Drop Dead Famous

by Jennifer Pearson

THE HOTLY ANTICIPATED YA CRIME THRILLER FROM AWARD-WINNING* AUTHOR, JENNIFER PEARSON

FAME CAN BE A KILLER

Global superstar Blair Baker rises high above the stage for the opening number of her hometown show. The crowd erupts in applause. Then come the screams.

For her sister, Stevie, Blair’s murder is more than a headline. And she will stop at nothing to uncover the truth.

TRUST NO ONE. CATCH A KILLER. STAY ALIVE.
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder for SwiftiesUnputdownable, page turning and suspenseful, welcome to your new crime thriller obsessionFeaturing a small-town setting, a dynamite teen detective duo and twists you won’t see comingPerfect for fans of The Disappearance of Rachel Price and Five Survive by Holly Jackson, The Cousins by Karen M. McManus and The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
*Jennifer Pearson won Best Laugh-Out-Loud Book for 9–13-Year-Olds Award 2022

?

?

?

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller, Crime

Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 4, 2026

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Maaike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an enjoyable YA thriller! If you love family drama, this is definitely the book for you because oh boy the reveals keep on revealing, I really enjoyed the popstar theme of it. It allowed for a lot of added drama and tension to the whole book. For once in my life I did see a part of the twist coming, but I was still really surprised by the ending which I always love.

I do think the relationship between Stevie and Blair could've been explored more to make it all hurt even more. But all in all, a really fun YA thriller that I would definitely recommend!

Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the arc in exchange of an honest review!

[Priscilla Stalker · Rating 5 out of 5]

When global pop star Blair Baker is found dead mid-concert—literally rising above the stage—the world is shaken. But for her sister Stevie, this isn’t just another headline… it’s personal.

I was hooked from the first couple chapters. This story wastes no time pulling you into the mystery, and it does not let go.

What I loved most was the unexpected duo of Stevie and Colby. Their dynamic added so much depth, and I didn’t see that partnership coming—but it worked so well.

Every character felt like they were hiding something. Even Stevie’s own family had secrets, which kept me constantly second-guessing everyone. The twists just kept coming, and every time I thought I had it figured out… I didn’t.

I also loved how everything connected in the end. The chain of events linking the three murders was so well done and made the final reveal feel even more satisfying.

This book dives into the darker side of fame—obsession, betrayal, and the pressure behind the spotlight—while delivering a super addictive mystery.

If you love twisty thrillers with shocking reveals and secret-filled characters… you NEED to pick this one up.

[Fizah(Books tales by me) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual Rating 4.5

Thanks to the Simon Teen for this Early Review Copy

The opening sequence reminded me of the current music scene. A massive pop star rising above the stage, fans losing their minds, the internet melting down, it was dramatic in the best way, murder aside. I was immediately hooked. From there, the story keeps building. It slows a little in the middle, but every chapter still drops something new: a clue, a twist, a threat, or some other reason to doubt a new character.

I really liked Stevie as a main character. She’s grieving, but also determined and kind of relentless when it comes to finding out what really happened to her sister. You can feel how personal this is for her, and that made it easy to stay invested in her journey. I didn’t like Colby at first, but over time, she grew on me. Her interactions with Stevie added a bit of lightness to the otherwise tragic story. The involvement of the family was a welcoming element. The whole pop star/fame angle and how it can be toxic and dark also added context regarding many things.

The mystery itself is well done. I kept changing my mind about who to trust, though I had a pretty solid read early on of who not to trust, and I was right. For a 400+ page book, it stayed genuinely easy and fun to read the whole way through. My only real complaint, it could lose maybe 50 pages, and the ending needed more room to breathe. I find the ending lacking, I wanted to read about the closure of all of the characters, so I was a bit disappointed.

The romance was up to my ally, a genuine and supportive connection without getting overwhelming. The whole setup/story reminded me of Holly Jackson’s book, which I really adore. I’d definitely recommend it if you’re into YA mysteries with lots of secrets and a bit of celebrity drama.

This was such a fun, addictive read. I finished it in 3–4 days, which pretty much says it all.

[L 🎀 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, I want to say a massive thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

The story starts with the death of pop star Blair, who happens to be the sister of our main character Stevie. Throughout the book Stevie, along with Blair’s superfan Colby, team up to attempt to solve her murder. This book is full of twists and turns, dark family secrets and a very addictive plot!

Wow, what an amazing book! The mystery genuinely kept me hooked. New pieces of evidence and facts kept arising which made me question every single character at some point. This point was what made the book particularly shine, as there was no part of the story where I was confident about the identity of the murderer.
As the mystery progressed further, and more clues arose, I found the book genuinely hard to put down as there was such a large amount of tension building up throughout.
I also really enjoyed reading the book from our main character, Stevie’s, point of view. I thought she made the perfect narrator to the mystery, as she herself was suspicious of everyone at one point, which perfectly reflects the viewpoint of the reader!
Finally, the ending was definitely worth the wait. I won’t say more on that matter because ✨spoilers✨ but it was the perfect release of all the built up tension throughout the book.

Overall, I’d recommend this book to twisty YA mysteries. In particular fans of a good girls guide to murder should definitely read this- it gave me such similar vibes and I loved it!

[Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly I would like to thank Simon and Schuster for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Getting into the review - as the description of this book says, it reminds me of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder mixed with the music industry craziness.

Starting off with a big pop star returning to her small hometown for a home coming performance, only to be discovered murdered in front of thousands of screaming fans and her family. It’s a high-stakes whodunit.

Stevie is the younger sister of global sensation Blair Baker. Stevie is already a girl defined by grief as shes still haunted by the unsolved disappearance of her niece, Mia. When Blair is killed, Stevie refuses to let her sister become just another cold case or a tabloid headline. As Stevie navigates her way through her sister’s world investigating, the truth about Blair’s life quickly peels away to reveal a messy reality including family secrets that were never meant to leave their small town.

The characters in this book are well written especially Stevie’s character as she is lovable, I felt her pain when she was suspicious of everyone.. definitely how I felt! I also loved the character Colby, annoying at first though. I love the subtle romance happening in small parts throughout this book, this is always a good touch to a YA thriller.

I found this book to be a true page-turner and finished it in less than 24 hours! Definitely a great YA thriller read. Pearson knows how to end a chapter on a cliffhanger which made it very hard to put down. I’m also a plot guesser and I love to see if I can guess whodunit.. I couldn’t this time. This is a four star read for me as it didn’t make me feel any extreme emotions.. but still a great read!!

I would recommend reading this if you like YA mysteries, celebrity drama, and twisty plots that keep you guessing.

[Becca ♡ PrettyLittleMemoirs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a thriller with lots of twists, and that is exactly what Drop Dead Famous promises from the get-go. Stevie has lived in the shadow of her Pop Star older sister for years. They've grown apart and lost touch when they used to be so close, and although she's so proud of her sister's success, she misses what they had. Blair Baker is the ultimate starlet, glamourous and talented, and the world is always watching her. Despite blips of substances, burnout and over-divulgence of family issues in songs and interviews, she's the talk of their small hometown, Honeyville, and the world. So when she announces a hometown show that becomes the sole focus of Honeyville's residents' attention, Stevie is in two minds as she watches Blair on stage—only when her sister misses her cue, chaos erupts at the arena when it's clear Blair Baker has been shot—murdered—and the killer is nowhere to be found.

The Baker family are devastated, and the world grieves with them. So many people adored Blair—but as the family are learning, many people also disliked Blair. Obviously someone must've had a motive to kill her, right? From stalkers to too-invasive fans and her dodgy manager, Stevie is sure that she can try and solve the mystery, reluctant to believe that Honeyville's Police are truly diving into the other, dark side of fame Blair became steeped in. She's reminded of her cousin's death not too long ago, a time that rocked her and Blair's world, another mystery she tried—and failed—to solve. But this is different. Stevie is older, stronger, and has a new drive—and help from a new friend and an unintended crush—to actually crack this one. Only, as secrets are brought to light and cast a shine a little too close to home, Stevie finds herself pointing fingers at people she never thought were capable of such evils—Blair might've been the Pop Princess to the world, but her death unearths a graveyard of secrets she couldn't bury deep enough, and it's capable of throwing Stevie's life into chaos.

Drop Dead Famous hit every note perfectly for me. Blair's life, to the fans, was full of glitter and gold, but in death, was uncovered as a sharply choreographed lie that just couldn't go the distance. Jennifer writes this mystery with the compulsiveness that begged me as the reader to keep turning pages, wanting to solve the crime alongside Stevie. The plot blindsided me at every turn, and the final reveal was a total gut-punch that left my best theory in the dust. While Blair’s death is the catalyst, the true story lies in the blood-stained legacy of the Baker family—a labyrinth of past and present secrets where every chilling revelation slots into place to reveal just how meticulously calculated the tragedy is as a whole. I loved the found friendship between Stevie and Colby, and also had a soft spot for Stevie and Oliver's relationship. I found myself at times just wanting to reach into the pages and comfort Stevie. Even as her resilience is undeniable, Jennifer also doesn't shy away from the crushing reality of her trauma that unravels publicly. It is this masterfully balanced vulnerability that gives the novel its true power and keeps the reader anchored in every twist. I was thoroughly hooked throughout this unmissable, high-octane, electric story.

[HF]

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

DNF at 23%. If this were any other genre I'd try to read more, but mystery/thriller are my comfort genres and I can breeze through any of them whether they're good or bad, as long as they're not boring. So if I lost interest this quickly, it's best to quit while I'm ahead. I just couldn't connect to the main character. She feels very passive, which isn't terrible in itself, but seeing that she's surrounded by a bunch of adults aside from a teenage girl she shares one scene with, there's a disconnect in the narrative that doesn't work for me. The set up is interesting though. For the right reader who revels in the juicy behind the scenes details about celebrity culture and the secret lives of pop stars, this can make for a fun time.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good mystery book especially when someone teams up with someone else to investigate a murder.
I was hooked the entire time trying to unravel who murdered Blair. This book had everyone a suspect on my list. When I finally found out who did it, I was mind blown. This book was hard to put down.

Thank you to netgalley and @simonteen for the ARC.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Sarah Barley Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

If you’re in the mood for a twisty YA murder mystery with lots of secrets, family drama, and a little bit of celebrity chaos, “Drop Dead Famous” by Jennifer Pearson is a pretty entertaining ride.

The story kicks off with a shocking moment: pop star Blair Baker is about to perform a huge homecoming concert in her small hometown, and when the stage rises, she’s already dead. Right there in front of thousands of fans, including her own family. It’s a wild opening and immediately throws you into the mystery.

Blair’s sister, Stevie, is determined to figure out what really happened. The police haven’t had the best track record in their town (there are already two other unsolved tragedies connected to the area), so Stevie decides to start investigating on her own. The problem? She barely knew anything about Blair’s life anymore. Ever since Blair became famous, she drifted away from her family, and it turns out she had a lot more secrets than anyone realized.

As Stevie digs deeper, the story starts revealing just how messy things really are with the pressures of fame, shady people in the entertainment industry, and some seriously complicated family history. There are multiple mysteries tangled together, and it slowly becomes clear that everything might be connected.

One of the best parts of the book is Stevie’s unlikely investigation partner, Colby. Colby is a huge Blair superfan who ends up helping Stevie look for answers, and honestly she steals a lot of the scenes she’s in. Watching Stevie and Colby go from awkward teammates to genuine friends was really fun, and their dynamic adds a lot of heart to the story. Everyone needs a Colby in their life.

The mystery itself keeps things interesting with lots of twists, new clues, and moments that make you question basically every character. Stevie becomes completely obsessed with solving the case, partly because she wants justice for Blair, but also because she’s struggling with grief and guilt about how distant they had become. That emotional side of the story actually adds a lot of depth.

That said, the book can feel a little overwhelming at first. There are a lot of characters, multiple past tragedies, and several different plot threads happening at once, so the beginning especially can feel like a lot to keep track of. The pacing also slows down a bit in the middle before picking up again toward the end.

But once the investigation really gets going, it’s hard to stop reading. The twists keep coming, the tension ramps up, and the final reveals tie everything together in a pretty satisfying way. There is also a hint of a romance, though there is also a slight age gap with it.

Overall, “Drop Dead Famous” is a fun and twisty YA mystery with small-town secrets, messy family drama, and a main character willing to risk a lot to uncover the truth. If you like fast-paced whodunits and stories that keep you guessing, this one is definitely worth picking up. And honestly, everyone deserves a friend like Colby while solving a murder.

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Simon&Schuster for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a YA murder mystery following in the footsteps of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. While I usually hate the entire concept of comp titles, in this case it was inevitable. Similarities include: teenage protagonist who insists on investigating old unresolved cases and works them out when nobody else could be bothered; huge cast of characters where everyone is potentially a suspect and all the solutions unravel in the last 10% of the book; romance between the main character and someone else who is investigating alongside her.

However the writing style was nowhere as refined as in AGGGM, and the setting is nowhere as quaint as charming as a small town in England (with no guns, which automatically makes for a more complex plot as you can't just say well X shot Y and be completely desensitised to it). To be fair, in the initial scenes, when the family arrive at Blair's concert and it was just endless exposition, I really thought I was reading Taylor Swift fanfiction it was just too on the nose - including '13' reference at a really inappropriate time.

Other elements that don't quite work for this book were:
- You never really quite warm up to the main character. Her sister just got murdered yet she seems pretty detached from it all.
- Some of the characters, particularly the mum (in fact, both mums) are deeply caricaturish. It feels like their scenes read as a sitcom script more so than a novel.
- The dialogue is way over the top at points. This does calm down quite significantly as the book goes on but also feels like a weird shift in tone that makes the first and second half inconsistent with each other. As the dialogue improves, however, the narration in between becomes much blander, very much switching to a tone of telling not showing.
- The whole plot would have been improved by about 50% if the romance had been between Stevie and Colby.
- Deals with some disturbing themes such as grooming and CSA but this is handled so very superficially that it almost feels dismissive. I don't think the word rape is in there once.
- Some loose ends left by the conclusion - nothing important really, but not as neatly wrapped up as you would expect.

I do think it's still enjoyable as a story, as obviously you want to unravel the mystery together with the MC, but I'm not too sure what audience demographic would enjoy this the most. I feel like teenagers would find it way too childish in spite of the age of the characters being right at the upper end of YA (18-21) however the themes are a bit too heavy for pre-teens.

[Betaknot]

Pearson has created an interesting story to tell. I recently dabbled into young adult thrillers via a book I fell in love with one day called Sadie by Courtney Summers. Difficult emotional and psychological dynamics between two sisters is something I love to read, because it's a theme that I relate to and hold dear to my heart. I love when authors are able to present these themes with heart, grace, and intrigue. I especially adore authors who put spins on these ideas.

However, it didn't take long to realize that Drop Dead Famous is a niche novel that very few might possibly enjoy. While I was booked by the opening of this novel, and the family dynamics between the Baker family are quirky, that wasn't enough to convince me the entire story would be worth my reading experience.

The set up and dare I'd say the exposition of the first chapter is a lot to chew on and gives us a heavy dose of red herrings and clues that we as the reader aren't ready for. Though the story starts out with a banger ( sarcasm, obviously. It begins with death ), I noticed early on through chapter three that the dialogue and prose were becoming quite comical and unbelievable. I felt like I was reading the script for a telenovela.

The characters were not only cheesy in their reactions to the opening events that set up Blair's journey as the younger sister and sleuth, but the entire family itself became cartoonist archetypes.

I think young adult readers deserve less tell and more show. If you've ever been driving a long length of time, perfectly fine coasting, until the next minute you're suddenly nauseous and confused from realizing you're driving and suddenly you have vertigo? That's what this novel feels like. A slow ease into the journey, and then suddenly whiplash! I'm not sure what exactly the author was doing when writing the novel, or how it was edited together, but it's a bit of a tough read. There's a lot of inconsistencies in the writing. False flags. Moments where weird word choices took me out of the story.

I unfortunately didn't enjoy my reading experience and I wouldn't recommend to anyone my age, or for young adults on a mass scale. Though the idea was fantastic, and while the beginning managed to hook me, I don't feel as if the novel itself is ready for publication. Although I will say I am definitely not the right audience for this, it might make someone else satisfied.

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I have read a few of Jennifer's children's books before and enjoyed them so I was intrigued to see how she fared with an older audience.

I am not a huge fan of pop music, the kind that Taylor Swift does - I'm not against it, it's just not my thing, but there definitely seemed to be a link in this book, the glitter, the cowboy boots, the friendship bracelets. So if you're a fan of that kind of world then you'll probably enjoy this.

This was most certainly a young adult book, and there's nothing fundamentally wrong with that. It's advertised as YA and I've read a lot of YA books over the years and some have been very good. But I was torn here. It felt quite juvenile but at the same time trying to be too adult and so it didn't feel like it fit perfectly into any reading age. What I'm trying to say is that I wouldn't recommend this for real hardcore thriller fans, but equally I probably wouldn't recommend it to the teenagers in my life.

I love her kids books and I honestly think that's where her talents lie; I'm not sure YA is for her.

The plot is very familiar - again, not an issue, I read similar plots all the time, but it still needs to be exciting and fresh and the characters need to stand out, and the only way the protagonist of Stevie stood out was in her dullness and I couldn't connect to her or any other characters at all. I couldn't feel her grief or her anger and so my attention kept waning.

I could have DNFd it a few times but I didn't and it did improve. It dipped in the middle of the book and I feel she could have told the same story in a shorter way and maybe had more of an impact.

After all that, I can't say I didn't like it, because there were elements I did, but it just felt a bit messy and, dare I say it, boring. Maybe I'm just really not the audience for this. If you're a fan of that world, the world of pop stars and concerts and content creation then maybe it is for you. But I felt it was a bit forgettable.

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

firstly I’d like to say thank you to netgalley and the publisher for gifting me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review :)

I LOVE a good YA thriller. there’s just something about a classic YA murder mystery that works so well. they’re always so intriguing and full of drama and twists. as well as often being funny with great friendships and hints of romance too. this book was no different and had the WHOLE package.

so many parts of this mystery were multi-faceted and everything was so cleverly connected. some of the twists were a bit predictable but for me this was only due to the clues we were seeing as we worked the mystery out alongside Stevie and her friend, Colby. so it almost felt satisfying to predict some of these twists as it felt like we were solving the mystery (even if I put two and two together a bit quicker than Stevie at times!) regardless of predictability of some of the twists, they were still well written and worked into the overall mystery.

the family drama in this was unmatched with so many family secrets coming to light. it was also quite emotional at points as this family had really gone through quite a lot, so seeing their grief added an emotional layer to the story.

Stevie was a very layered character and going through this plot with her as she tried to solve her sister’s murder definitely took me on a ride. I loved her friendship with Colby, she was so wacky and fun and helped add to these comedic and more lighter moments throughout. the tiny tiny romance we got with a certain someone and Stevie was also sweet.

this was fast-paced and addictive, I was definitely invested at all times, even when I had figured some things out, I was still interested to see how it was all going to come together in the end. overall, this was a super fun YA thriller and I’d recommend! it also gave me AGGGTM vibes so if you enjoy that trilogy defo give this a go!

[Gina Malanga · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

It’s hard to be the sister of a popstar I would imagine, and Stevie feels as though her sister has been lost to their family and that they don’t know her anymore. That’ll only becomes worse when her sister turns up dead on the first night of her hometown tour. Their family has known loss before and Stevie’s family worries that she’s going to go into a dark place again and begin investigating her sister’s murder, which is then exactly what she does.

Over the course of the book, we meet a lot of characters, some unsavory, and some the friends that it seems that Stevie needs to be able to get through this. As she investigates her sister’s death, she also finds out a lot more about herself and about the other people in her family.

My always statement is just that this book should have been shorter.Coming in and almost 400 pages it felt like it dragged a lot, especially in the middle. There’s also some really heavy issues that come up over the course of this book such as classism, racism, sexual abuse, abusive power, and a lot of of them get glazed over pretty quickly because the author needs to move onto the next thing to keep things going. I just wondered if some of that could have been removed or explored more deeply in the place of something else. The romance storyline also really felt unnecessary and a little bit weird given the ages or at least the places in life that the character characters were.

Overall, I really liked the concept of this book and some of the issues that it explored. I just wish that they had been simultaneously a little less and a little more.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Drop Dead Famous follows Stevie Baker, who is trying to find answers in the wake of her pop-star sister's tragic murder. Joined by her sister's superfan and unlikely ally Colby, the deeper the two dig into Blair's death, the more threats and dangerous lies come to the surface.

I wanted to enjoy this, but it read like a cheaper version of The Agathas. It relied on a similar dynamic, loner/popular girl unlikely allies, but it felt very superficial. Also, Stevie was quite literally the WORST teen detective. Every clue was hand delivered to her, and yet everyone acted like she was the one investigating, and I guess she technically was, albeit poorly. This book touches on some heavy subjects, but since they were more side-plot it didn't make the impact that they could have made. I also feel like these weren't given the weight that they deserved, they seemed almost like an afterthought. This book had potential, but it needed to dig into the serious aspects more.

I wasn't a huge fan of the romance, only because it felt a bit odd. Stevie was 18, and held back a year due to her obsession over her cousin's disappearance causing her grades to slip, and she ends up dating Officer Dean (who's 21) at some point after the conclusion to the book. The ages were fine, but the fact she was still in high school made me feel a bit iffy. It isn't made abundantly clear when they started dating, but I felt the need to mention it in my review.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review!:)

[Jo Bardgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drop Dead Famous
By Jennifer Pearson
Published by Simon & Schuster Ltd

A fabulously modern ’who done it’ from bestselling and award-winning author Jennifer Pearson. Brilliantly written with intriguing characters, makes this a YA crime debut page turner!

When a world-famous pop star is murdered whilst playing at her hometown gig, her little sister is the one who steps forward to bring her killer to justice.
Stevie is in shock! But wanting answers makes you determined to find the truth.

Full of pop-star vibes and inquisitive questioning, everyone is asking ‘Who would do this?’ The world of music and teenage followers are in shock!

But for Stevie, her younger sister, this is more than a social phenomenon, this is toxic and personal!
Who would do this?
Why has this happened?
How did it happen in full view?

Searching for answers is the only way to start but this quickly turns into a dangerous game.
With fame comes jealously.
With jealousy comes anger.
With anger comes risk.
And as Stevie searches for answers, different layers of her late sister are revealed and a journey into her famous lifestyle uncovers some dark secrets much closer to home.

Ideal for readers of A good girls guide to murder, One of us is lying and This book kills. YA readers will love the fame, social lifestyles surrounding those in the limelight and the intriguing characters Pearson creates.

Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.
#Netgallery

[Jazzy Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am incredibly grateful to both NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK Children's for the opportunity to read and review Drop Dead Famous. Being selected to explore this captivating story before its official release has been such a treat, and I can’t wait to share my thoughts on it with all of you. A huge thank you to the teams at NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK Children's for their generosity and for making this advanced reading experience possible.

I absolutely devoured Drop Dead Famous. It had me hooked from the get go!

There's nothing I love more than a super twisty young adult mystery novel and this was exactly that.

I actually did pretty well with figuring it out which makes a change but it was not through any lack of efforts from the author. Drop Dead Famous is full to the brim with mystery and it was such a fun and easy read. It was easy to follow but so well thought out at the same time.

I've read countless young adult mystery books and this one was just different. I won't say too much as I am not one for spoiling books but there was just a lot going on. Some authors have tunnel vision with certain plot lines in other books but that's really not the case with Jennifer Pearson.

This book is well written, extremely fast paced and will have you obsessed from the very beginning.

Honestly this was just fantastic.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

DROP D*AD FAMOUS by Jennifer Pearson (May 5, 2026)

Thank you Netgalley and Simon Teen for the eArc

When Stevie's sister, Blair Baker (superstar) is m*rdered, she begins investigating. Having been through something similar before, she knows she gets desperate, but this time she won't. As the investigation picks up, she unearths more, darker things than she imagined.
DROP D*AD FAMOUS is a YA m*rder mystery. This is a nice investigative thriller, and I loved seeing Stevie come out of her shell despite everything her family had been through (first with Mia and then Blair). I also loved the other "main" side characters. They added so much to this. DROP D*AD FAMOUS starts with a bang, but it does meddle out a bit; however, the characters (the likeable ones) made up for that. I especially liked the banter between Stevie and Officer Dean. I think he (Dean) was my favorite side character.
This was such a twisted read. Just when I thought it couldn't get more twisted, Pearson threw in another. And then another. Each one must crazier than the last. This is just mind-boggling. I loved it. I might even go as far as saying this is my favorite of the month. Granted, this is the only book I've finished this month, but still. DROP D*AD FAMOUS is everything I wanted it to be and more.

[Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you SimonTeen and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. This was a thrill! Stevie’s life has been in a bit of an upheaval ever since her sister Blair won a singing competition and she became famous. Now she barely has time for her family anymore. Blair has finally come home, but not for the family, to do a concert in their small hometown. Where the worst things that have happened are a boy being murdered and a little girl going missing. The police never solved either case. Still it could be nice to see her sister perform, only when Blair appears on stage, she’s dead. Stevie knows the police haven’t handled these things well in the past so if she wants to find out who killed her sister she’ll have to dig for answers herself. But when she hardly knew anything about Blair’s recent life will she like what she’s going to find? And what if there’s a darker side to fame than anyone lets on? Also digging may just show her that Blair wasn’t the only one who had secrets. Secrets that someone will do anything to keep hidden. Stevie may just find that she’s in a fight for her life. Jennifer Pearson does an excellent job of keeping the reader hooked, I couldn’t put it down! And the twists blew my mind! This one kept me on the edge of my seat and kept me guessing!

[amandarose_mil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC of Drop Dead Famous.

This YA thriller got off to a slightly shaky start for me—I found myself questioning why it was written in third person, and even by the end I still think it might have worked better in first. It did take me a little while to get into the story, but then Colby showed up… and honestly, Colby saved the book for me.

The dynamic between Stevie and Colby was a highlight—sharp, engaging, and exactly the kind of duo that keeps you turning pages. Add Oliver into the mix, along with that subtle hint of a love interest, and suddenly it hit that sweet spot I’ve been missing since finishing A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. It definitely scratched that YA mystery/thriller itch.

That said, there were moments where the adults—especially the parents—felt a bit off. Some reactions didn’t quite ring true, and at times the story seemed to overreact to certain dramatic moments while underplaying others. There’s also a lot packed into this book—arguably more than it needed—but I can see how that intensity keeps the plot moving.

Despite the slower start and a few bumps along the way, by the end I was fully invested and really enjoying the ride.

And once again… go Colby.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly don’t know if I have the words to describe this book. It’s an absolute tear jerking, emotional roller coaster with never ending tension that keeps you gripped through out. There was never a single moment where I wanted to put this book down. Every line had me hooked and when this is released I see true potential at it becoming a best seller.

The story line was phenomenal and the characters were so deeply humanised on the page that I genuinely saw them as real people. The relationship between Stevie and Colby was so nurtured and it didn’t feel like a forced “grumpy and happy” friendship due.

The multiple twists at the end were an emotional pit for me, I cried for the last few chapters because you grow so fond of the character throughout the book and you actually start to feel some sort of connection to them. Finding out about frank, jimmy and Annie was devastating but the way it was crafted with the year later scene was beautiful showing that even when the truth feels wrong it still is the right thing to do and in the end it brought everyone healing.

Can not wait to see more from Jennifer Pearson in the future

[cara! · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You might feel like you’ve lost something, but you haven’t, not really. Blair was never yours to lose. She was mine”

// Thank you Simon Teen for sending me a copy of this book! All thoughts are my own :)

// 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 on Goodreads

I really liked the plot of the book. There were three different mystery subplots going on at the same time: the current murder, a missing person, and a past murder, that were all connected somehow. It was a small town mystery but with all the celebrity and fame aspects of a big city mystery.

There were so many plot twists, all relating to characters close to Stevie. I always like small town mysteries because the characters have tight-knit relationships and hidden secrets. I wasn’t able to predict most of the reveals, however I predicted the murderer less than 100 pages into the book, which I didn’t like. It’s always someone who isn’t suspected by the protagonist, which made that easy for me to figure out. I usually like my mysteries to be more of a surprise, but maybe I’ve just read too many now and I know how to guess :/

I think Stevie’s romance with Officer Dean was forced. It was cute, but I don’t think romance was needed at all in this book. The friendship and family aspects were good enough in my opinion.

This was a pretty solid mystery. I was able to read it in only two days because I was so invested in it! I’d be interested in reading what Jennifer Pearson creates in the future, and I definitely recommend reading this one!!

[Hannah Lilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for giving me an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review!

This book was very much similar to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. The twists were twisting! I did figure part of the twist out, but there were parts that I was still very shocked by! The touch of romance in the book was my absolute favorite! I was living for hot Officer Dean and his romance with Stevie.

Not my favorite: The beginning was quite slow. I had to force myself to get through the beginning, but after the second half, the book definitely picks up. Just like A Good Girl's Guide to Murder this book is written in third person. Purely a personal preference, but I find I enjoy books that are written in first person more. It is easier for me to become immersed in the story. I also wish there was more of the romance plot line, but I understand that romance is not a main theme of this book. I just love some love!

If you love young adult mysteries, a hint of romance, and still can not get over reading A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, then this is the perfect book for you!

[Helen Freire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting thriller/mystery that definitely kept me guessing for most of the story. The mystery itself was probably the strongest part of the book because I genuinely kept questioning who committed the crime, and once all the reveals started coming together near the end, I was pretty shocked by how everything unfolded.
The pacing, however, felt a little off for me. It leans more toward a medium to slower pace, and there were sections where the story dragged because of too much dialogue and not enough action. I kept waiting for certain scenes to fully pick up, especially during moments that should have felt more intense.
The characters were also a mixed bag. Some felt overly exaggerated and almost sitcom-like, while others came across very stiff and emotionless, so the interactions often felt black-and-white instead of natural. Stevie, in particular, sometimes didn’t fully feel like someone who was actively grieving, which made it harder for me to connect emotionally to certain scenes. During serious moments, a few characters acted so cartoonish that it feel like bad acting.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Calling all Holly Jackson fans if you, like myself, have been craving a really good ya murder mystery but nothing has hit the spot since AGGTM? Then let me introduce you to your next obsession.

This book right from the beginning will keep you on your toes guessing, who actually done it. And when plot twist after plot twist unfolds, you will find yourself second guessing yourself (unless you truly have good detective skills) the whole way through.

This book was incredible easy and fun to read as our FMC Stevie goes on this wild chase for her sisters killer. Stevie, from her core, will do quiet literally anything for justice to be served. Though, the measures she may go to get it leaves her and her partner in crime, Colby, into some tense moments.

The detective duo, from when they first join, makes you wonder how people like Stevie and Colby, two people who are complete opposites, work so well together. Watching their journey go from Stevie not really wanting anything to do with Colby, to them becoming quite literally each other's life lines was something beautiful to see.

[andshe.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blair Baker is found dead right at the beginning of her concert surrounded by her family & thousands of fans. The world is shaken but for her sister Stevie this feels personal. 

Okay this certainly got my attention, it's suspenseful, page turning & I couldn't bare to put it down. 

Our MC Stevie turned out to be a force to be reckoned with. Even after threats to her own life & all the stalker vibes her determination to uncover the truth never faltered. I loved how after all Stevie had been through she found a friend in the most unexpected person. 

All the characters had secrets, including Blairs family so not one person could be ruled out. This storyline definitely has you second guessing the who dunnit several times. 

The story also gives us readers an insight into what fame can really do to a person especially one as young as Blair. Including the fears, the fan obsessions, potential stalkers & the pressure. 

A truly cracking small town YA crime thriller with twists you will not be expecting. 

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. 

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

There seem to be a lot of books around at the moment which delve into the dark underbelly of childhood/teen fame. In this case Blair Baker is a teen sensation who is returning to her hometown for a spectacular stadium concert. She has a troubled past including stints in rehab.
Her younger sister Stevie is also a fragile person, having had a breakdown when her cousin Mia disappeared.
When Blair is dramatically murdered, Stevie is drawn into investigating the death, against the wishes of her mother and father, a police officer. As the complexities of Blair’s life and relationships become apparent, and questions are raised about family loyalties, Stevie fears that she is again struggling. But with the help of her friend, super-fan Colby she uncovers the shocking truth.
Lots of twists and red herrings on the way, and a truly satisfying ending.

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster UK for the opportunity to read this book.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder mystery for today’s Teens and YAs. For a book centred around a murder mystery and its fallout, this book is written in an upbeat style. Perfect for its intended readers. Probably helped in particular by Corby. I just wish I had her verbal flair and ability to say the right thing, often logically a bit left field, but presented with all her heart.

Corby is second main character to Stevie. Whose life is about to be dumped in big style. When her sister is murdered she takes it upon herself to play detective, along with side buddy Corby.

Stevie is ready to blame many of the people around her. The clues slowly build up. I didn’t work it out, and the surprising truth when it’s revealed answers many questions. Questions Stevie does and maybe doesn’t really want answered.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster UK Children’s and NetGalley for the ARC.The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Popstar Blair Baker is found lying dead in front of a huge crowd as the stage rises for her homecoming concert. Her sister Stevie is determined to find out who is responsible, especially as she had tried and failed to solve the mystery of the disappearance of another family member not so long ago. She pairs up with one of Blair’s superfans to carry out her own investigation into the murder, despite being warned to leave it to the local police.
This YA murder mystery has a great plot, but it did lose direction and pace a bit in the middle, and I felt that the book could have been shorter and still tell the same story. I enjoyed the sense of jeopardy as Stevie worked out who to trust and there was enough foreshadowing that I could guess at some of the later revelations.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC