Don't Tell Me How to Die    by Marshall Karp Order:  USA  Can Blackstone, 2025 (2024) Hardcover, e-Book      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Marshall Karp writes entertaining crime novels, like The Rabbit Factory and (with James Patterson) NYPD Red. Now he brings us another (despite its focus on imminent death) engaging mystery in Don't Tell Me How to Die. Its lead, Heartstone NY Mayor and former prosecutor Maggie Dunn, who seems to have the perfect life, learns at age forty-three that she has months to live. What to do? She doesn't want her great kids, Kevin and Katie, to face what she did as a teen on her mother's early death - a potential stepmother who did jail time for grand larceny. Karp takes readers back in time to show how that evolved. So Maggie is determined to find the perfect 'right Mrs. Dunn' to marry her surgeon husband Alex and mother Kevin and Katie when she dies. After showing us Maggie's earlier life, Karp fast forwards to the funeral and following events. There's an investigation into the death of vile real estate agent Minna Schulz, whose previous actions led to the death of Maggie's friend Misty's parents and brother. And Maggie's close friend from childhood, bad boy drug dealer Johnny plays a key role. The wicked stepmother resurfaces as well. Don't Tell Me How to Die is a gripping read, filled with sympatico characters and surprises at every turn. Don't miss this one! Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews