Julie Chan is Dead by Liann Zhang is a compelling, thought-provoking debut novel that captivates with its mystery and depth—at least for the first three-quarters of the book. The initial sections of the story draw readers in with a gripping narrative, interesting characters, and an exploration of complex themes that keep you hooked. I found myself completely immersed in the early stages, offering the book four stars across the board. The writing was engaging, and the unfolding mystery around Julie Chan’s death was intricate and layered, offering a refreshing perspective on grief, identity, and the hidden intricacies of life and social media fame.

However, as the plot progresses, it takes a sharp, jarring turn that left me somewhat bewildered. By the time I reached the final quarter, the book seemed to veer into the absurd, losing the momentum and depth that initially made it so compelling. What started as a gripping exploration of mystery and personal reflection felt increasingly far-fetched and, frankly, silly. The plot twists and decisions made by the characters became harder to follow, and I found myself disconnected from the story.

Despite this shift in tone, it’s clear that Julie Chan is Dead showcases Zhang’s talent and potential as a writer. For a debut novel, it’s impressive how Zhang managed to craft such a captivating opening and set a strong foundation. Though the latter part of the book may not have resonated with me, it doesn't take away from the fact that Zhang is a skilled writer with a lot of promise.

Ultimately, I would say that Julie Chan is Dead is a book of two halves: a brilliant beginning that draws you in and a conclusion that might leave you scratching your head. I think this book is worth reading, especially for those who enjoy mysteries that don't always follow the expected paths. I look forward to seeing what Zhang writes next, as there's certainly a lot of potential in her voice.

Julie Chan is dead is a novel all about the seductions of social media, and how far some people go to achieve that fame and influencer status!
When Julie goes to visit her estranged twin sister Chloe, a social media influencer with millions of followers, she finds her dead. In the rush of the moment, Julie decides to pass as Chloe, and everything that follows after is outlined in this story

This book was highly entertaining, a perfect summer read for by the pool!

3.5 A propulsive read and promising (CanCon!!) satirical debut that goes a bit off the rails in the last 30%.

What worked for me:
☠️ The premise was unlike anything I’d encountered before - it felt fresh and inventive!
☠️ I loved the commentary on vacuous internet culture, on capitalism, on race, on family. While I wish some of these themes had gone a bit deeper, I particularly loved Iz’s speech to the other girls about privilege.
☠️ The exploration of the twins’ relationship and their deep-seated jealousy of each other was well done. It was interesting how that ‘grass is greener’ mindset went in both directions.
☠️ Much like MLMs, I don’t understand the draw of influencer culture - it just seems like cultish marketing to me - but reading about it is fascinating, in a gross, entertaining kind of way.
☠️ While a bit rough around the edges, the writing style, pace, and story were all pretty solid for a debut.
☠️ Julie is a perfect example of how characters don’t need to be likeable to be interesting. Sure, I pretty much hated her from go but I was still keen to see what happened next and what choices she would make.

What I wasn’t so keen on:
☠️ Julie’s surly teenage dialogue at the beginning was a very odd choice.
☠️ The last 30% of the book was a total departure from the previous 70% and I’m not sure I liked it. It stepped into the horror genre in a way I wasn’t expecting. The mouse bit was particularly awful. While I appreciate authors who subvert genre and play with structure, a shift this dramatic didn’t feel like an intentional shift but more of a forced ‘gotcha’. Zhang almost pulled it off with the escalation but didn’t quite stick the landing for this reader.