Giles's novel is an intense thriller that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. I cannot emphasize how much I loved this book. ( )

Summary
When Kya and Fuse find out that their DJ friend, Paris is murdered and collapsed over her turntables they are determined to find out who did it. Will they solve the mystery and will the true killer be found?

Review
I really wanted to like this book. I love a good thriller and am an avid music fan so I thought this book would be the perfect blend. I was hoping it was going to be similar to On the Come Up by Angie Thomas, which is the sequel to the Hate You Give, but it was not. It was a slower read than expected. I started to read the physical copy, but switched to audio ½ way through to finish.
I like the overall plot, but at points it was a little slow for me to read, other parts I was on the edge of my seat and wanted to know more as soon a as possible. I loved how it was told by different characters and jumped time periods. It was a mixed review. It was not a bad book at all, just not my favorite. ( )

When they find their DJ friend murdered, her pre-fame best friend Kya & her chief fan/social media expert Fuse put their mutual dislike and differences aside to find her killer. This mystery thriller features a fast plot, complex characters, & a rich background of hip-hop.

Take three girls, all hungry for something. Paris discovers a talent for mixing beats and begins to become more and more successful. Kya, like Paris, comes from a poor home. Her talent lies with coding and technology, skills she uses to help Paris become more visible and successful online, Then there’s Fuse who comes from a wealthy family, but is starved for emotional support and understanding from her parents. She finds some of what she needs by helping Paris strategize her online marketing.
The story opens with Kya and Fuse at the police station. They’ve found Paris collapsed over her turntables, bleeding from a head wound and dead. The two fought, with Kya giving Fuse a black eye. You begin the story knowing there’s bad blood between the surviving girls and that in order to solve the murder, they must agree to a truce and do what both realize-solve Paris’ murder because the police aren’t likely to do so. Accomplishing this is revealed in chapters that alternate between Paris starting 14 months before the killing and her two former friends. It involves a scary group of online fans of Paris, her former boyfriend, a rich boy wannebee rapper, a very sketchy manager and another player I won’t discuss because it might reveal too much of the ending. A very satisfying read and I’m going to look at other books by the author. ( )

This story is told in 3 alternating perspectives: Fuse, Kya, and Paris (DJ Parsec). The Paris parts are flashbacks because the majority of the story is Fuse and Kya investigating her murder. Fuse and Kya are distinct characters but both are smart, gutsy, and mostly likable. Paris is at times a bit self-absorbed and unforgiving but because Fuse and Kya love her, to some extent, the reader loves her as well. The mystery is good with decent false leads. Normally, amateur detectives get on my nerves but Fuse and Kya are clever and entertaining so I didn't mind the slight bumbling nature of their investigation. (The police were ahead on somethings but behind on others.) The end was mostly satisfying but it had some dark foreshadowing that was a bit disturbing. ( )