Such a Bad Influence

Starred review from March 1, 2024

DEBUT Evie Davis has been famous since she was five, when a video of her dancing with her dad (who died hours later in a car crash) went viral. Her mom, Erin, capitalized on the viral video's success in order to become a mom-fluencer. As Evie ages, her role in her mother's social media videos grows, and Erin gradually fades into the background and rebrands herself as Evie's momager. Then, while recording a live video, 18-year-old Evie seemingly vanishes without a trace. The police get involved and her sister Hazel, who was never in favor of Evie's influencer career, is determined to find her. As Hazel investigates, more family secrets are revealed. With razor-sharp insights and wit, Muenter puts under the microscope parents who monetize and exploit their children for clicks and financial gain. Muenter also critiques the parasocial relationships those who are chronically online build with influencers and podcasters and how hard it is for many to stop scrolling. VERDICT A smart and intelligent thriller that is a not-to-be-missed page-turner. Buy multiples because this one has the making of a big best seller.--Lynnanne Pearson

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Starred review from April 22, 2024
Bad on Paper podcaster Muenter’s wildly entertaining first novel sounds the murky depths of social media fame. From the moment Evie Davis was born, she’s been prominently featured on her family’s YouTube channel. With her zealous mother, Erin, guiding her career, Evie, who’s now a teenager, has amassed more than four million followers and enough money for the family to move into a McMansion in Phoenix, Ariz. Things have turned out much differently for her older sister, Hazel, who rejected their mother’s pursuit of internet stardom. Recently fired from her job as a digital editor at a newspaper and facing a mountain of student loan debt, Hazel lives alone in a Las Vegas studio apartment. When Evie suddenly stops posting on her social media accounts and disappears, Hazel returns to Phoenix to aid the police in tracking her down. The more Hazel learns, however, the less sure she is that Evie wants to be found. Muenter augments Hazel’s dryly humorous first-person narration with transcripts of podcast interviews and forum posts that speculate about what happened to Evie. Packed with trenchant critiques of internet celebrity and topped off by a satisfyingly nasty finale, this leaves readers wanting more from Muenter. Agent: Dana Murphy, Trellis Literary Management.

June 1, 2024
In her debut, Muenter confronts influencer culture and the world of social media. Told from the point of view of a skeptic, the novel provides thoughtful commentary on the ethics of social media, consumerism, ownership, autonomy, and privacy in the digital age. When her influencer younger sister disappears during a live stream, Hazel is determined to uncover the truth. Was it a publicity stunt, or was her sister kidnapped? She must explore her sister's life and various outlandish theories in order to find her. Hazel will also uncover hidden family secrets and be forced to confront a complex sisterhood. 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. Muenter is a fresh new voice with a compelling perspective within a sea of similarly themed thrillers.

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