Julie Chan is Dead by Liann Zhang

Julie Chan has nothing. Her twin sister has everything. Except a pulse.

Julie Chan, a supermarket cashier with nothing to lose, finds herself thrust into the glamorous yet perilous world of her late twin sister, Chloe VanHuusen, a popular influencer. Separated at a young age, the identical twins were polar opposites and rarely spoke, except for one viral video that Chloe initiated (Finding My Long-Lost Twin And Buying Her A House #EMOTIONAL). When Julie discovers Chloe’s lifeless body under mysterious circumstances, she seizes the chance to live the life she’s always envied.

Transforming into Chloe is easier than expected. Julie effortlessly adopts Chloe’s luxurious influencer life, complete with designer clothes, a meticulous skincare routine, and millions of adoring followers. However, Julie soon realizes that Chloe’s seemingly picture-perfect life was anything but.

Haunted by Chloe’s untimely death and struggling to fit into the privileged influencer circle, Julie faces mounting challenges during a weeklong island retreat with Chloe’s exclusive group of influencer friends. As events spiral out of control, Julie uncovers the sinister forces that may have led to her sister’s demise and realizes she might be the next target.

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Julie Chan's life is bleak. A supermarket cashier with nothing to her name, Julie's reality is far from the glamorous world of her late twin sister, Chloe Van Huusen. Once separated as children, the twins' lives couldn't have been more different - until one viral video changed everything. In a twist of fate, Julie finds herself thrust into Chloe's influencer life after discovering her sister’s lifeless body under mysterious circumstances.

What starts as a way to escape her own dreary existence quickly spirals into a dark, unsettling journey. Julie's transformation into Chloe is shockingly easy - luxurious clothes, flawless skincare, and millions of followers are at her fingertips. But the more Julie steps into her sister's shoes, the more she uncovers about the world Chloe inhabited. Behind the perfect photos and designer brands lies something far more sinister, and Julie finds herself caught in a web of secrets, lies, and danger.

The story’s atmosphere is taut with tension as Julie tries to navigate the treacherous influencer circle, all while discovering that Chloe's death may not have been as accidental as it seemed. The book offers a fascinating exploration of identity, social media obsession, and the cost of living a life designed for perfection. As Julie delves deeper into her sister’s world during a weeklong retreat with Chloe’s exclusive influencer friends, the stakes rise - someone doesn’t want her digging too deep, and Julie may be next.

What truly stands out in Julie Chan is Dead is its dark take on influencer culture. While Julie's outward transformation seems like the fulfillment of a dream, the reality is much more complex and dangerous. The layers of deceit and the pressure to maintain a flawless persona provide a sharp critique of modern fame.

This book is a page-turner with a pace that never lets up. The suspense builds steadily, and the revelations are satisfying - if not entirely surprising, in the best possible way. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers with a touch of social media critique, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat.

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Recommendations:

• Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty – For a deeper dive into the complex dynamics of female friendships and the dark side of seemingly perfect lives.

• The Social Dilemma (Netflix documentary) – For a thought-provoking look at the dangerous impact of social media on our lives.

Tarot Card: 7 of Cups

The 7 of Cups represents having choices aplenty - but some of them are not what they appear to be, and there may be serpents hidden within them. Be very, very careful what choices you make. They may come back to bite you.

Julie Chan is Dead publishes on the 29th of April, 2025. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.