Laura Lippman’s latest offering, Murder Takes a Vacation, represents a masterful evolution in contemporary mystery fiction, elevating the familiar cruise ship setting into something far more nuanced and emotionally resonant. This standalone novel featuring Muriel Blossom—a character who previously appeared in Lippman’s Tess Monaghan series—demonstrates the author’s remarkable ability to blend intimate character study with international intrigue.
The story follows sixty-eight-year-old Mrs. Blossom, a former private investigator whose life transforms when she discovers a winning lottery ticket worth $8.75 million. Her decision to embark on a luxurious Seine river cruise becomes the catalyst for a complex mystery involving stolen antiquities, murder, and deception that spans from Baltimore to Paris.
Character Development: The Invisible Woman Made Visible
Mrs. Blossom’s Journey of Self-Discovery
Lippman’s greatest achievement in this novel lies in her portrayal of Mrs. Blossom, a protagonist who challenges conventional mystery fiction archetypes. Rather than the sharp-tongued amateur sleuth or the world-weary detective, we encounter a woman who has spent most of her life being overlooked—a quality that once made her excellent at surveillance work but now serves as both vulnerability and strength.
The author skillfully navigates Mrs. Blossom’s relationship with her body, age, and place in the world without falling into patronizing territory. Her protagonist is neither defined by nor ashamed of her size, instead presenting a fully realized woman whose self-worth comes from her intelligence, kindness, and resilience. This representation feels authentic and refreshing in a genre that often sidelines older women or reduces them to stereotypes.
Supporting Cast Complexity
The ensemble cast aboard the MS Solitaire is where Lippman’s experience with character development truly shines. From the mysterious Danny Johnson to the elegant Pat Siemen, each passenger harbors secrets that gradually unfold through careful observation and dialogue. The relationship between Mrs. Blossom and her lifelong friend Elinor provides emotional grounding, while the romantic subplot with Allan Turner—brief though it may be—adds poignancy to the proceedings.
Plot Structure: A Masterclass in Misdirection
The Art of the Slow Burn
Lippman constructs her mystery with the patience of a master craftsperson, allowing tension to build gradually through seemingly innocent encounters. The initial meet-cute with Allan on the transatlantic flight transforms into something far more sinister when he’s found dead in Paris, setting up a chain of events that questions everything Mrs. Blossom thought she knew about her fellow travelers.
The central mystery revolving around the stolen Quqnoz—a Pakistani bird statue with sapphire ornamentation—serves as more than just a MacGuffin. It becomes a symbol of colonial exploitation and cultural appropriation, adding layers of meaning to what could have been a simple theft plot. The revelation that the statue’s “eyes” (sapphires) have been hidden in plain sight among Mrs. Blossom’s melatonin gummies is both clever and satisfying.
Pacing and Revelation
The author’s pacing deserves particular praise. Rather than overwhelming readers with action sequences, Lippman builds suspense through psychological tension and gradual revelation. The cruise ship setting becomes claustrophobic as Mrs. Blossom realizes she’s being watched and followed, yet the beautiful French countryside provides a stark contrast to the mounting danger.
Writing Style: Elegant Prose Meets Sharp Observation
Lippman’s Sophisticated Voice
Lippman’s prose throughout Murder Takes a Vacation demonstrates remarkable restraint and elegance. Her descriptions of French landscapes, cuisine, and culture feel authentic without becoming travelogue-heavy. The author clearly conducted thorough research for this novel, as evidenced by her detailed knowledge of Seine river cruises, French customs, and art history.
The dialogue sparkles with wit and authenticity, particularly in conversations between Mrs. Blossom and Elinor, whose sixty-year friendship provides some of the novel’s most touching moments. Lippman has a gift for capturing the rhythms of long-term friendship, complete with unspoken understandings and gentle teasing.
Narrative Perspective
The third-person limited perspective through Mrs. Blossom’s eyes proves ideal for this story. It allows readers to experience her confusion and growing awareness while maintaining the mystery’s integrity. Lippman never cheats by withholding crucial information that Mrs. Blossom would reasonably notice, yet manages to keep readers guessing until the final revelations.
Themes: Beyond the Surface Mystery
Aging, Identity, and Self-Worth
One of the novel’s strongest elements is its exploration of what it means to be an older woman in contemporary society. Mrs. Blossom’s journey isn’t just about solving a mystery—it’s about recognizing her own value and potential for growth at sixty-eight. The lottery winnings serve as a metaphor for second chances, while her detective work proves that experience and observation can be more valuable than youth and energy.
Friendship and Romance
Lippman handles both platonic and romantic relationships with nuance rarely seen in mystery fiction. The friendship between Mrs. Blossom and Elinor feels lived-in and genuine, complete with jealousies and misunderstandings alongside deep affection. The romantic elements, while tragic given Allan’s fate, are portrayed with dignity and genuine emotion.
Critical Assessment: Strengths and Weaknesses
What Works Exceptionally Well
- Character authenticity: Mrs. Blossom feels like a real person rather than a plot device
- Cultural sensitivity: The art theft storyline addresses issues of cultural appropriation thoughtfully
- Setting integration: The French river cruise setting is both beautiful and functional to the plot
- Emotional depth: The story works on multiple levels beyond the central mystery
Areas for Improvement
While Murder Takes a Vacation succeeds on most levels, some elements feel less polished. The resolution, while satisfying, comes together quite rapidly after a deliberately paced build-up. Certain red herrings, particularly around Danny’s true identity, feel somewhat overwrought given their ultimate resolution.
Additionally, some readers might find the coincidences that drive the plot—Mrs. Blossom’s presence on the same flight as Allan, the lottery ticket discovery—stretch credibility, though Lippman handles these elements with enough skill to maintain suspension of disbelief.
Place in Lippman’s Body of Work
Evolution from the Tess Monaghan Series
For readers familiar with Lippman’s acclaimed Tess Monaghan series, Murder Takes a Vacation represents both continuity and evolution. While Mrs. Blossom appeared in Another Thing to Fall (2008), this standalone novel allows Lippman to explore different themes and settings while maintaining her signature blend of character development and mystery plotting.
The book demonstrates Lippman’s growth as a writer since her breakthrough with Baltimore Blues (1997) and her more recent standalone successes like Lady in the Lake (2019) and Dream Girl (2021). Her ability to create compelling protagonists across different demographics and situations continues to impress.
Similar Reading Recommendations
Readers who enjoy Murder Takes a Vacation might appreciate:
- Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series – for similarly character-driven mysteries with emotional depth
- Agatha Christie’s “Poirot” novels – particularly those set in exotic locations with ensemble casts
- Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody series – for strong female protagonists in international settings
- Donna Leon’s Commissario Brunetti series – for mysteries that integrate location and culture meaningfully
- Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad series – for sophisticated psychological mystery writing
Final Verdict: A Refined Addition to Contemporary Mystery Fiction
Murder Takes a Vacation succeeds as both an engaging mystery and a thoughtful character study. Lippman has crafted a novel that respects its readers’ intelligence while delivering the satisfying elements that make mystery fiction enduringly popular. Mrs. Blossom emerges as a protagonist worth following, and her journey from invisibility to agency provides emotional resonance that elevates the entire enterprise.
The book works equally well for mystery veterans and newcomers to the genre, offering enough complexity to satisfy dedicated puzzle-solvers while remaining accessible to casual readers. Lippman’s continued evolution as a writer is evident throughout, confirming her position among the most reliable voices in contemporary crime fiction.
This delightful combination of travelogue, character study, and traditional mystery makes Murder Takes a Vacation a worthy addition to any mystery lover’s collection, proving that the best mysteries are often about much more than just solving crimes.
