When a world-famous pop star is murdered during her hometown gig, it's up to her little sister to bring her killer to justice in this page-turning YA crime debut.
Waterstones Young Adult Book of the Month for June 2026
Exclusive Edition with sprayed edge
The hotly-anticipated YA crime thriller debut from bestselling and award-winning author, Jennifer Pearson. Perfect for fans of Holly Jackson and Ravena Guron.
When Blair Baker, pop-star and global sensation, rises high above the stage for the opening number of her triumphant hometown gig, the crowd erupts in applause. Then come the screams...The shocking revelation that music's brightest star has been murdered rocks the world. But for her younger sister, Stevie, the tragedy is more than a headline – it's personal.
What begins as a search for answers quickly turns into a dangerous journey through the toxic underbelly of fame. And as Stevie peels back the layers of who her sister really was, she begins to uncover dark secrets closer to home.
Read this if you loved...
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
This Book Kills by Ravena Guron
Keep Your Friends Close by Cynthia Murphy
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
ISBN: 9781398566637
Number of pages: 432
Dimensions: 198 x 130 x 26 mm
Interest age: From 14 years
Language: English
'Engrossing and entertaining.' - Kirkus Review, 15 March 2026 Issue
‘Sharp, witty prose balances suspense with humor. 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
‘Jennifer Pearson weaves the threads of this slick thriller with such mastery; it seems almost effortless. Full of twists, turns and characters you can’t help fall in love with, it kept me up way past my bedtime.’ - Cynthia Murphy
‘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 favourite YA detective duos, Drop Dead Famous stands out from the crowd. I can’t wait to see what Pearson writes next.’ - Kathryn Foxfield
'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. DROP DEAD FAMOUS proves that Jennifer Pearson, already known for her brilliant middle-grade novels, is bound to be a breakout star in the YA world'. - Katherine Webber
‘Fast paced, full of twists and turns’ - Anne Cassidy
‘A tense thriller that grips the reader throughout, Drop Dead Famous is Pearson at the top of her game.’ - Benjamin Dean
Thank you to the publishers for this early review copy.
We all know that Jenny Pearson is a brilliant middle grade (9 to 12 years) author but can she write a great teen read?
Only one way to find out...
Drop Dead...
More
A thriller inspired by the Era’s Tour… what’s not to love?Perfect for fans of Holly Jackson and Karen McManus, Drop Dean Famous opens with the beginning of pop star Blair Baker’s latest tour; she has it all, adored by... More
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... More
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