Date Published: April 10th 2026
Publisher: Acorn Publishing
To Die For is a harrowing look into the life of a narcissist who refuses to take accountability for the damage she inflicts.
High school senior Dei Fields appears completely harmless, but she has a keen instinct for manipulation. When she first sets eyes on hot star athlete Mika St. John, she’s determined to have him … and Dei always gets what she wants. There are only three obstacles: Mika’s friends, his family, and his girlfriend. But Dei isn’t afraid to destroy relationships to satisfy her fantasies.
In a matter of weeks, she love-bombs Mika into thinking he has found his soulmate, but when Dei’s plans go awry, everything changes—including her identity. Will Dei get what she wants this time? Or will she finally get what she deserves?
Interview with Audrey Steidl
Could you tell us about any research trips you took for this story? Which places did you visit, and what made them essential to your writing?
Most of the action takes place in San Diego, where I have lived for the last few decades, so I didn’t need to do specific research on that area. For the Florida chapters, I relied on research as well as the input of friends in that area, who were able to tell me specifically what it was like to survive Hurricane Ian in September 2022. Fortunately, they applauded my descriptive accuracy!
What's the strangest thing you've ever had to research online for your book?
I wouldn’t call it “strange,” but I had to dig deep to find out the specific smells and types of wreckage in the aftermath of a major hurricane, including the difference between water and wind damage.
What research (history, mythology, science) goes into your world-building?
“To Die For” was very much grounded in the real world of high school and suburban life until the story moves to Florida, when a major hurricane devastates the Naples and Fort Myers area.
Have any of the people you've known, past or present, left a lasting impression on your writing journey? If so, we'd love to hear about a memorable experience that stands out to you.
I was an actor before I was a writer, which made me acutely aware of the power of words, whether on stage or on the page. In particular, I was privileged to see Judy Dench on stage in London, and I am still in awe of the depth of emotion she could bring to a single phrase.
Do you write in the same genre all the time?
No. My first book “The Fallen” is considered literary fiction-mixed genre and won the International Impact Award for the “Best Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller” of 2025. It also won the American Legacy Award for the Best Paranormal Romance. My second book, “To Die For,” has no supernatural elements and is an exploration of what happens when a narcissist sets about destroying the lives of those around her to get what she wants.
If so, have you ever consider writing in another one?
I’ve just finished writing the sequel to “The Fallen” so I will stay in that genre for the time being.
Which character, supernatural or human, do you enjoy writing the most and why?
I don’t want to give away any plot points, but one of the characters I most enjoyed writing about in “The Fallen” was an angelic being who demonstrates great compassion and healing power. In “To Die For,” I got a chuckle out of one of the supporting teen characters, who was refreshingly irreverent in the midst of all the drama, and another who gets that you DON’T peak in high school.
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