Spin

by Lamar Giles Narrated by Bahni Turpin, Shawana Carter, Sisi Aisha Johnson

Overview

Even in murder, the music lives on.

When rising star Paris Secord (aka DJ ParSec) is found dead on her turntables, it sends the local music scene reeling. No one is feeling that grief more than her shunned pre-fame best friend, Kya, and ParSec's chief groupie, Fuse -- two sworn enemies who happened to be the ones who discovered her body. The police have few leads, and when the trail quickly turns cold, the authorities don't seem to be pushing too hard to investigate further. But nobody counted on Paris's deeply loyal fans, ParSec Nation, or the outrage that would drive Fuse and Kya to work together. As ParSec Nation takes to social media and the streets in their crusade for justice, Fuse and Kya start digging into Paris's past, stumbling across a deadly secret. With new info comes new motives. New suspects. And a fandom that will stop at nothing in their obsessive quest for answers, not even murder...

Editorial Reviews

APRIL 2019 - AudioFile

Three narrators weave a contemporary murder mystery involving the powerful influences of social media, fandom, and internet fame. When frenemies Kya and Fuse, voiced energetically by Sisi Aisha Johnson and Shawna Carter, discover their mutual friend, the up-and-coming DJ ParSec, has been murdered, they reluctantly team up to uncover the truth while dodging her rogue fans. Johnson wonderfully captures Kya's quiet strength as she opens up to Fuse, whose bold attitude is delivered by Carter. In an ominous role, Bahni Turpin brings a refreshing blend of spunk and tenacity to her performance of DJ ParSec in flashbacks, making her demise more tragic. This trio of narrators never misses a beat in a tangled story of lies and betrayal. J.E.C. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

The New York Times Book Review - Jeff Giles

Spin has jolts and misdirection…But what's even more impressive is the subtle stuff you almost don't notice because Giles wears his intellect so lightly: the masterly knowledge of hip-hop and R&B; the command of technology's uses and abuses; the discerning ear for the way high schoolers talk, both to one another and to grown-ups…Giles is also a terrific plotter. Yes, there's a character who so obviously might be the murderer that he/she can't possibly be the murderer. But evaluating suspects is part of the ritual and the fun, and everyone here feels palpably real…Spin champions the resourcefulness of teenagers and pities the grown-ups—villainous or just clueless—who underestimate them.

Publishers Weekly

★ 05/06/2019

In this intense thriller, tech-savvy Kya Caine and social media expert Fuse Fallon have little in common save their bitter rivalry and their friendship with Paris Secord, also known as popular teen DJ ParSec. But after ParSec is killed, a group of obsessive fans known as the Dark Nation compel the two to overcome their mutual distrust and solve the mystery behind her death. The dangerous investigation pits them against cops, rival musicians, and shady business managers, among others, and, as they delve deeper into ParSec’s last days, their own safety becomes increasingly imperiled. Told in alternating voices by Kya and Fuse and with flashbacks giving ParSec’s side of the story, this fast-paced tale seizes attention from the first thrown punch to the final curtain call, with the unlikely protagonists forming a strong bond despite their initial friction. Giles (Overturned) never loses sight of his characters’ personal struggles as he ramps up the tension with each new clue or failed lead, and his skillful interweaving of hip-hop culture, social media realities, and urgent social justice issues give this compelling story further immediacy. Ages 12–up. Agent: Jamie Weiss Chilton, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (Jan.)

From the Publisher

Praise for Lamar Giles

"My twin, Lamar, is a phenomenal innovative storyteller. His thrillers have laid the groundwork for us all. A true king!" — Tiffany D. Jackson, New York Timesbestselling author of Grown and The Weight of Blood

"Lamar Giles's work always has something to say, and it's well worth your while to listen." — Barry Lyga, New York Times bestselling author of I Hunt Killers

"When I think of Lamar Giles's work, I think of the books that make kids love reading. Whether it's through a fantasy adventure or a nuanced YA novel, he offers readers smart characters who face impossible circumstances that will keep them guessing until the end. A Lamar Giles book never disappoints." — Meg Medina, New York Times bestselling author of Burn Baby Burn

Praise for Spin

New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice

YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

"The first test of a whodunit is how heart-stopping and strange a thing has actually been dun. In Spin, Lamar Giles nails the murder...What's even more impressive is the subtle stuff you almost don't notice because Giles wears his intellect so lightly: the masterly knowledge of hip-hop and R&B; the command of technology's uses and abuses; the discerning ear for the way high schoolers talk.... A two-time nominee for an Edgar award, Giles is a terrific plotter...Spin champions the resourcefulness of teenagers and pities the grown-ups — villainous or just clueless — who underestimate them." — New York Times Book Review

★ "Not to be missed." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

★ "Spin delivers everything you could want in a book: lush, complex characters; a spine-chilling plot; a vividly drawn world; and, best of all, hip-hop." — Booklist (starred review)

★ "This novel transcends its genre." — School Library Journal (starred review)

★ "This fast-paced tale seizes attention from the first thrown punch to the final curtain call...." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Lamar Giles has spun together a fast-paced, music-forward whodunit..." — School Library Connection

Praise for Ruin Road

“Lamar Giles’s latest thriller is filled with chilling haunts and horrors, not just in the magical curse that burdens the main character, but in the authentic real-life struggles and stigmas that plague him. A brilliant concept, deftly executed!” — Neal Shusterman, New York Times bestselling author of the Arc of a Scythe series

“Ruin Road brims with malice, each page sure to drag readers into a community’s — and boy’s — fight against the greedy forces preying on them. Exceptional and not to be missed!” — Trang Thanh Tran, New York Times bestselling author of She Is a Haunting

“Riveting, grounded horror tinged with characters who leap to life. Lamar Giles writes with imagination and urgency that will appeal to all horror fans, as Ruin Road raises an intriguing question with surprising answers: What would we be like if we had no fear?” — Tananarive Due, American Book Award winner and author of The Reformatory

“A refreshing tale with twists you’ll never see coming. Giles crafts an action-packed story, filled with both real-life and supernatural terrors. Ruin Road pulls your heartstrings tight and keeps you on your toes!” — Erin E. Adams, author of Jackal

“From the first line, Ruin Road lets you know you’re in the hands of a master. The story moves with the knowing swagger of its main character, Cade Webster, fascinating, charismatic, and layered. With elements of Stephen King and a double helping of that Giles magic that makes his work so unforgettable, Ruin Road is a mix of terror, heart, and intelligence, with a dash of social commentary. Giles is in peak form, and you don’t want to miss out!” — Maurice Broaddus, author of Unfadeable

★ "Giles’s robust descriptions of the setting and nuanced characterization provide this intricately plotted story with incredible depth. Occasional perspective shifts deftly flesh out the landscape of suspenseful supernatural elements, and abhorrent acts of racism bring a sobering sense of reality to this magic-filled story. A riveting thriller that seamlessly incorporates powerful social themes." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

★ "This edge-of-the-seat thriller uses occult horror elements to explore racism, classism, family, and grief... making this a genre-bending adventure that will leave readers wanting more." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

★ "This book absolutely delivers as a Twilight Zone–style spine-tingler that's almost impossible to put down." — Booklist (starred review)

"Giles blends horror and social commentary in this innovative tale." — Washington Post

Praise for The Getaway

YALSA Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults

YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

"Timely, thrilling, and gripping from start to finish. An absolute page-turner." — Karen M. McManus, #1 New York Times bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying

"The Getaway grabbed me from page one and didn't let go. I was immediately fascinated and disturbed by the fictional Karloff Country. You too will be lured in and then horrified by the truth behind those perfect customer service smiles..." — Malinda Lo, New York Times bestselling author of Last Night at the Telegraph Club

★ "With hints of Cory Doctorow, Jordan Peele, and Richard Matheson, this book stands on its own as a dystopian adventure, but the deeper metaphors around servitude, privilege, class, and solidarity mean that there's a lot to think about as the characters reckon with their proximity to and complicity in violence both local and far-flung. Hold tight: You'll want to stay on this nightmarish roller coaster till the end." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

★ "This arresting and engaging dystopian thriller interrogates the horrors of racism, classism, unregulated capitalism and eco-fascism." — Shelf Awareness (starred review)

"Giles's harrowing dystopian novel combines an exploration of capitalistic greed and systemic racism and oppression with gripping psychological horror, resulting in a read that is guaranteed to terrify." —Publishers Weekly"With elements of adventure, science fiction, horror, and even a bit of romance in a broken world, Giles keeps readers wondering who can and cannot be trusted throughout this page-turning novel." — Horn Book

Praise for Overturned

YALSA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

Kirkus Best Book of the Year

★ "An utterly compelling whodunit." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Giles, a founding member of We Need Diverse Books and two-time Edgar Award finalist, is in top form, weaving together the threads of his whodunit-and-why and resonantly depicting his characters' home and school lives. As a poker genius Nikki may be a singular sort of teenager, but she's grounded in desires and motivations that make her story as moving as it is thrilling." — New York Times Book Review

"Another Giles winner." — BCCB

"A fast-paced, endlessly intriguing mystery." — Booklist

"Giles excels at pulpy crime drama, including a romance with a wealthy casino heir, scattering a trail of clues and bluffs to keep readers guessing." — Publishers Weekly

School Library Journal

★ Winter 2018

Gr 7 Up–There has never been any love lost between Fatima "Fuse" Fallon and Kya Caine, even though they once shared a best friend, Paris Secord (dj ParSec to her fans). Technology genius Kya was instrumental in helping ParSec develop her sound, and savvy Fuse helped her reach the masses and create her brand. Paris's meteoric rise to fame is cut brutally short, however, when she is murdered before a show. Though Kya and Fuse have both fallen out with Paris, they are pulled back into her orbit when they discover her body. Looking for someone to blame, ParSec's frenzied fans are calling for Kya's and Fuse's blood. In order to clear their names and deliver justice, they have little choice but to work together. While much of this tense thriller focuses on the hunt for a killer, this novel transcends its genre. Alternating first-person chapters reveal the complicated lives of these three brilliant young women and will push readers to contemplate deeper themes, such as media bias, isolation, grief, and conflict resolution. The three narratives successfully create tension and add an intriguing level of dramatic irony, as the girls slowly expose one another's secrets. The three protagonists identify as black, and the supporting characters are a realistic mix of many ethnicities and races. The protagonists are completely different from one another, yet it is in those very differences that most of the tension, as well as the satisfying (and surprising) resolutions lie. VERDICT This highly recommended thriller deserves a spot on every shelf.—Leighanne Law, Scriber Lake High School, WA

APRIL 2019 - AudioFile

Three narrators weave a contemporary murder mystery involving the powerful influences of social media, fandom, and internet fame. When frenemies Kya and Fuse, voiced energetically by Sisi Aisha Johnson and Shawna Carter, discover their mutual friend, the up-and-coming DJ ParSec, has been murdered, they reluctantly team up to uncover the truth while dodging her rogue fans. Johnson wonderfully captures Kya's quiet strength as she opens up to Fuse, whose bold attitude is delivered by Carter. In an ominous role, Bahni Turpin brings a refreshing blend of spunk and tenacity to her performance of DJ ParSec in flashbacks, making her demise more tragic. This trio of narrators never misses a beat in a tangled story of lies and betrayal. J.E.C. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

★ 2018-10-23

Two African-American teens who dislike each other find themselves working together to solve the murder of a mutual friend.

Kya Caine and Fatima "Fuse" Fallon were both in the orbit of Paris Secord, aka DJ ParSec. Kya and Paris were friends from their neighborhood, while Fuse's skill with social media made her the ideal person to promote this music among #ParSecNation fans. On the night Paris is murdered, both girls happen on the scene within minutes of each other; her death is a blow, and their shock and pain run deep. When they are briefly kidnapped by #DarkNation, a group of violent, extreme fans, they put their differences behind them to find the killer. The young women come from different worlds: Kya, the daughter of a hardworking single parent, resents upper-middle-class Fuse. But the drive to find answers before #DarkNation or the killer strike again propels them. They agree on the likely culprit and know their best chance of proving their guilt will occur during the high-energy commingling of everyone touched by the rising star and her music in an upcoming memorial concert. This is genre fiction at its best: a taut mystery with rich characterization and a strong sense of place. Social realities, such as class and family dynamics, add depth. The depiction of the grassroots music scene that feeds hip-hop and keeps it cutting edge is seamlessly woven into the narrative.

Not to be missed. (Mystery. 12-18)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170857777
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	01/29/2019
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

Read an Excerpt

I DID NOT KILL Paris Secord.“Hey, hey, Kya.” His hands raised, palms facing me, a sign of peace. His smile twitched away. He looked as frightened as I felt. “I only asked because you were moving your lips a moment ago.”Moving my lips. I mouthed words when I got nervous. I’d probably mouthed juryan expert lip reader might tell them I was already thinking of a way to trick the jury because I was 100 percent guilty.His partner — a silent, youngish white policeman who was scary in a way I was used to — burst into the room, making me yelp. He held a box of Kleenex. Only then did my vision blur from accumulated tears that spilled over. I accepted the tissues and oh God, Paris was gone.Staying quiet was the smart move. They hadn’t arrested me. They never read me those rights cops read criminals on TV. I didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing. I only knew that silence was always advised. How many movies had a lawyer yelling at their innocent client to keep their mouth shut? But there was the thing I needed to say. Out loud, once, and make it sound true. “I did not —"Something crashed just outside the interrogation room. Shrieking curses followed. A general sense of panic soured the air inside the Ocean Shore Police Department’s Second Precinct.Barker and his partner rushed from the room, joining a couple of uniformed officers trying to contain the destructive lunatic who should be in here, handcuffed. Maybe muzzled too.I did not kill Paris Secord. Had absolutely nothing to do with her death.Could all her so-called friends say the same?

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