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.

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!