a story that is both lighthearted and tightly plotted. As one line perfectly puts it: “Weddings are supposed to be about love, not damage control.”
What makes this novel so engaging is its vibrant cast and the way their relationships intertwine under pressure. The dialogue crackles with wit, and the characters feel messy, flawed, and entirely human, which makes the unfolding drama all the more entertaining. Mack excels at balancing comedic timing with genuine suspense, allowing the story to bounce between laugh-out-loud moments and genuine tension without ever losing momentum. The pacing feels brisk and addictive, making it easy to get swept up in the chaos of it all.
At its core, this is a story about the unpredictable nature of people and the secrets they carry, even during life’s most celebratory moments. Mack explores themes of trust, perception, and the cracks that can appear when everything is supposed to be perfect. The mystery unfolds in satisfying layers, keeping things intriguing without ever becoming overly heavy.
No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding is a thoroughly entertaining read that blends cozy mystery elements with sharp humour and emotional depth. It’s the perfect pick for readers who enjoy character-driven chaos, clever plotting, and the comforting reminder that even the most carefully planned events can unravel in the most unexpected ways.
