Wow! I loved this book! A well written, character driven story that had me laughing and crying. By the end of the first part I felt like I knew these people. I was so engrossed with the characters and their family drama that I forgot this was supposed to be a thriller. Oh and a thriller it definitely is because once the secrets started to be revealed, the twists start coming leading to a great ending. Mark your calendar for March 4 because this is a must read!

Thank you Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for this amazing arc! I had a great time reading this book diving into a slow burn narrative that kept me hooked all the way.

Such an original plot with complex flawed characters I needed this! Absolutely wow.

This is a very emotional wild ride of a thriller. The characters are very well written. The story is phenomenal. If you want to kick, scream, cry all at once this is the book for you!!! 👀💙

Maggie had 3 months to live out her mission. There are so many twists and turns. It’s definitely worth the read!

A very emotional suspenseful novel that will you keep you on the edge of your seat. Maggie's mother died from a fatal blood disease that turned out to be genetic. She told Maggie before she passed that women would try to seduce her father and to be suspicious of their motives. A woman almost ruins her father so now that she is dying she is worried it's going to happen again. She needs to find her husband a new wife! This book is an absolutely wild ride for the emotions! Strap in! It's totally worth it.

Really liked this book. It kept me guessing from the very beginning, writing style and verbiage played a big role in keeping me hooked. The family seems real and relatable. This was my first read by Marshall Karp but really enjoyed it and look forward to more of his great work!

This book will take you for a ride. It starts off more like a family drama style, and then it ends in a pretty epic thriller style. For me, it was a slow burn, but it got there.

This book left you guessing from the very beginning. You would think you finally knew what was going on, and a curve ball would be thrown at you that was the least expected thing. The author writes very well and keeps the audience invested. This was my first book by Karp, but I would definitely read more by him.

⭐️ 4/5 🌶 1.5/5

*Don’t Tell Me How to Die* by Marshall Karp completely caught me off guard—in the best way! This isn’t just a thriller; it’s a layered story that blends suspense, family dynamics, and some really touching moments. I had no idea what to expect, and it ended up being an emotional, compelling read that stayed with me long after I finished.

The McCormick family feels so real, with Maggie and Lizzie stealing the spotlight with their strength and determination. The story moves between past and present, showing the struggles and triumphs of each generation, and it’s written in a way that makes you care deeply about these characters. And then, just when you’re immersed in their personal stories, the twist hits—it’s surprising and changes everything.

This was my first time reading Marshall Karp, and now I can’t wait to dive into more of his work. If you enjoy thrillers with rich characters and a story that balances suspense with heart, I highly recommend *Don’t Tell Me How to Die*. Huge thanks to the author and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC via NetGalley.

#DontTellMeHowToDie #MarshallKarp #ThrillerReads #SuspenseBooks #FamilyStories #NetGalley #BookReview #BlackstonePublishing #EmotionalThriller

Wow! I went into this story having absolutely no clue what it was about except for the title, right? Possibly someone preparing how not to die? This book packed so much more than that! At first, of course, I cried while reading the beginning and that was just reflecting on Maggie's past and how/why she is the way she is in present day. The way the book was written, it is in three parts, so it jumps in the timeline. However, it is so well written I had no problem following along. SO many characters play such an impactful role in the story even though at the time I had no idea why. The sisters in this book, irish twins, had the most impeccable relationship. Even their faults, they somehow transform into their strengths. I cannot explain it. They are exaclty how siblings should strive to be.

I was not at all prepared for how much I would be guessing what was going to happen. I can tell you I was wrong! I was not just wrong, I was so incredibly wrong. So many people are so significant to how this all ties together, my mind was blown. It was like the author gives you an abundant amount of clues but I didn't know how to tie them together. Then at the end, Karp gives you this giant bow that you see on top of a brand new car on Christmas morning. Everything just falls into place. Not a detail missed.

I did find myself laughing at the humor and the way the family dealt with death is absolute goal. I can tell you cried more in this book than Lizzie and Maggie did combined.

꧁𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼꧂

That’s just because I’ve been able to hide the truth from the rest of the world. But I can’t hide from God, so I had no doubt, that when my time was up, I was destined to spend eternity burning in hell for my sins.

But sometimes bad people get away with doing horrible things.

“When your mother died,” he said, tears welling up in his eyes, “I lost the only person in the world I could do nothing with.”

This book offers a remarkable amount of character development—so much, in fact, that I found myself checking the genre halfway through, wondering if I had mistakenly picked up something other than a thriller, since not much seemed to be happening at first. But then, BAM! The plot takes off in a big way, with everything unfolding all at once. Patience is required, but trust me, it's well worth the wait. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this advanced reader's copy.

I received this book as an ARC for my review.

Wow! The layout of this book, the past to the present and back to the past was fun to read. I felt like we got to know the characters so well through their trials and being able to go back and read for situations. I read a review stating this was a mystery book and I was thinking, yeah, I like it so far but where is that?? But then I got to it and I was like, wait, what!? Overall, a great read. Definitely will read more by this author.

This book was so captivating and filled with twists that keep you on the edge of your seat! From start to finish, I found myself eagerly turning pages, constantly guessing what would happen next. The way the story weaves between Maggie's present-day life, the months leading up to the funeral, and her teenage years was such a clever narrative choice that kept the suspense alive and added layers of depth to the plot. Maggie herself is a wonderfully complex character, and her family is just as engaging, with their quirks and dynamics making every scene a joy to follow. It’s a rollercoaster of emotion, mystery, and rich storytelling that keeps you hooked from the first chapter to the last. If you’re looking for a book that blends intrigue with heart, this one is a must-read!

Thank you NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing, and Marshall Karp for the e-ARC!

This book was such a great reintroduction to Marshall Karp, who has coauthored many books with James Patterson, including the NYPD Red series. He writes so well and I was confident that any parts where the story appeared to lag were part of Mr. Karp’s plan. I can’t wait to read other books he’s written, including the most recent NYPD Red series installment that he wrote on his own without Patterson. Thank you to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing, and Mr. Karp himself for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this thriller.

What a book! Was not expecting a few of the plot twists, i identify with Lizzy and that dark sarcastic humor also with her point of view of life and death. Also identified with Maggie on being a bit of a control freak. I enjoyed reading this roller coaster. Ps: we all need a Johnny Rollo in our lives!!!!

Marshall Karp’s Don’t Tell Me How to Die is a unique blend of humor, suspense, and emotional depth. The premise—a dying woman determined to control her family’s future—hooks you immediately, and Karp delivers with sharp wit and well-drawn, relatable characters.

The story will keep you engaged, while the protagonist’s darkly humorous narration adds a refreshing and entertaining edge. While the ending may feel slightly rushed, the story’s emotional resonance and unpredictable turns make up for it.

Perfect for fans of thrillers with heart and humor, Don’t Tell Me How to Die is a memorable and satisfying read!

Wow! Wow! Wow! Stay with it…the book seems a bit slow in parts but STAY WITH IT! Such a wild ride - five big stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Don’t tell me how to die - Marshall Karp

Format: Kindle
Genre: Thriller
Date read: 12 January 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Maggie Dunn has it all. An adoring husband, a loving family, and a rewarding job as mayor of a thriving upstate New York town.

But it all comes crashing down when she is diagnosed with the same fatal blood disease that claimed her mother. As a teenager, Maggie watched in horror as "a parade of perfumed piranhas in pretty pink dresses" flocked to her grieving father like stray cats to an overturned milk truck. And when the wrong woman stepped in to take her mother's place, the consequences were devastating.

Maggie refuses to let the same thing happen to her family. With months left to live, she puts the well-being of her soon-to-be-widowed husband and motherless children above her own. Maggie vows to find the next Mrs. Dunn before she dies.

Her end-of-life quest takes a dark turn as long-held secrets begin to surface, and Maggie is caught up in a whirlwind of duplicity, betrayal, and murder. Make that plural. Murders.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book.

The first thing you need to know is this is a slow burn thriller. About halfway through the book I found myself wondering what I need all of this backstory for but trust me it all comes together beautifully in the end.

We start of the book with Maggie as an adult and then we are transported back in time to when she was a teenager and her mother was dying, before returning to the current timeline where Maggie has received her own terminal diagnosis.

This book is a rollercoaster of emotions, and I found my opinion on Maggie constantly changing. The real star of the book is Lizzie, Maggie’s sister, with her quick sense of humor and wit she kept me laughing through the whole book.

I did see one of the twists coming about 60% through the book but the ending still had my jaw on the floor.

If you are looking for a thriller with an emotional storyline filled with twists and turns until the very last page I highly recommend this one.

"Don't Tell Me How to Die" was such a gripping read that I'm confident it will be one of my favorite books of 2025, even though the year has just started!

I made the classic mistake of starting this book right before bed, and what an emotional rollercoaster! Going in completely blind, my usual style, I was shocked to find myself in tears on that first night—who knew this gripping tale would hit me so hard? This isn't your typical thriller; it's a rich tapestry woven with family drama and love. So what is this book? Is it a deliciously twisted thriller, a poignant family drama, or a moving love story? You'll have to read it and find out!

The twist that brings in the thriller aspect is a game-changer, popping up when I least expected it. I wanted to devour this book in one sitting and wasn't ready to part with these characters or their enthralling stories. They are phenomenal; it's nearly impossible to pick just one favorite. The McCormick family is one I'd love to be a part of, even knowing heartache is on the horizon. Maggie and Lizzie McCormick truly shine with their fierce spirits and sharp wit! The narrative gracefully dances between generations, exploring their tumultuous journeys of love and loss poignantly and thrillingly. Even though I usually gravitate towards fast-paced thrillers, this book made an impression.

This is my first encounter with Marshall Karp, and I'm eager to read more—he's officially made it onto my favorite authors list! I thoroughly recommend "Don't Tell Me How to Die" to anyone looking for a powerful read!

Thank you to the author and Blackstone Publishing for providing this ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#DontTellMeHowToDie #NetGalley #MarshallKarp #BlackstonePublishing

Thank you, Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley, for this eARC of Don’t Tell Me How To Die.

I downloaded this copy because of a giveaway opportunity and walked away a new fan of Marshall Karp.

I'm not typically a fan of Nonlinear timelines, but it worked here.

This book had me completely glued to my Kindle. If I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it.

I went into this story completely blind, and I'm so glad I did.
It was a slow burn that kept me engaged, which is no easy task!

This story took me on an emotional rollercoaster. There was an outstanding balance in many areas, from grief to romance to mystery, murder, and MORE! The banter was entertaining as well. It had me giggling and tearing up all the way through. If you want it all, you've got it all right here!

When I thought I had the story pegged, I was blindsided (more than once).
So many things were happening within this story that all fell beautifully Into place. It had me rooting for the “bad guys”.

Maggie for President!!!!

A 5 star read.

This book was slow at first but then got really good i couldn’t put it down I’ve never read one of Karps books but this one was really good so glad i was able to read it