HOLY CRAP!
I just finished this one about an hour ago…and I still have whiplash!
I never saw, or even SUSPECTED, the twists in this one! 😮😮

We begin with Maggie and Lizzy, Irish Twins as they say… born less than a year apart. They are each others best friends and confidants, and yet they are TOTAL opposites, in every way!
They are just kids (teenagers) when their Mom gets a deadly diagnosis. Although she tries her best to fight, it’s a losing battle. And more bad news…it’s hereditary…
She makes them PROMISE her one thing before she dies…to look after their father. The love of her life. And, they DO! With their lives!!

Fast forward about 20 years. Maggie and Lizzy are all grown up. Maggie’s a DA/Lawyer and Lizzy’s a Doctor. Maggie has a beautiful family of her own. Her husband Alex is a well known Doctor and a pillar of the community. She has a boy and a girl…now teenagers themselves. But, she’s just waiting for the diagnosis to come. She just KNOWS it! Lizzy is an established doc too. She’s not married, and no one on her radar…but she’s happy! And the sisters are still very close!
Their Dad is still alive and well, and so is their grandpa!

🛑 And that’s where I’m stopping! 🛑
This one was just amazing!!!!

If I’ve hooked you, PLEASE, look 👀 for this one TODAY, as the release date is today, 3/4/25! If I haven’t , please consider doing a bit more research!
I know I will definitely be looking for more from this amazing author!! ✍️

5+++ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫💫💫💫💫✨✨✨✨✨ for me!!

#DontTellMeHiwToDie by #MarshallKarp and narrated breathtakingly, by the one and only (one of my all time favorites) #JanuaryLaVoy!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #BlackstonePublishing for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.
*** Again, release date is TODAY, so look 👀 for it on shelves now!! ***

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

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!

Love when I read a book and think I know how it will end and then Wham! twists are coming , amazing ending ! The narrator was awesome to .

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.

I enjoyed listening to this audiobook and couldn't get enough. There are so many twists, chills and thrills that I did not see coming and I love that about this book. I would highly recommend this one.

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. The main character has so many layers. The plot was incredible. The narration was great.

🌟✨BOOK REVIEW✨🌟

“Cancel the rest of your day and slowwwwwwwly tighten that seatbelt–things are about to get wild.” -Marshall Karp

In the words of the author of Don’t Tell Me How to Die, Marshall Karp was dead on. He tried to warn me of the wild ride I was about to experience. This book has it all- heartache, lasting love, extreme loyalty, unforgettable promises, and deep secrets.

❤️‍🩹 Maggie Mc Cormick Dunn’s world changed from four simple words her mother spoke when she was a teenager, “How strong are you?”

🏍️ Maggie’s parents, Katie and Finn Mc Cormick, have been together since high school. Their love is strong, and their commitment to each other even stronger. Maggie’s mom was diagnosed with a rare fatal blood disease (HLH), one in which could put Maggie and her sister at risk of developing later in life. Katie tasks her daughters with making sure their dad’s next companion connects with him for the right reasons. Upon Katie’s death, Maggie spirals and makes risky choices that will affect the way her life plays out in ways she could never imagine.

🏥 This story is told in dual timelines and I was vested in each. I loved reading about Maggie’s teenage years, as well as her married life with her twins. There were incredible twists in each of the timelines and I was amazed to see how Karp effortlessly tied it all together at the end. The flashbacks and explanations from her teenage years, occurrences I didn’t see materializing toward the end of the book, sent shockwaves as I kept listening to January LaVoy’s phenomenal narration of Marshall Karp’s masterful spun novel, one built on undeniable loyalty and layers of deep-rooted secrets. This is a 5-star read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing, and Marshall Karp for providing me with an ARC (audiobook). All opinions are my own.

PUBLICATION DAY: March 4, 2025

#donttellmehowtodie #marshallkarp #5starread #5starread⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #blackstonepublishing #dualtimelines #twistyreads

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.

Wow, this was intriguing, suspenseful and so surprising. The beginning started more family drama and by the end, it completely changed directions to a thriller. Funny comments throughout the dialogue kept a note of humor throughout. The narrator was fantastic at bringing this story to life.

Thanks to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of this audiobook.

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! I went into this one not knowing a lot. I honestly thought it was more of a thriller and since thrillers haven’t really been my thing lately, I was a little weary. I don’t think it really became a thriller until about 75% but the weaving of family trauma and all the different characters and stories had me so intrigued. This wasn’t like any book I ever read before. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"This book is packed with so many twists and turns that it's challenging to discuss without giving away something important. It's about a political couple—she's a mayor and he's a doctor—living what appears to be a perfect life. But can you trust anyone? The beginning is a bit slow, but trust me, the ending and all the unexpected twists are worth every moment. This book has it all: romance, crime, friendship, and political intrigue. It's a must-read! Although I had to push through the slow start, it was absolutely worth it. I even re-listened to the last hour and a half of the audiobook to make sure I didn't miss anything! Special shoutout to January LaVoy, the narrator. She’s the best at performing both male and female voices and truly is the star of the show. This book deserves all five stars, easy!"

This story has a dual timeline, most of which takes place in the past. I found the story from the past kind of boring, kind of average, and deviates from the thriller it's supposed to be by becoming a book about finding someone a new wife, both in the past and present. However, when you rejoin the present it's nonstop action and twists. It ended well for a story about a woman who will be dead by the end of the book, so that was a fun surprise. The characters were compelling. Maggie is interesting and multi-faceted in ways you don't typically get from books. Many of the characters were as well, I think that kept me moving through the slower parts. The title of the book is dumb, I'm sad to say. I would've completely ignored this book if I hadn't thought reading the description would make me laugh at how corny it was, but the description grabbed me. I'm glad I looked past the bad title and read this.

I had never read this author before and I admit I went into the book a little blind. I was so engrossed in the story that I had to stop twice and think "wait, isn't this supposed to be a thriller?"

So, let's talk about plot twists. Some books are only good because of the crazy plot twist. THIS book was fantastic, even without the twists, but boy did that add to it! I am not a huge literary fiction fan, but I was gripped from the beginning. I was truly invested in these characters.

The story is told from one POV but flashes back and forth through points of time. This layout was perfect and never seemed confusing at any time. If you like, dark humor, you will enjoy this as well.

The takeaway from this book, "what would you do for family?"

Spice Level: a little steam, no sizzle.

Violence: nongraphic/closed door

I adore January LaVoy. She is an excellent narrator.

Highly Recommend

4 stars! 🌟 Huge thanks to Blackstone Publishing & NetGalley for the ALC! 💌

Okay, let me start by saying, this book is wild. I thought it was gonna be a nice, heartwarming story, but boy was I wrong! Don't Tell Me How to Die by Marshall Karp is a thriller with some serious jaw-dropping moments. Like, I was NOT ready for those plot twists!

The premise? It’s totally unique! Maggie Dunn is diagnosed with a fatal blood disease—like her mother before her—and she’s got three months to find a new wife for her husband, Alex, and a mom for her kids. A whole mission before she dies! Yeah, you read that right. She’s determined to make sure that her family doesn’t end up in the same mess she did when her own mom passed away. Seriously, talk about a complex character!

Now, the first half of the book? Oof, it’s a slow burn. The timeline jumps back and forth, and at times I found myself a little confused 😵, but it was worth it. And once that second half hit? Boom 💥, the pace picked up like a freight train. There are twists, murderers, and secrets galore! At one point, I was just like, “Okay, wait, how many murderers can this small town have?!” 🤔

The narration by January LaVoy was hands down AMAZING. She brought the characters to life, and seriously, her narration alone deserves a 5-star rating. 🎧✨

I loved how female-driven this story was—Maggie is a powerhouse who doesn’t let anything get in her way. But, I gotta be honest, the whole thing felt a little over-the-top towards the end. Some moments just seemed a bit... unbelievable. Like, the book had such a strong start, and then it kinda took a turn into full-blown thriller mode that felt a bit jarring. By the time we got to the end, things had spiraled so out of control that I couldn’t help but roll my eyes a little. It wasn’t just the twists; it was how everything became so unrealistic and contrived. I honestly expected more from such a strong concept.

Overall, I liked it, but it was a little predictable and overly dramatic in places. Maggie’s character was solid, and I loved her dedication to her family... but towards the end, she was painted in a way that didn’t do justice to her earlier strength. The conclusion really ruined it for me. Her character, who I admired for so long, became a bit... manipulated by the plot in a way that felt off. That ending? Ugh. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion—so much chaos and so little sense. I really wish the author had kept things a bit more grounded.

Tropes:
🌸 Terminal Illness
💥 Murder Mystery
🌸 Female Protagonist
💥 Family Secrets
🌸 Twists & Turns
💥 Slow Burn to Fast-Paced

CW:
- Death
- Terminal illness
- Murder
- Family secrets

It was an emotional ride, but I ended up feeling like it could’ve been a little more realistic. Still, a solid read with a twisted ending. I’m definitely intrigued to check out more of Marshall Karp’s work!

Thank you Netgalley for this audio edition of Don't Tell Me How to Die by Marshall Karp.

I'm a bit bummed by the cover art of this book, it makes it look like a throw-away thriller that you'd by at the checkout stand of a Walmart. But it's far from that. This book is good, it's like, really good.

This definitely has some mystery and intrigue, but mostly it's just a really good story. A woman who finds out that the deadly disease that took her mother, has caught up to her. And like her mom tried to do, she is convinced to pick her husband's next wife after she dies. She doesn't want her husband to have the same challenges that her dad did, but she could never bargain for the challenges that came her way instead.

It's organized, well written, great pace, and full of twists. I just loved this book, definitely give it a try!

Don't Tell Me How to Live by Alex Karp ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
I devoured this audiobook in a single sitting (on 2x speed)! Don't Tell Me How to Live is a fun, fast-paced story that kept me completely hooked. The plot twists were genuinely surprising, and the overall narrative was incredibly entertaining. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a captivating listen! Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. #NetGalley #DontTellMeHowToLive

This book was so good! It completely changed the direction I thought it was going, and I loved it! This kept my attention and was so well written. I was shocked towards the end of the book. Great read!

ARC Review: Don't Tell Me How to Die by Marshall Karp

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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.

I struggled to get into this story and connect. It has a promising plot line but it just wasn’t for me unfortunately.