Super fun! Not really a popcorn thriller because it wasn’t “thrilling” until about the last 1/4, but it was nonstop twists and surprises once we got there. I was surprised at how emotional certain parts were because the cover and description certainly do not suggest that. I loved all these characters and I was invested in them from start to finish. It reads like it would be a fun TV series. So much came out at the ending that I didn’t expect!

🎧 January LaVoy was a fantastic narrator!!

I received an early digital copy and an early audio copy for review, both from Blackstone Publishing. Publish date is 3/4/25.

Maggie had it all: a fantastic husband, two great kids, and an exciting career. But at age forty-three, she found out that she’d be dead before her next birthday. Her mother died at the same age from the same illness. Maggie’s mother had given her and her sister, Lizzie, some advice that Maggie intends to impart to her own family and she plans to find the perfect woman to take her place.

DON’T TELL ME HOW TO DIE was not the psychological thriller that I was expecting, but it was well worth the ride. I went in entirely unaware of what to expect, having picked it off NetGalley after seeing a single glowing review. It’s very much a slow, slow burn and is very character driven – two things that I am not used to when it comes to psychological thrillers. Never fear though, because it’s written with such precision and care that I was gripped from the first few lines.

I’d endeavor to say that there’s a heavier note of family drama that is immediately evident but it serves to set the scene while introducing the characters and forming the backstory. DON’T TELL ME HOW TO DIE is told in Maggie’s POV, spanning from her early life to her present day. Each character is well-developed, deep, and messy. The relationships between the characters are well-crafted and intricate. The plot is emotional, impactful, and really well-done. I loved the biting and dark humour interspersed within the dialogue.

This novel is incredibly original, compelling, and one I’d highly recommend. DON’T TELL ME HOW TO DIE may have been my first read by this author, but it certainly won’t be the last!

<i>I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Blackstone Publishing, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.</i>

If you are not familiar with Marshall Karp's back titles, he co-writes the NY Red series with James Patterson. He knows how to write thrillers and drama. In DON'T TELL ME HOW TO DIE, Karp leans into the drama with a heavy hand. In the first sections of the book, he'll have you sniffling and crying as Maggie loses her mother to cancer, then learns she has the same cancer. BUT.....here comes the thriller. Maggie is determined to get her affairs in order, including finding the woman to replace her when she dies. She saw the devastation caused when her father married the wrong woman after her mother's death and that's not going to happen to her family.

This was so good, it would be a crime if you didn't read it......

Not for me!

I had a hard time getting through this one. It is getting a lot of five star reviews, but was a fail for me. I thought it was very slow, not pacy, not intriguing or believable. 🤷‍♀️

I didn't want to finish it, but trudged through to the end. ☹️

The whole premise was rather depressing.

Thanks to Netgalley for my early ARC. Came out March 4, 2025

Through a publication I read some hype about this book that was coming out. I requested an ARC copy through Netgalley. I am so glad that I did. I both read and listened to this book. The narration was fantastic.

I am going to start by saying I have never read anything by Marshall Karp. I loved this book from the beginning. I was hooked with the family. The chapters are short. I love that. I could just pick up and read a little. I listen on my way to work and in the car. Then I couldn't stop listening.

There were twists and turns. You got a little more information later in the book that you did not have in the beginning. It kept me going until the very end. I definately had tears while reading.

This was a fantastic read and I cannot wait to read more.

You know that feeling when you’re into a book, trying to enjoy it, but something just keeps nagging at you? You push it aside, tell yourself to let it go—but no matter how hard you try, it lingers, growing until it completely ruins the experience. That was me with this one. I finally had to admit there was no coming back and I stopped reading around the halfway mark.

So what was it that I couldn’t shake?

I struggled with a male author writing from the POV of a teenage girl and I couldn’t shake that. It was hard to fully connect with the character knowing the author couldn’t truly understand what it’s like to experience certain things firsthand.

And then there’s the drug use. That can be a tough subject for me when it comes to young characters, and while it might not feel excessive to someone without that sensitivity, for me, it did.

I loved the concept—a gripping family drama with thriller elements, featuring moments of genuine emotional pull, is exactly my kind of read. The premise had so much potential, and some moments truly pulled me in, I might have enjoyed this one if it wasn't for that nagging feeling. I definitely feel like from all the glowing reviews this is just a me thing.

My advice to the reader…don’t miss one word as every word is necessary and will find its way into the end. Finn and Kathryn McCormack have a wonderful life, his own business and two daughters, Lizzie and Maggie. Life is wonderful, until it isn’t as Katherine is diagnosed with a rare blood disease, HTH, and there is no cure. Kathryn fights until the end and asks her daughters to take care of their father and not let him be taken in by someone not worthy of him or them. Upon her death, the “casserole patrol” begins, but it is someone from out of town who captivates Finn. Fast forward to Maggie who is now married with an amazing husband, a son and daughter and diagnosed with the same blood disorder as her mother. She will not fight the disease, but will search for the perfect partner for Alex as well as a mother for her son and daughter. A startling bit of news will force her to rethink her plans and with the aid of her two best friends, from her past, she will embark on an investigation into her mortality and question those events that have shaped her present and maybe her future? Sadness in the beginning, leads to laugh out loud dialog and events, a final twisted mystery and an amazing ending. Loved it! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Don't Tell Me How to Die by Marshall Karp is a dark, funny and suspenseful thriller with short punchy chapters that will keep you entertained throughout.

Maggie is a lawyer and is also the mayor of her small town. She has just found out that she has the same incurable blood disease that her mother had died from. When she is told she only has three months left to live, Maggie wants to find a replacement for her absence for her husband and her two children.

This is a fast-paced and darkly humorous read. I loved Marshall Karp's writing style when he teamed up with James Patterson in the NYPD Red series, but this was my first solo Karp book. It did not disappoint. It does need to be read with a fair amount of suspension of belief but honestly I really enjoyed it. Short engaging chapters make this novel easy to read even though it is broken up into three parts. Plenty of laugh out loud moments and plot twists really elevate this thriller. Definitely recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley, Marshall Karp, and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC. Publication date is March 4th 2025.

This is a well-crafted and suspenseful mystery. Despite the shifts in time, they are clearly marked, making the story easy to follow. If you enjoy mysteries, this one is definitely worth a read!
I received this from Netgalley, but these opinions are my own.

First off, I would like to thank Blackstone Publishing and author, Marshall Karp, for allowing me to read this book, Don't Tell Me How to Die, via #netgalley. All opinions following are my own.


This novel had me hooked from the first page. Actually, that is a lie. This novel had me hooked since I read the synopsis and requested it on Netgalley. It held my attention from the first page to the last. As someone who usually figures out twists in books, I didn't guess these!

This novel follows Maggie from the time she is in her late teens until right before her forty-third birthday. Her mother died of a horrible genetic blood disease, and Maggie discovers at the beginning of the novel that she will soon succumb to the same disease. Maggie is not one to go down without a fight, though. But, she isn't going to fight death either. She isn't going to do chemo like her mom and just waste away. No, she is going to fight another way.

She just doesn't want her husband and kids to be taken in by a money-hungry con artist like her father almost was years ago when her mother passed. No, Maggie, the ultimate Type-A Personality, is going to use the time she has remaining to find her replacement. That doesn't seem crazy or too difficult, right?

As stated above, I LOVED this novel. I had never read any of Karp's books before, but this one won't be my last. With his twists and biting humor, this book was an easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me. Do yourself a favor and read this one! It just hit shelves two days ago!

#BrenBreathesBooks #brenreviewsbooks #NewReads #MarchReads #ARC #ARCReader #netgalleyreviewer #marshallkarp #donttellmehowtodie #thriller #funny #bookworm #5starreads #kindlereads #BookCommunity #booknerd #bookstagramcommunity #booksofinstagram #bookish #reader #readerlife #thrilleraddict #blackstonepublishing

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Funny, dark, suspensful, this book was fun, captivating and fast paced. It isn't your typical thriller as the author got an wicked sense of humour wovened into unexpected twists.

I was super excited about going into this book with so many five star reviews. So you might imagine my disappointment when I found it to be a book that not only required I need to leave my qualms at the door but also at times seemed to be a YA story (minus the sex, drugs, and alcohol).

It had all the qualities of pathos and yet I unfortunately found myself rolling my ears, looking up to heaven, and staying out loud "this just is impossible".

The bulk of the story delves into a somewhat sordid life of Maggie and briefly her sister who had lost their beloved mother, a very over the top understanding progressive mother. She tasks her daughters with the job of finding their father a "suitable" replacement wife. Not easy with a trail of what seems like marauding women striding pass his door. (It kind of frosted me that single woman looking for someone seemed to be with were cast as villains here)

At any rate their perfect family life is interrupted when mom dies of an incurable blood disease and then to make things worse she passes it on to Maggie who grows up to be a successful lawyer, a District Attorney, a mayor, a happily married woman married to the handsome successful surgeon, with a gorgeous life and two beautiful children.

However, then tragedy happens and Maggie travels down the road her mother took and looks to find a mate for her husband.

There are some twists in the story which at least had me completing the book, but on the whole this book with too many nasty women was just plain annoying. However, most men were not portrayed as ax murderers as seems to be the thing to do these days and I appreciated that aspect.

So I guess this book was a fail for me sadly.

Such a great read! In the beginning it takes you through the history of the characters which is important for the end of the book. First book I’ve read by this author! I can’t wait to read more of his books! The way he delivers stories are amazing. He has a true talent.

The premise centers on Maggie, who faces the daunting reality of inheriting the fatal illness that took her mother at a young age. As she grapples with her mortality, her focus shifts to finding a suitable partner for her husband after her passing, mainly due to her father's unfortunate experience with a con artist following her mother’s death.

The narrative predominantly unfolds through flashbacks, illustrating a teenage Maggie in reckless moments, surrounded by peers, parents, and her sister, all engaged in dialogue filled with sarcasm. This blend of humour against a serious theme aims to create a sense of levity; however, the humour may not resonate as intended, leaving some moments feeling less effective.

The plot requires a significant suspension of disbelief, with several events seeming implausible, which can create a disconnect between readers and the story’s reality. Despite being in their 40s, the adult characters often appear to lack substantial development from their teenage selves, coming across more as caricatures instead of fully fleshed-out characters. The dialogue sometimes feels contrived, missing the richness of authentic human interaction.

There are also aspects of the portrayal of women that could be perceived as problematic, presenting them as predatory figures who target grieving widowers. This characterization raises concerns and could detract from the overall message of the narrative.

Despite initial reservations, I chose to continue reading, influenced by the seemingly positive reviews and hopeful for an improvement in the narrative quality. Unfortunately, my expectations were not met as the story progressed.

The synopsis promised a thriller infused with sharp humour, yet this potential seems underexplored throughout the text. Overall, there are interesting themes at play, but there is an opportunity for more profound character development and a more nuanced approach to humour and relationships.

I want to thank Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The set up: Maggie is found to be suffering from the same fatal illness as her mother, who died at the age of 41. She is determined to find a suitable wife for her husband after she’s gone, after her father was the victim of a con artist after her mother died.

But the majority of the book is set in the past with teenage Maggie behaving badly while her friends, parents, and sister speak in pithy, smart-ass comments. They find hilarity and humor even when faced with the death. The problem is the humor wasn’t funny in the least.

Everything that happens in this book requires a massive suspension of disbelief. Everything, and I mean everything, is completely implausible. If it wasn’t so stupid and cheesy I would have been laughing.

The adults at 43 were indistinguishable from their 16 year old selves. They were all insufferable. The dialogue was ridiculous, and bears no resemblance to how people really talk to one another.

The final nail in the coffin is the author portrays women to be predatory, gold-digging, casserole-wielding piranhas out to snare new widowers in their web. Misogyny at its finest. Very offensive.

I was ready to DNF early but the glowing reviews kept me reading, sure that at 50% the book would pick up. It did not.

The synopsis promised a thriller with biting humor. Don’t believe it. The author seems like a good person, working with international charities, but it still doesn’t redeem this book.

2 VERY generous stars only because I finished it. With regret.

2.66 Stars

First off, I want to say that I get the huge hype of this book. It was addictive, it has short, punchy chapters, and I can't wait to read what happens next vibes. The start of the book was the best part for me, unlike many others who found it slow. The family drama and dynamics really drew me in, I loved it. - 4 Stars

Then the book lost me a bit about when the mom expects the 16-year-old daughter to find a new wife for the dad and look out for him. I found it rather controlling and laughable that she thinks the 16-year-old would do better than the grown man himself. It was still readable to me, though, like a popcorn thriller. - 3 Stars

The last part of the book went completely off the rails for me. I didn't buy into anything that happened, it was completely implausible. I was literally laughing out loud at the stupidity of it. The book was trying to be serious, these are supposed to be important people, doctors, lawyers, mayors and police. Don't come at me. I know there are many unscrupulous types in these positions, but is ANYONE in this town not a murdering psychopath? - 1 Star

That gives the book eight stars out of fifteen, which is a rating of 2.66 out of five, rounded up to three.

Thank you so much Blackstone #partner + NetGalley for the book and audiobook narrated by the one and only January LaVoy!
——

Even though we have a host of characters, Maggie is at the center of the story. Maggie has a beautiful family and has overall had a good life. But now she is diagnosed with the same terminal illness as her mother was. And just as her mother was worried leaving her husband with predatory women, Maggie faces the same thoughts with her 2 kids. But Maggie would like to think Alex is a doctor and dotting father who will not make the same mistakes her dad did.

The major chunk of the book explores Maggie’s history with her family and friends in her small town and this is where I had a hard time with the pacing of the book and the family interactions, some of which felt unnatural to me. Maggie is a go-getter, ambitious personality who will stop at nothing to climb up, which is an aspect I love to see about women in books. However it felt particularly forced to me and I found Maggie to be insufferable in many of her actions, well into adulthood. (This is where I’ll insert my opinion nobody asked for, that women are best written by women authors).

The last 30% or so of the book had the pacing I expect from thrillers and a lot of jaw-dropping twists that I didn’t see coming, and overall redeemed the book for me. January LaVoy was the saving factor for me to keep reading the book because she’s the queen of audiobooks and was simply flawless with breathing life into this story.

I realize that I’m in the minority and this book comes with accolades of 5 stars so please take my review with a grain of salt and I urge you to try the book for yourself.

Marshall Karp delivers an exhilarating and witty thriller in Don’t Tell Me How To Die, a novel that keeps readers on their toes from start to finish. With his signature blend of humor and suspense, Karp masterfully crafts a narrative that is as engaging as it is unpredictable.

The story unfolds with gripping intensity, challenging readers to piece together the truth as twists and revelations continually shift expectations. Karp’s writing style is sharp, immersive, and effortlessly entertaining, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. His characters are well-developed, their dialogue infused with humor and realism, adding depth to the novel’s already compelling mystery.

What sets Don’t Tell Me How To Die apart is its ability to surprise. Just when you think you have it figured out, Karp turns the narrative on its head, proving that nothing is as it seems. This clever storytelling ensures an experience that is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling.

For fans of crime fiction that delivers both suspense and a dose of humor, Don’t Tell Me How To Die is a must-read. Karp’s ability to blend tension with levity makes for an unforgettable ride, and this book is a testament to his skill as a storyteller. Highly recommended.

My first five star of the year! The writing was engaging with three dimensional characters and witty banter. I was engrossed from the first page to the last page. I appreciate that the twists were not overly done or exaggerated just to expand the story. Thank you so much for this ARC!

🩸𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗠𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 L̶I̶V̶E̶ 𝗗𝗜𝗘
𝔤𝔢𝔫𝔢𝔯𝔞𝔩 𝔣𝔦𝔠𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫/𝔱𝔥𝔯𝔦𝔩𝔩𝔢𝔯
🗓️𝙿𝚞𝚋 𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚎: 𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚌𝚑 𝟺, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟻
🤩𝕄𝕪 𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: 𝟝+𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤! ★★★★★+

🤏𝚃𝚎𝚎𝚗𝚢 𝚝𝚒𝚍𝚋𝚒𝚝...Maggie has been diagnosed with the same rare blood disease that her mother died from. She has 3 months to find a new wife for her husband & a mom to her kids….

🌸𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚊𝚢...HOLY FRIGGIN WOW! I loved this book! If you see above👆 I wrote general fic AND thriller as the genre even though this one is dubbed solely as a thriller/mystery. Wellllllll…it is BOTH! Woohoo! 🎉The first two thirds-ish is an amazing emotional story about grief, family & love. The added wit & banter made it not a massive tear jerker for me, but I DEF felt big things. 🥺♥️The pacing, the writing, the main character....all are phenomenal. 💯The last third-ish is like whiplash in the best of ways🙌. That’s when the thriller part hits & barely lets up! 😳I am talking twists galore 🌀& the whole damn thang was just BRILLIANT! 🏆