Drop Dead Famous - by Jennifer Pearson (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

An investigation turns into an obsession when the younger sister of a slain pop star is determined to uncover her sister's killer, no matter the cost, in this "tense and intricately plotted thriller" (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

When superstar Blair Baker is murdered moments before her triumphant homecoming concert, her younger sister, Stevie, knows she has one chance to find out who's responsible.

The thing is, Stevie's been here before, desperately searching for clues that might reveal who hurt someone she loves...but Stevie was younger then, just a kid. This time, she won't let the truth slip through her fingers.

What begins as a search for answers about Blair's death turns into a dangerous journey through the darker side of global fame. Soon, Stevie begins to uncover dark secrets closer to home--secrets that someone wants desperately to keep hidden. Is Stevie ready to confront what the truth reveals?

Review Quotes

"From its propulsive opening when the crime is discovered, this thriller grabs readers and does not let go . . . This twisty novel will keep readers guessing until the end and is an excellent choice for any library where YA mysteries or thrillers are popular."
--SLJ, starred review

"With Drop Dead Famous, Jennifer Pearson has written a compelling and utterly unputdownable YA thriller. I raced through it because I had to know what happened, and the twists blew me away. Full of mystery and heart, with complex family dynamics, a fantastic friend duo determined to solve the crime no matter what it takes, and even a sprinkling of romance, this is a book for any YA thriller fan."
--Katherine Webber, co-author of Twin Crowns

"Sharp, witty . . . The finale delivers a satisfying cascade of twists and revelations while centering grounding interpersonal moments surrounding Stevie's shifting friendships and simmering romance with a protective young police officer. The result--a credible, fast-paced whodunit with enticing characters--achieves high marks across the board."
--Publishers Weekly, starred review

"The fast pace and . . . comparisons to Taylor Swift will certainly keep teen Swifties and the like engaged."
--Booklist

"Engrossing and entertaining."
--Kirkus Reviews

"Pearson's YA debut sparkles with wit and heart, and its satisfying twists and reveals will keep you on the edge of your seat. With its layered, compelling characters and one of my new favorite YA detective duos, Drop Dead Famous stands out from the crowd. I can't wait to see what Pearson writes next."
--Kathryn Foxfield, author of Our Wicked Gifts

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!

About the Author

Jennifer Pearson is a former teacher and author who lives in the northeast of England with two energetic boys and her somewhat energetic husband. She's the author of several middle grade novels, writing as Jenny Pearson, and has been short-listed for the Costa Children's Book Award and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, and was the winner of the Lollies (Laugh Out Loud Book Awards). When she's not writing, Jenny can either be found doing something sporty or binge-watching true crime documentaries while eating astounding quantities of cheese.