Death in the Downline - by Maria Abrams (Paperback)

About the Book

Includes an author Q&A and discussion questions.

Book Synopsis

"Death in the Downline is entertaining, funny, and page-turning."--Emily Lynn Paulson, author of Hey, Hun

It's multi-level murder in this darkly funny mystery novel about the glamorous world of MLM "huns"--and the dangerous secrets at the top of the pyramid.

Drew thought she was destined to become a star journalist in New York City. But now she's back in New Jersey, pushing thirty, newly single, and living with her father.

After a chance encounter, she reconnects with her former best friend, Steph, who married young and never left their hometown. But Steph looks . . . good. She's tanned, glowing, and only wears designer labels. Her secret? A skincare sales opportunity called LuminUS. With nothing left to lose, Drew gets sucked into this glamorous world of downlines, sales parties, and girls' trips.

But when a LuminUS distributor is found dead Drew must uncover the dark secret at the heart of the organization--and save her best friend--before it's too late.

Gripping, wickedly funny, and a pitch-perfect skewering of pyramid schemes, Death in the Downline is a page-turner that will have readers cheering for Drew until the cathartic conclusion.

Review Quotes

A New York Post Best Book We Read in January 2025

"Abrams perfectly skewers the MLM movement. . . . A funny, spot-on mystery that will appeal to genre fans and MLM-skeptics."--Booklist

"Packed with biting humor and sharp social commentary, Death in the Downline is a juicy treat for mystery fans and MLM snarkers alike."--Jordan Snowden, Seattle Times

"Death in the Downline is entertaining, funny, and page-turning. A compassionate look at the reasons women get roped into these schemes in the first place, even the ones who do the unthinkable to keep the ruse going."--Emily Lynn Paulson, author of Hey, Hun

"Equal parts entertaining and unsettling, Death in the Downline is a page-turner that expertly shines a light on the dark world of MLMs and social media. . . . This is a mystery that feels as compelling as it does timely."--Olivia Muenter, best-selling author of Such a Bad Influence

"A page-turning and timely deep dive into the dark underbelly of MLMs."--Tracy Dobmeier and Wendy Katzman, coauthors of Girls with Bright Futures

About the Author

Maria Abrams is a mystery/thriller/horror novelist who lives in Colorado with her rescue frogs and dogs. She has a graduate degree in Psychology and is a graphic designer by day. Maria is also a member of the Horror Writers' Association and a regular attendee at Stokercon.