First off, I would like to thank Blackstone Publishing and author, Marshall Karp, for allowing me to read this book, Don't Tell Me How to Die, via #netgalley. All opinions following are my own.


This novel had me hooked from the first page. Actually, that is a lie. This novel had me hooked since I read the synopsis and requested it on Netgalley. It held my attention from the first page to the last. As someone who usually figures out twists in books, I didn't guess these!

This novel follows Maggie from the time she is in her late teens until right before her forty-third birthday. Her mother died of a horrible genetic blood disease, and Maggie discovers at the beginning of the novel that she will soon succumb to the same disease. Maggie is not one to go down without a fight, though. But, she isn't going to fight death either. She isn't going to do chemo like her mom and just waste away. No, she is going to fight another way.

She just doesn't want her husband and kids to be taken in by a money-hungry con artist like her father almost was years ago when her mother passed. No, Maggie, the ultimate Type-A Personality, is going to use the time she has remaining to find her replacement. That doesn't seem crazy or too difficult, right?

As stated above, I LOVED this novel. I had never read any of Karp's books before, but this one won't be my last. With his twists and biting humor, this book was an easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me. Do yourself a favor and read this one! It just hit shelves two days ago!

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I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Funny, dark, suspensful, this book was fun, captivating and fast paced. It isn't your typical thriller as the author got an wicked sense of humour wovened into unexpected twists.

I was super excited about going into this book with so many five star reviews. So you might imagine my disappointment when I found it to be a book that not only required I need to leave my qualms at the door but also at times seemed to be a YA story (minus the sex, drugs, and alcohol).

It had all the qualities of pathos and yet I unfortunately found myself rolling my ears, looking up to heaven, and staying out loud "this just is impossible".

The bulk of the story delves into a somewhat sordid life of Maggie and briefly her sister who had lost their beloved mother, a very over the top understanding progressive mother. She tasks her daughters with the job of finding their father a "suitable" replacement wife. Not easy with a trail of what seems like marauding women striding pass his door. (It kind of frosted me that single woman looking for someone seemed to be with were cast as villains here)

At any rate their perfect family life is interrupted when mom dies of an incurable blood disease and then to make things worse she passes it on to Maggie who grows up to be a successful lawyer, a District Attorney, a mayor, a happily married woman married to the handsome successful surgeon, with a gorgeous life and two beautiful children.

However, then tragedy happens and Maggie travels down the road her mother took and looks to find a mate for her husband.

There are some twists in the story which at least had me completing the book, but on the whole this book with too many nasty women was just plain annoying. However, most men were not portrayed as ax murderers as seems to be the thing to do these days and I appreciated that aspect.

So I guess this book was a fail for me sadly.

Such a great read! In the beginning it takes you through the history of the characters which is important for the end of the book. First book I’ve read by this author! I can’t wait to read more of his books! The way he delivers stories are amazing. He has a true talent.

The premise centers on Maggie, who faces the daunting reality of inheriting the fatal illness that took her mother at a young age. As she grapples with her mortality, her focus shifts to finding a suitable partner for her husband after her passing, mainly due to her father's unfortunate experience with a con artist following her mother’s death.

The narrative predominantly unfolds through flashbacks, illustrating a teenage Maggie in reckless moments, surrounded by peers, parents, and her sister, all engaged in dialogue filled with sarcasm. This blend of humour against a serious theme aims to create a sense of levity; however, the humour may not resonate as intended, leaving some moments feeling less effective.

The plot requires a significant suspension of disbelief, with several events seeming implausible, which can create a disconnect between readers and the story’s reality. Despite being in their 40s, the adult characters often appear to lack substantial development from their teenage selves, coming across more as caricatures instead of fully fleshed-out characters. The dialogue sometimes feels contrived, missing the richness of authentic human interaction.

There are also aspects of the portrayal of women that could be perceived as problematic, presenting them as predatory figures who target grieving widowers. This characterization raises concerns and could detract from the overall message of the narrative.

Despite initial reservations, I chose to continue reading, influenced by the seemingly positive reviews and hopeful for an improvement in the narrative quality. Unfortunately, my expectations were not met as the story progressed.

The synopsis promised a thriller infused with sharp humour, yet this potential seems underexplored throughout the text. Overall, there are interesting themes at play, but there is an opportunity for more profound character development and a more nuanced approach to humour and relationships.

I want to thank Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The set up: Maggie is found to be suffering from the same fatal illness as her mother, who died at the age of 41. She is determined to find a suitable wife for her husband after she’s gone, after her father was the victim of a con artist after her mother died.

But the majority of the book is set in the past with teenage Maggie behaving badly while her friends, parents, and sister speak in pithy, smart-ass comments. They find hilarity and humor even when faced with the death. The problem is the humor wasn’t funny in the least.

Everything that happens in this book requires a massive suspension of disbelief. Everything, and I mean everything, is completely implausible. If it wasn’t so stupid and cheesy I would have been laughing.

The adults at 43 were indistinguishable from their 16 year old selves. They were all insufferable. The dialogue was ridiculous, and bears no resemblance to how people really talk to one another.

The final nail in the coffin is the author portrays women to be predatory, gold-digging, casserole-wielding piranhas out to snare new widowers in their web. Misogyny at its finest. Very offensive.

I was ready to DNF early but the glowing reviews kept me reading, sure that at 50% the book would pick up. It did not.

The synopsis promised a thriller with biting humor. Don’t believe it. The author seems like a good person, working with international charities, but it still doesn’t redeem this book.

2 VERY generous stars only because I finished it. With regret.

2.66 Stars

First off, I want to say that I get the huge hype of this book. It was addictive, it has short, punchy chapters, and I can't wait to read what happens next vibes. The start of the book was the best part for me, unlike many others who found it slow. The family drama and dynamics really drew me in, I loved it. - 4 Stars

Then the book lost me a bit about when the mom expects the 16-year-old daughter to find a new wife for the dad and look out for him. I found it rather controlling and laughable that she thinks the 16-year-old would do better than the grown man himself. It was still readable to me, though, like a popcorn thriller. - 3 Stars

The last part of the book went completely off the rails for me. I didn't buy into anything that happened, it was completely implausible. I was literally laughing out loud at the stupidity of it. The book was trying to be serious, these are supposed to be important people, doctors, lawyers, mayors and police. Don't come at me. I know there are many unscrupulous types in these positions, but is ANYONE in this town not a murdering psychopath? - 1 Star

That gives the book eight stars out of fifteen, which is a rating of 2.66 out of five, rounded up to three.

Thank you so much Blackstone #partner + NetGalley for the book and audiobook narrated by the one and only January LaVoy!
——

Even though we have a host of characters, Maggie is at the center of the story. Maggie has a beautiful family and has overall had a good life. But now she is diagnosed with the same terminal illness as her mother was. And just as her mother was worried leaving her husband with predatory women, Maggie faces the same thoughts with her 2 kids. But Maggie would like to think Alex is a doctor and dotting father who will not make the same mistakes her dad did.

The major chunk of the book explores Maggie’s history with her family and friends in her small town and this is where I had a hard time with the pacing of the book and the family interactions, some of which felt unnatural to me. Maggie is a go-getter, ambitious personality who will stop at nothing to climb up, which is an aspect I love to see about women in books. However it felt particularly forced to me and I found Maggie to be insufferable in many of her actions, well into adulthood. (This is where I’ll insert my opinion nobody asked for, that women are best written by women authors).

The last 30% or so of the book had the pacing I expect from thrillers and a lot of jaw-dropping twists that I didn’t see coming, and overall redeemed the book for me. January LaVoy was the saving factor for me to keep reading the book because she’s the queen of audiobooks and was simply flawless with breathing life into this story.

I realize that I’m in the minority and this book comes with accolades of 5 stars so please take my review with a grain of salt and I urge you to try the book for yourself.

Marshall Karp delivers an exhilarating and witty thriller in Don’t Tell Me How To Die, a novel that keeps readers on their toes from start to finish. With his signature blend of humor and suspense, Karp masterfully crafts a narrative that is as engaging as it is unpredictable.

The story unfolds with gripping intensity, challenging readers to piece together the truth as twists and revelations continually shift expectations. Karp’s writing style is sharp, immersive, and effortlessly entertaining, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. His characters are well-developed, their dialogue infused with humor and realism, adding depth to the novel’s already compelling mystery.

What sets Don’t Tell Me How To Die apart is its ability to surprise. Just when you think you have it figured out, Karp turns the narrative on its head, proving that nothing is as it seems. This clever storytelling ensures an experience that is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling.

For fans of crime fiction that delivers both suspense and a dose of humor, Don’t Tell Me How To Die is a must-read. Karp’s ability to blend tension with levity makes for an unforgettable ride, and this book is a testament to his skill as a storyteller. Highly recommended.

My first five star of the year! The writing was engaging with three dimensional characters and witty banter. I was engrossed from the first page to the last page. I appreciate that the twists were not overly done or exaggerated just to expand the story. Thank you so much for this ARC!

🩸𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗠𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 L̶I̶V̶E̶ 𝗗𝗜𝗘
𝔤𝔢𝔫𝔢𝔯𝔞𝔩 𝔣𝔦𝔠𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫/𝔱𝔥𝔯𝔦𝔩𝔩𝔢𝔯
🗓️𝙿𝚞𝚋 𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚎: 𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚌𝚑 𝟺, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟻
🤩𝕄𝕪 𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: 𝟝+𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤! ★★★★★+

🤏𝚃𝚎𝚎𝚗𝚢 𝚝𝚒𝚍𝚋𝚒𝚝...Maggie has been diagnosed with the same rare blood disease that her mother died from. She has 3 months to find a new wife for her husband & a mom to her kids….

🌸𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚊𝚢...HOLY FRIGGIN WOW! I loved this book! If you see above👆 I wrote general fic AND thriller as the genre even though this one is dubbed solely as a thriller/mystery. Wellllllll…it is BOTH! Woohoo! 🎉The first two thirds-ish is an amazing emotional story about grief, family & love. The added wit & banter made it not a massive tear jerker for me, but I DEF felt big things. 🥺♥️The pacing, the writing, the main character....all are phenomenal. 💯The last third-ish is like whiplash in the best of ways🙌. That’s when the thriller part hits & barely lets up! 😳I am talking twists galore 🌀& the whole damn thang was just BRILLIANT! 🏆

Five stars for one of the most original - and what will make my Top 10 of the year - thrillers I have ever read!

Maggie is a lawyer and the mayor of her small town. She is dealing with a death of a prominent citizen when this story begins. Maggie also receives some life-altering news: she has been diagnosed with the same rare condition that took her mother’s life at a young age. Maggie is determined to spend her last days with her family and making plans.

That’s as much about the plot that I want to say. Go into this one blind - that is my advice. This book has so many twists and turns that you will not know if you are coming or going. That is a compliment. I had NO idea where this one was heading, and I was surprised at every turn. This story does bounce back and forth throughout Maggie’s life, but it is very easy to follow. I absolutely loved the ending too!

I also was lucky enough to get the opportunity to listen to the audiobook of this one. January LaVoy does a phenomenal job as always. If you prefer the audiobook, you are in for a treat!

This book is absolutely incredible. I cannot recommend it highly enough! It is truly original, and my head was spinning by the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the digital and audiobook copies of this amazing thriller! Now I need to read more from this author. This book is out now! Pick it up!

WOW. Just…wow.

“How strong are you?”

I’ve been trying to come up with what to say about this book for a few days now and I’m at a loss. I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook of this book, which was phenomenally narrated by January LaVoy and I couldn’t stop listening. I finished this in less than 24 hours and yet it’s been living rent-free in my mind for DAYS.

It’s starts off a bit heartbreaking as we learn that Maggie’s mom died when Maggie was only 17 from a fatal condition that Maggie has apparently now been diagnosed with herself. Her mom’s last wish was for Maggie and her sister to protect their father from the vultures of women who would throw themselves at him—and protect him they did.

So when Maggie learns she has a similar fate coming her way, and realizes her kids might be too young for that kind of undertaking, she decides to find a woman to take her place in her family—as her husband’s wife and also mother to her twins.

This story captured bits of the past alongside the present to show us just how much Maggie has been through and just how important family truly is to her. We see the bonds she’s made with people over the years and which ones truly stand the test of time.

A lot of people have said they’ve cried while reading this one, and while I didn’t, I can understand it as part of this psychological thriller does read like a family drama and with deaths involved, it’s hard not to tear up at times.

I was riveted for the entire story either way though. And the twist at the end??? Wow.

I cannot recommend this one enough, and I hope you’ll check it out! It’s addictive, twisty, and completely original.

The writing was phenomenal. There was so much character development that I felt like I really knew all of the characters. Multiple times I had to stop and question if this was truly a thriller/mystery! Trust the process. All of the plots are woven so well together. Excellent book!!!

Thank you netgalley for an advanced reader's copy.

This book is told in three parts. The first part is in the past-1997. Seventeen year old Maggie’s mother is dying from a rare blood disease and asks her daughters to look after their dad and keep the vulture women away from him. So, when Connie comes into her dad’s life she is skeptical.

Part two and three are more domestic suspense than family drama. (More part three). 26 years later, Maggie learns she has the same rare blood disease as her mother and she decides to find a replacement wife for her husband, Alex.

It’s somewhat unrealistic and unbelievable, but I enjoyed the twists. I ended up listening to the audiobook for the last half narrated by January Lavoy. She is amazing.

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing for the advanced readers copy and to Libro.fm for the advanced listener copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This had a very unexpected turn of events that hit me one right after the other and I couldn’t have enjoyed a better peak and ending. There was a lot of back and forth between time periods, which can get consuming at times, so pay attention. Intriguing me the most is the opening chapter, you think that’s wha the book is eluding up to but it’s much more. I won’t give it away you’ll have to see for yourself.

I became a fan of Marshall Karp after reading his Lomax & Biggs books. Karp then went on to team up with James Patterson in the NYPD Red series. I was happy to see him back with a solo title, Don't Tell Me How to Die, and this fast-paced tale certainly does not disappoint.

Maggie Dunn is a woman who knows how to get things done. She knows how to succeed. She has a younger sister and friends who will support her no matter what. She's been living with the threat of a rare genetic blood disease hanging over her, so when she's told she only has three months to live, she knows what she has to do.

I love Marshall Karp's writing style. Each chapter is headed by how much time is left before Maggie's funeral, and that adds urgency to the story. There are also laugh-out-loud moments that can catch readers off guard, and if you're a fan of plot twists, you'll love the ones in this book.

Maggie is a force of nature, and although I ultimately did not like her, I did like her absolute honesty. I couldn't stop following her every move. If you're a fan of fast-paced books filled with twists and turns and an indomitable main character, pick up a copy of Marshall Karp's Don't Tell Me How to Die.

I loved this novel from start to amazing finish. The characters were real and the story flowed as fast as the Hudson River. The twists and turns kept me flipping the pages, and I put everything on hold until I finished the last word. Maggie and Lizzy were the best sister duo trying to find the next wife for their father after their mother passes away. And, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. My habit is to go into a novel knowing nothing about it, and this was a fresh experience that I totally invested myself in. I will highly recommend this novel to my library patrons and I will be putting this on top of my list for anyone asking for a book that packs a punch! Well done, Mr. Karp, keep them coming!

Thank You to NetGalley, The Author Marshall Karp and The Publisher Blackstone Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC, for my honest review.

Maggie’s mom died young with a rare blood disorder, and it is looking like Maggie will suffer the same fate. But she won’t make the same mistake as her mom and waste what time she has left doing chemo and being miserable. She is going to let what happens happen. So much of this book I kept wondering if it was mislabeled, because it just seemed to be about her mom and family and job and such. Until the end hits you with a sucker punch out of nowhere and wow, that was quite the ending!

Don't Tell Me How To Die
By Marshall Karp
Publication Date: March 4, 2025
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing

This was soooo good. Karp is whip-smart and has written an incredibly compelling, delicious story. This book was MADE to be devoured!