Drop Dead Famous

'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