On Slashtag

Try Not to Die

De: Jon Cohn, Mark Tullius - editor

Narrado por: Joe Hempel

Try Not to Die: On Slashtag – The Game Where Survival Is the Only Rule.

Welcome to Slashtag, the ultimate horror reality competition.

You’ve been chosen to playtest a brand-new survival game set inside the abandoned Propitius Hotel—once home to a notorious serial killer. The producers promise fame, glory, and a shot at greatness. But they forgot to mention one thing: the danger is real.

The deeper you go, the more the hotel seems alive—its rooms twisting with deadly puzzles, grotesque traps, and a ghost who never left. Every decision brings you closer to victory… or a violent, unforgettable end.

Over two dozen ways to die.

Only one path to survival.

Do you have what it takes to escape the Propitius Hotel?

The audiobook contains an interactive version that includes decisions and deaths for wrong choices.

The survivor version is for those who want to listen to the main story without any choices or interruptions.

A prequel to the critically acclaimed horror novel Slashtag, this interactive thriller stands on its own while expanding the dark world of Krentler Media’s twisted experiments. Perfect for fans of Goosebumps®, Choose Your Own Adventure®, and reality-horror nightmares like Cabin in the Woods.

©2023 Jon Cohn (P)2025 Vincere Press

slash

loved the book. great narrator. multiple ways to enjoy the book. fun fast paced book

Will you survive?

I love these Try Not To Die books! The main character of the book is dropped into a situation and you have to make choices which will determine whether you survive or not. If you get frustrated with your decisions (or just want to read a great story), you have the option to read the survivors version.

In this book, a group of 4 young film students are recruited to participate in an escape room type situation. The four need to find certain objects in the haunted Propitious Hotel in order to get out alive. They are led to believe that this is in preparation for a reality TV show and none of them realize that it is instead a test of their ability to survive the horrors inside the hotel.

There are plenty of terror-filled scenes in the book and plenty of gruesome injuries/deaths. Nothing too graphic, but plenty horrific. The narrator is one of my favorites and he does his usual wonderful job with his performance. One of these days, I will survive a TNTD book (but not today!!!).

Immersive Haunted Hotel Survival Horror!

Try Not to Die On Slashtag is a fast-paced interactive locked-room horror novel perfect for fans of escape room adventures and puzzle-based reality TV shows. The audiobook format offers two reading modes: an interactive experience (choose-your-own-path) and a linear “survivor” option. This book is the 9th installment in the popular Try Not To Die series and is the prequel to Slashtag, Jon Cohn’s full-length horror novel set in the same terrifying world. Both this book and the sequel are available on Kindle, in paperback format, and on audio!

This story steps readers into the shoes of Jeremy, who, along with three film-school friends, is sent to beta test “Slashtag,” a new reality TV horror competition set in the infamous Propitius Hotel, once home to a vile serial killer. At first, it sounds like a cheesy escape-room-style gimmick with cameras. But as soon as you (as Jeremy) step inside, the ghostly dangers become real, the puzzles get gruesome, and each choice spins the narrative into uncharted territory—sometimes horrifying, sometimes emotional, and other times absolutely deadly!

In the physical book or audio “Interactive” mode, readers will navigate 53 chapters with branching choices at the end of each. A wrong choice leads to a sudden, often gory death, while correct choices edge the reader (as Jeremy) closer to finding the ghost’s possessions to make him vulnerable so that his powerful amulet can be captured! Only one path leads to survival and escape from the terrifying hotel, which is revealed in the "survival" mode of the audiobook—it’s recommended to listen only after successfully completing the story via the interactive mode. When making choices, it’s important to pay close attention to the words of your companions—there sometimes are hints hidden in the dialogue, and obvious choices can be the wrong ones, and there are plenty of detours designed to fool you!

The setting—the abandoned town of Dire, where Jeremy and the others are transported to for the beta test—is the perfect backdrop. It feels like a town that has already given up on being saved, and its name alone, “Dire,” foreshadows potentially fatal danger! The Propitius Hotel, where most of the story takes place, with its locked rooms and maze-like layout, creates a terrifying and claustrophobic reading experience!

With a small cast, readers get to know the characters intimately—and some of their worst fears! Jeremy’s character arc is driven as much by psychological trauma as it is by physical survival—his unresolved guilt and grief connected to his brother are major themes! The other characters, primarily Shiv and PQ, are equally tested when their fears manifest in real life. Readers should be prepared for frightening scenarios that will have their skin crawling and that make the horror feel intimate! It quickly becomes apparent that the characters aren’t just running from a ghost killer or solving puzzles—they’re being forced to face the parts of themselves they’ve kept buried, which elevates the story to a 5-star level!!

The pacing is relentless and addictive! The first few chapters get the characters introduced and get them acquainted with the rules of the reality TV game—and they are then thrown into danger without warning! As the reader (as Jeremy) unlocks more of the hotel’s twisted layout, the stakes escalate and the puzzles become more complex, gory, and addictive! By the midsection the horror amplifies as more of the hotel/ghost’s backstory is revealed, and the ghost’s presence can be felt everywhere! After so many intense terrors, intricate (and gory) puzzles, and (very likely) multiple deaths for readers, it will feel more like a personal victory than a typical book ending—which is very satisfying!

Readers who love high-stakes adventure, supernatural slashers, haunted houses, deadly puzzles, & immersive survival stories will devour this book!


NARRATION:

The audiobook of Try Not to Die On Slashtag is a thrilling, addictive listen narrated by seasoned horror narrator Joe Hempel!

This story has a small cast of characters, and Hempel gives compelling performances of each, making them feel real and convincing! He portrays protagonist Jeremy with a grounded, emotionally restrained voice (at first) to convey a determined character who has unresolved guilt/trauma surrounding his brother. As the story progresses and Jeremy realizes how dangerous the hotel and emotional stakes are, Hempel subtly alters his performance to give Jeremy more urgency and strain in his voice, almost near-panic during horror scenes—and listeners will be fully immersed in all claustrophobic terror with him! The inner monologues and choices related to Jeremy’s brother are a highlight—Hempel makes Jeremy’s emotional pain feel tangible, and as he’s forced to confront his buried past, Hempel’s delivery makes Jeremy’s growth feel pronounced and authentic!

Hempel uses distinct voices for every character, making it easy for listeners to know who’s speaking. His pacing always mirrors what’s happening in the story—calmer dialogue or informative scenes are given room to breathe, while high-stakes (and especially gruesome) scenes are voiced faster and with much more tension! In particular, whenever the ghost suddenly appears, Hempel adds a sense of urgency to his tone to foreshadow the impending terror!

Overall, Joe Hempel elevates the reading experience of Try Not to Die On Slashtag with his expert pacing, compelling character portrayals, and his incredible ability to maintain atmospheric tension (and terror) for the entire wild ride! This is a must-listen for fans of the series or audiobook enthusiasts who enjoy survival horror and interactive listens!

Fun horror book

Jon Cohn and Mark Tullius rock! This was great fun to listen to....the narrator even pulled off a decent Irish accent. The story was interesting and unpredictable with the choices...