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Such a Bad Influence
- Author
- Olivia Muenter
- Narrator
- various
- Publisher
- Blackstone Publishing
- Publish Date
- 4 June 2024
- Run Time
- 12 hours 47 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
A razor-sharp debut thriller about what happens when one of the first child stars of the social media age grows up … and goes missing.
Hazel Davis is drifting: newly unemployed, living in a city she hates, and significantly less successful than her infamous younger sister, Evie. Evie grew up online, having gone viral at age five in a daddy-daughter dance video. She had an Instagram following in elementary school, and brand sponsorships before she had a driver’s permit. Now she’s a megapopular lifestyle influencer, with a million-dollar career at an age when few teens know what they’re going to major in.
But to Hazel, @evelyn is just Evie, her beloved little sister—and a kid who has been exploited for her entire childhood. Ten years older and spotlight-averse, Hazel has managed to dodge the family business, but she’s deeply protective of Evie and skeptical of the way everyone seems to want a piece of her: Evie’s followers, her YouTuber boyfriend, her frenemies across the influencer industry.
So when Evie disappears—in the middle of a live stream, during a brand-sponsored trip to Los Angeles—Hazel knows something is terribly wrong. Determined to find her sister, Hazel throws herself into the darkest parts of internet culture to untangle the threads of truth behind Evie’s disappearance. After all, Hazel knows Evie better than anyone else … doesn’t she?
Internet fame, the allure of parasocial relationships, and some of our deepest cultural obsessions collide in this electric thriller by a debut writer to watch.
Critics Review
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“A varied cast of ten narrators bring the online world to life. Standouts include Amara Jasper, who reads the bulk of the book as Hazel…Muenter has wisely infused the book with text exchanges, social media comments, and podcast recordings. That’s how stories unfold nowadays, and Muenter is plugged into this world as a real-life podcaster and Substack creator.”
Library Journal (starred audio review)
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“The main narrators, Amara Jasper and Jesse Vilinsky, tell the story from the perspectives of Hazel and Evie…with commentary from social media and podcasts voiced by the various narrators, a device that highlights the maelstrom unfolding while also helping to build tension and keep the plot clear.”
AudioFile
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“Packed with trenchant critiques of internet celebrity and topped off by a satisfyingly nasty finale, this leaves readers wanting more from Muenter.”
Publishers Weekly (starred review)
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“With razor-sharp insights and wit, Muenter puts under the microscope parents who monetize and exploit their children for clicks and financial gain…A not-to-be-missed page-turner.”
Library Journal (starred review)
See more reviews See fewer reviews
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“Clever, cutting, and utterly unputdownable, Muenter’s ice pick–sharp tale is a thoroughly modern page-turner.”
Apple Books
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“This unsettling plot is delivered with a sense of humor and is filled with twists and turns that are sure to inspire a buzz within the thriller community. The shocking ending will leave readers wanting more.”
Booklist
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“This story is as addictive as scrolling Instagram.”
Ashley Winstead, author of Midnight Is the Darkest Hour
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“A fascinating exploration of the dangers of social media.”
Carola Lovering, author of Bye, Baby
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“[A] twisty, propulsive story…I was riveted the whole way through..”
Ana Reyes, author of The House in the Pines
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“An addictive psychological thriller that will totally immerse you in the terrifying, overexposed world of child social media stars.”
Jo Piazza, author of The Sicilian Inheritance
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Olivia Muenter
- Narrator
- various
- Duration
- 12 hours 47 minutes
- Release Date
- 4 June 2024
- ISBN
- 9798212885874
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Blackstone Publishing
- Genre
- Psychological thriller, Crime and mystery: private investigator / amateur detectives, Thriller / suspense fiction
Synopsis
A razor-sharp debut thriller about what happens when one of the first child stars of the social media age grows up … and goes missing.Hazel Davis is drifting: newly unemployed, living in a city she hates, and significantly less successful than her infamous younger sister, Evie. Evie grew up online, having gone viral at age five in a daddy-daughter dance video. She had an Instagram following in elementary school, and brand sponsorships before she had a driver’s permit. Now she’s a megapopular lifestyle influencer, with a million-dollar career at an age when few teens know what they’re going to major in.But to Hazel, @evelyn is just Evie, her beloved little sister—and a kid who has been exploited for her entire childhood. Ten years older and spotlight-averse, Hazel has managed to dodge the family business, but she’s deeply protective of Evie and skeptical of the way everyone seems to want a piece of her: Evie’s followers, her YouTuber boyfriend, her frenemies across the influencer industry.So when Evie disappears—in the middle of a live stream, during a brand-sponsored trip to Los Angeles—Hazel knows something is terribly wrong. Determined to find her sister, Hazel throws herself into the darkest parts of internet culture to untangle the threads of truth behind Evie’s disappearance. After all, Hazel knows Evie better than anyone else … doesn’t she?Internet fame, the allure of parasocial relationships, and some of our deepest cultural obsessions collide in this electric thriller by a debut writer to watch.
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