Drop Dead Famous

Drop Dead Famous expertly weaves suspense from beginning to end to catch the killer(s). Years ago, Stevie’s young cousin, Mia, disappeared without a trace, and Stevie tried to solve the case without success. Her father is a retired cop who turned in his badge after a local boy, Aaron Taylor, was murdered and never solved. Now her famous sister, Blair Baker, has returned to Honeyville for a homecoming concert, but is shot moments before the concert begins, and Stevie won’t leave it up to the police to solve this murder.
Stevie teams up with eccentric over-the-top fan, Colby Green, to investigate leads, flush out 2 stalkers, and solve all 3 cases that end up being connected. Colby’s energy and larger-than-life personality help bring fun to a story that does a fantastic job showcasing the pain and grief Stevie and her family are feeling.
The suspense builds in a way that makes it hard to put the book down. The leads Stevie has build upon themselves as the evidence mounts, and only she can see the connections. The ending is truly a surprise as the connections to the three murders all become clear. This story is unique in that there is a price to discovering the truth. Yes, the criminals are found along the way, but her life is irrevocably changed from what is discovered, which doesn’t often happen when the detective solves the case in stories.
Overall, this suspense has a realistic portrayal of a girl spiraling in grief and willing to go to whatever lengths are necessary to discover the truth. The plot wraps up nicely and remains engaging from beginning to end. I look forward to reading more from this author. Fans of Truly Devious (Maureen Johnson) should check it out.