Joelle Wellington grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where her childhood was spent wandering the main branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. Her love of the written word led her to a BA in creative writing and international studies. When she isn't writing, she's reading and when she's not doing that, she's attempting to bake bread with varying degrees of success or strengthening her encyclopedia-like pop culture knowledge. She's the author of Their Vicious Games, The Blonde Dies First, and Girls Who Play Dead.

* "Readers will be racing to reach the explosive conclusion. The book explores how time can change not only a person, but a whole community, addressing racism, family bonds, and the courage to face your fears."--School Library Journal, starred review "July 2024"

* "As self-aware as the horror is, the story feels authentic in the details of the Brooklyn neighborhood and its slow gentrification, and in the complex relationships among the diverse group--particularly Devon's and Drew's tumultuous but loving dynamic. A gory good time with heart."--Booklist Starred Review "6/1/24"

"This book riffs on horror conventions with an edgy updated twist that includes a far more diverse cast of characters than is typical for the genre...A fun read offering a fresh take on the horror genre."--Kirkus Reviews "5/15/2024"

"In keeping the stakes high and the twists coming, Wellington (Their Vicious Games) deftly dismantles horror genre cliches in a script-flipping hair-raiser that pointedly examines gentrification's impact on communities....the story sizzles with fully drawn protagonists, complex relationships, and slow-burn romance."--Publishers Weekly "April 2024"

"A hell of a ride! The Blonde Dies First is loud, giddy, and gory--giving the slasher story an ingenious spin and taking its place alongside genre faves like Scream and Jennifer's Body. Clear your schedule. You won't be able to put it down."--Circe Moskowitz, author of Good Mourning and editor of All These Sunken Souls

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Pub date: 2025-07-08

Length: 352 pages