Mystery | Book Chatter

Julie Chan is Dead
By Liann Zhang
Atria, April 2025, 320pp.

The Short of It:

An accurate depiction of social media and its impact on society.

The Rest of It:

Julie Chan is dead.
Not really.
Her sister Chloe is.

Chloe, a high profile social media influencer is found dead in her kitchen. The shock of the moment takes Julie by surprise, but not for the reason you think.

Chloe and Julie were never close. Chloe was raised by a white, privileged family. Julie, raised by their ruthless mother. Two very different upbringings. Never close. Julie, resenting Chloe’s charmed life 98% of the time.

So in that moment, the moment where Julie discovers Chloe’s lifeless body, she decides to BE her. To become her. Their resemblance allows it and no one is the wiser. Why not enjoy the limelight for once? Why should her twin be the charmed one?

As Julie steps into Chloe’s world, it quickly becomes apparent that this ruse may take a bit of effort. Perhaps, more effort and skill than Julie anticipated.

I found this part of the story to be pretty accurate. The life of an influencer is never ending. The constant need to post content, the need for clicks. Just managing the products and sponsorships becomes overwhelming and Julie drowns in it.

But then it gets strange. Julie learns that Chloe was part of a smaller circle of influencers. Big ones. Being a part of that circle is suddenly very important to Julie. They don’t seem to notice anything different about Chloe but when Julie (as Chloe) is invited to an island retreat for VIP influencers, it all unravels quickly.

Things go south fast. This part of the story seemed ridiculous and far fetched. Some of it, absolutely included for shock factor. I felt that this method of storytelling was lazy and convenient. I was so riveted by the glamour and the glitz and then, it just went out like a light. Poof.

Strong first half, but in my opinion, didn’t deliver in the end.

Source: Review copy provided by the publisher.
Disclosure: This post contains Bookshop.org affiliate links.

The Last Ranger
By Peter Heller
Vintage, July 2024, 304 pp.

The Short of It:

There needs to be a new genre to categorize Heller’s work. It’s outdoorsy, environmentally aware, and somehow a mystery all at the same time. In other words, a lot to love.

The Rest of It:

Officer Ren Hopper is an enforcement ranger with the National Park Service, tasked with duties both mundane and thrilling: Breaking up fights at campgrounds, saving clueless tourists from moose attacks, and attempting to broker an uneasy peace between the wealthy vacationers who tromp through the park with cameras, and the residents of hardscrabble Cooke City who want to carve out a meaningful living. ~ the publisher

Ren’s exposure to wealthy vacationers puts a damper on an otherwise perfect job. Being outside and getting to work in such a beautiful place is the thing of dreams, but as good as that is, when the wildlife, mainly the wolves and local bears are targeted for their pelts, Ren finds himself in a range war. The animals are protected to a degree but when they cross boundaries, as animals do, their lives are not guaranteed and hunters looking to profit off those expensive pelts suddenly become the hunted.

When one of Ren’s closest friends, a scientist studying the wolf pack, finds herself targeted by a local hunter, Ren vows to protect her. Especially since Ren already lost the love of his life to a terminal illness. Can he afford to lose someone close to him again?

Ren is the kind of guy you want in your corner. He’s rugged, but also tender in all the right places. Reasonable, until he’s not. He loves hard and protects his people, the best way he can. I really enjoyed my time with Ren and this rambunctious cast of characters. The Last Ranger possesses the charm of a small town but the looming threat of the outside world and with it, the reminder that at any second all can be lost.

The Last Ranger is a treat for anyone who appreciates the beauty of wide, open land. It’s a little bit of a mystery and there is a little love tossed in there too but I would not call this a romance by any means unless you consider this a love letter to nature and all it contains.

Highly recommend.

Source: Borrowed
Disclosure: This post contains Bookshop.org affiliate links.

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