This book STRESSED ME OUT big time. Normally I listen to books straight through, but I had to take some breaks with this one, because it made me so uncomfortable.
The main character is a thriller author who gets a dinner invitation from a movie producer/screen writer (I forget which). Needless to say, he isn’t exactly what he claims to be.
This is a shorter book, but it’ll keep you on the edge of your seat. It’ll push your comfort boundaries and give you the heebie jeebies for sure.

Narrator- Mara Wilson is the narrator (as in Matilda and the litrle girl from Miracle on 34th street)! She does a fantastic job and really draws you into
The storyline.

I recommend this one for people who like psychological thrillers that are on the shorter side.

Thanks NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Hooray! I've been waiting to get aboard the Kiersten Modglin train, and Do Not Open was just the ticket. Do Not Open is exactly what you'd expect in a thriller, so if this is your genre, hop on. Mari is a semi-famous author who receives an email from her self-proclaimed biggest fan. She responds and the ride begins. I listened to the audioversion, which was the perfect way to jouney through this quick and fun novel.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #DreamScapeMedia for the ARC #DoNotOpen by #KierstenModglin. Wow, crazy good book about an author dealing with a devastating incident involving her husband and son while being tricked and imprisoned by a deranged fan. The ending is an explosive plot twist that I could have never figured out.

When Mari comes face to face with her number one fan, she doesn't expect to be trapped by them. But this thriller fan is inspired by her stories and wants to reenact parts out in real life. Will Mari be able to escape?

To be honest, I thought this book was quite clear cut with a pretty dated storyline but that ending sealed an extra star for me. The way it came together added a whole new dimension to the story which I was in shock over - in a good way! I'm glad I was able to read this one, it's another of KMod's backlist titles marked off my list. I always enjoy going into her books, knowing I'll never know what to expect!

Do Not Open is another book by Kiersten Modglin that I found myself a little bored with but then blown away by the conclusion.

This story follows Mari who is a struggling author. She gets an email to meet up with a local film producer to make her books into films. She is hesitant but ultimately goes for it. It was what Mari feared and she now is held captive by a crazy fan.

Does that sound familiar? That’s because it is. This was well written and had a great story but this was nothing we as readers have not seen before.

You know that something happened to Mari’s family but you don’t know what. The conclusion of this story including what happened to Mari’s family was some of the best storytelling and writing I have experienced this year. That’s what saved this book and turned it into a story I recommend.

Prepare to have your assumptions shattered as 'Do Not Open' takes you on a literary joyride filled with unexpected twists and turns..…

Book Information

‘Do Not Open’ by Kiersten Modglin is a 204-page mystery/thriller published on October 31, 2023. The audio version is narrated by Mara Wilson and is expected to be published on December 26, 2023. Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book for review.

Summary

Author Mari Montgomery, feeling at the end of her rope, receives a life-changing email promising a transformative opportunity. Despite initial unease, curiosity prevails, leading Mari to respond to the supposed fan. As events unfold, it becomes evident that her 'number one fan' is a sinister villain, trapping Mari in a perilous situation inspired by her own dark novel creations. To survive, Mari must tap into the strength of her heroines, confronting a threat that has infiltrated the worlds she meticulously crafted.

My Thoughts

Kiersten Modglin's ‘Do Not Open’ is a captivating story that bears a striking resemblance to the premise of Stephen King's "Misery." If you found the latter intriguing, this novel promises a similar engrossing narrative centered around the theme of obsession.

The book is a quick and short read, maintaining a tense atmosphere throughout its pages. It's an ideal choice for those seeking a brief yet compelling story. Modglin skillfully incorporates good twists, leading readers to form assumptions that she masterfully shatters later on. This technique keeps you guessing and engaged until the very end.

The novel delivers both suspense and fast pacing, complemented by Modglin's admirable attention to detail. However, some of Mari's strategies, particularly one involving food, raise questions about their feasibility. It's challenging to imagine that particular approach yielding success.

Mara Wilson, the narrator, skillfully contributes to the book's success, creating a captivating atmosphere that elevates the entire experience. Her exceptional performance not only adds to the thrill but also keeps the reader grounded during the more intense and graphic moments, showcasing her versatility and enhancing the overall impact of the narrative.

Despite minor queries, the book excels in delivering an excellent ending, a crucial aspect where many novels falter. Modglin manages to wrap up the story with finesse, ensuring reader satisfaction and solidifying the overall impact of ‘Do Not Open.’

Recommendation

Kiersten Modglin's 'Do Not Open,' is a riveting tale of obsession and suspense. With a quick and tense narrative, unexpected twists, and a satisfying conclusion, it's a good choice for fans of psychological thrillers.

Rating

4 Stalker Stars

I just want to make it clear I Dnf this book at chapter 13 and almost ended it three chapters earlier. This is a book about an author named Mary who lives in South Carolina and due to the loss of her husband and son tries to drink her self into the grave daily but as she lives she also tries to write a book which she is finding impossible due to her grief. When she receives a letter from a producer named Owen saying how much he and his wife enjoy her books and as they now live in South Carolina as well it would give him big points with his wife if she would come for coffee or dinner. He would also like to discuss possible work in the future with her. After Mary does her due diligence due to previous scammers Owen seems to flush out and so she agrees to go to his home for dinner. Her first red flag is when she arrives and he makes excuses as to why his wife isn’t there… I mean after all she was the one who he wanted to impress with the authors visit right? Either way merry goes along with the dinner but after one glass of wine she wakes up in a basement type room confused as to how she got there and when Owen comes into the room it doesn’t take long for Mary to know she is in deep deep trouble. I thought because I loved the book Misery by Stephen King that this sounded like my type of book and although I found Mary to be quite irritating I still was enjoying the book but after she escaped the second time only for him to outsmart her again really got under my skin I have found Kiersten Modglins books recently to be hit or miss and this was a big miss. I never do not finish books I have reviewed over 1500 on NetGalley and only have four that I didn’t finish in one was for technical reasons and the other was due to it not being screen reader accessible for the blind… Meaning me. But I did not finish that one. This is not me saying you shouldn’t read the book because people are affected by books for personal reasons and it’s not that this one wasn’t good it’s just that I thought so incredulous that Mowry in my opinion made the most idiotic decisions and I hope she redeemed herself before the end and if this sounds like something you would enjoy but definitely read it because I said people dislike books for personal reasons and this one did keep me intrigued for over50% of it. I want to thank dream scape media and NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Even though Kiersten Modglin has written lots of thrillers, Do Not Open is unique, surprising and exciting thriller.

The story started with Mari Morgan was an author. Mari received an email invitation and she didn’t expect it became a kidnap. Mari was desperate to escape, but was she able to escape?

Fast-paced story without any dragging and dull moment. The ending was extraordinarily good. Just stayed at the high point with a jaw-dropping twist.

The narrator Mara Wilson did a wonderful job. She created the whole thrilling atmosphere. Mara helped the book to raise into another high level.

Whoa!! What just happened?? I read this book in a couple of hours. The suspense was intense and the twists at the end hit me like a freight train! I do wish it had been a bit longer and more involved. Mara Wilson has a very pleasing and soothing tone even as she reads the more gruesome parts. This audiobook was a pleasure to listen to, thank you @dreamscapemedia and @netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this title for an honest review. #DoNotOpen #netgalley

DO NOT OPEN is an action packed thriller that I couldn't stop listening to. What happens to Mary is one of my worst nightmares. I'm still trying to figure out how KMOD comes up with all these creative ideas to keep writing multiple books each year. I thought the ending was well done and my take away from DO NOT OPEN is to go with your gut instinct!

Many thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for my gifted copy.

This review will shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.

Whoa!!!! This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. And I didn’t see the twist at the end! When I got to it, I literally gasped out loud.

I love this author and I honestly believe this may be my favorite book I’ve read by her. I want to talk to everyone about this book!!!!

Book five stars
Audio five stars

Yet another win from Kiersten Modglin!! This was probably the most intense book she’s written!!
This story follows an author , Mary, who is kidnapped and is desperately trying to escape her captor.
It’s such a fun, fast paced read and FULL of twists! Especially the last couple of chapters! Kept me on edge the whole time. Thank you NetGalley for my advanced copy of this audiobook!

I picked this up because I love the author and the narrator. It was not what I expected. I am not at all a crier but when our protagonist finally reveals how she lost her son and husband I was bawling. The shock!
The rest of it was good too but that moment almost broke me.
I should have expected Modglin to get me like this but oh my gosh!
Amazing. I need more.
Perfect narration too.

5 ⭐️'ˢ

“Do Not Open” By Kiersten Modglin

📕 Edition: Audiobook

Author, Mari Montgomery, receives a life-changing message that promises hope but unravels into a nightmarish scenario. 📧😱

Modglin's attention to detail is impeccable. The descriptions of the different cups made me feel like I was right there, sharing in Mari's unease.

As Mari faces her 'number one fan,' the plot takes a sinister turn that's straight out of a nightmare. The story is filled with elements of obsession and survival.

What starts as a seemingly innocent message escalates into a battle for survival against a villain who has mastered the art of darkness from Mari's own novels. The narrative skillfully mirrors the author's worst nightmare come to life, creating a truly haunting experience.

Seriously, If you enjoy stories that keep you guessing until the very end, Modglin’s books are for you! 🌟🔍

The Audiobook is available 12/26 while ebook and physical books are out now!

Thank you @netgalley and @dreamscape_media for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I liked this a lot!
THANK YOU to Dreamscape for another Kiersten Modglin audio approval! Woo!

I thought this was super fast-paced and tense throughout. I thought I had an idea of what might be happening but I was so wrong. Love a twist that can catch me off guard. Mari seemed down on herself but I liked seeing her badass side peek through at times while she was in this situation. The ending wraps everything up nicely.

Would recommend if you love:
-tense & thrilling
-obsessed 'number one fan' of an author
-flawed/ hurting FMC that shows her strong side

Mari Montgomery is a writer but for the last year she hasn't been able to write, or leave her house and is drinking way too much. Then she gets an email from a producer who wants to meet with her and she thinks her luck is changing.

This is a creepy story of obsession that truly haunts you as she meets her number one fan. This was such a perfect scary thriller to binge. The narrator does a fantastic job. There is some shocking revelations near the end. Mari must become the heroine of her own story in order to survive.

Thank you Dreamscape Media and Net Galley for this audiobook. I can't get enough of her books!