‘Julie Chan Is Dead’ Review: An Enticing, Yet Perplexing Thriller

Liann Zhang, a second-generation Chinese Canadian, makes her debut with her novel “Julie Chan is Dead.” The thriller follows Julie Chan, a supermarket cashier, as she assumes the influencer lifestyle of her deceased identical twin sister, Chloe Van Huusen. Though twins, the two were separated at a young age as their birth parents died in a car crash; Chloe was adopted by wealthy white parents from New York City, leaving Julie to be raised by her vile aunt who treats Julie as a nuisance in her household.

Since their parents’ death, the twins have only met once in person. Given Chloe’s soaring popularity online, it is unsurprising that their reunion was completely staged for a YouTube video, earning Chloe tens of thousands of dollars. For Julie, who comes from more modest circumstances, this day of connection with her long-lost twin sister meant the world — an opportunity to finally be seen, cared for, and loved by someone else. Thus, Chloe’s choice to never reach out to her sister after that day deeply hurt Julie.

Burdened by a profound sense of emptiness, Julie discovers her twin sister’s lifeless body after a perplexing phone call from Chloe, giving her a chance to fill the empty hole in her heart through social media, even if it means fraudulently claiming Chloe’s identity and reporting herself to be dead.

Zhang beautifully details the inner turmoil within Julie as she grapples with all the outrageous challenges this new life throws at her. In particular, Zhang’s affective prose perfectly captures Julie’s resentment towards her aunt, supermarket boss, and sister with such raw honesty that Julie’s decision to step into Chloe’s shoes seem almost forgivable.

In illustrating Julie’s experiences as a newcomer, Zhang also raises important questions about social media, such as an influencer’s genuineness as manifested through their superficial friendships and sponsorship deals. At times, readers may even feel like they themselves are experiencing a meteoric rise to fame through Julie’s eyes. Zhang’s ability to put complex feelings, such as resentment and anticipation, into words makes for an enthralling experience.

Moreover, Zhang aptly conveys Julie’s excitement as she meets her idol, Bella Marie, while also illustrating the offline toxicity that emerges when Chloe’s assistant makes a remark about Julie’s weight. Her approach to social media is multifaceted, adding another nuanced layer to the novel.

While Zhang does an exemplary job bringing Julie’s character to life in the beginning half, the novel starts to unravel in its third act. Aside from the discovery of a dead sister’s body, the story’s early realism makes the chaos that unfolds during Julie’s influencer retreat in the last part of the book feel increasingly absurd.

Although Zhang offers early hints about the questionable behavior within Chloe’s influencer friend group, the Belladonnas, named after their fearless leader Bella Marie, everything still stays well within the world of realism. Even odd moments like strange music choices during a fashion show make it easy to forget that this book belongs to the thriller genre. As a result, it seems completely unexpected to transition from influencer SoulCycle classes in New York City to a cult-like retreat where all the Belladonnas engage in off-putting ritualistic activities that mark a major tonal and setting shift in the novel.

Perhaps the stark contrast between the real world in New York City and Bella Marie’s private island, where the Belladonnas’ annual trip takes place, is precisely what helps define this novel as a thriller. Despite this, Zhang could have eased readers into this transition more smoothly as it almost feels like reading two disjointed novels, especially since the Julie that Zhang originally defines no longer feels like the same person anymore as she becomes more shallow.

While it is possible that Zhang intentionally changed Julie’s character in the latter half of the book to showcase the potency of social media, the shift feels so abrupt that it risks losing the emotional connection readers initially form with her. Whether driven by a yearning for constant online validation or ambition for financial success, Julie’s transformation serves the novel’s larger commentary on digital identity at the cost of narrative cohesion.

Overall, “Julie Chan Is Dead” is a compelling debut that explores loneliness, grief, fame, and identity. Zhang’s prose shines through in the first half through the engaging development of Julie as a newly-minted influencer, though falls short with narrative flow towards the end. Despite its uneven pacing, the thriller ultimately lingers as a sharp reminder of the risks of chasing digital fame, making it quite a memorable read.

—Staff writer Allison S. Park can be reached at allison.park@thecrimson.com. Follow her on X @allisonskypark.