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Die Next
In a crowded coffee shop, Zack Yellin swaps identical-looking cell phones with the businessman next to him. It's an honest mistake-and a deadly one. Because the "businessman" is actually a professional-and highly volatile-hit man named Joey Richter, and his phone is filled with bombshell evidence.
If Zack takes Joey's phone to the police, will they believe his swapped cell phone story? Would they even be able to protect him? Because the hit man now has Zack's phone with the phone numbers and addresses of Zack's new girlfriend Emily, his best friend Steve, and all the texts and information from Zack's life.
Whether Zack keeps the phone or ditches it, Joey will kill him for what he now knows. In cat-and-mouse twists, turns, and continually mounting terror, one thing is clear: Zack is next on the hit man's list.
If Zack takes Joey's phone to the police, will they believe his swapped cell phone story? Would they even be able to protect him? Because the hit man now has Zack's phone with the phone numbers and addresses of Zack's new girlfriend Emily, his best friend Steve, and all the texts and information from Zack's life.
Whether Zack keeps the phone or ditches it, Joey will kill him for what he now knows. In cat-and-mouse twists, turns, and continually mounting terror, one thing is clear: Zack is next on the hit man's list.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2020
68 people are currently reading
3367 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Stone
57 books111 followersJonathan Stone, author of the Julian Palmer novels, is a graduate of Yale University, where he was a Scholar of the House in Fiction Writing and twice won the English Department's John Hubbard Curtis Prize for Best Imaginative Writing. He works in advertising and lives in Connecticut with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 69 reviews
April 6, 2020
Propulsive, ominous, and entertaining!
Die Next is an action-packed, sinister tale that introduces us to Zack Yellin, an unmotivated, unemployed young man whose life is irrevocably changed when he accidentally swaps phones with a hired killer and ultimately puts not only his own life in danger but that of his girlfriend and best friend.
The writing is sharp and crisp. The characters are impulsive, intelligent, and determined. And the plot is a gripping tale full of twists, turns, desperation, corruption, revenge, violence, and murder.
Overall, Die Next is a fast-paced, suspenseful, intense read by Stone that does a great job of highlighting just how quickly life can spin out of control based on the choices we make.
Thank you to HBG Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Die Next is an action-packed, sinister tale that introduces us to Zack Yellin, an unmotivated, unemployed young man whose life is irrevocably changed when he accidentally swaps phones with a hired killer and ultimately puts not only his own life in danger but that of his girlfriend and best friend.
The writing is sharp and crisp. The characters are impulsive, intelligent, and determined. And the plot is a gripping tale full of twists, turns, desperation, corruption, revenge, violence, and murder.
Overall, Die Next is a fast-paced, suspenseful, intense read by Stone that does a great job of highlighting just how quickly life can spin out of control based on the choices we make.
Thank you to HBG Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
May 15, 2020DNF'd
I only got to page 23. Here's why :
HA! The clichés of a middle-aged male writer oversaturated the pages. Nothing feels unique about the story. The lack of variety in the pronouns was making me shake my head. Maybe there's a reason for it, revealed to me on page 399 of 400, but I ain't sticking around to find out.
I can see why people would get into this, though. Fast-paced, easy to read. Sadly this just isn't my kind of crime thriller.
I only got to page 23. Here's why :
This wasn't just an iPhone.
This was a diePhone.
HA! The clichés of a middle-aged male writer oversaturated the pages. Nothing feels unique about the story. The lack of variety in the pronouns was making me shake my head. Maybe there's a reason for it, revealed to me on page 399 of 400, but I ain't sticking around to find out.
I can see why people would get into this, though. Fast-paced, easy to read. Sadly this just isn't my kind of crime thriller.
April 28, 2020
The son of wealthy parents, Zack’s never wanted for anything, including purpose or ambition.
Hired assassin Joey Richter’s never had anything in his life, not even meaningful connections to other people.
But that’s all about to change when they mistakenly swap cell phones.
“Die Next” by Jonathan Stone is a fast-paced technothriller that will have you second-guessing the information you keep on your cell phone.
In a crowded coffee shop, Zack Yellin sits down next to a business man with a cell phone identical to his own. He watches without meaning to as the guy enters his password before making a call.
A few moments later, the man leaves — accidentally taking Zack’s phone with him. The problem seems easy enough to remedy. Zack uses the phone to dial his own. The two men agree to meet back at the same coffee shop in 20 minutes.
But as Zack waits, he looks through texts and pictures on the stranger’s phone. It turns out that the owner, Joey Richter, isn’t a business man at all. He’s a hired assassin, and the phone contains photographic evidence.
Zack’s smart enough to know the trouble it spells. Now that Joey knows he’s had access to his phone, he may feel the need to do away with Zack if he hangs around to return it. But if he doesn’t, Joey has access to all of the information on Zack’s phone. It’s information that he can use to locate him, his new girlfriend Emily, his best friend Steve, and all his other loved ones. The choices Zack makes next will put his life in danger, as well as the lives of others.
“Die Next” by Jonathan Stone starts out at a sprint and never slows down. Short sentences and quick chapters fuel the pace. Yet, the speed at which this action-packed novel moves doesn’t mean it lacks depth. The riveting plot is full of revenge, murder, and suspense. Both Zack and Joey are impulsive, multi-layered individuals. Their motivations and desperation rise off the page and create tension in the reader.
From beginning to end, “Die Next” is the ultimate adrenaline rush in book format. The last few chapters will (quite literally) have your heart racing. But through it all — through the cat and mouse chase between Zack and Joey and all the danger-filled twists and turns along the way — you’ll find yourself rooting (somewhat) for both men and hating it when the book comes to its satisfying end.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for providing a copy of the eBook in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Jonathan Stone for creeping me out enough to remove some of the info on my phone — just in case.
Hired assassin Joey Richter’s never had anything in his life, not even meaningful connections to other people.
But that’s all about to change when they mistakenly swap cell phones.
“Die Next” by Jonathan Stone is a fast-paced technothriller that will have you second-guessing the information you keep on your cell phone.
In a crowded coffee shop, Zack Yellin sits down next to a business man with a cell phone identical to his own. He watches without meaning to as the guy enters his password before making a call.
A few moments later, the man leaves — accidentally taking Zack’s phone with him. The problem seems easy enough to remedy. Zack uses the phone to dial his own. The two men agree to meet back at the same coffee shop in 20 minutes.
But as Zack waits, he looks through texts and pictures on the stranger’s phone. It turns out that the owner, Joey Richter, isn’t a business man at all. He’s a hired assassin, and the phone contains photographic evidence.
Zack’s smart enough to know the trouble it spells. Now that Joey knows he’s had access to his phone, he may feel the need to do away with Zack if he hangs around to return it. But if he doesn’t, Joey has access to all of the information on Zack’s phone. It’s information that he can use to locate him, his new girlfriend Emily, his best friend Steve, and all his other loved ones. The choices Zack makes next will put his life in danger, as well as the lives of others.
“Die Next” by Jonathan Stone starts out at a sprint and never slows down. Short sentences and quick chapters fuel the pace. Yet, the speed at which this action-packed novel moves doesn’t mean it lacks depth. The riveting plot is full of revenge, murder, and suspense. Both Zack and Joey are impulsive, multi-layered individuals. Their motivations and desperation rise off the page and create tension in the reader.
From beginning to end, “Die Next” is the ultimate adrenaline rush in book format. The last few chapters will (quite literally) have your heart racing. But through it all — through the cat and mouse chase between Zack and Joey and all the danger-filled twists and turns along the way — you’ll find yourself rooting (somewhat) for both men and hating it when the book comes to its satisfying end.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for providing a copy of the eBook in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Jonathan Stone for creeping me out enough to remove some of the info on my phone — just in case.
April 24, 2020
I really enjoyed this, listened in car with husband, I was instantly drawn in and tense! When we got home rather than going back to my tame book I listened intently to the end! Might not be for everyone, but I live a quiet life and this was an easy straight forward grabber for me!
Read
May 4, 2020DNF
At this point, IDK if it is me or just the fact the nothing is working for me today.
Could not get into this at all.
At this point, IDK if it is me or just the fact the nothing is working for me today.
Could not get into this at all.
February 20, 2020
Die Next by Jonathan Stone
I enjoyed the book in the begnning and found it exciting and intriguing, but then it became monotonous and a bit unrealistic. The premise was a good idea—an assassin and an ordinary young man accidentally switch phones, and the story becomes a cat and mouse game of wits. But I noticed I skimmed a lot of pages and was still able to follow the story.
The short, choppy sentences, at first, added to the drama and action, but then it distracted from the overall enjoyment of the story and my reading experience.
I did like most of the characters, especially the main character of Zack, plus Emily and Detective Lopez. Detective Lopez, as the main character in another book, would be interesting.
Overall, the book was just okay for me. I would give a three out of five stars.
#NetGalley @GrandCentralPub
I enjoyed the book in the begnning and found it exciting and intriguing, but then it became monotonous and a bit unrealistic. The premise was a good idea—an assassin and an ordinary young man accidentally switch phones, and the story becomes a cat and mouse game of wits. But I noticed I skimmed a lot of pages and was still able to follow the story.
The short, choppy sentences, at first, added to the drama and action, but then it distracted from the overall enjoyment of the story and my reading experience.
I did like most of the characters, especially the main character of Zack, plus Emily and Detective Lopez. Detective Lopez, as the main character in another book, would be interesting.
Overall, the book was just okay for me. I would give a three out of five stars.
#NetGalley @GrandCentralPub
October 26, 2023
This isn't a perfect read, but it sure is a fun one.
The author puts a lot of twists and turns in the relationships here that were simply delightful. I loved both of our main characters - and they're definitely unique.
The book is weirdly wholesome and had me smiling more than once.
It was a hair longer than it should have been - each time I thought it was over, it wasn't - but it was a blast of a read.
The author puts a lot of twists and turns in the relationships here that were simply delightful. I loved both of our main characters - and they're definitely unique.
The book is weirdly wholesome and had me smiling more than once.
It was a hair longer than it should have been - each time I thought it was over, it wasn't - but it was a blast of a read.
June 5, 2020
It was a good book and the story was pretty interesting. Quite a few of the things seemed a little unbelievable at times but it was entertaining at least. Really looking forward to the next book!
August 30, 2020
Zack and Joey were both enjoying a coffee at a Greengirl Coffee Shop. Zack was waiting for his childhood best friend and Joey was on his phone. Joey looked like a business man. Zack was sitting next to Joey and happened to notice that him and Joey had the exact same phones. He also happened to observe Joey enter his password into his phone. Once Joey leaves the coffee shop, Zack realizes that Joey had taken his phone by mistake and the he now had Joey's phone. Zack wanted to do the appropriate thing and return Joey his phone and get his phone back. So Zack entered the password that he saw Joey enter and gave Joey a call to let him know about the innocent mix-up. What should have been an easy, simple exchange of phones, turns out to be a race against a murder for hire assassin. Can Zack outsmart Joey and if so will he live to tell the tale?
The story line for this book is so simple, two strangers in a coffee shop with identical phones sitting next to each other. One accidentally picks-up the wrong phone and the other individual wants to get his phone back. However, the story quickly becomes unbelievable and so far fetched when Zack realizes that he has a "die phone" because he accidentally switched phones with that of a murder for hire.
I quite enjoyed the characters that Jonathan Stone had created for this story. I especially liked, Joey the murder for hire assassin who has also been diagnosed as being on the spectrum or as having Asperger's. Joey's diagnosis is not one that you often find in a role like this one. I liked it because it goes to show that no matter what, you can be whoever you want to be, even if that is an assassin.
The story is filled with fear, anxiety, love, attempted murder, etc. It is also filled out heart break and unlikely friendships being formed. It is fast paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting more, especially since you never know what is going to happen next.
Rating: 5 out of 5 because it was fast paced, fly by the seat of your pants suspense. It kept me guessing and I love a book like that. I highly recommend this and it is a must read.
Thank you Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for this advanced readers copy.
Check out my other reviews on my blog at www.21stcenturyreviews.com
The story line for this book is so simple, two strangers in a coffee shop with identical phones sitting next to each other. One accidentally picks-up the wrong phone and the other individual wants to get his phone back. However, the story quickly becomes unbelievable and so far fetched when Zack realizes that he has a "die phone" because he accidentally switched phones with that of a murder for hire.
I quite enjoyed the characters that Jonathan Stone had created for this story. I especially liked, Joey the murder for hire assassin who has also been diagnosed as being on the spectrum or as having Asperger's. Joey's diagnosis is not one that you often find in a role like this one. I liked it because it goes to show that no matter what, you can be whoever you want to be, even if that is an assassin.
The story is filled with fear, anxiety, love, attempted murder, etc. It is also filled out heart break and unlikely friendships being formed. It is fast paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting more, especially since you never know what is going to happen next.
Rating: 5 out of 5 because it was fast paced, fly by the seat of your pants suspense. It kept me guessing and I love a book like that. I highly recommend this and it is a must read.
Thank you Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for this advanced readers copy.
Check out my other reviews on my blog at www.21stcenturyreviews.com
Read
August 6, 2022the multiple, unironic uses of "diePhone" and "liePhone" pretty much sums up how bad this is. the dialect feels like an attempt to mimic a story told by a sopranos character but lacks the authenticity; the jargon feels out of place and forced, like it was picked up from a show that didn't really know its material either. honestly it's like a bad mafia au you read on wattpad or something, written by a 15 year old who doesn't really understand the world. there's also some pretty gross ableism when talking about one of the characters being autistic so that's fun!
i actually take the wattpad comment back. there's probably stuff better written on there
i actually take the wattpad comment back. there's probably stuff better written on there
March 21, 2025
Absolutely horrific. I couldve gotten over all the cliches and the sitcom episode level storyline but then this middle aged white dude just added a rape scene for shock value?? it didnt even go anywhere. gross. Also full of stereotypes like everyone at the police station getting arrested just happend to be hispanic. And your telling me that detective cracked the case in like 2 hours? fuck outa here. 0 stars 0/10 this is genuinely the worst book ive ever read😭
December 31, 2022
This book has an unusual construction. There are 89 chapters in 342 pages, so an average chapter is just under 4 pages long, short enough so you could read a few of them on a coffee break. The narrative is a series of the most unbelievable of unlikely scenarios you will ever find in a book. The premise is crazy, the plot is outlandish, the whole thing is just one impossible event after another but I gave it a 3 because I found it entertaining and sometimes entertaining is good enough for me.
April 20, 2020
Die Next for me was a fast-paced book that starts with two people at a coffee shop were one man picks up the wrong cell phone. Both phones look alike and when Zack who was still at the coffee shop realizes that he has the wrong phone he contacts his phone to get ahold of the person who has it. By also seeing the way the man entered his passcode which was a very simple code. He has also entered into other information from the phone belonging to a killer.
Missing the time when he was to meet with the man Zack is packed because he does not remember phone numbers or email addresses, these are all storied in his phone so he does not need his memory for those things anymore. He decides to go to the police station. Once there he realizes he will be looked at as another crazy New Yorker who would believe his story, he would not believe it but he is living it.
This is what made this book for me the beginning half, the turmoil that Zack was going through. You are also in the mind of the killer going through his past and what will happen to him by not completing the job, feeling like a failure. I also liked the part of Zack not knowing anyone's phone numbers which a lot of people have forgotten. I guess since I grew up with those old fashion rotary dial phones, I still remember numbers, crazy I know but this book brings to life the new age. Yes, there are times it drags somewhat but overall, this is a fast book with very intriguing characters from Zack’s girlfriend, his friend Steve to even later in the story the killer’s parent’s which was another added plus to the story. Overall a good book. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
Missing the time when he was to meet with the man Zack is packed because he does not remember phone numbers or email addresses, these are all storied in his phone so he does not need his memory for those things anymore. He decides to go to the police station. Once there he realizes he will be looked at as another crazy New Yorker who would believe his story, he would not believe it but he is living it.
This is what made this book for me the beginning half, the turmoil that Zack was going through. You are also in the mind of the killer going through his past and what will happen to him by not completing the job, feeling like a failure. I also liked the part of Zack not knowing anyone's phone numbers which a lot of people have forgotten. I guess since I grew up with those old fashion rotary dial phones, I still remember numbers, crazy I know but this book brings to life the new age. Yes, there are times it drags somewhat but overall, this is a fast book with very intriguing characters from Zack’s girlfriend, his friend Steve to even later in the story the killer’s parent’s which was another added plus to the story. Overall a good book. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
August 7, 2024
While sipping coffee at his favorite coffee shop, Zack lays his phone on the counter. A few minutes later he realizes that the man sitting next to him has inadvertently picked up Zack’s phone and left, leaving his identical phone behind. It should be easy to call the owner of the phone and get his phone back. But, not so fast. Zack looks at the stranger’s phone and realizes he’s not dealing with a regular businessman.
Die Next has a great premise and I had high hopes for an enjoyable read. But, it fell short on many dimensions. First, I would have liked to have been more sympathetic to Zack’s plight but, for me, he’s a difficult character to empathize with. Instead, I found myself rooting for Joey, the “villain” in the story.
Furthermore, the pace of the story was often quite slow and this was due, to the amount of time that Zack’s spends in reflecting on his circumstances, the motivations of others, and just life in general. There’s also more recaps of the circumstances and possible solutions to his dilemma than I think are necessary. A little can go a long way and it became repetitious and just not very interesting.
I think this is a book that will appeal to some readers but not so much for others. Unfortunately, I fall into that second category. NetGalley provided an advance copy.
Die Next has a great premise and I had high hopes for an enjoyable read. But, it fell short on many dimensions. First, I would have liked to have been more sympathetic to Zack’s plight but, for me, he’s a difficult character to empathize with. Instead, I found myself rooting for Joey, the “villain” in the story.
Furthermore, the pace of the story was often quite slow and this was due, to the amount of time that Zack’s spends in reflecting on his circumstances, the motivations of others, and just life in general. There’s also more recaps of the circumstances and possible solutions to his dilemma than I think are necessary. A little can go a long way and it became repetitious and just not very interesting.
I think this is a book that will appeal to some readers but not so much for others. Unfortunately, I fall into that second category. NetGalley provided an advance copy.
April 15, 2025
1.5/10
Not sure where to even begin on this one. Much like the other reviews, I almost DNF’ed because of how cheesy and horrible some of the dialogue was. “Die-phone” was only the start, it then turned into a “lie-phone” and the book ends with calling it a sly-phone etc, etc. just awful.
The last like 90 pages of the book were actually somewhat entertaining, but the book description was running from an assassin, which maybe took up 100 / 340 pages. From there, it was just all over the place. I think it’s fine to suspend disbelief a bit, but a hired assassin who has evidence ON HIS PHONE being let loose because the jury got confused on what the “cloud” is? Come on.
From there, it seemed like the book just kind of did what it needed with almost no explanation. Will getting in and out of the jail cell with ease, Lopez just handing out his Police Database password to a random kid to use, etc. just a frustrating book all around. Especially because it had the edges of an intriguing story. The last 80-90 pages I felt invested in seeing how Karloff fit, and even that ending just felt super underwhelming from literally all angles.
Not sure where to even begin on this one. Much like the other reviews, I almost DNF’ed because of how cheesy and horrible some of the dialogue was. “Die-phone” was only the start, it then turned into a “lie-phone” and the book ends with calling it a sly-phone etc, etc. just awful.
The last like 90 pages of the book were actually somewhat entertaining, but the book description was running from an assassin, which maybe took up 100 / 340 pages. From there, it was just all over the place. I think it’s fine to suspend disbelief a bit, but a hired assassin who has evidence ON HIS PHONE being let loose because the jury got confused on what the “cloud” is? Come on.
From there, it seemed like the book just kind of did what it needed with almost no explanation. Will getting in and out of the jail cell with ease, Lopez just handing out his Police Database password to a random kid to use, etc. just a frustrating book all around. Especially because it had the edges of an intriguing story. The last 80-90 pages I felt invested in seeing how Karloff fit, and even that ending just felt super underwhelming from literally all angles.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2020
Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com
So here is how I had to deal with this book. I really liked the beginning, the middle was the same thing over and over until I only read the conversations and skipped over the paragraphs without dialogue, and then I read the end to figure out what happened. That is really the only way I could get through it.
I really liked the idea. A hit man and an everyday man accidentally switch phones and the everyday man learns more than he should about who is going to “Die Next”. Like the synopsis says… Even if the police believe that this was an accidental switch when the hit man finds out he has all the information about his life in the phone he has. I mean isn’t our whole world in our phones?
But then the fillers started. The repeats of wording, the overly wordy descriptions, etc. But then I wanted to know how it ended so I popped back in towards the end.
This story had a lot of potential. Just too much time just to fill pages.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
So here is how I had to deal with this book. I really liked the beginning, the middle was the same thing over and over until I only read the conversations and skipped over the paragraphs without dialogue, and then I read the end to figure out what happened. That is really the only way I could get through it.
I really liked the idea. A hit man and an everyday man accidentally switch phones and the everyday man learns more than he should about who is going to “Die Next”. Like the synopsis says… Even if the police believe that this was an accidental switch when the hit man finds out he has all the information about his life in the phone he has. I mean isn’t our whole world in our phones?
But then the fillers started. The repeats of wording, the overly wordy descriptions, etc. But then I wanted to know how it ended so I popped back in towards the end.
This story had a lot of potential. Just too much time just to fill pages.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
July 2, 2020
This is my 6th Jonathan Stone books I have read. It all started with MOVING DAY when I knew he would be an author I would definitely read again. And so when I downloaded DIE NEXT I was hoping it was as good as his others. Stone did not disappoint. We read about Joey - a killer for hire - and Zach - an innocent guy who is trying to find his way in the world. One day they are sitting next to each other at a diner and inadvertently pick up each other's phone.
The plot thickens as Zach finds out about Joey, and all the people he killed, and ends up in the middle of what might be the most intriguing story ever. We find times that you think "this is the end for Zach" and times where you feel sorry for Joey - the hitman. But as you read you realize we are all just a story of our own circumstances. It is what you do with them that really counts.
I loved this page-turner for the compassion it shows, the ever changing story line and the amazing ending. If you have never read a Jonathan Stone book....now is the time to start. #fivestars
The plot thickens as Zach finds out about Joey, and all the people he killed, and ends up in the middle of what might be the most intriguing story ever. We find times that you think "this is the end for Zach" and times where you feel sorry for Joey - the hitman. But as you read you realize we are all just a story of our own circumstances. It is what you do with them that really counts.
I loved this page-turner for the compassion it shows, the ever changing story line and the amazing ending. If you have never read a Jonathan Stone book....now is the time to start. #fivestars
May 27, 2021
Imagine this, two men in a coffee shop. One is just a regular guy, Zack, and one is a killer for hire, Joey. They both happen to have the same iphone and happen to sit next to each other at the counter. Zack, not really consciously, happens to notice Joey put in his passcode to use his phone. Soon Zack is really enjoying his muffin so much, he stops paying attention to his surroundings. When Joey leaves, Zack is just aware that he has more room at the counter and starts to spread out. That's when he becomes aware that Joey took the wrong phone, he took Zack's phone by accident. Zack then calls his own phone to arrange a swap, and while he is waiting fishes around in Joey's phone and finds photos of his hits. Thus starts a tale of genuine terror for Zack and the contacts in his phone. As a plot, it's not bad. Pretty believable? Maybe, considering how many people do have the same phones. Even with the same cases. There are some twists and turns in this tale that will surprise you for sure.
April 22, 2020
Zack is in a crowded coffee shop when he realizes the man who just left took his phone by mistake. Zack , due to tightness in the shop, saw the password on the man's phone and was able to open it. And what he saw was evidence of the man being a professional assassin. Zack realizes a simple meetup to exchange phones is his death sentence. Another problem? Joey, the assassin, now gas the names and numbers of Zack's girlfriend and best friend.
Zack is a smart kid and there are a lot of twists and turns with him trying to keep a step ahead of Joey.
And that is my complaint. The back cover blurb had me thinking the whole book was going to be outrunning the assassin and keeping everyone else safe. Quite early on the relationship changes and it threw me. There is still a lot of running from people , but Joey is not the prime assassin anymore Still a decent read and I really liked the retired detective Lopez. Added some humanity to the story
Zack is a smart kid and there are a lot of twists and turns with him trying to keep a step ahead of Joey.
And that is my complaint. The back cover blurb had me thinking the whole book was going to be outrunning the assassin and keeping everyone else safe. Quite early on the relationship changes and it threw me. There is still a lot of running from people , but Joey is not the prime assassin anymore Still a decent read and I really liked the retired detective Lopez. Added some humanity to the story
April 25, 2020
This one is very fast pace and won’t let you go. It doesn’t take long for this one to pick up and each chapter is filled with line after line of roller coaster fun. The plot is great and it twists and turns keeping you guessing all the way through. Personally, I think there was little character development but that’s OK with this type of book as you were more focussed on the fast pace plot. You will have to break away from reality add points as this reads like a blockbuster movie but overall I really really enjoyed this book. The narration was very well done and this person had a perfect voice for this book. Varying pitch and voices really add something to the book. At times the voice was creepy when it was meant to be and other times very young and full of spunk. I could not put this one down and I very much enjoyed myself.
October 5, 2020
First off I want to say thank you to @grandcentralpub for gifting me this finished copy in exchange for an honest review.
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Without a doubt an action packed novel that will keep you hooked. I honestly was hooked from the beginning I needed to know what would happen and how it would all play out. I really enjoyed the shortness of the chapters, the writing style that was so easy to absorb.
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Although it might not be my favorite one I've read, it still kept my attention the whole way through. Some things were very unrealistic and that made it less enjoyable for me. There wasn't much character development which I do enjoy in a novel. Apart from these aspects it was a thoroughly enjoyable fast paced read.
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If you're a fan of fast paced action packed reads this one will definitely hit the spot.
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Without a doubt an action packed novel that will keep you hooked. I honestly was hooked from the beginning I needed to know what would happen and how it would all play out. I really enjoyed the shortness of the chapters, the writing style that was so easy to absorb.
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Although it might not be my favorite one I've read, it still kept my attention the whole way through. Some things were very unrealistic and that made it less enjoyable for me. There wasn't much character development which I do enjoy in a novel. Apart from these aspects it was a thoroughly enjoyable fast paced read.
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If you're a fan of fast paced action packed reads this one will definitely hit the spot.
March 15, 2020
This is the first book I have read by this author. When I read the description of the book I knew right away that it would be something I would like to read and I wasn't wrong.
Zack Yellin is waiting for a buddy in a coffee shop and like most of the other customers in the shop he's looking at his phone. He notices that the man next to him has the same phone and thinks nothing of it until they accidentally swap phones. Zack has no idea that the gentleman who has his phone is a "business" man but not in the way one would think. What happens next is a whirlwind of terror and suspense. Zack is on the run for his life and does not know whom he can trust.
I will be on the lookout for more books by Jonathan Stone!!
Zack Yellin is waiting for a buddy in a coffee shop and like most of the other customers in the shop he's looking at his phone. He notices that the man next to him has the same phone and thinks nothing of it until they accidentally swap phones. Zack has no idea that the gentleman who has his phone is a "business" man but not in the way one would think. What happens next is a whirlwind of terror and suspense. Zack is on the run for his life and does not know whom he can trust.
I will be on the lookout for more books by Jonathan Stone!!
June 22, 2020
When Zack Yellin's phone is accidentally swapped with a "businessman" next to him at a coffee shop, he remembers spying the guy entering his code and so unlocks it and calls him to switch back, starting a chain of events that connect him with a hired killer. This book starts slow but picks up once the second plot begins and does a good job of using the pace of the action to carry it over characters that are unlikable or have thin back stories or motivations. A fast read that kept me wanting to see how the second crisis was resolved as long as I suspended my sense of disbelief for some of the coincidences that keep the characters together. I received a free Kindle edition of this book from the publisher through Goodreads First Reads giveaways.
April 2, 2021
I'm not sure what to say about Die Next, a book I got from Kindle daily deals written by an author I had never heard of. The promo story premise sounded fun, so I bought it but then I thought about that premise some more and realized it was wildly unrealistic. Regardless, I read this book and it was fun! Stone actually found a way to justify the unrealistic initial plot set up, and the storyline pushed forward with some nice suspense and tension. So that's all good, but the problem is that the characters continued to make choices that made me think, "Well that's just dumb", or, "Seriously?". Couple that with several extremely convenient coincidences used to save the day, and I just can't give this more than three stars. Three fun dumb stars! ⭐⭐⭐
April 17, 2020
Die Next by Jonathan Stone is a roller-coaster ride that never ends. Rarely do I find a book that begs to be completely read in one or two sittings. From the first page through the last Stone takes us on a wild ride through Manhattan and Brooklyn. And it centers on the most ubiquitous object there is; a cell phone. Stone has that unique talent to focus on an ordinary object and construct a thrilling story of misidentification, murder, assault, and other assorted crimes. What happens when a hitman leaves his phone at a coffee shop is the beginning of a terrific read that never lets up until the tense and nerve-wracking conclusion. A fantastic read that pulls you in and refuses to let you go.
April 20, 2020
I won a copy of Die Next by Jonathan Stone through a Goodreads giveaway.
This action-packed tale that introduces us to Zack, an unmotivated, unemployed young man whose life is changed when he accidentally swaps phones with man next to him. Stone does a great job of highlighting just how quickly life can spin out of control based on the choices we make
The plot is a gripping tale full of twists, turns, desperation, and murder. I enjoyed the cliffhangers and the quick pacing is quick, making the book a fast read.
This action-packed tale that introduces us to Zack, an unmotivated, unemployed young man whose life is changed when he accidentally swaps phones with man next to him. Stone does a great job of highlighting just how quickly life can spin out of control based on the choices we make
The plot is a gripping tale full of twists, turns, desperation, and murder. I enjoyed the cliffhangers and the quick pacing is quick, making the book a fast read.
September 23, 2023
Oh, dang! This is a heck of a thriller!
I know in the past I was a bit down on Redemption Arcs for reasons (I felt like some characters were invented just for that reason and somehow being favoured over actual good characters, which sort of pissed me off on their behalf), but this has easily the best redemption I've ever read! Since when is an assassin the GOOD guy?!
Surprised it's a dollar store book, but I guess them's the breaks. I would gladly have paid... more than a dollar! I might even read it again!
I know in the past I was a bit down on Redemption Arcs for reasons (I felt like some characters were invented just for that reason and somehow being favoured over actual good characters, which sort of pissed me off on their behalf), but this has easily the best redemption I've ever read! Since when is an assassin the GOOD guy?!
Surprised it's a dollar store book, but I guess them's the breaks. I would gladly have paid... more than a dollar! I might even read it again!
April 5, 2020
About the book: It’s a standalone about a young man named Zack Yellin who accidentally switches phones with a professional hitman in Joey Richter.
I received an advanced reader copy from Hachette Book Group in exchange for an honest review.
First impressions: I’m a big fan of thrillers, and the premise sounded interesting to me. The beginning jumps right in the action, which I appreciated.
Characters: I liked the characters, even Joey. They’re complex and dynamic in their own ways. Zack is a great protagonist, and I think Detective Lopez would also make for a good main character in another novel.
“It was like a second kid—ordinary, unnoticed in the glow of the superstar, but in the absence of the first, you could get to know this one, get to love it, feel affection for the underdog.”
Writing: I enjoyed the cliffhangers, and the short chapters helped to create suspense. There were certain twists and turns that I didn’t see coming either. The pacing is quick, so I found the book to be a fast read. It’s a little less than 350 pages long.
Final thoughts: The ending surprised me but not in a bad way. Overall, the story went in a different direction than I expected, yet I enjoyed it nonetheless.
I highly recommend Die Next if you’re a fan of suspenseful thrillers that shed light on the advantages and downfalls of technology.
I received an advanced reader copy from Hachette Book Group in exchange for an honest review.
First impressions: I’m a big fan of thrillers, and the premise sounded interesting to me. The beginning jumps right in the action, which I appreciated.
Characters: I liked the characters, even Joey. They’re complex and dynamic in their own ways. Zack is a great protagonist, and I think Detective Lopez would also make for a good main character in another novel.
“It was like a second kid—ordinary, unnoticed in the glow of the superstar, but in the absence of the first, you could get to know this one, get to love it, feel affection for the underdog.”
Writing: I enjoyed the cliffhangers, and the short chapters helped to create suspense. There were certain twists and turns that I didn’t see coming either. The pacing is quick, so I found the book to be a fast read. It’s a little less than 350 pages long.
Final thoughts: The ending surprised me but not in a bad way. Overall, the story went in a different direction than I expected, yet I enjoyed it nonetheless.
I highly recommend Die Next if you’re a fan of suspenseful thrillers that shed light on the advantages and downfalls of technology.
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