First Degree Murder

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About the Book

Reluctant teen detective Stevie Baker arrives at college determined to leave murder behind—until she finds a classmate dead and lands on the suspect list—in this gripping young adult thriller and sequel to Drop Dead Famous.

Stevie Baker arrives at college for a fresh start. After solving her famous sister’s murder and watching her family’s secrets play out on national news, she’s ready for normal: classes, dorm life, maybe even a few parties.

Then Stevie finds a classmate dead in his dorm room—and evidence begins to point to her.

Stevie knows better than to wait for someone else to uncover the truth. With her best friend, Colby, by her side, Stevie begins digging into what really happened. But the deeper they look, the stranger the case becomes: a missing girl who was never who she claimed to be, a fraternity determined to protect its own, and a decades-old campus death someone powerful wants forgotten.

Now Stevie must untangle these secrets before another body turns up—or before the police decide they already have their killer.

About the Author

Courtesy of author

Jennifer Pearson is an author and former teacher who lives in North East England with two energetic boys and her somewhat energetic husband. She’s the author of Drop Dead Famous and its sequel, First Degree Murder, as well as several acclaimed books for young readers. When she’s not writing, Jenny can be found either doing something sporty or binge-watching true crime documentaries while eating astounding quantities of cheese. Find Jenny on Instagram @J_C_Pearson.

Series with Books by the Author

Product Details

  • Publisher: Sarah Barley Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (May 18, 2027)
  • Length: 496 pages
  • ISBN13: 9798347108558
  • Grades: 7 and up
  • Ages: 12 - 99

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Raves and Reviews

PRAISE FOR DROP DEAD FAMOUS

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!

“From its propulsive opening when the crime is discovered, this thriller grabs readers and does not let go . . . This twisty novel will keep readers guessing until the end and is an excellent choice for any library where YA mysteries or thrillers are popular.” 
—SLJ, starred review

“Sharp, witty . . . 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

“Engrossing and entertaining.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“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 favorite YA detective duos, Drop Dead Famous stands out from the crowd. I can’t wait to see what Pearson writes next.”
—Kathryn Foxfield, author of Our Wicked Gifts

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