The Cheerleader

A Novel

Published by Pegasus Crime
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
LIST PRICE $16.99

About The Book

Everyone wants to be a Dallas Lonestars Cheerleader, but fame can have a deadly price…

The Dallas Lonestars Cheerleaders are untouchable. They are the epitome of glitz and glamour, reeking of hairspray and perfection. But everything changes when America’s Angel and cheerleading captain Jentry Rae Randall is found murdered in the squad’s locker room.

Filmmaker Nikki Keegan has the opportunity of a lifetime. Brought in to document the Lonestars’ potential comeback after four disastrous seasons, Nikki is now perfectly placed to investigate the murder of the team’s iconic frontwoman.

Nikki turns to cheerleader Shaunette Simmons, the deceased’s best friend, for help. As Nikki becomes closer to Shaunette, the more she suspects that Shaunette is hiding something.

But when Shaunette is run off the road and left to die, it’s clear that nobody on this cheer squad is safe. Because
some people would kill to be a Dallas Lonestars Cheerleader…

Marina Evans, a former NFL cheerleader herself, takes readers “behind the gloss” of this iconic American subculture in this high octane debut that is filled with twists, turns, and high kicks. Weaving between sisterhood and ambition, survival and scandal, The Cheerleader will keep you riveted until the final page.

About The Author

Marina Evans is a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader who graduated from Southern Methodist University with degrees in English Literature and Creative Writing. During her time with the Cowboys, she cheered under her maiden name/nickname, Rena Morelli. She now lives in Arizona but thinks about her days in short-shorts often. The Cheerleader is her debut thriller.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Pegasus Crime (January 6, 2026)
  • Length: 304 pages
  • ISBN13: 9798897100378

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Raves and Reviews

"In her debut thriller, Evans captures the cutthroat world of professional cheerleading, where image is everything, and the strict rules are just begging to be broken. It's breezy, dishy fun."

Booklist

“Former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Evans sets her glitzy debut in the claustrophobic world of professional sports.  Evans paints a bleak and fascinating portrait of the cheerleaders’ grueling practice schedule and tightly restricted personal lives.”

Publishers Weekly

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