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.
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. No matter which route you take, the narrative is fast-paced, filled with ghastly horrors and complex puzzles/riddles, and is an adrenaline rush! 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 overwhelming isolation and unease also make it believable for something like “Slashtag” to be tested here—it’s far from scrutiny, and screams of death won’t be heard! 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! As readers navigate the hotel as Jeremy, every hallway seems to lead toward danger, making every decision feel risky! The experience is so immersive that readers will literally feel trapped inside, as if they’re in a locked-room horror experience with no way out!
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! As a result, his inner monologues are very compelling. Readers will have to listen intently and choose wisely since some of his rationalizing of decision-making is emotionally charged! 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!
Compared to some of the other novels in the Try Not To Die series, this story is definitely more intricate and puzzle-oriented—ultimately leading to a higher likelihood of experiencing a death. The good news is that replayability is great—after a death scene, readers are told which path they should have chosen at the last branching option, allowing them to quickly “dust themselves off” and jump back into the excitement. Like all the books in the series, this book is designed to be read multiple times, encouraging readers to take different paths and discover different rooms and passageways in the haunted hotel!
Overall, Try Not to Die On Slashtag is an immersive and addictive horror game-book. Readers will feel a desperate need to escape the claustrophobic haunted hotel (with its seemingly never-ending tortures) while simultaneously not wanting the engrossing RPG-style puzzles to end! Its high replayability, unpredictable and original storyline, and intimate cast make it a standout in the Try Not To Die series! Readers who love high-stakes adventure, supernatural slashers, haunted houses, deadly puzzles, & immersive survival stories will devour this book! If you haven’t read any books in the Try Not To Die franchise, this story is the perfect gateway into the format—with over 20 books exploring different settings and terrors, from prisons and amusement parks to deserts and haunted roads, there’s a taste of horror for everyone to enjoy!
Narrator Performance
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 portrays Shiv with a more confident, controlled voice, which is perfect for a character who seems dependable and capable, especially early on. When her fears manifest, Hempel adds cracks to her voice, but her resolve remains visible in the delivery—making her very admirable, especially in the later chapters! In contrast, Hempel gives PQ a strong voice with quicker pacing and an undertone of humor. When the character’s fears manifest, Hempel makes PQ’s voice sharper and erratic, showing how his fear strips away all humor and exposes his vulnerability. The dialogue between Jeremy, Shiv, and PQ inside the hotel is extremely compelling—there’s often tension between them when making risky decisions, and Hempel makes it feel so tangible that listeners will often be holding their breath when choosing!
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! There’s really never a dull moment in the audiobook, and listeners will be engaged from start to finish!
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!
Narrator Performance
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 portrays Shiv with a more confident, controlled voice, which is perfect for a character who seems dependable and capable, especially early on. When her fears manifest, Hempel adds cracks to her voice, but her resolve remains visible in the delivery—making her very admirable, especially in the later chapters! In contrast, Hempel gives PQ a strong voice with quicker pacing and an undertone of humor. When the character’s fears manifest, Hempel makes PQ’s voice sharper and erratic, showing how his fear strips away all humor and exposes his vulnerability. The dialogue between Jeremy, Shiv, and PQ inside the hotel is extremely compelling—there’s often tension between them when making risky decisions, and Hempel makes it feel so tangible that listeners will often be holding their breath when choosing!
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! There’s really never a dull moment in the audiobook, and listeners will be engaged from start to finish!
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!
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 portrays Shiv with a more confident, controlled voice, which is perfect for a character who seems dependable and capable, especially early on. When her fears manifest, Hempel adds cracks to her voice, but her resolve remains visible in the delivery—making her very admirable, especially in the later chapters! In contrast, Hempel gives PQ a strong voice with quicker pacing and an undertone of humor. When the character’s fears manifest, Hempel makes PQ’s voice sharper and erratic, showing how his fear strips away all humor and exposes his vulnerability. The dialogue between Jeremy, Shiv, and PQ inside the hotel is extremely compelling—there’s often tension between them when making risky decisions, and Hempel makes it feel so tangible that listeners will often be holding their breath when choosing!
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! There’s really never a dull moment in the audiobook, and listeners will be engaged from start to finish!
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!
