DROP DEAD FAMOUS, by Jennifer Pearson, Sarah Barley Books / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, May 5, 2026, Hardcover, $22.99 (young adult)
The younger sister of a slain pop star is determined to solve her sister’s murder in Drop Dead Famous, a YA novel by Jennifer Pearson.
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? —Synopsis provided by Sarah Barley Books / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Drop Dead Famous is a tense YA thriller that starts with the grisly, public murder of Blair Baker. It’s big. It’s bold. It’s meant to make a statement.
And it’s a lot to live up to.
Unfortunately, following the murder, the pace drops dramatically. It takes a while, but author Jennifer Pearson eventually gets things back on an even keel. This is one of those books where you really need to stick with it in order to be rewarded. A shorter book with tighter editing may have helped with this problem.
That said, Pearson does a good job with twists and turns. And while some elements could be considered predictable, there are enough surprises to keep you engaged.
Stevie is an OK main character; however, she lives up to the forgettable little sister she’s known for. I finished Drop Dead Famous feeling ambivalent overall. It’s not a waste of time, it’s just not that memorable, either.
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