Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies Summary, Characters and Themes

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack is a witty, cozy mystery that follows bestselling author Eleanor Dash as her life begins to resemble her fiction.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of an Italian book tour, Eleanor plans to kill off her main character, Connor Smith, in her bestselling series. However, reality takes a turn when the real-life Connor—a charming but infuriating conman—appears, claiming someone is out to kill him. 

Summary

Eleanor Dash is a bestselling author whose life has been a whirlwind ever since her Vacation Mysteries series catapulted her to fame a decade ago. On the eve of her Italian book tour to celebrate her series’ tenth anniversary, Eleanor resolves to kill off her protagonist, the debonair yet exhausting Connor Smith. 

For Eleanor, it’s more than just a literary decision; it’s a way to sever ties with the real-life Connor, the infuriatingly charming conman she crossed paths with years ago and can’t seem to shake.

As Eleanor embarks on her tour, visiting Italy’s most iconic cities—Rome, Naples, Pompeii, and the Amalfi Coast—her plans for a simple promotional trip are derailed. Connor appears, claiming someone is trying to kill him. 

While Eleanor is skeptical of his motives, she reluctantly agrees to help after a member of their traveling party is found dead. 

Is it a coincidence? 

Life imitating art? 

Or something far more sinister?

Eleanor’s path to unraveling the mystery is anything but straightforward. With a group of eclectic characters that includes literary rivals, obsessive fans, a suspicious stalker, and even her ex-boyfriend Oliver unexpectedly showing up, the list of suspects grows longer by the hour. 

As Eleanor digs deeper, tensions within the group escalate, revealing rivalries, secrets, and unresolved heartbreaks.

The narrative takes readers through twists and turns, blending humor with suspense. Eleanor’s witty, fourth-wall-breaking commentary adds a meta-narrative layer, as she grapples with her insecurities, her strained relationship with her sister Harper, and the absurdities of her predicament. 

The Italian settings, while not deeply immersive, provide a breezy backdrop for the chaos that unfolds.

The mystery hinges on a complex web of motives, from professional envy to personal vendettas. Eleanor’s sharp tongue and self-deprecating humor often mask her growing sense of unease, but as the body count rises, the stakes become painfully real. She must put aside her fictional instincts and step up as an amateur detective.

The final reveal is both surprising and satisfying, as Eleanor pieces together clues to expose the killer in a climactic confrontation. 

However, the journey is just as delightful as the destination. With its cast of quirky characters, clever dialogue, and an unapologetically humorous tone, the book balances lightheartedness with genuine intrigue.

By the end, Eleanor’s chaotic experience on the tour leaves her questioning her own life choices, both personal and professional. 

Despite her doubts, she emerges with a renewed sense of purpose and a stronger connection to her craft. The epilogue teases a sequel, leaving readers eager to see what’s next for Eleanor Dash—and who else might meet an untimely demise in her orbit.

Characters

Eleanor Dash

Eleanor Dash is the protagonist of Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies, and her character is at the heart of the novel’s charm and its frustrations. Eleanor is a bestselling author whose fame seems to have been accidental, leaving her with lingering feelings of inadequacy despite her success.

She is self-centered and clumsy, which is played for comedic effect, but often comes across as forced rather than endearing. Eleanor’s defining trait is her sharp, sarcastic wit, which is evident in her first-person narration and the frequent footnotes she uses to break the fourth wall.

Her relationship with her own work is fraught. Eleanor feels trapped by the popularity of her long-running series and is determined to kill off its hero, Connor Smith, a character modeled after a real-life acquaintance of the same name.

This desire reflects her broader struggles with identity and creative autonomy. Throughout the book, Eleanor’s personality oscillates between amusingly self-deprecating and gratingly cynical, which can alienate some readers.

Her interactions with other characters are often prickly, highlighting her tendency to use humor as a defense mechanism. Yet, there are moments of vulnerability that hint at a more complex and relatable inner life, particularly when dealing with her sister, Harper, or her ex, Oliver.

Connor

Connor is the real-life con man who inspired Eleanor’s fictional hero, Connor Smith. Unlike his suave and debonair literary counterpart, the real Connor is abrasive, arrogant, and entirely unapologetic about his flaws.

His request for Eleanor’s help after someone attempts to kill him sets the mystery in motion, though his motives remain ambiguous throughout the story. Connor is neither likable nor trustworthy, which creates tension between him and Eleanor, as she must decide whether his predicament is genuine or a product of his own narcissism.

His presence in Eleanor’s life is a constant source of irritation and unresolved conflict. This makes him a frustrating but integral character.

Harper Dash

Harper is Eleanor’s sister and an accomplished writer in her own right, casting a long shadow over Eleanor’s creative aspirations. Their relationship is defined by sibling rivalry, miscommunication, and unresolved tension.

Harper’s success and polished demeanor exacerbate Eleanor’s insecurities, creating a dynamic that is both emotionally charged and relatable. Despite their differences, there are hints of a deep bond between the sisters, though the novel fails to fully explore or resolve their relationship.

Harper’s character serves as a mirror to Eleanor, highlighting her flaws and driving home the theme of identity and self-worth.

Oliver

Oliver is Eleanor’s ex-boyfriend, who reappears unexpectedly during the book tour. His character is underdeveloped, functioning more as a plot device than a fully realized individual.

Oliver’s presence stirs up old emotions for Eleanor, but his limited screen time and lack of depth prevent him from making a lasting impression. He represents Eleanor’s unresolved romantic past, but his role in the mystery and her personal growth is minimal.

Isabella, Allison, and Emily

These three characters are part of the ensemble cast but fail to leave a strong impression. Their roles in the story are superficial, with little effort made to distinguish them as individuals.

They exist primarily to fill out the list of suspects and add to the chaotic atmosphere of the book tour. Unfortunately, their lack of depth means they contribute little to the intrigue or humor of the story.

Themes

Sibling Rivalry

The relationship between Eleanor and her sister Harper forms one of the central thematic threads of the novel. The tension between the siblings is rooted in professional jealousy, personal insecurities, and unresolved emotional baggage.

Harper, the successful and established writer, casts a long shadow over Eleanor’s aspirations. This leaves Eleanor feeling inadequate and embittered.

Their interactions reveal a blend of strained affection and underlying resentment, highlighting the complexities of familial relationships. However, the execution of this theme lacks nuance, as the dynamics between Eleanor and Harper are not fully explored or emotionally impactful.

Their inability to communicate effectively contradicts the premise of a close bond. This renders the exploration of sibling rivalry somewhat superficial and unconvincing.

Identity and Insecurity

Eleanor’s character is heavily defined by her struggles with self-worth and identity. Her journey as an author is riddled with doubt, inadequacy, and a desire to step out of the shadow of her own literary creation, Connor Smith.

Eleanor’s ambition to kill off her popular fictional character mirrors her yearning to assert control over her narrative—both literally and metaphorically. Her feelings of insecurity extend beyond her professional life, affecting her interpersonal relationships and self-perception.

While this theme provides insight into Eleanor’s psyche, her self-deprecating narration often veers into grating territory. This undermines the potential for a more profound exploration of her struggles with identity.

Interpersonal Connections and Alienation

The novel’s ensemble cast serves as a vehicle to explore the theme of interpersonal relationships. Eleanor’s interactions with the people around her—be it her literary rivals, fans, or the mysterious Connor—are marked by a sense of detachment and superficiality.

Her inability to form meaningful connections highlights a broader theme of alienation, whether intentional or accidental. However, the lack of emotional depth in these relationships prevents the theme from resonating with the reader.

While the novel positions Eleanor as a flawed but relatable protagonist, her abrasive personality detracts from the effectiveness of this theme. Additionally, the one-dimensional supporting characters fail to contribute to a sense of meaningful connection.

Life Imitating Art

The metafictional elements of the novel explore the blurred lines between fiction and reality. This is particularly evident through the premise of Eleanor’s book tour turning into a real-life murder mystery.

The parallels between Eleanor’s fictional world and her lived experiences underscore the theme of life imitating art. This adds a layer of irony and intrigue to the narrative.

This thematic exploration is bolstered by the inclusion of excerpts from Eleanor’s manuscript and her musings on the writing process. However, the execution often feels overly self-aware, with frequent use of footnotes and fourth-wall breaks disrupting the flow of the story.

While the theme is conceptually compelling, its potential is undermined by the heavy-handed and inconsistent narrative style. The result is a narrative that struggles to fully engage with its premise.

Humor and Pop Culture

Humor is a key component of the novel. The narrative is peppered with witty commentary, sarcastic footnotes, and numerous pop culture references.

These elements aim to create a modern and relatable tone. They engage readers with a playful approach to the mystery genre.

References to contemporary phenomena like “Bridgerton,” Taylor Swift, and TikTok position the story firmly within a specific cultural moment. This appeals to readers who enjoy a lighthearted and current perspective.

However, this reliance on humor and pop culture can feel excessive and alienating. The humor occasionally falls flat, and the dated references risk diminishing the novel’s long-term appeal.

Setting and Atmosphere

The Italian setting offers a backdrop that could have been rich with cultural and scenic allure. Iconic locations like Rome, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast are mentioned but are not brought to life in a way that immerses the reader.

Instead, the setting feels generic and interchangeable. The lack of vibrant detail diminishes the novel’s atmospheric potential.

This underutilization of the Italian backdrop makes the setting more of a missed opportunity than a thematic strength. A stronger focus on cultural and scenic details could have enhanced the story’s charm.

The Writing Process and Creative Struggles

Through Eleanor’s character, the novel delves into the challenges of the creative process. These include writer’s block, self-doubt, and the pressure to meet readers’ expectations.

These struggles are mirrored in Eleanor’s desire to kill off her beloved fictional hero. This reflects her internal battle to reclaim her artistic agency.

The inclusion of her manuscript drafts and plotting discussions adds a metafictional layer. These elements provide insight into the mind of a writer.

While this theme adds depth to the narrative, it is often overshadowed by the protagonist’s exaggerated personality. The overuse of footnotes also dilutes the impact of this otherwise intriguing exploration.