Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies and No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding by Catherine Mack

 

Reviewed by Kristin

Eleanor Dash has made quite a name for herself by simply telling the truth. Well, a version of the truth anyway. Since that fateful trip to Italy a decade ago where she got mixed up in solving crimes, she is now an accomplished author of the Vacation Mystery series. Eleanor thought that changing most of the names except for Connor Smith, the star of her book series and the original star investigator would be a great idea. After all, Connor should be flattered that she used his name and gave him credit. Unfortunately, Connor decides to take it as a chance to usurp a significant percentage of Eleanor’s royalties—for the first book, When in Rome, and every one after. It’s no wonder that Eleanor is ready to kill Connor. On the page, that is.

The second in the series sees Eleanor, sister Harper, actress and best friend Emma, Emma’s fiancé (actor) Fred, and a large cast of characters on Catalina Island off the coast of California, for Emma and Fred’s wedding. Conveniently, Emma and Fred are also starring in the movie adaptation of When in Rome. Keep it in the family, and all that. But a storm is brewing, and not just metaphorically. Eleanor and the entire crew are trapped on Catalina when a note turns up that says, “Someone is going to die at the wedding.”

I listened to both of these titles as audiobooks, so was charmed to see the cover and end pages of the physical books at the library. The covers are realistic cartoon drawings, and the inner end pages look like scrapbook bits and pieces with fun little notes like, “Harper, have you checked the latest forecast? There’s not an ACTUAL hurricane coming to Catalina, is there? That’s, like, fake weather news—right?”

I enjoyed these fast moving stories that were a bit over the top, but still wickedly funny. The characters are very likeable (except Connor; we don’t really like him, but he still hangs around.) Coming in April 2026: This Weekend Doesn’t End Well for Anyone.

Audio Book Recommendations by Christy

 

            I didn’t start listening to audio books until I was in my 30s, and I’m kicking myself that I waited that long. I still read traditional books but for some genres (specifically non-fiction), I prefer the audio medium now. Listening to audio books has almost doubled my yearly reading count, and opened up a new world of content for me. Here are a few of my favorite audio books that I highly recommend.

I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend by Martin Short

            This book is what got me into audio books. I checked it out on a whim after seeing a few glowing reviews pop up on Good Reads. I liked Martin Short just fine but never really gave him a second thought. This book made me love him and appreciate his talents. He does silly voices and sings songs but he’s also clearly grateful for his friends, family, and the life he leads. He also tenderly remembers loved ones who have passed, and it’s hard not to feel his grief along with him. A well-rounded and charming memoir.

 

True Crime from Texas Monthly

            A collection of five articles from Texas Monthly, this audio book is perfect for true crime fans who may not be in the mood to commit to one story. As someone who seeks out in depth, true crime articles, Texas Monthly always seems to deliver, and this audio book is further proof of that. Whether you want to hear about a woman who robbed banks for years dressed as a man or a mother who plotted murder to secure her daughter’s spot on a cheerleading squad, there’s something here for everyone.

 

Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

            This is a great, quick listen that you could probably finish up while wrapping Christmas presents. I hadn’t read this book since elementary school but it’s still as charming as ever. Elaine Stritch does a fantastic job narrating, and she sounds like she’s enjoying herself too. A delightful way to kick off the holiday season!

The Expanse series by James S. A. Corey

Reviewed by Kristin

Good science fiction really draws me in and keeps me reading, watching, and/or listening.  It’s not so much the androids, space battles, or alien worlds which bring me back, but the characters.  Recently I’ve been using Tennessee READS to listen to audiobooks in the Expanse series by James S. A. Corey (a pseudonym for writing partners Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck.)  I have found the characters so engaging that I don’t always turn off the stories when I pull into the driveway, but continue listening while cooking dinner, feeding the cats, or doing other household chores.

In the Expanse universe, humans have managed to escape the gravity well of Earth, put colonies on the moon (Luna), Mars, and several outer moons and space stations.  Traveling to other stars is still a stretch of the imagination, but people are working as hard as they can to find a way.  Alien presence in the universe makes itself known even here within our solar system, but in the form of molecules and long abandoned gateways, not as bug-eyed figures intent on destroying Earth.  As passageways to new worlds are found, alliances swiftly change as planetary governments and corporations race to plant their flags in the soil of newly discovered planets.

The series follows the exploits of a small crew based on the spaceship Rocinante for most of the series. (This is a tiny spoiler, since they transition to the ship and rename her during the first book, Leviathan Wakes.)  James Holden takes charge and the rest of the crew is made up of engineer Naomi Nagata, mechanic Amos Burton, and pilot Alex Kamal.  Various other characters move in and out of the picture, but these four individuals form a crew committed to working together.

Some of the other interesting characters include Fred Johnson, head of the Outer Planets Alliance; Detective Miller, intent on tracking down the missing girl Julie Mao; Bobbie Draper, a Martian ex-Marine, and Chrisjen Avasarala, an Earth based UN bigwig who wants what she wants when she wants it, and liberally sprinkles her demands with four letter words, despite being described as a tiny little old lady.  I have found myself laughing out loud when Avasarala pops up on the com screen or strides into the room.

George R.R. Martin calls the books “Interplanetary adventure the way it was mean to be written,” which of course is proudly displayed across the front of the paperback editions.  The series has also been adapted to the small screen by the SyFy channel, currently in the third season.  DVDs for the first two seasons of The Expanse are coming soon to the Bristol Public Library.  I can’t wait.

Including full length novels and the occasional shorter e-book/audio novella, the series titles are:

1. Leviathan Wakes (2011)

2. Caliban's War (2012)

2.5. Gods of Risk (2012)

3. Abaddon's Gate (2013)

3.5. The Churn (2014)

4. Cibola Burn (2014)

5. Nemesis Games (2015)

5.5. The Vital Abyss (2015)

6. Babylon's Ashes (2016)

6.5. Strange Dogs (2017)

7. Persepolis Rising (2017)

8. Tiamat's Wrath (2018)