The cover of this and the premise was so intriguing: imagine a famous pop star accused of murder? This was such a page turner and it kept me guessing until the very end. There’s lots of references too to contemporary musicians like Taylor Swift.

A global megastar is suddenly accused of murder. Did she do it? Was she framed? Who was the victim? Join investigative journalist Naomi Barnes as she delves deep into the secrets of Harlow Hayes, superstar singing sensation, and not only uncovers a web of mystery and deceit, but also gets plunged back into her own devastating past.

As soon as I saw the cover of this book I was drawn to it, and the blurb hooked me immediately. Not only this, but I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it too! I kept thinking I’d worked out the plot twist early on, but there was another twist, then another turn, and then the last thing you’d expect thrown in for good measure!

In addition to this, the Mancaruso Sisters have also hidden Easter eggs throughout their book, just as artists such as the Beatles and Taylor Swift are famous for doing. See if you can spot them along the way 🧐 I finished reading the book, then went back and looked through these little added extras - it was absolute genius!! 🤩 (plus I have to say I had a fabulous conversation with the writers afterwards about this. 🫶🏻)

I 100% recommend this book - well written, gripping, and will keep you guessing to the very end.

Thank you to @the_mancaruso_sisters and @netgalley for a free copy of this ebook in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this I kind of predicted where it was going as I was reading it, however it was still very entertaining. I love when books like this have romance in them too as it just makes it feel more realistic to me. I love how the writers got what should have been a simple story to end up being something else entirely. Loads of twists and turns in the plot which should have felt too much just came so naturally due the writing style. The story flowed really well and I did really enjoy it! As a semi-swifty I loved all the Easter eggs and working out where it was going. Would have been fantastic to have a playlist with all the songs on out of the book to be able to listen too but not having this didn’t take anything away from the book and probably would have been too much for the writers to do - if you read this and you can sing you deffo need to do it though!

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Release date - 3rd July 2025

I enjoyed reading this book and particularly liked the lyrics written by an extremely talented duo. Sometimes when I read a book coauthored I can see the joins, but this was seemless and flowed well. I confess to having worked out the Easter eggs but this didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story. I’ll be looking out for more by these ladies. I’m deducting a star because I was disappointed not to know exactly what Colton had done before he met his demise - his character, although central to the story was a little two dimensional for me (but then again, I love a gory detailed description).

I had been really wanting to read this book and was lucky enough to win a copy at Capital crime from @headofzeus , I was so excited!

Harlow Hayes is a global pop star, adored by millions. Her fans love her, they believe she speaks directly to them through her lyrics. However, at the height of her fame she is arrested for murder. The world thinks they know who she is, but they have no idea.

I absolutely loved thriller books set in the celebrity world, all that glitz and glamour but also the behind the scenes of what goes on. This book is mostly told from
Naomi’s POV, she is a journalist writing on the Harlow story. We do get some chapters from Harlow as well, I actually wish we’d had a few more from her POV. The book is also broken up with celebrity news articles, gossip and tweets. I really enjoyed this as love a bit of mixed media and seeing what the fans were saying.

I was initially drawn in really quickly but it did start to slow down about 150 pages in. I actually switched to audio at this point and this is definitely one of those books that is even better via audio. I think because of the celebrity world, Naomi being a journalist and interviewing people it was much more gripping listening to it. It kind of felt like I was listening to a documentary.

The pace really picks up in the last third and I could not stop listening. I was hooked and had to find out what happened.

I feel like this explored the darker side of celebrity, but also loved the exploration of online conspiracy theories. I have fallen down so many rabbit holes myself on crazy theories just like Naomi did. It felt so relatable with the way things get pushed out on social media and the spread of misinformation.

If you like a thriller set in the celebrity world, lots of gossip and drama then you will enjoy this book. I specifically recommend it in audio.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries | Head of Zeus -- an Aries Book for providing me with this ebook in exchange for an honest review*

WHAT. THE. H**L. WAS. THAT?

That book was phenomenal. The twists were unpredictable and the writing was amazing. I loved EVERY character and if I could read it again for the first time, I'd definitely would. Epic story, epic book!

Naomi an entertainment journalist dealing with the death of her sister is tasked with the biggest story of her career when a world-famous popstar Harlow Hayes is arrested for murder but who did she kill and is she actually guilty of murder?

Wow!! This was an impressive debut with references to popular artists like Taylor Swift, The Beatles and Lana Del Rey.

I enjoyed the authors' note at the beginning which mentions leaving clues and little Easter eggs that give away major plot hints and I loved solving them alongwith Naomi as she navigates through the dark underbelly of the music industry. Social media posts, cryptic song lyrics and articles that also include reader comments were well incorporated adding to the mystery. The twists were unpredictable and I had a driving need to know how it would end. Everything just made sense and all I can say about that is it was well played.

Truly immersive, fun and entertaining. If you love celebrity gossip, psychological suspense or are just a fan of pop culture/popstars this one is for you.

Thank you to @headofzeus @netgalley
and @the_mancaruso_sisters for the digital ARC to read and review.

For a debut, Rumoured has it all! The first few chapters hooked me, and I was eager to discover the conclusion, making for a fast-paced read. I was not disappointed!

Told via multi-media instalments, with a documentary feel, the great writing style absorbed into this storyline. The well-developed characters shine through the pages, especially protagonist Naomi's journey and her dedication to uncovering the truth while grappling with her own issues.

With plot twists and tense, thrilling moments, this will appeal to all fans of this genre. Rumoured would be an ideal book club read, with lots going on to prompt deep discussions.

Overall, this is a highly recommended read, and I am excited to see what else these authors have to offer!

Rumoured is a fast, stylish thriller that dives into the dark side of celebrity culture. When pop icon Harlow Hayes is arrested for murder, journalist Naomi unravels a web of secrets, scandals, and obsession.

The mix of social media posts, news clippings, and lyrics makes it feel like you’re watching a real scandal unfold. It’s clever, immersive, and full of twists that kept me hooked until the very last page.

Perfect for fans of glossy, binge-worthy thrillers with a modern edge.

Rumoured is a fast-paced thriller that follows journalist Naomi Barnes as she investigates pop star Harlow Hayes, who’s been arrested for murder. The story switches between Naomi’s and Harlow’s pov and explores themes of fame, grief, and how the media shapes public opinion.
It’s a gripping and clever read, perfect for lovers of celebrity scandals or anyone who enjoys a good thriller! I think this will be one of “the” reads for 2025

Love a book with a few good coincidences thrown in, unbelievable though they may be! This story moved at a nice pace and I enjoyed the social media quotes thrown in from the fans - that felt very current.

I was a little thrown by the instruction to look out for Easter eggs in the lyrics etc, which I think led to me focusing on what I was missing instead of what I was reading.

A pop idol is arrested for murder, but who has died, and can this be true? Naomi, a journalist at a celebrity online magazine, must return to New York and confront its dark memories for the story that could make her famous. The contemporary setting is realistic, and the use of interviews, online articles and social media posts in Naomi's investigation adds depth to the story. I enjoyed trying to solve the twisty mystery and its surprising twists. I like the complex characterisation, the contemporary setting and the twisty mystery.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

For fans of Daisy Jones & The Six, and Swifties everywhere. This is a great vacation read, lots of twists and turns and a real page turner. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy

Blending the glitz of celebrity culture with the grit of a psychological thriller, Rumoured explores the price of stardom, the relentless grip of media narratives, and the haunting consequences of truth coming to light. There are so many hidden anagrams throughout the book that if you’re enjoying the book or focusing on too many details given you’ll no doubt miss them, like me. I was sourcing for information through Naomi's research. Every turn of events will have you second guessing everything. As for the lyrics, they’ll take you through every Swiftie era that hums eerily in the background of your mind.


A thriller that makes you cancel plans just to find out if she did it.

- Oh My Lit Blog | Substack

Thank you for the advance readers copy. In Conversation with .. Kelly + Kristina Mancaruso is avaliable on Substack.

Juicy, twisty, and totally addictive 😱🗞️. Rumoured is the perfect modern take on gossip, secrets, and the fallout of viral rumours. The Mancaruso sisters have crafted a smart, propulsive story that dives into the power of reputation in the age of social media. I loved how the narrative kept me guessing, peeling back layers of lies and half-truths until the explosive finale. It’s fast-paced, emotionally charged, and disturbingly relatable. If you enjoy thrillers with sharp social commentary and scandalous twists, this is a must-read. You’ll devour it in one sitting!

4.5 stars

Rumoured is a truly gripping and addictive thriller that had me on the edge of my seat, needing to know what happened like my life relied on it. I loved that story also included some mixed media as I honestly love that in books, particularly thrillers!

We follow Naomi as she investigates the arrest of Harlow Hayes and finds herself diving into a deep rabbit hole that brings up painful memories of her sister, who overdosed two years prior. It was so interesting seeing her thought process, especially when, as the reader, you become unsure if the grief is taking over or she actually is on to something.

I adored the conspiracy side of this story, I loved when it delved into celebrity conspiracies as I honestly was not aware that there was one surrounding The Beatles and now I need to do a deep dive into it myself!

Rumoured is full of twists and turns that I never saw coming. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the Mancaruso sisters revealed something new and had me starting from scratch! I absolutely recommend picking this one up if you love a murder mystery/thriller!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc. I love books about celebrities and the things they go through behind closed doors. Gossip and easter eggs are the best. This was a well written thriller that kept me guessing!

What a great debut! Loved so many things about this. From the mixed media format and the superstar, famous lifestyle to the well thought out and surprising mystery, I can imagine this will be a popular title when it hits shelves!

This is a glitzy, twist-filled thriller that asks: what happens when the world’s biggest pop star is accused of murder? I enjoyed the satirical take on celebrity culture, fan obsession, and the stories we choose to believe.

I don’t even know where to start. I have been wanting to read this book for months and being given the opportunity to read it early had been amazing. I loved the mixed media aspect of the book and that it was faced paced and easy to read. So many twists and turns too. I can’t believe that this is a debut novel. You best believe I have it preordered and I have also bought the sprayed edges from the works!