Six Weeks to Live: A Novel

By Catherine McKenzie

*Instant National Bestseller
*Named a Most Anticipated Book by Goodreads, Frolic, and more

A gripping psychological suspense novel about a woman diagnosed with cancer who sets out to discover if someone tried to poison her before her time is up, from the bestselling author of the “addictive and fast-paced” (Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author) thriller You Can’t Catch Me.

Jennifer Barnes never expected the shocking news she received at a routine doctor’s appointment: she has a terminal brain tumor—and only six weeks left to live.

While stunned by the diagnosis, the forty-eight-year-old mother decides to spend what little time she has left with her family—her adult triplets and twin grandsons—close by her side. But when she realizes she was possibly poisoned a year earlier, she’s determined to discover who might have tried to get rid of her before she’s gone for good.

Separated from her husband and with a contentious divorce in progress, Jennifer focuses her suspicions on her soon-to-be ex. Meanwhile, her daughters are each processing the news differently. Calm medical student Emily is there for whatever Jennifer needs. Moody scientist Aline, who keeps her mother at arm’s length, nonetheless agrees to help with the investigation. Even imprudent Miranda, who has recently had to move back home, is being unusually solicitous.

But with her daughters doubting her campaign against their father, Jennifer can’t help but wonder if the poisoning is all in her head—or if there’s someone else who wanted her dead.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Release date: Apr 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781982137564

Catherine McKenzie

Catherine McKenzie was born and raised in Montreal, where she now practises law. Her  bestselling novels include Spin, Arranged, Forgotten, Hidden, Smoke, The Good Liar  and I'll Never Tell, which was an instant bestseller. Visit Catherine online at www.catherinemckenzie.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/catherinemckenzieauthor, and on Twitter or Instagram at @catherinemckenzieauthor.

Reviews for Six Weeks to Live

[geauxgetlit · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

“I gave you a taste of your own medicine, did you like it?”

I enjoyed this thriller, told from POVs of the mother and her 3 triplet adult daughters. Jennifer, the mother, has just been told she has six weeks to live due to a brain tumor. She happened to stumble upon last years medical records and noticed the amount of iron in her blood was astronomical. How did this go unnoticed.

Filled with twist and turns, this was such a highly consumable book that I read in one sitting. 4.5 stars

[poppyreads · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Secrets, family drama, lies, and did I say SECRETS? Six Weeks to Live has it all. I'm afraid if I discuss the plot, I'll spoil it. Instead, let me just say that this is one of the best mystery/thriller books I've read all year. It's a little uncomfortable at times and you might find yourself angry at just about everyone, but that is just another reason I loved it. It felt real and in my opinion, any book in this genre should make you think, "wow, what if that happened to me?"

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[bookanonjeff · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ironic, But Explaining That Is Spoilery. My singular biggest takeaway from this book is just how *HIGHLY* ironic it turns out to be. But explaining that involves discussing specifics of the ending of the book, and thus isn't something I'm going to do in a review. Just not my style. At all.

What I *can* tell you about this book is that for the most part, you've got your expected Catherine McKenzie level mystery here. By which I mean there will be all kinds of twists and turns. Secrets all over the place - including some revealed only in the final pages. Solid pacing. A compelling introduction. And a general sense after reading it of "WOW"/ "WTF". If you're looking for that kind of book, I've yet to be let down with anything I've read from this author... including this very book. Very much recommended.

[anne_rightler-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Six Weeks to Live by Catherine McKenzie is a great psychological thriller. It kept my interest from beginning to end. There are lots of family dynamics and dark secrets, as readers are introduced to the mother of adult women triplets as she finds out that she is dying from glioblastoma. Did a neurotoxic poison lead to the invasive cancer? And who would have poisoned her? The author is at the top of the suspense game. She kept me guessing as to what really happened to Jennifer. I found the ending rather sad. Looking forward to reading more from this author. I won the book in a Goodreads contest and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

[vintage1series1lisa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I knew it..... I guessed the culprit early on, but, I had changed my mind a few times as the book was unfolding, but in the end, I was right to begin with.What a mess this story was! A definite page turner. I needed to keep plugging on to find out all the details, which are all revealed in the end. I do believe all of the characters had some form of mental illness, including Bea.This was a very good novel and kept my interest all the way through. I will read more from this author.

[nikkicolee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow. This book! It honestly started off slow for me and where I usually finish a book within a day or 2, it took me about a week to get through the first half. Im quick to not finish a book if it doesn’t suck me in but I was intrigued and the story was good so I always came back to it. I think my dislike for the characters put me off a little or maybe they just took awhile to fully develop. Anyway, once I hit about 55% the whole game changed and I finished the book within hours. My jaw literally dropped at one point and the twists were so unexpected and insane, in the best ways ever. The ending was great although I wish it had played out differently with the other characters knowing more. This book actually ended up being one of the best books I’ve read in awhile and it’s a story that will stick with me.

[rmarcin-630843 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When Jennifer receives a diagnosis that she has only six weeks to live, she gathers her family together to tell them the news. But before she can, she ends up in the hospital. While reviewing her test results, she notices something unusual. She then begins to suspect that someone has been trying to kill her, but who could it be? She suspects her estranged husband, but can she prove it? When she tries to figure it out, past secrets come to light. Nothing is as it seems.Interesting story. I figured out who the culprit was that was trying to kill Jennifer, as all the clues were there. However, I didn’t like any of the characters. They were all so self-absorbed.