In Murder Takes a Vacation, bestselling author Laura Lippman delivers a mystery that is both cozy and cosmopolitan, blending gentle humor, reflective themes, and a dash of danger aboard a scenic river cruise through France. Featuring Muriel Blossom a widow, grandmother, and former private investigator’s assistant this novel offers a fresh take on the amateur sleuth trope with a heroine who is older, wiser, and delightfully human.
Muriel Blossom never expected to see her life take a thrilling turn. A practical woman devoted to her family, she’s the kind who usually blends into the background. But when she finds a winning lottery ticket in a grocery store parking lot, she decides to do something entirely uncharacteristic: take a vacation. Her winnings send her on a Parisian river cruise aboard the MS Solitaire, where the gentle flow of the Seine and the romance of travel promise renewal and maybe even a touch of adventure.
Everything changes when she meets Allan, a charming man who ignites feelings she thought she’d left behind after her husband’s death. Yet within twenty-four hours of landing in Paris, Allan turns up dead in a city he wasn’t even supposed to be in. Suddenly, Mrs. Blossom is caught in the middle of a mystery involving stolen art, deceitful strangers, and a web of lies that seems to tighten around her the further she sails from home.
As the cruise continues, a mysterious man named Danny keeps appearing always nearby when something goes wrong. He insists Allan was mixed up in art smuggling and that Muriel knows more than she realizes. Torn between curiosity and caution, Mrs. Blossom must decide who she can trust and how far she’s willing to go to uncover the truth.
Lippman’s writing shines in its portrayal of a woman rediscovering herself. Mrs. Blossom is far from the perfect sleuth; she is uncertain, occasionally naive, and often self-deprecating. Yet these very qualities make her endearing and believable. The story isn’t just about solving a murder it’s about second chances, late-life reinvention, and the quiet courage of stepping beyond one’s comfort zone. Readers familiar with Lippman’s Tess Monaghan series will recognize Mrs. Blossom as a supporting character now taking center stage. That backstory adds depth, but new readers will have no trouble following along.
The Parisian and river-cruise setting gives the book its charm. Lippman captures the rhythm of travel the idle chatter of passengers, the soft splash of the river, and the deceptive tranquility that hides danger just beneath the surface. The mystery itself unfolds at an unhurried pace, more gentle puzzler than high-stakes thriller, making it ideal for readers who prefer their crime fiction with a touch of elegance and warmth.
While the story occasionally lingers too long on Muriel’s self-reflection, it’s easy to forgive. The narrative’s slower tempo suits its introspective tone, and the witty observations sprinkled throughout keep it engaging. Some long-time Lippman fans may find the plot less sharp than her earlier works, but the emotional honesty of Muriel’s journey makes this novel stand out in its own right.
Murder Takes a Vacation is a lovely escape a cozy, thoughtful mystery about grief, growth, and the surprising ways life keeps offering new adventures. With its mix of charm, suspense, and humanity, it’s perfect for readers who enjoy mysteries with heart and a touch of wanderlust.
