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.

This was a fun popcorn thriller for me. I am honestly shocked that a MLM based thriller/horror hasn't been published before this. I ate this up.

The only issue I had was the writing but it was easy to look passed, it was an ARC copy so it is common but there were so many grammatical errors it made my head spin a bit.

I really enjoyed this otherwise and would read more by this author!

✨REVIEW: 4.5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

💜Death in the Downline by Maria Abrams 💜

💅synopsis: Drew thought she was destined to rise above her small New Jersey hometown and make it as a serious journalist in New York City. But now she’s back in Clearfield, pushing thirty, newly single, and living with her father.

After a chance encounter at the grocery store, she reconnects with her former best friend, Steph, who married young and never left their hometown. But Steph looks . . . good. She’s tanned, clear skinned, and glowing. She drives an expensive car and wears only name brands. What’s her secret? A multi-level marketing scheme called LuminUS that’s taken the ladies of Clearfield by storm. With nothing left to lose, Drew gets sucked into this glamorous world of downlines, sales parties, and girls’ trips.

💅my opinion: heyyy y’all, how are you all doing? 🫣💕 I just started being my own boss!!! 🤑 Only with a small investment... I have a lot of benefits! 💸💸My marriage is saved, my five kids and eight dogs are living happily and my 45 luxurious purses are dusting in a corner of my mansion.🙂‍↔️💝👛 All this thanks to #LuminUS #MyLifeWithLuminUSChanged 🙏🙏💞

Ok, now seriously... I loved this book, it was super interesting from the first page to the last and I read it in a day and a half!!

So, our main character, Drew doesn’t have a job and well... things are tough in the market, so she starts consulting for a skincare distributor that APPARENTLY is too perfect to be real. 🤔

Picture this; the main characters of The Stepford Wives start selling skincare products, everything is perfect (or not) and murder happens. 😱💅

It really felt like that and I LOVED it! <3

✨Highly recommended if you✨

💋Like skincare
💋Like “perfect wives” scenario
💋Like mystery cases

I would like to thank @abramswriter, @blackstonepublishing and @netgalley for the advanced e-copy. <33

A laugh-out-loud murder mystery with a killer twist — literally. In the latest release from mystery author Maria Abrams, “Death in the Downline” follows Drew Cooper, a down-on-her-luck journalist, who stumbles into the glittery, selfie-filled world of LuminUS, a skin care MLM promising empowerment and designer handbags. But the dream turns into a nightmare when one of the perfectly coifed “huns” drops dead at a convention. Is it suicide, or something much darker?

Armed with her wit and rusty investigative instincts, Drew dives into a hilariously twisted web of influencers, pyramid schemes and dangerous secrets. Packed with biting humor and sharp social commentary, “Death in the Downline” is a juicy treat for mystery fans and MLM snarkers alike.

As someone who formerly sold products for a multi-level marketing (MLM) company, this book really resonated. I loved that it explores the darker, cult like side of these kinds of organizations, taking it just that step further where the products sold are actually hurting and even killing the users (primarily the sellers themselves). Fresh, original, funny and dark all at the same time. I enjoyed it a lot and thought the audio narration by Megan Tusing and Mia Hutchinson-Shaw was well done. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. I look forward to reading more by Maria Abrams in the future!

I don't know what it is about MLMs but I just cannot look away from the trainwreck that they are (probably because I feel like I was close to getting sucked in a few times). Although not exactly lighthearted, this murder mystery/MLM story definitely kept my attention. I flew through this one, trying to figure out what was happening. It was kind of over the top ridiculous but I was into it. There was a lot going on in this book-- too much at times-- like the author was trying to decide which way to go with the plot and just decided to go all the ways- but even still I enjoyed this.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have been a fan of Maria Abrams since her first novella, She Who Rules the Dead, was published by Weirdpunk Books. When I learned through her Instagram that she is releasing her new novel through Quirk Books, I preordered it before I was offered an ARC through NetGalley. I could not have been more excited to get the ARC and read it in less than two days.

The novel centers around Drew, a woman down on her luck. She just broke up with her boyfriend, lost her job at Buzzfeed due to budget cuts, and is now returning from New York back to her childhood home in Clearfield to live with her father. She has no money, and even though she applies for jobs on her phone all of the time, she has no prospects. One day she is shopping at the store when she runs into Sarah, her high school friend, whom she had lost touch with in college. Sarah seems to have the perfect life, marriage, kids and money. Sarah has convinced Drew to join LuminUS, a multilevel marketing company selling beauty supplements. Before long, Drew spends money she does not have and is trying to keep up with the selling strategies set by Sarah and those up the chain of command. She is not the type of person who completely buys into the business of LuminUS, and it does not take long for her to question the entire company. The women dying around her does not help.

Death in the Downline is a fast paced, fun book. Drew is an empathetic character, and we are on her side the entire time, having the same questions that she has. While Drew starts to investigate the deaths around LuminUS, she does not really have a hard time getting information. We also do not get much sense of risk in Drew poking around in shady dealings of a multimillion dollar business. I feel like this lack of peril that Drew feels, like there will be nobody to kill her even though they are killing those around her, makes the novel, especially the latter third where she is really getting information and pushing for more, feel soft. Most of the people involved want to talk to her, tell her everything going on, even if they know that they are in danger as well for telling their story. Drew getting information seems a little easy, and this keeps the final scenes from being too tense. I enjoyed Death in the Downline, and I had a good time reading it. Getting into the world of MLM and knowing that none of them really are anything more than ploys to milk desperate people from their money, is an interesting topic to think about. I like Drew and Sarah as friends, and even some of the other ladies selling LuminUS are good people in a bad situation. In the end, the fall of LuminUS does not cause enough danger for Drew, the biggest whistleblower.

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

We love a cozy mystery and we LOVE to hate mlms. This book is so funny and so unique while shedding light on the VERY predatory practices of multi level marketing companies.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Death in the Downline! This book was a wickedly clever and darkly funny mystery that hooked me from the start. Drew’s journey back to her small New Jersey hometown felt raw and relatable, and her dive into the glitzy, cult-like world of LuminUS was as hilarious as it was unsettling. The author did a phenomenal job skewering MLM culture with sharp wit and laugh-out-loud moments, while also weaving a compelling murder mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. The dynamic between the characters added depth to the story, highlighting the complexities of friendship and ambition. Equal parts satirical and suspenseful, this is a must-read for fans of biting social commentary wrapped in a page-turning whodunit. Highly recommend!

MLMs and murder??? I was so excited for this! For some reason MLMs have long fascinated me, and with more coming to light about their predatory and shady practices, there are so many interesting (and horrifying) stories coming out from previous members. Unfortunately, this didn't quite pull it off like I hoped it would, but I still appreciate what it was TRYING to do. Drew is newly single and newly unemployed when she moves in with her dad in New Jersey, at a total loss. She reconnects with Steph, a friend from high school with whom she had a falling out years ago. Of course, Steph has an AMAZING OPPORTUNITY for her with her direct marketing skincare company, LimunUS. You can imagine where things go from here. I just wish the writing would have been a bit better and the characters more developed, but this has promise!

I really enjoyed the premise of the book but felt that it missed the mark on all fronts - especially the plot twist.

A lot happened but we dipped so shallow each time that it felt as though someone was telling me the key story points, rather than me watching it unfold on the page.

MLM meets darkness and danger is right up my street, this book was very enjoyable and funny overall.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I’ve not been in someone’s downline, but I have been approached online with the same cringy script that promises my life will change if I just become my own boss selling someone else’s products.

That said, here is my honest review.

1) Talking about the negative impacts of MLMs is becoming more and more important as we are discovering how damaging on every level they can be. I am so grateful that there is media attempting to open conversations about it!

2) While the author is written to have some awareness of bigoted and racial stereotypes, they only keep their thoughts about what people say to the,selves and still nod along and respond with affirmations to just avoid the challenging conversation that can follow when you say something.

3) The plot has potential, but it takes too long to get to the inciting event and then the investigative part of the experience is rushed and shallow. With death in the title, the death needed to come way earlier in the book so we could all dig into the commentary around the problems with the company and the town as we investigated the deaths.

4) THE VILLAIN WAS THE HUSBAND?! I did not like this ending…
4a) Things are too convenient for the main character’s search for the truth. Cops not doing their jobs but only kinda mentioning that they might be buddies with the bad guy. People spilling their guts to her about convenient pieces of information. It just all works a little too well.

5) This is a super fast read (and I’m a medium? paced reader). I read it with my brain on and active (building theories!) and still flew through it in a weekend!

With some plot reorganizing and some more boldness from the main character in moments that deserved it. I would’ve enjoyed her as arc much more.

***advance review copy received from NetGalley in return for an honest review***
This was a great read - pacy and modern with enough new information coming in to keep the reader hooked. Unlike some of the characters, there’s no filler here. I would say it’s not really a murder mystery in the traditional sense, but very enjoyable nonetheless. If you enjoyed books like Counterfeit or Cover Story, I think you’ll find a lot to like here.

Probably the funniest murder mystery you’ll read this year, Death in the Downline is a thriller which pokes fun at your favourite MLM huns.

If you grew up in a small town, you’ll be sure to recognise the frequent “Hey Hun” messages and crushed velvet interiors in this novel, all wrapped up in a gripping thriller / murder mystery format. This book kept me engaged from cover to cover, with twists you never saw coming (and a few that you did), showcasing the dark-side of the pyramid marketing world.

If you're a fan of Self Care by Leigh Stein, then Death in the Downline is perfect for you.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5/5)

Maria Abrams takes readers on a rollercoaster of suspense, satire, and social commentary in *Death in the Downline*. Blending the allure and pitfalls of multi-level marketing (MLM) culture with a cozy murder mystery, this novel delivers an intriguing yet flawed narrative that critiques a predatory industry while providing a lighthearted and fast-paced read.

The story centres on Drew, a former journalist recently laid off from her BuzzFeed role, who finds herself moving back to her small hometown. Struggling to navigate unemployment, heartbreak, and life back with her father, Drew reconnects with her old best friend, Steph, whose life now revolves around LuminUS, a glossy MLM promising empowerment and financial success. What starts as a seemingly harmless “boss babe” lifestyle quickly spirals into something darker when one of the company’s sellers turns up dead, leaving Drew to uncover the disturbing secrets behind LuminUS and its too-good-to-be-true promises.

Abrams shines in her critique of MLMs, skillfully highlighting the financial and emotional exploitation they bring, especially to vulnerable women seeking stability. Through Drew’s perspective, the narrative dives into the façade of empowerment, the relentless hustle culture, and the dreams that MLM schemes manipulate to trap their participants. The faux Instagram posts and fake news articles scattered throughout the book are a clever and humorous addition, offering a meta nod to how MLMs thrive in the age of social media.

Despite its strong premise and engaging tone, *Death in the Downline* has its shortcomings. The pacing is uneven, with a slow start that delays the mystery's central conflict. By the time the stakes are raised, the resolution feels rushed, leaving the ending underwhelming. The plot flirts with deeper, conspiracy-like revelations but doesn’t fully deliver, leaving some threads untied and the ultimate reveal less impactful than it could have been.

The characterisation is also a mixed bag. Drew is a relatable and empathetic protagonist, and her evolving friendship with Steph provides a heartfelt subplot that adds depth to the narrative. However, many supporting characters feel one-dimensional, serving as placeholders rather than fully realised individuals. This detracts slightly from the emotional weight of the story and the richness of the small-town setting.

Nevertheless, Death in the Downline excels as a modern cozy mystery with a unique premise. It’s darkly funny and informative, offering biting social commentary on MLM culture without veering into preachiness. Fans of quick, entertaining reads with a touch of satire and intrigue will find plenty to enjoy here, especially those fascinated by the cult-like world of MLMs.

While it may not reinvent the cozy mystery genre, Death in the Downline is an enjoyable and thought-provoking read, perfect for those looking for something light yet relevant. With its clever critique and engaging writing style, Maria Abrams proves she’s a voice worth watching in contemporary mystery fiction.

A hilarious, fast-paced page-turner that perfectly captures the experience of being approached by a #BossBabe. With sharp wit and empathy, it explores why and how vulnerable women get drawn into these schemes.

If you've ever been prey to an MLM or grew up in a hun infested small town, you will eat this right up. I was so intrigued by the premise of a mystery set around an MLM murder and this did not disappoint!

We follow Drew, a journalist recently let go from Buzzfeed, as she moves back in with her Dad from NYC to small town. Back home, recently single, unemployed and alone, she is enticed by the invitation to reconnect with an old friend over coffee. Quickly she realizes her old friend Steph is there to try and sell her some MLM BS. Drew is hurt, but finds herself in dire need of money and without a home once again.

I really wasn't sure what to expect from this and it exceeded my expectations. It really nailed the predatory aspect of MLMs in the right way. Dissecting the root evil of these creators and the victimhood deep behind the down lines. This dove deep into the questionable wellness products they sell, facade they put online, and debt they're willing to dig into to be 'part of the team'. I couldn't put this down and read it in one afternoon!

I'm almost morbidly fascinated with the cult-like nature of MLMs, so I was really interested by this book. This was a good book--fast paced with funny moments and characters that I found really compelling. This book could be a bit silly at times, and it wasn't exactly something that kept me on the edge of my seat, but I still had a good time. I had fun, and I got to scratch the itch that is my fascination of MLMs, so this was a fun read.