I love those stories about pyramid schemes and MLMs, always wondering how people fall for the obvious sales pitch and lies; Im also a big fan of a crime thriller so when the two stories combined, I was in.

Drew has moved back home after her New York journalism career came to an abrupt halt. She has no job, no friends, is living with her dad in her childhood home - and no idea what she's going to do. She bumps into old best friend Steph, who tells about this amazing business opportunity, Luminus. Steph has everything going for her, she looks great, they have a huge house, brand new car, designer wardrobe and more, all thanks to Luminus.

Drew signs up and her world suddenly changes, she is enveloped in this whirlwind of Luminus meetings, pressure to sell, pressure to recruit, and constant social media posts. Everyone she meets is also involved in Luminus - Drew has no-one to turn to about her concerns.

And then comes the death; one of Drew's associates is found dead at a conference. Is it a tragic accident or something more suspicious?

Entertaining and eye-opening.

I'm obsessed with Multi-Level Marketing schemes and will read/watch any and all documentaries on the topic, so when I saw there was going to be a fictional story centered on the topic it was a no-brainer I needed to read it.

LuminUs is the name of the game and becoming a top-level LuminUS lady is the goal. Yeah, it gives me the ick too!

I absolutely loved how Abrams brought LuminUS to life and all of the women working at the organization. There is everyone from your average participant (Steph) to your skeptic (Drew) to your Queen Bee (Leah). There is so much cringe, but also so much reality. Who here has been a victim of receiving a facebook invite to attend someone’s “product party”?? Yeah, same!

All of that is here, plus a murder mystery! I will say it does take a bit for the actual murdering and mysterying of the story to get started, but there is so much happening that it doesn’t feel like a drag.

❗ When I went to drop my review on Goodreads I saw that this book is listed as the first in a series, so I’m thinking the backstory was maybe needed for future books? Or will there be more MLMs to investigate? Either way, I’ll be stalking for book two’s release date!

I absolutely despise MLMs, so this was a fun read. Little bummed on the reveal of the killer, but overall fun quick read!

Tons of fun, if not the sharpest mystery. The depiction of the MLM was spot on from the crappy products to the Stepford "independent consultants". Things got a little extreme with the level of injury from the products, but I just went along for the ride. I was a little surprised that the killer ended up being who our main character thought it was toward the end because I was expecting a twist there, so the resolution to the two murders ended up a little unsatisfying for me. I also think you might be confused by some of the MLM jargon if you were not already familiar with their terms before going into the book as none of that is explained. Our main character mentions being lost in initial conversations with the huns, but then we never see a scene where she learns what the terms mean.

It was so fun to see our "Hey hun!" internet reality reflected in a cozy mystery, and I so related to the main character's insecurities. A fun read!

This was a fun cozy mystery about the dangers of multi-level marketing companies and their predatory nature! I thought it was well written and kept me on my toes.

I love stories about MLMs, I feel like it isn’t talked enough how friggin weird they are. This book was good and fun!!

4 Stars for this fun and funny murder mystery!

The scene is a familiar one: A woman running back to her home town with her tail between her legs, looking for purpose and validation only to then run into her former bestie who not only looks AMAZING but seems happier than Drew could ever dream? Unfair. Uncool. Unacceptable. Except said ex friend is more than willing to tell the secret: an MLM company called LuminUs. But when people start dropping like flies, this new #BossBabe needs to uncover the (even darker) secrets of the company before its too late.

I've seen people lauding this as "cozy horror" and I absolutely agree. It definitely gets darker in spots than you would expect for a murder mystery based around MLM culture. Which, as we know, doesn' need any help painting itself as both bizarre and insideous. There was just something -fun- about this book. I loved the voice, I think Maria Abrams had a solid grasp on what this story was and where she wanted it to go. It runs slow at times, but that didn't detract from the experience to me (and definitely settles this more into 'mystery' rather than 'thriller' by that trait). If you want a soapy read to breeze through, pick this one up!

It feels weird to describe a murder mystery as “delightful”, but Death in the Downline truly was! The characters were simple yet compelling and the twists were well executed. Need more books like this ASAP

Maria Abram’s Death in the Downline is a compelling thriller that delves into the manipulative and dangerous world of multi-level marketing schemes. The story follows Drew, a young woman desperate to support herself and her ailing father after a long string of rejections in the job market. When she crosses paths with her glamorous, successful former best friend, now thriving thanks to the wellness MLM LuminUS, Drew reluctantly joins despite her skepticism.

What unfolds is a gripping exploration of the pressures and pitfalls of MLM culture. From the crushing debt incurred to afford starter kits and inventory, to the relentless expectation of social media self-promotion and cold-messaging distant acquaintances, Abram paints a vivid and unsettling picture of how people are drawn in and trapped.

The tension ratchets up when Drew discovers the cracks beneath LuminUS’s polished surface, culminating in a shocking murder that shatters the illusion of the perfect MLM lifestyle. The novel deftly balances Drew’s personal struggles with sharp commentary on exploitation, manipulation, and desperation that underpin these schemes.

While the pacing slows slightly during some of the MLM-related exposition, the authentic and relatable portrayal of Drew’s journey keeps the story engaging. If you’re fascinated by the world of MLMs or enjoy thrillers with a social edge, Death in the Downline is an exciting and thought-provoking read.

I need more books about MLMs! This clearly captured “hun” culture as I felt like I was watching stories of Beachbody ladies from 2014 lol. The characters were unique even though they all were following the same script. If you enjoy this one (you will!) make sure you check out the Luluaroe documentary, aptly titled LulaRich, which was very well done.

For me the biggest marker of a five-star book is when I lose sleep because I just can’t put it down. This book is a popcorn thriller that is somehow still thought provoking and funny. I felt that the twist was really well done because it fit so well with the story as a whole. It felt authentic.

The book is a thriller based around a popular MLM. Drew is desperate to find a job to support herself and her ailing father with no luck, when she bumps into her old best friend, who is living an expansive, glamorous lifestyle thanks to LuminUS, a wellness MLM. She is extremely skeptical but reluctantly joins because she feels like she has no other option.

Drew’s story reflects on a lot of issues prevalent in MLMs, from going into debt to afford a starter kit and product, to being expected to post constantly on social media and cold messaging of people you haven’t seen in years. If MLMs are of interest to you, this is a really fun read.

I loved this book! Laugh out loud hilarious. As a former MLM’er this book hit everything about them out of the park . The jargon that is used right down to the “posts” .
I hope the author writes another. One .

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for honest feedback. A good thriller that should entertain anyone whose ever gotten a "hi girly" message from someone they haven't spoken to in 20 years. One note - palette is for paints, palate is for food

This was sweet and entertaining, and it certainly sheds a lot of light on the predatory nature of MLMs, though I’m not sure I’m buying the “this could happen to anyone” and the “anyone involved is a victim” parts of the narrative.

I’m not sure the author fully buys that either despite the contradictory message, as she was very careful to keep her protagonist and heroine well clear of the predatory components of involvement with something like this.

It makes a lot of sense to have empathy for people who get scammed into buying this stuff or even for those running themselves into debt trying to sell it, but once you’re aware of what’s happening and you’re recruiting others into the racket (looking at you, Steph), you’re a willing part of the con.

But this is certainly a good story, the heroine is likable and easy to root for, and the mystery itself moves well and is solved satisfactorily enough. If nothing else, i hope this helps even a handful of people make better choices about get rich quick schemes and pyramid schemes, which are, of course, what every MLM is.

An enjoyable satirical look at modern women, MLMs, and life long friendships.

I can't say I found it as laugh out loud as others seem to have, but it did have some fantastic one liners and pithy come backs. So, my kind of humour! I could relate to the MLM side of things - not from being in one - but from knowing intelligent, driven, focussed friends being in them. I've hosted many a party for them to sell at. But only the good stuff, no brands named, no getting free advertising in my review! 🤣

But the hustle felt real, very relatable. The main protagonists mixture of cynicism and desperation to have the money for food, accommodation, etc was very real to me, and I think what made it such a fabulous read. The raw truth, the ridiculous rules of a downline ( that are funny but also, sadly, believable), the friendship... it was a great mix and balanced out into a great modern day mystery/ thriller. Thank you for pointing out to the world, in a semi- light hearted way, what some women today face to try and keep food on the table and a roof over their heads.

Highly enjoyable, would definitely recommend. Though some may cringe at how close to home it is to their own MLM mistakes.

Calling all #BossBabes and #SHEeos, are you ready to #rise to the challenge and become your own boss? Do you want time to make money while staying at home taking care of your kids (and husband, #lolz)? Well, join my team with LuLaRoe! Wait no, Arbonne! Ah, shoot, no, I meant LuminUS! A life-changing opportunity that’s only available for a select few more girls on my team awaits! #itsnotapyramidscheme

Death in the Downline gives us a humorous look into the dangers of “direct selling” (because pyramid schemes are illegal, duh!) and the manipulative cult tactics they use to entrap women into their schemes. I really enjoyed this book, especially how - while it definitely went into how those entrenched in this #hustle culture change as people, it never demonizes the women trapped in the cult and who are too ashamed to see a way out.

While taking some extremes about the measures some of the women stuck in MLM cults do to keep their downlines and their wealth, at many points the things in this book echoed what anyone who has escaped these cults have talked about. LuminUS is a fake MLM company - but the things it is doing reflects very real companies that have ruined countless lives. The founder, pushing for women to serve their husbands while also looking a certain way - to the point of potentially dangerous plastic surgery? Look no further than LuLaRoe! A MLM company that gives out flashy cars and other “benefits” while never actually footing any of the danger in the cost? One that has too many products to keep track of, with shady ingredient labels and insistence on how “miracle” their stuff is? Arbonne comes to mind. Not to mention the countless other MLM’s that have come and gone, still tricking desperate women into shelling out money they don’t have with the promise of a better life.

Humorous, dramatic, and deadly all at once, Death in the Downline lets us explore these manipulative cult tactics from the safety of our homes - and allows us a glimpse into the fragile, house-of-cards lives many of these women have to live to try to survive being a #BossBabe. While criticizing those at the top of this pyramid, this book handles understanding that many of the women lower on the pyramid are victims themselves - even when they are still taking advantage of other women, as well.

As I was reading, I was reminded of two sets of videos I’d watched münecat on YouTube deepdive onto both LuLaRoe (LuLaRoe: The Real Untold Story) and Arbonne (Arbonne is a Cult), two very informative videos that gave me a stronger understanding of MLM cult tactics and shady business practices, and if you have any interest in MLM content - and I feel like anyone who is reading this book does - I’d highly suggest checking them out. In many ways the things reflected in this fictional MLM are the very same things done by real companies taking advantage of desperate women, and the better we all understand how this is done, the better we can help our friends and our family escape the cult.

A huge thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Quirk Books for providing this e-ARC.

I love the absolute chaos and delusion surrounding anything MLM so I ate this one up. A hilarious “rich” people behaving badly book.

Hey Hun, do you know what would really revitalise your life? This book! It's gripping, it's funny, and it'll completely change your view on the murder genre. You absolutely must get a copy, I don't know how anyone can live without it!

#netgalley#mlm#luminus

This book was a brilliantly executed thriller comedy about how MLM's work (or rather, don't) and the lengths that people will go to to make sure they meet targets and increase their downlines.

Many years ago, I was sucked into a rather famous MLM based in the UK and convinced that I could work from home and make copious amounts of money from selling what basically amounted to overpriced tat. Guess what? I made zero money. But thankfully, I was able to see the error of my ways pretty swiftly, and even though out of pocket several hundred pounds... I didn't murder anyone.

I need more books like this in the future.

Thank you to Quirk books for allowing me an advance copy of this book via Netgalley.

Hey girlfriend! Do you want to own your own business and make your own money? Just click my link and you'll start making money as soon as day one with these leggings/essential oils/household products....

MLM's are the cockroaches of sales. They just won't go away. Death in the Downline has taken this industry and added a hilarious twist and murder mystery. Maria Abrams has absolutely been hit up by that girl in her junior high class that has 7 kids and is a little TOO tan to try and sell her a 'jewelry party'.

Just...plain fun!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this hilarious book.