Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book actually inspired me to be more mindful as well as being an entertaining read!

From the first page of "Murder Mindfully" by Karsten Dusse, I was drawn into the hilariously grotesque yet strangely enlightening world of Björn Diemel. The premise is both absurd and brilliant: a criminal lawyer turns to murder to restore balance in his life, all while embarking on a mindfulness journey. Who would have thought that achieving inner peace could lead to violent escapades?
The narrative begins with Björn, a man on the brink of losing his wife, Katharina, and their daughter due to his workaholic tendencies. His reluctant decision to attend a mindfulness class is both relatable and laughable. I didn’t expect to find myself chuckling at the absurdity of a mindfulness session turning into a catalyst for murder. Yet, Dusse seamlessly weaves humour into the dark subject matter, making it an enjoyable ride.
One of the standout aspects of this book is the character development—especially for Björn. He starts as a typical overworked professional, but his journey of self-discovery amidst chaos is entertaining and thought-provoking. His newfound ability to stay calm in the most dangerous situations, juxtaposed with his violent tendencies, showcases Dusse’s unique storytelling. The mindfulness techniques, even if comically misplaced, are surprisingly enlightening; I even found myself taking a deep breath alongside Björn during some of his more tense moments.
However, I did feel that Björn’s wife, Katharina, could have been given a bit more depth. She often seems more like an obstacle than a fully realised character, which detracted from the emotional stakes of their relationship. It felt like she played the role of the nagging spouse rather than a partner with her own complexities. Nonetheless, the colourful cast of gangsters surrounding Björn brought a refreshing vibrancy to the plot. Each character was exaggerated yet memorable, making them delightful to read about.
The pacing of the plot may very well be its strongest suit. Dusse expertly balances the dark comedy with the tension of Björn’s decisions, creating a rhythm that kept me turning pages. And the ending? Let’s just say it’s not something I anticipated, and that’s precisely what made it perfect. Who knew a book about murder could leave you with a satisfied grin on your face?
One aspect that did grate on me a bit was the repetition of the mindfulness quotes at the beginning of the chapters. It quickly became formulaic and detracted slightly from the flow of the narrative. I understood the intention behind it, but it could have benefited from a more subtle approach.
Overall, "Murder Mindfully" is a deliciously dark romp through the mind of a man struggling with priorities and sanity, while exploring the absurd intersections of mindfulness and mayhem. Karsten Dusse has crafted a novel that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. If you're looking for a read that offers a unique blend of humour, crime, and a twist on self-help, then grab a copy of this one. Just remember: calm your mind, be here now, and maybe—just maybe—don’t take things too seriously.

I loved the idea for the book and enjoyed the characters as I read further. I especially liked how it was in the first person.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

This book just was not for me personally. I didn’t really find it funny, captivating or interesting? I thought I would enjoy it because I generally do love books like this but this one just didn’t do it for me. Very thankful for the opportunity to read this through net galley!

I really enjoyed this book! Mindfulness and gangsters shouldn't work but it really does! I thought this was a really funny dark comedy and some of the mindfulness bits were actually quite good.

I do think the only main female ancillary character (Bjorn's wife Katharina) could have been a bit more fleshed out as she just came across as a cow, but all of the gangsters were great. The plot was good and very well paced. The ending made me laugh. What more could you want?

The only thing that drove me mad (after I realised it would happen A LOT) was the repetition in the book of the mindfulness book that opened the chapters.

Really liked the idea behind this book. It's quirky, fun and the author has quite a dark sense of humour.

Thanks Netgalley for this excellent find!

Who would have thought that a person needed to practice mindfulness in order to kill? But that is exactly what helped Björn Diemel, do what he did. Bjorn is 42, and a criminal lawyer, He is involved with the wrong people and he decides on muder to keep his wife...

I loved this novel.. it is deliciously dark, with a little tongue in cheek humour and a fabulous plot.

Recommended read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Faber and Faber Ltd for this ARC.

Björn Diemel, 42, is a criminal lawyer with a wife, Katharina, and a daughter, Emily who is 2 1/2 but talks like a 12 year old. He's a stressed workaholic who never sees his family until his wife forces him to see mindfulness coach and author of "Slowing Down in the Fast Lane: Mindfulness for Managers" Joschka Breitner, in order to save their marriage.

So when his client, crime boss Dragan Sergowicz interferes with his new found family time, he has no choice but to kill and dismember him. Mindfully of course. Dragan has a lot of people who work for him and Björn has to keep the illusion that Dragan is alive and giving instructions through him. However, the solution that Björn has mindfully come to is that it's easier to kill most of them. So begins Björn's journey into mindfulness and murder, while at the same time trying to get a preschool place for Emily, in his own surprising but mindful way.

This is a book by a German author that has been a success in German speaking countries since 2019. "Achtsam Morden" has finally been translated into English and is the first of a series of five books so far, which we will hopefully all be able to read in due course.

You get two books in one - a crime thriller and a mindfulness guide. There is a lot of talk about breathing exercises, time islands and mindful action. Mindfulness is all Björn ever talks about now, and he uses it more and more to justify his murderous actions. The advice from the mindfulness guide at the beginning of each chapter is repeated within the chapter, which made me skip the chapter introductions after a while due to overkill (pun not intended).

It's a darkly funny story about what happens when a stressed lawyer finds a new way of thinking and addressing his problems. It ends rather abruptly, but we're not done with Björn yet, and in the meantime, if I ever need to murder someone I know how to do it mindfully now.

This is an unconventional approach to crime narrated in first person by a smart but rarely likeable lawyer who tries to do what's best for his family in a rather violent but original way. There are plenty of twists in this very engaging read. Recommended for lovers of dark humour who don't mind the occasional torture or dismemberment taking place.

"Mindfulness was just autogenic training without lying down. Yoga without contorting yourself. Meditation without sitting crosslegged. Or, as the article in Manager magazine my wife once demonstratively placed on the breakfast table put it: ‘Mindfulness means taking in each moment with love and without judgement."

mindfulness and crime. Björn, a stressed lawyer, finds himself facing an ultimatum from his wife, Katharina: restore his work-life balance, or risk losing her and their daughter. Reluctantly, he joins a mindfulness class, only to discover that it has a profound impact on his life, helping him become calmer and more focused as he begins to grasp what truly matters.

However, when his volatile client, crime boss Dragan Sergowicz, encroaches on his newfound family time, Björn’s journey takes a dark turn. In a shocking twist, he resorts to violence, killing Dragan in a bid to protect his serenity. This leads him down a path where he can deepen his mindfulness practice in a rather unconventional and violent way.

The book is narrated in the first person by Björn, an intelligent and determined protagonist who creatively applies the principles from "Slowing Down in the Overtaking Lane: Mindfulness for Executives," a self-help manual provided by his coach. The blend of humour and suspense creates a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers engaged.

This light yet original read is filled with an agile rhythm and intriguing twists, making it a compelling start to what I hope will be a continued series. The mix of mindfulness concepts with a thriller backdrop offers a refreshing perspective, ensuring that Murder Mindfully stands out in the genre.

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3.5/5.