4.5 ⭐️
What a ride ! This felt more like a family drama for the most part and in the last 20% is when the thriller part comes in . Overall a quick and enjoyable read . I had to come back to this review and rating the next day and update it - the more I thought about it, the more I realized how brilliantly the story was executed

Holy crap was this good! So many twists and turns that I lost count of how many times I was dumbfounded! Part family drama, part exciting mystery/thriller makes for a unique read! Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

📚 E-ARC BOOK REVIEW 📚

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

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for this #gifted e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

📚MY REVIEW:

Don't Tell Me How To Die is an absolutely compelling five star read that was unexpectedly brilliant. Karp is such a wonderful storyteller -- I flew through this book and truly enjoyed every minute of it!

This book takes place over multiple timelines, with short chapters and a story that pulled me in immediately. I laughed a lot and I cried big tears. So many of the quips from the characters caused me to laugh out loud, with witty dialogue and clever one-liners that brought buoyancy to the heaviness of the topics in these pages.

For much of the read, I wondered why it was listed as a thriller. Not that it mattered, because the story was phenomenal. I was completely entertained by the McCormick family, the people of Heartstone, and the plot itself. I don't even want to say more or tell you anything about the synopsis.

This book will not be what you're expecting, but then it's going to start blowing your mind. Because suddenly, around 75-80% of the way in, this story starts twisting and doesn't stop till the very last page. Seriously, the way this book twisted and turned in its last chapters absolutely left my jaw on the floor. I kept saying, Wait a minute, WHAT?!, again and again. And when it was done, I felt like I wanted to stand up and applaud.

I cannot recommend this book enough -- whether you're a fan of thrillers, contemporary fiction, family drama, or character-driven stories - there's something in this book for you to love. And damn this book was good - you simply MUST add it to your bookshelf!

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I was really drawn to this book because of the cover and description. It sounded like a true mystery/thriller but it read more like contemporary fiction at parts. All of the intense mystery/thriller moments happened in the last 10% of the book. At around 84% one of the MCs goes missing but at that time it was too late to grab my attention.

The sporadic time hops were confusing and inconsistent. Even with the time hops Misty and Maggie’s relationship had zero depth. All of the sudden Maggie was explaining how Misty always felt like family, but she stayed with her for what? One night after her family was murdered and they had limited contact once she moved away.

I felt like the author used a lot of unnecessary sexual language and sex scenes that just did not fit the narrative. They felt forced and to be honest, creepy. Also the use of a slur to describe a lesbian at around 70% was completely unnecessary especially since the book is written by a cis heterosexual male. It was also weird to me that September 11 was tied into the end of the book. All of these instances felt very gross to read especially when the book wasn’t marketed correctly.

I will not be posting this review on my socials.

I was intrigued by the blurb on Netgalley and was excited to get the ARC. The first half of the book was developing Maggies' background and her genetic blood disease that will kill her before her next birthday. it flashes back to the time to when her mom was dying of the same disease and how it affected their family and town. The pace was not super fast and I would put it down nd pick back up weeks later but once I got past that point, the book picked up and I flew through the end with the twists.

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! This book is full of shocking surprises, and I did not see any of them coming. The writing is phenomenal. The story is stunning in so many ways. The characters are spot on, and I cannot stop gushing about this book, it is phenomenal! Marshall Karp had me going in one direction and flipped that right around and had me going in the exact opposite direction. My mouth hanging open in shock, trying to gasp for air as I read the last few tantalizing chapters. This book is highly addictive and tore through it like it was my job.

This book had my emotions all over the chart. My eyes were welling, laughing aloud, to my jaw hitting the floor. The way in which the story was written is utterly amazing. I am not giving away any juicy tidbit. You need to read this book! It is a jewel of a book that cannot be passed by. Thank you to my book bestie @webreakforbooks for telling me to read it. You always have the best suggestions. Thank you to Marshall Karp and Blackstone Publishing for my gifted copy. Are you still reading this, what are you doing? Go order it or drive to the store a pickup your copy!

On the basis of my love for the delightful five-book Lomax and Biggs mystery series by Marshall Karp from a while back, I was happy to come across Karp's new standalone, Don't Tell Me How to Die. But I must confess to wondering what type of book the author intended to write. The first two-thirds or so presents as a family drama, but then the book suddenly and (for me) unconvincingly takes a huge swerve into psychological thriller territory. And where was the "darkly funny" humor promised in the blurb?

To be fair, the multiple twists in the latter part of the book were unexpected and entertaining to read, but because I found the female protagonist, high school senior class president and current town mayor Maggie, so unrelatable and unlikeable, they ultimately fell flat for me. I much preferred Maggie's slightly younger sister, Lizzie, but her story all but disappeared partway through the book, as did the stories of Maggie's 16-year-old twins. In addition, much of the story involves terminal illness (not a spoiler--it's in the Amazon description), which could have been more deeply affecting, but which suffered from the matter-of-fact way those involved reacted to it. I know Karp is a talented writer with a wonderful sense of humor, but I unfortunately didn't find any of that in this book.

My thanks to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

This didn’t wow me like all the 5 star reviews you’ll see. I think my expectations were too high. It’s VERY slow and NOT a thriller. This reads like a family drama, coming of age, with a heavy theme of grief and some scandalous behavior. The suspense and “twist” doesn’t hit until 88% which is way too late.

One thing I will say is that it DID make me cry in the beginning; my sad heart just couldn’t take it. So for that, I added a star.

2.5⭐️

The first 2/3rds of this book were painfully boring. It picked up during the last third but it was a little too late by then. I’m not sure I would classify this as a thriller. The first 90% felt like it belonged in the drama genre. The last 10% was the only thriller aspect of the book. Yes, there were some amazing and shocking twists at the end but by then, I was so bored. All the characters were incredibly drab and all of the male characters just essentially had the same personality.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I needed to read this for myself and see if it is worth the hype... And it most definitely is.

The first part of the book follows Maggie, and the author really dives into her backstory, including the loss of her mom. Although the beginning was captivating and was beautifully written - I was struggling to understand why this book was categorized as a thriller - because it felt more like a General Fiction with a sprinkle of Mystery. The second part will deliver a sucker punch you never saw coming. Marshall Karp will thrill your socks off, and you will absolutely understand why this is a psychological thriller 🙌

Come for the rapid fire, Gilmore Girls-style dialogue, stay for the deep character study that ends with multiple bangs.

When Maggie and Lizzie were teenagers, their mother died of a rare blood disease, but before she passed she entrusted both her daughters with protecting their father from the women who would soon flock to him. Twenty-three years later, Maggie is delivered the news that she too has developed the condition that took her mother from her, and Maggie is determined to find her perfect replacement before her own demise. As she searches, events from her past are dredged up, and she must race against time to complete what she wants before her time runs out.

This book is deliciously atmospheric, with a cast of three dimensional characters in idyllic, small town New York who feel like old friends by the end. I loved Karp's rich portrayal of Maggie and Lizzie's childhood, and their sharply witty relationship. The novel unfurls over the course of 26 years while feeling like an addictive page turner, and the final 20% delivers on the foreboding thriller current throughout the story's build up.

Fans of small town settings, deep sister relationships, family bonds over decades and whiplash-inducing reveals will devour this one!

Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for an advanced reader copy of Don't Tell Me How to Die in exchange for my honest review.

I'm pretty sure I grabbed this book as a "read now" based on other reviews and this one gets "all the stars!"

It sure wasn't what I expected after reading the synopsis and seeing the cover. Best to go in with no preconceived notions. Just read it! It's that good.

Maggie has a hunky, devoted, successful husband. She has two loving children and is close to her wisecracking sister. She has a great yet challenging job - mayor of her small town. She also has a terminal, genetic blood disorder that will kill her in months. That sets the plot of this mystery/thriller in motion and what a thriller it is!

No spoilers here. Marshall Karp has given us a thriller that is impossible to put down, with more twists and turns than you can imagine and an ending that is a total surprise. Don't Tell Me How To Die begins with a deliberately slow pace as first we see Maggie as teenager, reeling from her own mother’s death. By the time she has lived through her twenties, married and had children, we know her very well. Now the pace kicks up as we ride a tilt-a-whirl of events until that final chapter. Karp is the co-author, with James Patterson, of the first six of the NYPD Red series and has written many thrillers of his own. Don't Tell Me How To Die reads like a screenplay and should definitely be a streaming series or movie. Read this book! You’ll thank me! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing and Marshall Karp for this ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is the epitome of a roller coaster, starts off slow and then you are thrust into the action!

I read this in one sitting and anyone who may be reading this review add this to your TBR. You won't be disappointed!

Wow! This book sucks you right in. It's definitely a slow, character driven ride. I felt like I knew everyone. Short chapters filled with twists and turns, it's definitely a ride to an ending you won't forget.

Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for an ARC of Don't Tell Me How to Die by Marshall Karp for an honest review.

This is one of the very best thrillers I’ve read in quite a while. This starts as a slow-burner but then skyrockets into something almost indescribable! The twists will leave you stunned. I really couldn’t believe the ending. Although the first book I’ve read from this author, I hope to read many more!!! I’m an instant fan!

Definitely a different type of thriller and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Darkly humorous and full of unexpected twists as Maggie learns her illness (which she has been screening for for years as it took her mother's life) is terminal. She is a woman on a mission to find the perfect replacement wife and mother for Alex and her children before her time is up.

Told in dual timeline of present day Maggie dealing with months to live to her teen years when her mother was nearing the end of her life, it gives you an understanding of why she wants to set her family up with someone to step into her shoes.

Lots of twists and turns and an ending that had me wide eyed!

The narrators did a great job and Maggie on the audio made me laugh multiple times.

Thanks to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing for an eARC and Blackstone Audio for an ALC.

What a ride! I can’t remember the last time I read a book in a day! This was my first time reading a Marshall Karp book and I will have to track another down again soon. This was a twisty, well developed and fast paced captivating read. Some of the twists did not take me by surprise, but there were more than a few that I didn’t see coming! I really enjoyed the character development and the flawed imperfection of them all. Maggie’s ability to develop loyal friendships is pretty impressive! If you need an entertaining read- pick this one up! Thank you to Marshall Karp, Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This saucy, spirited, suspenseful, and sometimes irreverent fictional thriller is brilliantly crafted and expertly executed. It has an ingenious plot that is twisty and razor sharp. I couldn't put it down. I didn't want it to end. And I was sorry when it was over. This is the first book that I have read by this author and now I will definitely be checking out his past catalog.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this terrific book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Maggie has just found out she has the same fatal illness her mother had and has months to live. She will spend her time finding her husband and kids a worthy replacement wife and mother.

It took some time for this one to hook me but I kept up with it for the twists I knew were coming. I was surprised by them but I didn’t find it as enthralling as many other reviewers did. It’s still enjoyable and worth a read for sure. My favorite part of the story ended up being a friendship that held true and loyal, despite the betrayals and twists in the story.

“Nobody gets to choose how they come into this world, but some of us are lucky enough to have a say in how we go out.”

Don’t Tell Me How to Die comes out 3/4.