Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang Summary

Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang follows Julie Chan, a struggling supermarket cashier who discovers her estranged twin sister Chloe—a successful influencer—dead in her New York apartment. Instead of calling authorities, Julie assumes Chloe's identity and luxurious lifestyle. As she navigates designer clothes, millions of followers, and an exclusive influencer retreat on a secluded island, Julie uncovers dark secrets about Chloe's death and realizes she may be the next target.

Liann Zhang is a second-generation Chinese Canadian debut novelist who splits her time between Vancouver and Toronto. After working briefly as a skincare content creator, she graduated from the University of Toronto with degrees in psychology and criminology. Her unique background in both influencer culture and human behavior informs Julie Chan Is Dead, which became an instant international bestseller upon its 2025 release. Zhang lives with her two cats, Juice and Bean.

Julie Chan Is Dead appeals to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with social commentary on influencer culture and social media authenticity. Fans of dark, suspenseful narratives exploring identity theft, class divides, and digital personas will find Zhang's debut compelling. The book particularly resonates with those interested in the behind-the-scenes toxicity of online fame and readers who appreciate sharp, witty prose that challenges modern authenticity.

Julie Chan Is Dead earned 4.0/5-star ratings for its unique premise that offers "more bang for your buck than the usual whodunnit". Reviewers praise Zhang's ability to capture complex emotions like resentment and anticipation with raw honesty, making Julie's questionable decisions almost forgivable. The fast-paced thriller successfully blends suspenseful mystery with thought-provoking social commentary on influencer culture, though some readers may find the genre transitions jarring.

Julie Chan Is Dead explores identity and self-erasure in the age of social media influence. The novel examines class inequality through the contrasting lives of separated twins—one adopted by wealth, one raised in poverty. Zhang investigates authenticity versus performance online, superficial influencer friendships, and the dark undercurrents behind filtered perfection. The thriller also addresses inherited trauma, resentment, ambition, and the dangerous secrets people keep behind their digital facades.

When police mistake Julie for Chloe at the death scene, Julie seizes the opportunity and claims to be her twin sister. Having watched countless videos of Chloe, Julie easily imitates her mannerisms and adopts her luxurious lifestyle, complete with designer clothes and meticulous skincare routines. She reports herself as dead, prevents an autopsy, and successfully deceives Chloe's closest friends despite noticeable personality changes. Julie's background allows her to slip seamlessly into posting content and maintaining sponsorship deals.

Bella Marie, an ultra-rich queen bee influencer, invites "Chloe" to an exclusive retreat on her family's secluded island with no phone reception. The retreat attendees act eerily secretive about their past visits. As events spiral out of control on the island, Julie uncovers sinister forces that may have caused Chloe's death and realizes she might be next. The isolated setting intensifies the thriller's suspense as Julie struggles to maintain her false identity while investigating the dark truth.

Julie learns that Chloe's picture-perfect influencer life was far from reality. Chloe had a strained relationship with her wealthy adoptive family. Before her death, Chloe was about to share a scandalous story with a journalist, suggesting she knew dangerous information. Julie grows suspicious about the circumstances of Chloe's death—whether it was truly an accident or if someone wanted her gone. These discoveries force Julie to question everything about the glamorous life she envied.

Liann Zhang draws from her experience as a skincare content creator to expose the behind-the-scenes dynamics of influencer life. The novel questions an influencer's genuineness through superficial friendships and transactional sponsorship deals. Zhang illustrates both the excitement of meeting idols like Bella Marie and the offline toxicity, such as weight-shaming comments from Chloe's assistant. The multifaceted approach reveals how social media encourages self-erasure and performance over authentic identity.

After their parents died in a car accident when they were young, the identical twins faced drastically different fates. Chloe was adopted by a wealthy white family and raised in privilege, becoming a successful influencer. Julie was taken in by her greedy aunt and lived in poverty, eventually working as a grocery store cashier. This separation created a profound class divide and resentment that drives Julie's decision to steal her sister's life.

Bella Marie is an ultra-rich queen bee influencer eager to take "Chloe" under her wing. She represents the pinnacle of the exclusive influencer circle Julie must navigate. Bella invites Julie to the dangerous island retreat where the thriller's climax unfolds. Meeting her idol through Chloe's identity gives Julie excitement, but Bella's world ultimately exposes Julie to the sinister forces behind influencer culture.

Liann Zhang's degree in psychology from the University of Toronto informs the novel's exploration of Julie's inner turmoil and motivation. Zhang captures the psychological drivers of resentment, ambition, and emptiness that push Julie toward identity theft. The author examines how profound loss and class inequality shape personality and decision-making. Her understanding of human behavior adds psychological depth to both the thriller elements and social commentary on digital self-presentation.