What a storyline. I really was captured but this book and premise. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity to read this book.

Kalla is both a successful author of medical thrillers and a physician who practices in Vancouver. His last book was "The Darkness in the Light". This new release was inspired by actual events where a number of people died because they took diet pills containing DNP, which was developed in WWI as a explosive to fill howitzer shells. Set in both Vancouver and LA, the book follows the fictional detectives and doctors as they track the source of this deadly poison that has killed both the son of a US senator and a pop star. This is a fun, easy read that sheds light on this dangerous product and it is a good recommendation for fans of medical thrillers. 3.5/5 stars

Thank you so much to @netgalley and @simonschusterca for my first eARC of Fit to Die by Daniel Kalla

I was very excited to read this thriller as it is partially set in Vancouver! Although I found that I am not a fan of medical thrillers, the plot surrounding celebrities, diet culture, body image and drug abuse was very intriguing.

As Kalla is local Canadian author and physician, I was happy to read and support his work.

Publication date is May 9th!

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TW: ED's, death

Maybe this one hit close to home for me but I really enjoyed it even though it scared me. It felt so current and like this could happen at any time. A really solid, twisty thriller.

Loved that it was set partially in Canada as well :)

Content warning: Eating disorders, body dysmorphia, drug abuse

Daniel Kalla, known for thrillers rooted in the medical field, had me intrigued when I saw his latest novel is based around online body shaming and toxic diet pills. When a US senator’s teenage son is found dead of an apparent overdose in his bedroom, LAPD Detective Cari Garcia assumes he is a troubled teen with a secret drug addiction. Meanwhile in Vancouver, Dr. Julie Rees, a toxicologist, is noticing a trend in overdoses among patients with eating disorders and body builders. Famous pop star and social media influencer Rain Flynn, is found dead in her hotel room showing similar symptoms to the patients Julie has lost to these overdoses. Autopsy shows that these patients have one thing in common - an illicit diet pill containing a toxin called DNP, in their system. An explosive agent that is unpredictable and deadly. The LAPD and Vancouver Police must work together to find the source before the body count continues to rise.

This book was so fast paced and engaging, I finished it over the course of an afternoon. There are quite a few POVs which really allows the reader to immerse themselves in the story from multiple angles. I always enjoy when writers do this. Each POV was unique and easily distinguishable from the others.

Daniel Kalla is an ER Physician, which is definitely what makes his stories so realistic. He breaks down the medical aspects of the story in a way that makes it easy for readers like myself, with absolutely no medical background, easy to understand. The premise of a toxic diet pill, and the pressures of social media influencing body image are sadly so relevant. I was really engaged and felt so much sympathy for the various victims in the story.

I would definitely recommend this if you’re looking for a socially relevant thriller. I could not put this one down.

Thank you to @netgalley & @simonschusterca for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! Fit to Die is out on May 9, 2023!

⭐4/5 stars⭐

I think the authors notes help you appreciate this novel for what it is - an eye opening look at a very real problem with drugs being used for weight loss. I found the multiple POV's difficult for me, and had to jot down notes to keep track of everything. It's a good mystery, but I do think it should come with some trigger warnings around eating disorders and body dysmorphia. I feel like this was written more like a screen play than a novel? The headings or titles of chapters would have helped immensely. The writing style was a bit disjointed which ultimately affected the overall feeling of the book. It was definitely enjoyable and would make for a great series.

Daniel Kalla does it again with this faced paced medical thriller about toxic dieting pills, anorexia and the influence of media/wellness culture. I enjoyed that characters from THE LAST HIGH were brought back for this book, as I enjoyed their storyline. But I felt like this book was a bit one-sided. I wish there was more from the victims' side, not just points of view from cops/medical team/bad guys. Still a solid read from Kalla. I would recommend if you like detective work, medical thrillers, and seeing the bad guys get what's coming for them. Very satisfying end!

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for this ARC!

Daniel Kalla is a Canadian author and a Vancouver doctor. His knowledge of what happens in an ER room makes this story all the better. Fit To Die will make you really realize how dangerous the weight loss industry is now, especially with easy access to purchase all kinds of weight loss miracle drugs on the internet. If you are looking for a fast-paced medical thriller then I suggest you pick this book up.

This was my first book by this author and I will be reading more. 5 stars!

An exciting read that kept me turning the pages. I had no idea of this "slimming method" and was shocked to learn that this could happen in real life, not only in medical thrillers. I loved the medical aspect and the (partial) Vancouver setting! All in all, a very satisfying reading experience. Thanks to the author, Simon & Schuster Canada, and Netgalley for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This timely thriller about a pop star who overdoses takes on weighty issues like the normalization of diet culture, body shaming and the dangers of off-label weight-loss medication. The fact that this story comes on the heels of recent headline news about the widespread use of diabetes medications like Ozempic for weight loss is almost eerie, making some of the set-up it explores — like influencer culture and social media — seem like almost too-easy targets. But Kalla, a Vancouver ER physician and toxicologist, has an insider’s knowledge of the milieu and the crisis, so he balances interesting medical details with empathy and a pacy plot, without getting preachy.
(Delighted to include this title in the May edition of Novel Encounters, my regular column highlighting the month’s most anticipated fiction for the Books section of Zoomer, Canada’s national culture magazine)

This book was a quick read for me. I would not classify it as a thriller, however there is a mystery behind the plot. All in all it was an ok read for me.

From internationally bestselling author Daniel Kalla comes a riveting thriller about online body shaming, toxic diet pills, a vulnerable mega-celebrity, and a rapidly rising body count.

This plot centres around Dr. Julie Rees, an experienced toxicologist, who notices a growing number of overdoses among the eating disordered and body builders, leading to a multi-jurisdictional cross-border investigation.

It is apparent that Daniel Kalla practices emergency medicine in Vancouver, British Columbia, as his portrayal of the Physician protagonists in their respective emergency settings is so detailed.

Overall, an interesting and unique topic, involving (sometimes unattainable) standards of beauty, the obsession with health and dangerous impact of social media; with current implications due to the ongoing societal pressure to be thin, popular and attractive.

I just reviewed Fit to Die by Daniel Kalla. #NetGalley
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Fit to Die: A Thriller by Daniel Kalla ~ A Book Review
How far would you go to get the "Diet" results that seem to be eluding you? It is a known fact that we are obsessed with our own individual perceived short comings! We are hard on ourselves in so many ways and because of this predisposed condition, we fall for so many "quick fixes".


In this novel by Daniel Kalla, hones in on this shortcoming many of us have and weaves a story around those people who are determined to the be the fittest, slimmest, most beautiful people in the world.

Just imagine if you will, an elite athlete, after a competition hears someone comment that if they were just a couple of pounds lighter, the results of the race would have been so much different! As an athlete little things like a couple of pounds can be the difference between winning and loosing! Could that be true? Would that comment stick with you? If you were the person being spoken about, what would you do?

Enter the shady world of "Diet Pills" and online "doctors" who are always pedaling their overpriced and often unreliable and useless products to a population looking for a quick fix. All of us with our insecurities, are the prey these advertisements are geared towards. That's one of the reasons the "diet" industry is thriving.

Fit to Die follows the death of a young man (Owen) who is in his prime, a great student and a successful athlete. He ends up dead with symptoms that no Emergency Room doctor can figure out. Multiple organ failure and super high body temperatures that are causing seizures and ultimately his death. Yet there are no signs of drug use, steriods or anything else, even though he is in the typical age range for these problems! What has cause this death? His mother a US Senator in California wants answers!

Then there is another suspicious death in Vancouver. A young beauitful and very popular singer and media influencer dies with the same symptoms. What the heck is happening and what is the connection between these two seemingly unrelated deaths? Could there be a connection?

Detective Chen from Vancouver and Detective Cari Garcia from LA must put their heads together to find out what is going on before it becomes an epidemic and more lives are lost!

You will have to read this book in order to find out the who, what, where, when and why of all the mystery!

This book had me reading well into the night and I know that this scenario is quite possible in our day, given our "need" to be perfect or as near perfect as possible. Who hasn't wanted a quick fix after dieting for months only to have the last 10 pounds hang on forever?

Dr. Daniel Kalla is not only a gifted writer, but he is also an Emergency Physician in the Greater Vancouver area. He has written 13 published novels and had a few of them optioned for film and a TV series. Keep your eyes open for this novel that is sure to keep you turning pages. You can preorder it on Amazon! Due out after May 9th of this year.

I was given a copy of this book for my honest review by Goodreads, Simon & Schuster Canada!

You can order yours here or you can read for free with your Audible account!
I just reviewed Fit to Die by Daniel Kalla. #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

“How do you think you get noticed in the hypercompetitive, desperately overcrowded world of fitness and health? By playing by the rules?”

In this riveting novel from Vancouver ER doctor and international bestselling author Daniel Kalla, a Vancouver doctor and a detective join forces with counterparts in Los Angeles Police Department to face the deadly consequences of an illicit diet pill that is growing in popularity. They race to track down the supplier that has landed multiple people in Vancouver and L.A. in the ER with critical overdoses.

Kalla shines the spotlight on our society and reveals the dangers of our quick-fix society. His stellar medical suspense opens readers' eyes to the “treacherous phenomenon of body image and eating disorders, which are perpetuated by a toxic weight loss industry and a social media rife with body shaming” and warns readers about a deadly diet pill. Rather than focus on the toll on society, Kalla speaks up for the victims and highlights the criminals who’ve preyed on these susceptible people.


Kalla’s writing is fuelled by his passion as a physician. The drama, conflicts, and daily struggles he witnesses in his career, breathe life into this enlightening and compelling read. His stories always make me appreciate front-line workers and help me foster greater empathy for those who struggle. If you haven’t experienced the caliber of Kalla’s writing, what’s stopping you?

How did we become a nation of impatient and lazy people who are always looking for a quick fix? Why do we not want to wait for anything? Why are we hot on the tracks to attain the perfect body?

Kalla writes to reveal that the endless search for the quick fix is a trap and encourages us to become better informed, more discerning, and willing to find healthier ways to fill our dopamine tank.

Kalla deftly shows us that addiction is not a mere social ill; it’s a disease that involves the individual as well as their family, friends, and community. You’ll be introduced to a track star, Owen Galloway, a famous pop star and social media influencer, Rain Flynn, and co-owners of a popular wellness clinic, Cecilia and Lloyd Hunter. You’ll follow their quest for perfection and see the ripple effects of their choices.

I absolutely love Kalla’s books! In this medical suspense, he invited me inside the emergency room and gave me a glimpse of the challenges doctors/nurses face in triage, how collaboration across multiple departments is necessary, and how the daily battle of racing against time affects frontline workers. It was great to read about local places and get reacquainted with characters Detective Anson Chen (VPD), Dr. Julie Rees (ER doctor and toxicologist with Poison Control) and Dr. Goran Veljkovic (ER doctor) from The Last High and I am looking forward to meeting them again.

As I turned over the last page, I felt convicted to reassess my values on perfection, my responses on social media, and the weight I place on body image/shaming. I was left with the thought-provoking idea: ‘There’s a ton of truth in that old adage that anything worthwhile takes time and effort.’ I certainly have a responsibility to do something, anything.

HIGHLY recommended.

I was gifted this copy by Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

This book was so incredibly well researched and after reading the note from the author, I appreciate them so much for trying to bring to light a very real and scary epidemic of toxic drugs being used for weight loss. The science, medical terms and technical information was really well explained that without any medical training I was able to understand the ramifications of taking the drug.

The multiple POV were really difficult for me in the beginning chapters. We are with multiple characters in different locations and I honestly had to write a note of who was where and doing what in order to try and keep it straight. A title heading with the name of who was narrating and their location would have made this book immensely more enjoyable in the sense that I wouldn't have had to waste time figuring out that small detail. Perhaps this was in an effort to allow the reader to experience the same confusion and frustration as the characters themselves? I felt that it took me out of the story too many times.

I did enjoy the look into the private lives of our characters, details that had really nothing to do with the overall plot of the book, but helped to humanize our narrators so it wasn't all just facts and figures.

Overall, it was a good mystery story about an important issue. I would highly advise adding trigger warnings to anyone who has/is dealing with eating disorders or body dismorphia - even myself with no issues felt a little self conscious about my pants size while reading about all the uber thin and glamorous people.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Daniel Kalla has quickly become an auto read for me. This one did not disappoint. If you haven’t checked out his work this is a great one to start with.

Fit to Die is a thrilling thriller! Dr. Julie Rees is a toxicologist in Vancouver who notes there has been an increase in overdoses in bodybuilders and those with eating disorders. The police start to investigate, just as a famous pop star dies in her hotel room, with the same symptoms as her other patients. I thought this was a unique plot, and the author is an ER physician, so he was able to deliver medical information well. I loved the writing style, the characters, the well execution of the plot and the pace.

This novel shone a spotlight on the dangers of DNP, a deadly diet pill. Discovering this drug is actually real made the story a whole lot more disturbing. The author's extensive knowledge of medicine gave authenticity to gripping scenes in the emergency , involving Dr. Julie Rees trying to save patients who had overdosed. The author handled multiple POV's well in this straightforward but informative thriller.

FIT TO DIE was my second experience with Daniel's writing. I loved THE LAST HIGH and was excited to read this one based on the scintillating synopsis.

FIT TO DIE is a captivating thriller set around Dr. Julie Rees (a toxicologist in Vancouver) who has noted a growing number of overdoses in those with eating disorders and body builders. The police begin to investigate when a famous pop star dies in her Vancouver hotel room, having shown the same symptoms as Julie's other patients.

Given that Daniel is an ER physician, he is deft at delivering medical information and explanations in layman's terms while keeping the level of suspense at a high. I thought the plot surrounding body shaming and toxic diet pills as a thriller was a unique and original idea that I haven't come across before. The author's note detailing the origin of his novel idea was helpful to understand how this novel came to be. As a thriller it is captivating while still being informative.

Daniel's writing style allows for a seamless transition between multiple POVs while still making the characters feel authentic and relatable. I enjoyed revisiting characters from THE LAST HIGH. The plot is well-executed, fast-paced and intriguing while the reader follows an investigation taking place in two major cities (Vancouver, Canada and Los Angeles, USA).

The ending wrapped up the story nicely; however, I would have liked to have more context as to the why behind the "villain's" choices to do what they did. It is mentioned but I would have liked a little more explanation.

A thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat while you devour it.

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

A thriller set across two countries involving several mysterious deaths due to a diet supplement.

This one kind of fell flat for me. I wanted it to be more gritty. Instead, the plot was substandard, the characters one dimensional and the ending not very satisfying.

On a more positive note, it is a quick read.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.