Read this book in one day! So good! At first I wasn’t sure about the storyline. But I’m so happy I kept reading! The authors writing style kept me hooked!

Don't Tell Me How to Die by Marshall Karp

I enjoyed this story so much, I'm sure I'll read this author again. I went into the story without having really looked at what I was getting into. I thought this was about two sisters keeping ruthless women away from their widowed dad...there was that. Then twenty five years later one sister is dying and wants to find the "right" new wife for her husband. There is a little of that, too. So I'm thinking family drama. I didn't look at the thriller label so some things snuck up on me although this isn't a typical thriller, at all. I remember wondering during certain scenes, "why do we need to see this?" and I'd get the answer much later. "Oh, that's why!"

In the earlier timeline, Maggie, the oldest of the two sisters has major problems when her mother dies. Her way of handling things is to go all bad girl in every way. Oh, she kept up her school work, she excelled on that front, but behind the scenes she was in the gutter in a lot of ways and very happy being there. It's as if she has few inhibitions once her mother dies, nothing holds her back, and things go much farther than I could imagine they would go.

But then she meets a great guy, a guy going places, a medical student who becomes a doctor, which leads to becoming much, much more. And Maggie's law career keeps growing and expanding, and she and her husband have the most desirable of lives. They are the movers and the shakers of their community, the people in charge, the ones to look up to and admire. I'm leaving so much out, just as the story leaves so much out until it slaps us in the face with all we didn't know.

Things really explode when Maggie's bloodwork shows she's dying of the same thing disease that took her mother. My head whirls from it all, nothing is laid out for us in the order the events actually happen so it seemed like I was being hit with so many twists and turns. Yet I had my suspicions and it was delightful seeing it all unfold, only it had to unfold the way Maggie wants it to unfold. This is Maggie's story and she's going to give it to us her way, whether it's living or it's dying, she's going to have some say in what happens. This was a great buddy read with Jayme, so much to discuss and question.

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

I picked this book because of the cover. I didnt even read the blurb and went into it totally blind. Great idea! This is more than a thriller and will take the reader through so many emotions. 10/10 recommend.

Don't Tell Me How To Die is a twisty thriller that took me on a crazy ride and made me feel so many different things. For the most part, I went into this book blind which is how I prefer it. And I have to say if you are not easily triggered I would highly recommend going in blind. Don't Tell Me How To Die follows Maggie through some of the hardest days of her life but also shows the beautiful relationship between sisters and the unflappable bond between some of the most unlikely friends. The book follows a nonlinear timeline, which I am usually not a fan of but in this case, it was done so well that I had no issues following the plot. The plot twists were remarkably done and honestly, every time I thought I knew what was going on I couldn't have been more wrong!

Thank you to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the eARC I received in exchange for my honest review.

Maggie is not ready to die. She has an almost perfect life. A husband, Alex she loves, two wonderful kids, her father and sister, and a life that she has worked hard to establish. The only thing missing is her mother. A woman who lost her battle against a horrible disease when Maggie was in high school. She and her sister have been tested every year since without issue, but this year, genetics delivers a cruel blow. Maggie will not be around to see her children grow up or to grow old with her husband. Maggie is a planner, and she tries to predict the same issues that plagued her and her family when they lost her mother.
Told in the present, and in the past, we learned the challenges and heartache that Maggie endured. A seemingly straightforward story that could not possibly have a happy ending, turned into twist and turn central. I won’t say more, not wanting to risk giving any of the plot away.Once I read the last word, all I could think was that the first half was heartbreaking, while the second half took everything I thought I knew and turned it all upside down. This story definitely appeared to be going in one direction then took some very unexpected turns. My first book by this author, and I will definitely read his work again.

Twisty thriller that keeps you guessing until the end!

Thank you Blackstone Publishing for granting me an ARC!

This was such an unexpected read for me. I knew there were mysteries, but the heart of this for me was the family relationships. Maggie watched her mother de too young and now, several years later, she learns that she has the same diagnosis.
I loved Maggie's relationships with her parents and her sister, and everything in her life somehow related to how she cared for people.
The mysteries were interesting and satisfying. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

What. Did. I. Just. Read?! This is brilliant! I was crying, and then I was lifting my hands in surprise at all the turns I never expected! I absolutely LOVE this story!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for allowing to read this. It’s amazing!

I absolutely love anything Marshall Karp writes. And this ending…wow! Thank you Marshall and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy of Don’t Tell Me How To Die.

Marshall Karp’s Don’t Tell Me How to Die is a darkly funny and emotionally gripping thriller about life, death, and the lengths we go to for the people we love. Told from the perspective of a terminally ill woman racing against the clock to secure her family’s future, this story is equal parts suspenseful and deeply human.

The narrator’s biting humor and fierce determination make her unforgettable. Her search for the perfect replacement wife and mother unfolds with sharp twists and unexpected turns, keeping you hooked while tugging at your heartstrings. Karp’s knack for crafting three-dimensional characters and witty dialogue shines through, adding layers to a story that’s both thrilling and tender.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Thanks to #NetGalley and #BlackstonePublishing for the book #DontTellMeHowToDie by #MarshallKarp. If I had to sum up this book in one word it would be WOW. I could only read it a couple chapters at a time because it was emotional for me. I can’t remember the last time a book made me cry. On the other hand, it was crazy and dramatic and the ending blew me away. Never saw it coming!
Maggie’s mom died young from a rare blood disease, sadly she has just been told she has the rare disease and only has months to live. After seeing the women flock to her father when her mother passed, she decides she will search for a new woman for her husband, Alex and mother for their twin children. Can Maggie figure out what’s best for her family before it’s too late?
Packed with betrayal, secrets and murder, this book will totally shock you.

What did I just read!?
Ho hum…just another day, just another thriller. Ummm…WRONG!

If you knew you only had months to live, what would you do?
Would you get your affairs in order? ✅
Would you spend your remaining time with family and friends? ✅
Or…would you plan who your spouse will end up with next!⁉️

Are you kidding me!!? 18% into this read and I’m unabashedly bawling! That just doesn’t happen. I was ugly crying to the point where my dog jumped into my lap to make sure I was ok. (And he’s no lap dog.)

So yes, I was expecting a thriller. This author is known for his collaborations with James Patterson (which I’ve read and enjoyed). So I expected nice, short chapters with a few twists along the way. And it delivered on both counts.

But there was so much more!

We were also treated to a look into an incredible family, filled with love, loss and grief. Best described as a healthy dose of family drama with a side of thriller. Both sides worked and dove-tailed perfectly.

As a friendly tip may I suggest picking this one up over a weekend because at any given time you may be reduced to tears! (Or was that just me?)😉

Absolutely loved it! A favorite for 2025! I will definitely be reading more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing

The character development in this book is outstanding—so much so that I found myself wondering halfway through if I had accidentally picked up something other than a thriller. At first, it feels like not much is happening, but then, out of nowhere, the plot takes off and everything falls into place. It takes some patience, but trust me, it's totally worth it in the end.

This was my first time reading a book by Marshall Karp and it won't be my last. I thought I knew what I was getting myself into, when in fact, I did not. The book started off differently than expected, making me think I was reading a different genre but still, I kept reading, because it was that good. I was pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns much later in the book, making me realize that yep, this the thriller I'd been waiting for and so much more.

Thank you Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC. Don't Tell Me How to Die comes out on March 4, 2025.

Wow!! I was waiting for the twist and it was worth the wait! I even questioned the genre I was reading. This book is worth the read!

I'm giving Marshall Karp and Don't Tell Me How To Die a solid 4 stars. I loved the premise of this book. While I don't read a lot of books centered around illness. This one made me smile and cry. My mom passed from a life changing disease and I feel as though some of these conversations could have been ones we had.

I also enjoy a book that will make me bawl my eyes out. Let's face it, sometimes crying is cathartic. Reading this book, definitely put me through an up and down rollercoaster of emotions. However, it was 100% worth it. I can't divulge anything for fear of ruining it with spoilers. But I definitely recommend this book!

This book was a wild ride! I thought I knew what was happening and then there were several twists that I didn’t see coming! The ending was *chefs kiss*!

Slow burn turned ROLLER COASTER. Absolutely love this book. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

Immediately put this on your TBR. There is a lot of time jumping and backstory, but it definitely connects you to the characters and all makes sense as to why you’re hearing about now & 25 years ago. It was a bit slower than I was hoping for, even with the great writing skills and storytelling. But part three came up and BOOM. Couldn’t put it down until I finished. My eyes may have popped out of their sockets as well.

#netgalley #donttellmehowtodie

𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4 ½✨⭐️
DON’T TELL ME HOW TO DIE
🤍𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: mystery/fiction
📖 320 pages
𝗘𝗺𝗼𝗷𝗶𝘀:🩸😢🚔🔫👨🏻‍⚖️🤯😮⛵️📸🏥
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: 3/4/2025

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
◽️ single POV
◽️ slow burn mysteries
◽️ twist upon twist
◽️ multiple timeline

Thank you @blackstonepublishing for the #gifted copy!

🩸𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲🩸

DON’T TELL ME HOW TO DIE left me utterly speechless. From the very beginning, it had me questioning everything, including its genre. Listed as a mystery, it kept me guessing for over half the story, unsure of where it was heading. But trust me—stick with it!! The ending delivers a staggering payoff with twists I never anticipated. & there are plenty of them!

The opening chapter hooks you immediately, setting the stage with intrigue & tension. The first half alternates between past & present, building a layered narrative before settling fully in the present timeline. While I found myself wondering when the thriller elements would take center stage, the story kept me captivated with its immersive writing & story & compelling progression.

If you’re looking for a book that surprises you at every turn & leaves you reeling 😵‍💫 , this is it. Don’t overthink it—just dive in. This is a read you won’t forget anytime soon!!

⚠️ death of a parent

𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁: I had it all: a loving husband, 2 wonderful kids, & a thriving career. Then, at 43, I learned I wouldn’t live to see my next birthday—the same age my mother died. After watching an awful woman wreck my father’s life, I swore I wouldn’t let my family face the same fate. With only 3 months left, I’m determined to find the perfect woman to take my place as wife & mother. People doubt I can pull it off, but they clearly don’t know just how far I’m willing to go.

I first became acquainted with this talented author by way of his collaborations with prolific and best-selling author James Patterson (specifically, in the NYPD Red series). But I've also read and enjoyed another in which he flew solo, so I didn't hesitate to grab this one. And I certainly wasn't disappointed.

In part, that's because I can relate. Like Maggie Dunn, who watched mostly unattached widows try to catch her still-hunky father after her mother died, I watched the same thing happen when my tall, white-haired father moved into an assisted living community shortly after my own mother passed away. "He's good looking and still walks upright," I told my husband at the time. "He'll get swooped on at the first breakfast he eats in the dining room."

My story had a great ending in the form of a sweet stepmother, who said yes when Dad was 86 years old. Maggie's, alas, did not; the vixen who set her sights on her father was a con artist extraordinaire. So when Maggie learned she'd inherited the same terminal disease as her mother, she vowed to find an appropriate candidate to become her soon-to-be-widowed husband's wife Sub 2 and the stepmother of their two kids.

The story is told through a ton of reminiscing, with chapters flipping through various time frames. And each time that happens, more background is revealed - almost always adding some kind of twist - right up to the end, when the roof blows off. Details, of course, I won't provide, but I will say I'm glad I got within an hour of the finish line in time to get it done right before bedtime - otherwise, it would have accompanied me because at that point, no way would I have put it down.

Nothing left to say, then, except I loved it - and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to dive into a pre-release copy.