When you think of that comforting meal on a cold, rainy winter’s day that feeds your soul and warms your heart—that’s exactly how this book feels. Marshall Karp crafts a perfect story centered on Maggie, a control freak in every sense, who is determined to plan everything—even after death. Faced with a terminal illness, she mirrors her mother’s approach, ensuring that everyone (including the reader) has a satisfying ending.

But just as you settle in, BAM! The plot twists hit like a freight train, leaving you utterly gobsmacked. It’s a “what just happened?!” moment that transforms the narrative into a thrilling ride. You’ll want to grab the popcorn as you realize life has its own plans, no matter how much we try to control it.

Thankfully, Maggie isn’t alone. With Lizzie, her supportive and rational sister, and Jonny Rollo, her steadfast friend, she navigates the unpredictability of life. The journey is heartwarming, humorous, and deeply moving.

This book is fast-paced, easy to read, and impossible to put down. Marshall Karp masterfully balances emotional depth with gripping twists, leaving readers both satisfied and reflective.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 — An absolute must-read!

#BookReview #DontTellMeHowToDie #MarshallKarp #PlotTwists #HeartwarmingReads #FastPacedFiction #MustRead #5StarBook #LiteraryThrill

I keep seeing lots of hype online for this one! Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

Maggie is a successful, powerful woman who does not pull any punches when it comes to getting what she wants. When she is diagnosed with the same rare terminal illness that caused her mother's death, she is prepared to live the rest of her life on her own terms. She helped her father and sister after her mother's death, and she will do whatever it takes to make sure that she protects her own family, too.

Part drama, part domestic thriller, I knew there was a twist and I'll be darned, I was glued to the last third as the pacing really picked up steam! My criticism lies in the timeline jumps, which I found a little convoluted, but ultimately even though I did not have a firm grasp on them it didn't impact my understanding of the plot by the end.

Domestic thrillers aren't usually my cup of tea but I'm glad I gave this one a try!

I loved this book! Such a great read that keeps u engaged from beginning to end. It was pretty easy to guess who was trying to kill Maggie but the things Maggie did was very surprising. It left me wanting to finish the book quickly so I could know the dirt details of Maggie and Johnny. I loved it so much. Thank you for letting me be an ARC reader.

Very detailed story. But i prefer to read a fast paced one.
The book hooked me in the end, i didnt see that coming, but because i got bored in the middle, it seems i dont really enjoy it

A Domestic Thriller That’ll Wreck Your Sleep and Ruin Your Social Plans (in the Best Way Possible)

This edge-of-your-seat, darkly hilarious domestic thriller had me laughing, crying, and questioning how anyone could come up with a story as intricate as this. Don’t Tell Me How to Die by Marshall Karp is the story of a dying woman determined to handpick her husband’s next wife before she shuffles off this mortal coil. But don’t let the premise fool you—this isn’t a sad goodbye. It’s a masterclass in sharp wit, gasp-worthy twists, and moments so real, you’d swear Karp snuck into someone’s therapy session and took notes.

Let’s start with the characters. Joe. Oh, Joe. He’s a walking contradiction of perfection and complexity—like Professor Snape, but less wizardry and more existential crises. Every layer of him is meticulously crafted, and by the end, I was convinced Karp has to really know somebody he based Joe on. And then there’s Maggie, who evolves from her heartbreaking teenage years to a powerhouse adult life as a mayor.

And THE MOTORCYCLE SCENE. I mean, if you made it through without ugly crying, I’ll personally Venmo you a dollar because I’m convinced it’s impossible. That one chapter alone could be bottled up and sold as an emotional rollercoaster ride. How does Karp do it? How does he weave these characters and their tragedies with such precision that you’re sobbing on one page and smirking on the next? Witchcraft, surely.

What sets this book apart, though, is its genre-defying brilliance. It starts as this sweeping family drama that hits every emotional note, but as it unfolds, it grows into thissharp domestic thriller, full of biting humor and deathbed schemes. The banter is razor-sharp, the twists feel earned, and the transitions between laugh-out-loud funny and full-on gut-punch emotional are seamless. Karp doesn’t just write a story—he builds a world, populates it with people who feel like your own flawed, beloved family, and then forces you to say goodbye.

In short: this book had me up all night. I wished I could immediately erase it from my memory just so I could experience the magic all over again. If you’re ready to laugh, cry, and stare at your ceiling wishing this could just become a movie already, Don’t Tell Me How to Die is the book for you. Karp has officially earned his place as a genre-bending genius.

Review of Don’t Tell Me How to Die by Marshall Karp

Marshall Karp’s Don’t Tell Me How to Die is a gripping, darkly humorous thriller that plunges readers into the mind of a woman on a mission with an almost unbearable sense of urgency. At 43, Claire's life is crumbling in more ways than one: she’s been given a terminal diagnosis, and time is running out. Yet, it's the shadow of her mother’s premature death that looms largest in her mind as she faces an even darker challenge—the need to protect her family from the same fate she believes awaits them.

From the outset, Karp presents Claire as a force to be reckoned with. She’s a mother, a wife, and a woman of incredible determination, but her approach to dealing with her impending death is anything but typical. Claire’s mission is simple yet absurdly high stakes: find the perfect woman to take her place as wife to her husband Alex and mother to their children before her time runs out. And to add a deliciously twisted layer, she isn’t just looking for someone kind-hearted and nurturing—she’s driven by a deeply ingrained belief that only a perfect woman will do, one capable of protecting her family from the evils of a world she knows too well.

The book's premise is audacious, dark, and uniquely compelling. Karp’s signature biting humor is on full display as Claire sets off on her absurdly high-stakes quest. At the same time, it’s clear that Claire’s obsessive focus on controlling her family’s future comes from a place of love and fear. The sharp, unpredictable nature of her character only deepens as the story progresses, making her a fascinating, if not always sympathetic, protagonist.

Karp, who co-created the NYPD Red series with James Patterson, brings his trademark skill for creating rich, complex characters and high-stakes drama to Don’t Tell Me How to Die. The dialogue is quick and snappy, laden with wit and tension, and the pacing is relentless. Just when you think you have the story figured out, Karp pulls the rug out from under you with a twist or reveal that leaves your head spinning.

What makes this book particularly interesting is the way Karp balances suspense and humor with emotional depth. The character of Claire is both comical and tragic, and her struggle to make sense of her crumbling life is relatable, even if her methods are anything but. There’s an unexpected poignancy to the narrative, especially as Claire tries to reconcile her desire to control the fate of her family with the reality of her impending death.

However, it's the tightly woven plot full of unexpected twists that will keep readers hooked. As Claire narrows down her candidates for Alex’s next wife, the reader is constantly kept on edge, wondering just what will happen next. Will she succeed in finding someone she trusts to take her place? And, more importantly, can she pull it off before it’s too late?

Karp’s prose is sharp and immersive, and his ability to dive into the psyche of his protagonist without making her too sympathetic or too unlikeable is a testament to his storytelling skill. While the premise may seem outlandish, the emotional stakes never feel less than real, making Don’t Tell Me How to Die a surprisingly heartfelt ride through the highs and lows of family, love, and legacy.

In conclusion, Don’t Tell Me How to Die is a fast-paced, thrilling, and emotionally resonant novel that will leave readers thinking long after the last page is turned. With its compelling premise, unpredictable twists, and sharp character development, Marshall Karp delivers a book that is both thought-provoking and thoroughly entertaining. Don’t miss this one—it’s a wild, unforgettable journey.

Maggie has a fatal blood disease. Her mother, from whom she inherited the disease died at young age, leaving her husband to basically "fend for himself" from the greedy casserole bearers, that nearly ruined him. Told through some flashbacks, Maggie decides to find the "perfect replacement". This is not your mothers thriller, Karp takes it to another level.

5 stars

Thank you, #Partner @blackstonepublishing and @NetGalley, for my #gifted (free) copy. Pub date 3/4/25.

HOLY CRAP!!! THAT ENDING!!!! At first, I was like, "This is a thriller?" Don't get me wrong, I loved the book all the way through, but it definitely was not what I was expecting. This was so well executed and totally threw me for a loop. Definitely add this one to your list, and the short chapter just flies by. Do you trust me?

Maggie Dunn has the same fatal blood disease that her mother died from when Maggie was just a teenager. Maggie's mother wanted to find the perfect wife to fill her spot for her husband when she died, so she knew Maggie and her sister would have a loving step mom. Now, many years later, Maggie is in the same spot and wants to find the next Mrs. Dunn before she dies, so she knows her husband and kids will be okay. Maggie's end-of-life quest takes a dark turn that could possibly end with murder(s). Do you trust me?

Maggie Dunn had it all. An amazing husband and family along with the career of her dreams, but that all comes crashing down on her when she learns she only has months to live. Determined to find a replacement wife before dying, she soon learns way more about her perfect life than she ever wanted to know. This book was a page turner from start to finish and the reader couldn’t help rooting for Maggie as each page was turned. Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

“Don’t Tell Me How To Die” by Marshall Karp is a deeply emotional and gripping novel that explores themes of mortality, family, and the unpredictability of life. The story centers around Maggie, a woman who is facing a terminal illness, knowing that the same disease that claimed her mother will soon take her as well.

I found myself feeling everything—sadness, frustration, joy, and even relief—as Maggie works through the things she thought she could never face. The ending, in particular, took me by surprise, it was totally shocking.

Overall, Don’t Tell Me How To Die is a thought-provoking read that will tug at your heartstrings while keeping you on the edge of your seat with its unexpected twists. If you enjoy stories that blend deep emotional moments with shocking turns, this one is definitely worth diving into.

The story was expertly crafted and there were several times I asked myself how Karp was able to think of all the intertwining details! The balance of edge of your seat and the subjects of familial love and loss were written in a way you felt invested in the characters and turning the pages for more.

This book will be in my top 5 for the year, so if you love a good thriller, put this one on your list. Maggie and Lizzie are teenagers when their mom dies of a rare disease and the first half of the book is about their teenage life and how they deal with the grief. I wondered why this book was billed as a thriller - it was just so sad. BUT THEN. The book begins to move through their lives as adults and Maggie is the mayor of her hometown, married to the fabulous CEO of the hospital with two kids of her own. She has also been diagnosed with the same disease as her mom and then the book goes off the rails in all the best possible ways.

Wow! Just WOW. I'm struggling with how to review this book. But WOW is a great start to describe this amazing, one of a kind stroy.

Don't Tell Me How To Die is an emotional story about grief and love. It's a character driven story so well done, I felt like all of these people were a part of my life. It was emotional and heartbreaking.

The writing was phenomenal, with fantastic short chapters that kept me turning the pages, yearning for more.

It's dubbed a mystery/thriller but I was getting women's fiction or general fiction vibes, loving it but utterly confused about the categorization. I just kept going and all I can say is patience grasshopper.

This will be one of the best books of 2025. No doubt.

The story starts off with a dead body found in the hospital pond. Then jumps straight to Maggie, our main character, worried about blood test results. The book falls back in time to go through Maggie’s teenage years and losing her mother to a rare blood
This book gave me all the feels. I laughed, I cried, I tried to solve it. This book had it all and sucked me in instantly! I could not put this book down until Maggie’s story was complete and boy was I surprised by the twists. I cannot find the right words to describe this book without giving it away, but this is a must read!

This isn’t a typical thriller I’m used to. It started with a lot of backstory, with the main character’s mother being sick and the events surrounding her inevitable death. The story jumps from past to present, with hints being uncovered along the way. I never saw the twist coming, and when it all started to make sense, I had to keep reading to find out more. Well done to Marshall Karp for weaving a complicated web and tying everything together so perfectly at the end. A great read!

Please note that this ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

WOW. This book had me hooked from the very beginning. Truly a masterful work- weaving together heartbreak (MC losing her mother) with thriller (body in the pond, Alex’s disappearance) and topped with jaw-dropping surprises. The MC never ceased to amaze me. My heart broke for her, then I rooted for her as she faced a similar fate as her mom, and then shock about some of the things she did. I won’t say more, but again… wow. Very much worth the read!

Don’t Tell Me How to Die by Marshall Karp is a brilliant mix of love, loss, and suspense that had me hooked from the first page. Maggie Dunn’s fierce determination to protect her family is both heartbreaking and inspiring, taking readers on an emotional rollercoaster packed with secrets, betrayals, and twists I never saw coming. The edge-of-your-seat suspense builds to a jaw-dropping finale I’m still thinking about. If you love smart, twisty thrillers with heart, this one’s a must-read! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for early access.

I went into this book with no expectations and no idea what it was about other than it was a thriller as I saw another bookstagrammer sing its praises, and I got sucked up into the hype of it. Found it on NetGalley and immediately dived in.

Throughout the book I had no idea what was going on or what made it a “thriller” but it had me hooked from the get go and I binged this in one sitting. The first half had me feeling sad for the characters and really felt for them and then when things started to get revealed, which I was able to guess a part of it I was gobsmacked and literally went into I’m not ok mode when I finished. I was a little disappointed with the way the story just ended but overall, it was very well written and the way everything was weaved together, and the way the twists and turns were revealed had me page turning like there was no tomorrow.

Highly recommend not reading the synopsis and just going in blind.

Woah. This is one of those "just trust the process" stories. I saw another bookstagrammer call this phenomenal so I went in hunt for it, found it as read now on NetGalley, and dove immediately. I blinked and I was 40% in, and completely invested. The character development is deep and well crafted to the point I feel like they're people I actually know. Then as I got to about 60%, I paused and thought "wait isn't this meant to be a mystery/thriller?" I looked it up and yup that's how it was labeled so I was confused and a little worried. But let me tell you, TRUST THE PROCESS OKAY?! It's worth it. I would call this a character driven slow burn mystery, something like Chris Whitaker's All The Colors of the Dark. It's page turning, but not in the heart racing thriller way. There is a big focus on grief and it actually made me feel so many emotions. The way this story is weaved together is so well crafted, I had to stop and process the entire thing over when I got to the end. I was truly shocked. And here's the thing, I was nearly crying in the first half. Then the last third has my jaw on the floor. How often does that happen in a mystery? I'll tell you, not often.

I really applaud the way this story is written and weaved together. I want to comment on it but don't want to give a single thing away so I'll say this; dive in, trust the process, and dm me when you're done cause I'm sure you'll be dying to talk about it just like I am!

Thanks Marisha for making me want to read this. And thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for early access. I can’t wait to get a physical copy!

Thank you Blackstone Publishing for the gifted digital ARC!

It's been quite awhile since a book has completely captivated me like this one did. I found myself fighting tears through the first part of it, leaving me to ask myself "wasn't this supposed to be a thriller?" So if you find yourself in the same position, please soldier on to the end, it'll be worth it!

As a mom of a little girl this one packed a particularly brutal gut punch in a couple storylines. I have to give big kudos to the author for making me feel our female MC's pain so viscerally.

Now onto the thriller aspects: the way the alternating timelines end up weaving themselves together is absolutely masterful. There were several twists at the end that actually made my jaw drop.

I'll be pre-ordering this one because it's undoubtedly going in my Top 10 of 2025! Pub date: March 4.