I’ve been seeing this book all over Bookstagram lately and I’ve heard a lot of great things. Unfortunately, I’m coming in with an unpopular opinion.

Overall, it was fine. The writing was good and the premise behind it was super interesting - a new weight loss pill that was actually incredibly dangerous (and turned out to be a real thing, as I learned by reading the author’s note at the end).

In saying that, I think I was just the wrong audience for this book because I didn’t feel remotely invested in any of it. I felt that the same facts were being reiterated over and over again, and that nothing was really moving the story along.

I didn’t necessarily feel like I was forcing my way through it, but I just couldn’t get excited about it. I definitely felt like there was a lot missing, especially in order to call it a thriller.

Lots of people seem to really be loving this one, so make sure you check it out if it sounds like your thing!

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada for my gifted copy!

This is a very sad book which depicts the fact that so many people are striving to be thin. Not just fit or healthy, but thin. Body image is so important to many folks and so very deceiving. How one looks outside is not how how believes one looks from the inside, the result is eating disorders, bulimia, pills, and addictions. This book is an example of the extreme. The use of a dangerous chemical when taken in larger quantities leads inexorably to a horrible death. This book portrays the urgency of stopping or curtailing the access to this dangerous drug and letting the world know about it. What is so sad is that young people who die will never reach their potential, and also that the drug war is never stopped but merely rerouted! I enjoyed the book. The suthor writes well and the passion and the seriousness of the topic comes out clearly in it.

The book was ok overall, not great. The topic was interesting and current, but execution was so-so.
The plot was basically about toxic diet pills and the deadly effects they have on women that suffer from body image issues. It also covers greediness and superficial partnerships that are based on common convenience.
It was well laid out, but it didn't wow me.
What bothered me more were the unnecessary brand name droppings throughout the book. They served no purpose to the story whatsoever. It felt like some poor attempt at character development, but it just didn't work for me.
Overall, it was an okay book, but not one I would recommend first hand to anyone asking. It is surely entertaining, but that's about it.

"Fit to Die" is a medical thriller written by Daniel Kalla. The book centers around the eating disorders and the use if certain dietary supplements that could be linking several associated deaths.

The story is fast-paced and suspenseful, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers engaged. Kalla's medical background shines through in the detail and accuracy of the medical information presented in the book. The characters are well-developed and realistic, and the plot is both plausible and frightening and most importantly, brings to light the impact social media has on body image and eating disorders. Especially in young, influential minds. Being in healthcare, I can not emphasize enough how much I enjoyed reading a captivating work of fiction with such accurately described medical references.

One of the strengths of the book is its attention to detail in describing the medical aspects of the signs and symptoms of DNP poisoning. This makes the story all the more compelling and provides a sense of realism that is often lacking in other medical thrillers.

Overall, "Fit to Die" is an engaging and well-written medical thriller that will appeal to fans of the genre. This is my first time reading a book by Daniel Kalla, but I can assure you, it will not be my last.

A sincere Thank you to NetGallery for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kalla has done it again with this amazing medical mystery, based around a toxic weight loss pill, and the affects of social media kalla really makes this novel realistic to the reader. The fast pace, the short characters, the mult3 pov really add to the overall concept of the drug epidemic Happening in today's society

In Daniel Kalla's new medical thriller Fit To Die, it appears drug addiction is to blame for multiple mysterious deaths in both Los Angeles and Vancouver, but is this actually the case?

This is a thriller I've known about shortly after reading Kalla's The Darkness In The Light last year, and although I was excited to read this one, I procrastinated because I just didn't think I was going to like it as much as the last one - but boy, was I wrong!

The short chapters in this novel propel the momentum ahead at lightening speed, not to mention just how addictive this book is!

With police departments on either side of the US/Canada border working together to bring needed justice, I loved seeing how the two jurisdictions had differences in their policies and terminologies. There were a few clichéd jabs at each other, which added a bit of humour to an otherwise dark book as well.

I am still shocked at how well Kalla writes! There are a lot of characters, and a lot of medical information in this story, but it is written in such an easy and approachable way; this is exactly what really blew me away with The Darkness In The Light as well.

A thriller that makes you question influencers and targeted ads, the beauty and health industry, and just how much stock we put into our own image - this is one that makes you think.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the complimentary copy to read and review.

This book is a gripping mix of deception, addiction, and the treacherous allure of perfection.

Set in Vancouver and Los Angeles, this book took me on a rollercoaster ride through the sinister underbelly of the cities where social media, mental health, and illicit diet pills collide in a deadly dance.

The story begins in LA with the mysterious death of a senator's son from a drug overdose.

Dr. Julie Rees, a seasoned Vancouver toxicologist, uncovers a trend of overdoses among individuals battling eating disorders and bodybuilders in Vancouver. Intrigued by the alarming surge, she shares her concerns with her boyfriend, Detective Anson Chen, setting in motion a chain of events that will test their resilience and unravel a web of deceit.

As the body count rises, the LA and Vancouver storylines weave together beautifully, interconnecting the lives of the characters.

A renowned pop star and social media influencer becomes the next victim, succumbing to the same symptoms observed in Dr. Rees's patients. I found the tension growing and I thought I had things figured out but I was totally wrong.

Fit To Die goes deep into the dark side of society, addressing prevalent issues such as addiction, body image, and the devastating consequences of social media influence.

I really enjoyed Daniel Kalla's storytelling style, his knowledge on the subject being an ER doctor made this book so fascinating. The ending was just chef's kiss, I wasn't expecting it and I love that.

This book was different for me since I usually review romance books not thrillers.
Fit to die is a mystery thriller where people are dying from diet pills that are popping up in Vancouver and LA. This story has several POV, mainly from detectives in LA and those in Vancouver as they try to solve the case before more people die.

This book is indeed a standalone, however; some characters do appear in some of Daniel Kalla’s other book(s).

This has warnings of death, eating disorders, intense diets, mental health and mentions of drug abuse.

I rated this book 3/5 and a lot of that comes from me not being in a mood for a thriller and since I am a mood reader it was more of a challenge. What I found difficult was following all these different characters at the very beginning but once they started to come together it became a lot easier to manage.

As someone from Vancouver I enjoyed all the mentions of landmarks.

This book serves as a reminder of how dangerous any drug could be, doesn’t have to solely be diet pills.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a fast paced medical thriller/police procedural! While the writing wasn't particularly polished or beautiful it suited the story. The plot was crazy but also seemed totally possible. It's a sad commentary on society that influencers have so much impact. The saddest part is that after all this time we still are dying to be thin. In this case literally dying to be thin. Some of the victims are innocents just trying to look skinny and some are perpetrators who kind of deserve what they get. (That sounds horrible, but if you enjoy seeing terrible people reaping what they sow then you too will feel some level satisfaction and schadenfreude.)

I really enjoyed the cast of characters in this. The "good guys" who are the doctors and police are all fleshed out and complex. I do wonder if these same characters are in Kalla's previous novels. They seem to have a lot of backstory that could totally be another novel or two. After reading this one, I'm definitely going to check out his back list.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for providing an Electronic Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley for review.

Daniel Kalla does it again. This was a fast past medical thriller that was impossible to put down. I did not see the twist at the end coming! The premise of this book was terrifying because of how real the topic is and how it may impact impressionable people who struggle with body issues, who are desperate to lose weight.

Highly recommend

𝗜𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝘄𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀

𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗹 𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮

I was inspired to write my thriller, 𝘍𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘋𝘪𝘦, after I heard about an overdose in a young person who died after swallowing only three diet pills that contained the poison DNP. Even as an experienced ER doctor, I’d never heard of DNP. I was stunned to learn that it’s an explosive which dates back to the trenches of WWI and is now aggressively marketed online as a diet pill and/or body-building supplement. I was shocked to discover that despite having caused clusters of deaths around the world, DNP is still readily available for online purchase.

I always strive to write realistic thrillers based on medical or scientific issues with the potential for significant societal impact. In other words, to raise awareness through storytelling. And I was inspired to write a realistic novel – part police procedural and part medical thriller – that delves into the havoc wreaked by the focus society, especially social media, places on body image. Especially within the toxic diet culture. The problem has existed for decades but is amplified now by the megaphone of social media, which chips away at self-esteem and creates artificial, unattainable beauty standards that contribute to body dysmorphia.

In my story, a string of unexplained deaths from DNP occurs simultaneously in LA and Vancouver. The victims include a senator’s son and the co-owner of a wildly popular wellness center with locations in both cities. But when a pop star/Instagram sensation also dies, DNP truly goes viral. But who’s behind the online marketing and distribution of the DNP? And how is the wellness center connected?

The daunting challenge of putting the pieces together falls to two detectives—Anson Chen in Vancouver and Cari Garcia in LA—and Anson’s girlfriend, Dr. Julie Rees, a toxicologist. Can they disrupt the flow of this tempting poison before it becomes the next TikTok sensation?

In the end, what matters more that what we weigh is how comfortable we are in are in our own skin. And I hope that message comes through loud and clear in 𝘍𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘋𝘪𝘦.

💊

𝘍𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘋𝘪𝘦 was published on 9 May 2023 by Simon & Schuster Canada.

A huge thank you to both @SimonSchusterCa and @Netgalley for both the advanced reader’s e-book and the final copy. Thank you so much to Daniel Kalla for his contribution.

💊

This article can be found at my Instagram account:

https://instagram.com/p/CsQUTccOzZR/

Fit to Die is a psychological thriller centred around our obsession with being fit & thin by any and all means necessary. Kalla, Canadian author and emergency medicine practitioner, infuses the plot with his medical expertise to make this thriller’s realness hit home.

Fact meets fiction in Fit to Die as Kalla looks at new fads and diets, rigourous regimes to tone, shred & shed, and quick fixes. All of which are plentiful and marketed heavily - Instagram seems to push them out to me relentlessly!!

In Fit to Die, one such miracle cure is a tiny capsule taken 1/day and called DNP - which happens to be an explosive and toxic agent which is lethal even in small doses. Either immediately or slowly over time. (It’s actually a real toxin that continues to be sold today!)

As in real life, in Fit to Die when people suddenly begin dying, including a noted influencer and celebrity, police in both LA and Vancouver must find the online anonymous market before the trail is lost to the dark web. Officers rush to find the distribution to quell the rising body count.

Fit to Die is predicated on our vulnerabilities, internalized shame, and crippled sense of self-worth. All of which is ravenously preyed upon by the diet and fitness culture and nourished by societal pressures to be fit, thin, glowing, and gorgeous - always. This psychological thriller is one that is deeply relatable and unsettling. As someone who has constantly worried about my weight and whose self esteem is sadly tethered to my body - I get the desperation. The longing and desire to be - smaller. It’s absurd but true. All told, this book held my interest and at times gave me pause to think and reflect.

Thank you to @simonschusterca @netgalley and
@danielkallawrites for my gifted copy!

Trigger warnings: disorder eating, anorexia, bulimia, body dysmorphia, suicidal ideation, to name a few.

Another great book by Daniel Kalla! This book explores topics such as social media, influencers, wellness industry and eating disorders, and the impact these have when they all merge. The story is engaging but felt kind of rushed. Would have been good to have some perspective from one of the characters who suffers from an eating disorder. Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and the author for an ARC of this book.

The medical details in this book are great. The plot overall is wonderful. My complaint is how I just don't care about anyone really in the story. I feel nothing for any of the victims, and the main characters don't seem all that intriguing. There could have also been a lot more depth when it comes to the commentary on influencers, eating disorders, and the dangers of pills bought on the internet.

If you're looking for a thriller that offers something more than just the standard whodunit, then this is a book worth reading. If you love going into medical details, Daniel Kalla is perfect at that. It just doesn't quite tick all the boxes for me.

This medical thriller was fantastic! Written by a Canadian author and medical doctor, it explores the world of diet pills, eating disorders and body dysmorphia.

Obviously, these are some really tough and heavy topics, but Kalla does an excellent job of addressing them in a realistic yet tasteful manner. Even though there is quite a bit of medical “speak”, it is easy to follow and really helps in explaining the gravity of the situation. The characters’ back stories add a level of empathy and understanding with relation to others’ plights.

I absolutely loved that this book was set in both Canada and the USA. The concurrent events in different cities makes for a fast-paced plot but also demonstrates how rampant these problems are.

I’ll admit I did not see the final twist coming, and it only made me love this book more! While it is a work of fiction, the topics addressed here are so important and sadly affect too many people.

I highly recommend this book if you enjoy thrillers, better yet, medical thrillers, but please check the trigger warnings first.

A timely book focusing on deadly diet pills causing a rash of deaths in Vancouver and Los Angeles. Toxicologist Dt. Julie Rees and her detective boyfriend Anson Chen join forces with LAPD Detective Cari Garcia to track down the online supplier and prevent other deaths. A possible link between the drugs & a popular wellness centre is also explored.

I received a digital ARC from Netgalley & Simon and Schuster Canada. All opinions are my own.

This is a very topical books with all the news about new ways to diet. The detectives are responsible and working hard. Having a Canadian and American focus adds to the story rather than detracts. Quite enjoyed it, wanted to keep reading to see what happened.

3.5 Fit to Die is Danel Kalla's new novel.

There is such a focus on body weight in our society - rather than on being healthy. Kalla takes this skewed thinking as the basis of his plot in Fit to Die. Emergency rooms in Vancouver and LA are dealing with overdoses of an unnamed drug. Once the common thread is named, I thought, no way. But no, it's real. (and that is pretty scary)

Here's the neat bit - Kalla is himself an emergency physician in Vancouver, Canada. I can't even imagine what's he's seen or dealt with over the years. His medical expertise adds much to his book's overall feel in terms of setting, action and dialogue.

His protagonists are medical and law enforcement players whose lives intersect. Some of the characters have appeared in previous books and it's nice to see them again. The investigation is believable from both points of view.

Kalla keeps things moving at a good pace. There's a few twists that keeps the reader on their toes. Overall, an entertaining read for those who like medical thrillers.

Compulsive story that hits close to home for so many. I love this author and how his stories take place in my own backyard. I feel as if I'm watching it all play out on TV, the writing is very descriptive. In fact, I would love to see any one of his books brought to life on tv or a movie

Fit to Die by Daniel Kalla is a medical thriller about eating disorders and drug overdoses.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Simon & Schuster, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
LAPD Detective Cari Garcia is investigating the death of Owen Galloway, son of a US Senator who is sure it was murder.  Cari thinks it may have been a drug overdose.  Owen was a star track runner who was intent on making his body lean and strong.

Meanwhile in Vancouver, Dr. Julie Rees, a toxicologist, is concerned with the rising death count of overdoses.  When an American star dies in Vancouver of a drug overdose, Julie's boyfriend, Detective Anson Chen and his partner are put in charge of the case.

Apparently the drug of choice right now contains DNP, which was originally used in the the trenches in WWI and the mining industry as an explosive, but has been found (in small doses), to help with weight loss and muscle enhancement.  Unfortunately, DNP can cause seizures, an abnormally high fever, and death.

The three detectives work together to tie the drug to a popular wellness center that has facilities in both Vancouver and LA.  But they discover that may not be the only source of the drug.


My Opinions:
I had never heard of DNP before, and it is downright scary!  I thought Fentanyl was bad....and it is probably worse because it is much more prevalent, but DNP, if it takes off, could be worse.

Basically the book centers around body image and eating disorders, and how the problems are exacerbated by social media and the weight loss industry.  It is just sad.

The book was very straight-forward, and anything medical was explained very well.  I liked the characters, although I could have done without the romance angles, which really did nothing for the book.

Overall, it was a fast, interesting read.