Liann Zhang

Image: Transatlantic Agency

Julie Chan Is Dead marks a razor-sharp debut from Liann Zhang, blending psychological suspense with social satire in a thriller that unpacks identity, grief, and the sinister pull of the influencer economy.

Zhang, a second-generation Chinese Canadian with a background in psychology and criminology, brings a nuanced perspective to this twisted tale of sisterhood and self-discovery.

At the centre is Julie Chan. But Julie is dead. It’s her twin sister, Jane, who now steps into her perfectly filtered life. The followers, the brand deals, the glossy perfection of it all.

As Jane navigates her sister’s digital world, she begins to uncover secrets buried beneath the grid: manipulations, betrayals, and a truth darker than anything she expected.

Julie Chan Is Dead is both a gripping thriller and a cultural mirror, reflecting the curated horrors of online fame and the fragile boundaries of selfhood. Zhang writes with precision and bite, delivering a debut that’s as stylish as it is unsettling.

With its tense pacing, layered characters, and sly commentary, this is one for fans of thrillers with something extra under the surface.

Recommended if you like: Oyinkan Braithwaite, Gillian Flynn, Jessica Knoll, and the darker corners of social media.