Pretty Dead Queens

By: Alexa Donne

Narrated by: Phoebe Strole

The new homecoming queen is dead . . . and she's not the first unsolved murder at Seaview High. From the critically acclaimed author of The Ivies comes a nonstop YA thriller about a decades-old mystery, a copycat killer, and the teen who will stop at nothing to uncover the truth.

"Utterly savage."–Jessica Goodman, New York Times bestselling author of They’ll Never Catch Us

"Hand this fast-paced thriller filled with plenty of twists and drama to fans of Holly Jackson or Karen M. McManus."—SLJ

A 2023 Edgar Award Nominee!

After the death of her mom (screw cancer), seventeen-year-old Cecelia Ellis goes to live with her estranged grandmother, a celebrated author whose Victorian mansion is as creepy as the murder mysteries she writes. On the surface, life is utterly ordinary in the California coastal town . . . until the homecoming queen is murdered. And she’s not Seaview’s first pretty dead queen.

With a copycat killer on the loose, Cecelia throws herself into the investigation, determined to crack the case like the heroines in her grandmother’s books. But the more Cecelia digs into the town’s secrets, the more she worries that her own mystery might not have a storybook ending.

©2022 Alexa Donne (P)2022 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"An intricately plotted whodunit that maintains suspense to the end.”–Kirkus Reviews

"Donne sets up an irresistible premise for mystery lovers, blending toxic family legacies, small-town secrets, and true-crime culture into a twisty tale."–Booklist

"Sharp as a knife and utterly savage, Pretty Dead Queens has an ending that will shock even the most astute mystery buffs."–Jessica Goodman, New York Times bestselling author of They’ll Never Catch Us

easy and fun

a very easy and fun book.
nothing too overly complicated or tedious.
overall it was an enjoyable time.

Enjoyable

Oh Alexa Donne, I’d love to pick your devious brain to see how you create such delicious mysteries.

After her mom’s death Cecelia arrives to live with her estranged grandmother, a best selling mystery writer whose iconic classic is based on the real murder of a high school homecoming queen Caroline. History seems to be reliving itself at Cecelia’s new high school or does this sleepy town have deeper secrets.

I loved the way Donne connected past and present with descendants of the original high school students who experienced Caroline’s murder. Residents steeped in power and privilege know more than they’re saying.

Cecelia is a great narrator, in pain but making the best of her circumstances, open to new friendships and getting to know her difficulty grandmother. She felt like a real person rather than a teen character written by an adult.

Mystery and thriller lovers will love PRETTY DEAD QUEENS, a story at the top of this popular YA genre.

Best YA I've Read in a While

I'm a big fan of Alexa Donne as a person (as far as she has shown on the internet - I don't personally know her) and as a writer. I always find her work enjoyable and when she challenges herself, she is electrifying.

Pretty Dead Queens is on par, if not better, than The Ivies (which I loved).

The romance angles in this book hit a sweet spot for me that is hard to reach. I loved every red herring, motive, and character. I legitimately did not want this book to end.

Pretty Dead Queens might be my favorite read of the year, or at least in the top three. I am so happy I read this book and I am now very anxious about what I'll read next because what could possibly fill the void in my psyche that this book has left me with?

Anyway, I highly recommend this book, especially if you like YA and small town thrillers.

Also, there was this little nugget at the end about how someone in the story could go on to be a Detective or the like later on in life ... and I am going to be thinking about that for ages. I have a hope beyond hope that Alexa Donne will eventually bring that character back as the MC of an adult thriller series or something. It's a hope with no wings, honestly, but that doesn't stop me from wanting it.

It was fine

I've read my share of YA mystery novels where a girl moves to a new town and solves a murder, but this one has to be the most average of all. The story is fine, but there's few to no big twists in the middle, so the ending feels super abrupt. I have no problem with a lot of characters in a story, but some of these characters were mentioned so rarely, that I almost had to rewind to remember who they were. I feel like half the characters could've been left out and the story wouldn't have changed a bit. Overall, if you're looking for something that will keep you entertained but not give you that "can't put it down" feeling, this is the perfect book.

Hmmmm

I enjoyed the book. I like Ms Donne writing style. But that ending…just didn’t sit write with me …i should like the ending nbu maaiaccounts. But it just didn’t work for me

The writing was good, the story ish

It’s written well I just didn’t care for how the ending happened. It felt a little sloppy. I wouldn’t splurge on it but if you just want a quick read it’s pretty good.

Favorite of 2023

Loved this! What a crazy, wild ride! Definitely want more. Would be interested in seeing Cecelia join the FBI & solve some of the other murders mentioned at the end.

Amazing all the way

When you think there’s nothing else to find out, you learn something new. Then again. And again.

Fun Darker Nancy Drew Vibes

Really enjoyed this one - and Phoebe Strole’s narration is phenomenal. This has serious CW-ish vibes. Definitely wasn’t surprised by the outcome but enjoyed every step of the way there!

Great Writing!

This was definitely something I enjoyed. From the beginning through the twists and to the end. Alexa Donne’s writing style stuck a cord with me. Should be picked up by the CW would make a great series!