Amir Trudeau has no interest in the elite social scene at Truman Academy, and his strained relationship with his half-brother, Marcel, isn’t making his new school experience any easier. But Marcel is determined to fix things between them.
When Amir gets a text from Chloe Danvers—Marcel’s best friend and one of the school’s most popular juniors—inviting him to Marcel’s birthday party, he hesitates but decides to go. Later that night, he keeps Chloe company at her house. The last thing he remembers is hanging out with her before he passes out.
When he wakes up, Chloe is dead, her bedroom ransacked, and the evidence is stacked against him. Before he can even process what’s happening, Amir is arrested. Now, he’s out on bail, but the clock is ticking toward a trial that could end with his conviction—or worse, the death penalty.
Marcel is torn between grief for his best friend and loyalty to his brother, but one thing is clear: Amir is innocent. With his freedom on the line, Marcel must become his own detective to unravel the truth.
This queer YA novel is more than just a thrilling mystery—it’s a gripping exploration of family, friendship, and the fight for justice. It also sheds light on the realities of racial bias and the ongoing impact of the Black Lives Matter movement. While the ending might be a bit chaotic, the journey is an intense and compelling ride.