I'll Quit When I'm Dead by Luke Smitherd on October 14, 2025
Genres: Fiction / Horror, Fiction / Thrillers / Supernatural, Fiction / Thrillers / Suspense
Pages: 384
Format: ARC
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This book had such an interesting premise, and it landed in my lap just as I was starting a 21-day challenge of my own—so I had to check it out. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I became engrossed in the story.
Madison is desperate for a change. Fresh off a painful breakup and frustrated by endless diets and workouts that never seem to work, she’s low on motivation and direction. When she bumps into an old friend at the gym—someone who looks completely transformed—she’s immediately intrigued. Her friend introduces her to Ellie Fellowes, a former military woman who runs an unconventional boot camp.
Once Madison arrives, she’s completely cut off from the outside world—no electronics, and only one brief check-in per week with a single person. Her fellow participants are… unusual. Some follow Ellie’s every command without question, while others seem far less trustworthy. As strange events unfold, Madison’s unease grows—and she starts to question everything and everyone around her.
Meanwhile, we meet Johnny Blake, a musician battling addiction. He heads to a secluded cottage for a reset, but when the previous guests linger and give off unsettling vibes, he has an eerie feeling he’s not alone—even after they leave.
You definitely need to suspend disbelief for this one. At first, I felt like I was on a bizarre trip, but once I leaned into the atmosphere, I really enjoyed the ride. The eerie, isolated setting, the blurred line between reality and imagination, and the steady psychological tension kept me turning the pages. The characters are well developed, and the pacing had me hooked until the end. I even had to keep the lights on while reading!
This is a perfect blend of horror and psychological thriller—I couldn’t put it down.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Luke Smitherd, and Little, Brown and Company | Mulholland Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.