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A review by mackenzierm
Don't Tell Me How to Die by Marshall Karp
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Maggie had it all: a fantastic husband, two great kids, and an exciting career. But at age forty-three, she found out that she’d be dead before her next birthday. Her mother died at the same age from the same illness. Maggie’s mother had given her and her sister, Lizzie, some advice that Maggie intends to impart to her own family and she plans to find the perfect woman to take her place.
DON’T TELL ME HOW TO DIE was not the psychological thriller that I was expecting, but it was well worth the ride. I went in entirely unaware of what to expect, having picked it off NetGalley after seeing a single glowing review. It’s very much a slow, slow burn and is very character driven – two things that I am not used to when it comes to psychological thrillers. Never fear though, because it’s written with such precision and care that I was gripped from the first few lines.
I’d endeavor to say that there’s a heavier note of family drama that is immediately evident but it serves to set the scene while introducing the characters and forming the backstory. DON’T TELL ME HOW TO DIE is told in Maggie’s POV, spanning from her early life to her present day. Each character is well-developed, deep, and messy. The relationships between the characters are well-crafted and intricate. The plot is emotional, impactful, and really well-done. I loved the biting and dark humour interspersed within the dialogue.
This novel is incredibly original, compelling, and one I’d highly recommend. DON’T TELL ME HOW TO DIE may have been my first read by this author, but it certainly won’t be the last!
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Blackstone Publishing, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.
DON’T TELL ME HOW TO DIE was not the psychological thriller that I was expecting, but it was well worth the ride. I went in entirely unaware of what to expect, having picked it off NetGalley after seeing a single glowing review. It’s very much a slow, slow burn and is very character driven – two things that I am not used to when it comes to psychological thrillers. Never fear though, because it’s written with such precision and care that I was gripped from the first few lines.
I’d endeavor to say that there’s a heavier note of family drama that is immediately evident but it serves to set the scene while introducing the characters and forming the backstory. DON’T TELL ME HOW TO DIE is told in Maggie’s POV, spanning from her early life to her present day. Each character is well-developed, deep, and messy. The relationships between the characters are well-crafted and intricate. The plot is emotional, impactful, and really well-done. I loved the biting and dark humour interspersed within the dialogue.
This novel is incredibly original, compelling, and one I’d highly recommend. DON’T TELL ME HOW TO DIE may have been my first read by this author, but it certainly won’t be the last!
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Blackstone Publishing, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.