Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman

Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Murder Takes a Vacation is a charming and clever mystery that follows 68-year-old widow Muriel Blossom, a recent lottery winner and former private investigator. After years of living frugally with her homebody husband, Muriel decides it’s time to finally live—and books her first European river cruise. On the flight over, she meets the suave and mysterious Allan, and for the first time in years, Muriel feels a spark. But just as quickly as romance blooms, Allan dies under suspicious circumstances, and Muriel is drawn into a web of secrets involving a stranger named Danny, a makeover, and some questionable dealings Allan left behind.

What follows is a quirky, globe-trotting mystery filled with an eccentric cruise crew, a bit of international intrigue, and even some insight into the art world, including artist Joan Mitchell. It’s part cozy mystery, part jet-setting caper, and entirely entertaining.

Muriel is an instantly lovable character—sharp, relatable, and unexpectedly brave. I imagined her with the poise of Laura Dern, and Allan with the charm of Richard Gere, which made it even easier to dive into their dynamic. I appreciated Muriel’s boldness and vulnerability in equal measure. She sometimes acts impulsively—but we’ve all had those leap-before-you-look moments.

If I had one wish, it’d be to see Muriel indulge more. Despite her newfound wealth, she’s still incredibly modest. It would’ve been satisfying to watch her treat herself without guilt, especially on vacation or some other fun activity.

This isn’t your typical cozy mystery—it has more depth, grit, and a bit of sophistication. Laura Lippman fans will recognize Muriel from previous books, but this novel stands alone beautifully. Likely, this isn’t the last we'll see of Muriel Blossom; she’s a fresh, funny, and fearless heroine who deserves more adventures.

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