Goodreads

Release date: May 5, 2026

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

An investigation turns into an obsession when the younger sister of a slain pop starlet is determined to uncover her sister’s killer, no matter what it costs.

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:

Drop Dead Famous by Jennifer Pearson wastes absolutely no time pulling you in opening with the shocking onstage death of a global pop star and immediately setting the tone for a fast paced, high stakes mystery. From the very first chapter, the story moves with urgency, and it never really lets up. If you’re someone who gets frustrated with predictable YA thrillers, this one is a refreshing change. The twists land, the red herrings actually misdirect, and the reveals feel earned rather than obvious.

Stevie is such a strong lead, she’s tenacious, sharp, and completely unwilling to let things go (in the best way). She has that “dog with a bone” energy that makes her investigation compelling to follow, and her dynamic with Colby adds a layer of humor and warmth that balances the darker themes. Their friendship feels natural and gives the story some breathing room between the tension. And tension there is—this book leans into the messy, toxic side of fame, exploring how image, pressure, and secrets can spiral into something much darker.

There’s a clear A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder style vibe here, from the large cast of suspicious characters to the constant sense that literally no one can be trusted. At some point, you’ll side eye everyone, and that’s half the fun. With so many moving pieces, it becomes nearly impossible to confidently guess the outcome, which makes the final reveals all the more satisfying. Dramatic, twisty, and genuinely entertaining, this is a YA thriller that actually delivers on the mystery.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.