Exclusive Cover Reveal: Introducing Joelle Wellington’s Sophomore Thriller The Blonde Dies First

Joelle Wellington’s debut novel Their Vicious Games is one of 2023’s buzziest YA thrillers, the fast-paced, frequently gory story of an outsider who takes part in a lethal competition to salvage her reputation and fight for a new future. And her sophomore novel, The Blonde Dies First, sounds as though it will be every bit as entertaining and boundary-pushing. 

Described as Final Destination meets Scream Queens, The Blonde Dies First is a high-stakes thriller about a group of friends whose knowledge of horror movies is put to the test against a demonic force that seems determined to take them out using all the classic tried and true tropes from the genre. 

Given that Devon and her friends are unapologetic horror buffs, you’d think they know better than to mess with an Ouija board during their epic final summer together before her younger sister Drew leaves for college. But when they accidentally summon a demon intent on hunting them down in typical slasher movie style, they’ll have to figure out a way to break the pattern and save themselves. Because Devon happens to be a blonde, and in these sorts of stories….the blonde always dies first.

Here’s how the publisher describes the story.

Devon is always being left behind by her genius twin sister, Drew. At this point, it’s a fact of life. But Devon has one last plan before Drew leaves for college a whole year early—The Best Summer Ever. After committing to the bit a little too much, the twins and their chaotic circle of friends learn why you don’t ever mess with a Ouija board if you want to actually survive the Best Summer Ever, and soon find themselves being hunted down by…a demon?

But while there’s no mistaking the creeping, venomous figure is not from around here, their method doesn’t feel very demonic at all. In fact, it’s downright human—going after them in typical slasher movie kill order. And that means Devon, the blonde, is up first and her decade-long crush, Yaya, is the Final Girl who must kill or be killed to end the cycle.

Devon has never liked playing by anyone else’s rules though, not even a demon’s, and the longer this goes on, the more she feels Drew and Yaya slipping away from her even as she tries to help them all survive. Can they use their horror movie knowledge to flip the script and become the hunters instead of the hunted? Or will their best summer ever be their last?

The Blonde Dies First won’t hit shelves until Summer 2024, but we’re thrilled to be able to bring you a first look at its fabulous cover right now that feels like an ode to all the best slasher films.  

The Blonde Dies First won’t hit shelves until July 30, 2024, you can pre-order the book right now. 

Lacy Baugher Milas is the Books Editor at Paste Magazine, but loves nerding out about all sorts of pop culture. You can find her on Twitter @LacyMB