Picture a Canadian-American wordsmith who swapped thrillers for cozy mysteries, crafting a laugh-out-loud whodunit that’s headed for your TV screen—meet Catherine Mack! Writing under a pseudonym, this bestselling author, better known as Catherine McKenzie, has charmed readers with her witty debut, Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies, the first in her Vacation Mysteries series. With nearly two million books sold worldwide, Mack’s blend of humor, suspense, and Italian sunsets has critics buzzing and Hollywood knocking.
But who is the mastermind behind this irresistible cozy mystery? Let’s dive into the life, works, and impact of Catherine Mack, a storyteller who proves vacations can be murderously fun.
The Making of Catherine Mack
Catherine Mack is the alter ego of Catherine McKenzie, a Montreal-based author whose novels have topped USA Today and Globe & Mail bestseller lists. A dual Canadian and US citizen, McKenzie’s early career focused on darker thrillers like Have You Seen Her and The Good Liar. After years of exploring the shadows, she craved a lighter canvas, adopting the Mack pseudonym to pivot to cozy mysteries. Her inspiration? A whirlwind Italian adventure at age 25, sparked by a romance with a charming conman, which fueled her first Vacation Mysteries novel.
Raised in a family struck by tragedy—her parents’ death left her to raise her younger sister—McKenzie put her dreams on hold. That Italian trip, a moment of reclaimed freedom, ignited her writing career. What started as an accidental novel became a global sensation, proving her knack for turning personal chaos into compelling stories.
Catherine Mack’s Unforgettable Stories
Mack’s debut, Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies (2024), introduces Eleanor Dash, a bestselling author on an Italian book tour that spirals into a real-life murder mystery. Eleanor, witty and flawed, breaks the fourth wall with snappy footnotes and Taylor Swift references, unraveling a plot as sun-drenched as it is suspenseful. Critics call it “spellbinding as Knives Out,” praising its humor and clever twists.
The series continues with No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding (2024), where Eleanor tackles another chaotic mystery. Mack’s style—light, meta, and brimming with publishing insider jokes—sets her apart in the cozy mystery genre. Her plots weave romance, rivalry, and red herrings, all set against vivid backdrops like Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Unlike McKenzie’s taut thrillers, Mack’s work leans into playful misdirection, inviting readers to solve the puzzle alongside Eleanor.
With translations in French, German, Portuguese, and Polish, Mack’s books resonate globally. Her ability to balance humor with intricate plotting has earned comparisons to Agatha Christie, but with a modern, Aperol-spritz vibe.
Why Catherine Mack Matters
Catherine Mack’s impact lies in her reinvention of the cozy mystery. By smashing genre tropes with self-aware humor, she’s carved a niche for readers craving wit with their whodunits. Her novels, approaching two million copies sold, have redefined McKenzie’s career, proving authors can pivot genres without losing their spark. The Fox TV adaptation of the Vacation Mysteries, with Mack penning the pilot, signals her growing cultural footprint.
Beyond sales, Mack’s stories resonate for their heart. Eleanor Dash, inspired by Mack’s own struggles, embodies resilience and reinvention, inspiring readers to embrace their own plot twists. Her work reminds us that even on vacation, life’s mysteries are worth solving.
- Pen Name: Catherine Mack (Catherine McKenzie)
- Key Works: Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies, No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding
- Notable: Fox TV series in development
Ready for a literary getaway? Snag Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies and dive into Catherine Mack’s hilarious, sun-soaked mysteries!