I need to give honest feedback here on NetGalley. My review on Insta will be less detailed (I haven't published it yet), and I appreciate the opportunity to read this before it’s released. I’m always grateful.

This book is being marketed as a thriller, but I didn’t feel anything ‘thriller-y’ about it. It was very much a story about Maggie’s life – which is fine, but I think it should be marketed solely as General Fiction.

One thing I feel strongly I need to point out is that when we look at Maggie’s life at the age of 17, Karp painted her to be extremely promiscuous. I am absolutely not a fan of male writers depicting underage girls in a sexual light, even more so because this is a book that is not aimed at the romance or dark romance audience. If her promiscuous behaviour is considered to be an important part of her grieving, that’s fine, but on the other hand…I don’t know. I was very uncomfortable reading about an underage girls on the prowl, so to speak, and ‘gyrating’ in a particular scene, etc. I don’t think men have a place writing about underage girls like this…anything ending in ‘teen’ should be left alone.

I need to point out also a couple errors (sorry, I read it on my Kindle and there were no page numbers):
Loc 2595: “Married to a doctor, we have six-year-old twins – a boy and a girl…” upon catching up with Misty after they lost contact after so many years.
Loc 2867: But then…’at 6pm, Misty showed up all smiles. We had reconnected when my kids were born, and at this point, we were part of the fabric of each other’s lives’.
I’m under the impression Misty was NOT in Maggie’s life when the kids were born. Misty and Maggie meet at the pub, and Maggie tells her ‘I have six-year-old twins’. That indicates Misty was not there six years ago.

There are about 8 punctuation errors, but I didn’t keep track, hopefully someone else will pick them up.

I enjoyed the short chapters.

The chapters jumped from one storyline to another, and it felt a bit rushed. Almost like there were too many ideas in the author’s head and he had to get everything in on paper. For instance, Maggie and Johnny were at Thanksgiving dinner at the pub, but suddenly, they were breaking into Connie’s house. There was no flow into that situation – I suppose the word is ‘disjointed’.

Also too, Loc 3390: Why is the word Black capitalising? Are we capitalising people’s skin colours? I’d like to think this should be lower case?

I hope it helps at least a little bit.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I love the way the characters weren't perfect and had their flaws, but at the same time, the dysfunction worked. I suspected a sinister plot, but the ending was even more than what I expected. I love this book and will be recommending to others!

Marshall Karp delivers a gripping blend of humor, emotional depth, and suspense in Don't Tell Me How To Die. The story begins with an unforgettable hook—a body discovered live on air during a weather report—and then dives into the complex and poignant life of Maggie Dunn, a small-town mayor battling a rare illness, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).

Maggie’s determination to secure a stable future for her family—even seeking a replacement wife for her husband, Alex, a devoted physician—sets the stage for an emotional journey. The supporting cast, including her rational sister Lizzie, loyal friend Jonny Rollo, and her children Kevin and Katie, adds depth and heart to the story.

While the thriller elements take their time to unfold, the twists and turns, once they arrive, are worth the wait. The nonlinear timeline keeps things dynamic, though it occasionally challenges the reader to keep track. Despite this, Karp weaves a narrative that is as unpredictable as it is engaging.

Don't Tell Me How To Die is perfect for readers who enjoy thrillers with a strong emotional core, memorable characters, and a touch of humor. It’s a rollercoaster ride of surprises, anchored by moments of genuine human connection.

Marshall Karp has become one of my favorite authors since discovering him through his NYPD Red collaboration with James Patterson. So when it became available through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, I grabbed it up.

I was definitely not disappointed! This is a bit different than your typical thriller that generally throws you headlong into one breathless scene after another and Maggie Dunn is not your typical heroine. Maggie is far from perfect and one of her big “flaws” is something that generally puts me off a character. Yet I was completely captivated from the beginning.

Given the book description I wasn’t sure where the mystery or thrill was going to come from. But sure enough, there are some really interesting twists and turns along the way and I found myself unable to stop reading.

This was an unusual plot and a phenomenal story. I will never not read a Karp book! :)

In reading this book, I was initially so confused as to why it was a thriller. I’d cried several times by the halfway mark.

The pacing through me off a few times, and I was confused on what part of Maggie’s life we were in, but it eventually settled out in a few sentences. I don’t think I understood the thriller context until I reached the 75% mark? By then, I didn’t want to put the book down and stayed up until three AM because I had to know how it ended.

This book was truly a wild and an emotional roller coaster. I was convinced I was gonna hate it and rage finish, but I think it threw such a wrench in my expectations I actually loved it. Wild.

Spoilers: it honestly made me kinda mad Maggie was cheating for so long with Van. I understand it, but it initially was upsetting like WTF. However, after reading more and understanding Maggie’s viewpoint of maybe how they never should have married to begin with? Also understandable. How everything tied together? Actually loved it. Never suspected Alex, and his role was just.. there was so much too it.

Honestly, Johnny Rollo was my favorite character.

Don't Tell Me How to Die by Marshall Karp is a very intriguing story that I enjoyed.

The main character has a short time to live, and she wants to find a replacement wife for her husband before she dies.
UM WHAT?

That is just the beginning of this enthralling thriller.

There are so many twists and turns, you will not see it coming.

Great suspenseful novel!

Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with an ARC for this book. I received an advance copy for free and I’m leaving this review voluntary.

I thought this book was not for me. The beginning had a lot of family drama and complications and it took a while to get it going. I was wondering why it had been marketed as a thriller. But then around 25% it hit home. I was glad I continued reading as the journey was wild. I had a lot of fun trying to find out where the story was going and figuring it out Maggie’s motivations.

Maggie lost her mum at seventeen and we follow her before her mum’s death and the journey that she goes on figuring out everything. And at the age of Forty-Tree she discovers that she has the same disease that killed her mother and she needs to find her husband a perfect wife before she goes to take her place.

This was an emotional thriller, with a lot of family dynamics. It was funny and crazy at times, and I really enjoyed this book.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

This was a great read! Thoroughly enjoyed the story, characters and the twists. Didn't quite know where it was going at first and seemed a bit tame, but once it got going it was an addictive read. My first 5 star for 2025.

Thanks to Netgalley for having this book available as an open read 😊

This book was absolutely WILD. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, and there were countless moments where my jaw was literally on the floor. I can confidently say I’ve never read a book that left me so utterly speechless. Marshall Karp deserves a standing ovation for crafting such an incredible story. I almost forgot I was reading a thriller until I hit the 70–80% mark—and then boom, another shocking twist!

Don’t Tell Me How To Die follows Maggie Dunn, who tragically loses her mother in her late teens to a fatal blood disease (HLH). Years later, Maggie discovers she has the same disease. Preparing for the worst, she begins orchestrating her husband's future—including choosing his next wife. But with twenty more twists and turns, Maggie is thrown into a chaotic whirlwind of duplicity, betrayal, and murder.

I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book when it hits the shelves. It’s an absolute must-read!

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.