I received this book for free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Murder Takes A Vacation: A Novel by Laura Lippman Published by William Morrow on June 17, 2025
Genres: Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Amateur Sleuth
Pages: 272
Format: ARC
Source: Edelweiss
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“Whenever a new Laura Lippman comes out there is reason to celebrate!” --Louise Penny
Highly acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Laura Lippman returns with an irresistible mystery featuring Muriel Blossom, a former private investigator and middle-aged widow whose vacation on a Parisian river cruise turns into a deadly international mystery…that only she can solve.
Mrs. Blossom has a knack for blending into the background, which was an asset during her days assisting private investigator Tess Monaghan. But when she finds a winning lottery ticket in a parking lot, everything changes. She is determined to see the world that she sometimes feels is passing her by.
When Mrs. Blossom booked her cruise through France on the MS Solitaire, she did not expect to meet Allan on her transatlantic flight. He is the first man who’s sparked something inside her since her beloved husband passed.
She also didn’t expect Allan to be found, dead, twenty-four hours later in Paris, a city he wasn’t supposed to be in.
Now Mrs. Blossom doesn’t know who to trust on board the ship, especially when a mystifying man, Danny, keeps popping up around every corner, always present when things go awry. He is convinced that Allan was transporting a stolen piece of art, and Mrs. Blossom knows more than she lets on, regarding both the artifact and Allan’s death.
Mrs. Blossom’s questions only increase as the cruise sails down the Seine. Why does it feel like she is being followed? Who was Allan, and why was he killed? Most alarmingly, why do these mysterious men keep flirting with her?
Review
Murder Takes a Vacation follows Muriel Blossom, a widowed private investigator who can’t seem to stay retired. What starts as small talk with a charming passenger named Allan on her flight to Paris ends with his body turning up in the City of Light. So much for that relaxing river cruise she planned.
Lippman, who’s collected enough mystery awards to fill a trophy case, knows how to keep readers guessing. But what makes this book special isn’t just the whodunit – it’s Mrs. Blossom herself. She’s no twenty-something super sleuth or hardboiled detective. She’s a middle-aged widow working through grief while untangling an international mystery that involves stolen art, a lucky lottery ticket, and more than a few lies.
The story moves at a deliberate pace, like a good French meal. Lippman takes her time developing the characters and building tension, all while painting such a vivid picture of Paris that you can practically smell the fresh croissants. Sure, some readers might wish for more car chases and less contemplation, but that’s missing the point. This is a mystery for grown-ups – smart, sophisticated, and more interested in the why than the who.
If there’s a fault, it’s that Mrs. Blossom occasionally gets so caught up in her personal journey that the mystery takes a backseat. But honestly? That’s part of what makes this book feel real. After all, even detectives have lives.
The Verdict: Lippman’s latest proves that some mysteries, like fine wine, are better when they take their time. It’s perfect for readers who love their crime fiction with a side of character development and a French accent. While it might not keep you up all night turning pages, it’ll definitely keep you thinking – and isn’t that what the best mysteries do?
4 out of 5 stars
Recommended for those who enjoy their mysteries:
- With actual adults solving them
- Set in gorgeous European locations
- Smart, sophisticated, and character-driven
