Playlist for the Dead

Sam find his best friend Hayden dead of an apparent suicide the morning after a party—the two boys were both bullied at school, but Sam still feels responsible. Hayden left Sam a playlist of music as a suicide note (the songs correspond to the book’s chapters), which Sam listens to, eager for answers. Then strange things start to happen. Sam receives messages from someone using Hayden’s IM handle, a girl named Astrid with connections to Hayden appears in Sam’s life, and someone starts getting revenge against the “bully trifecta” who made life hell for Hayden and Sam—all of which make Sam question everything he thought he knew about Hayden. Debut author Falkoff gives Sam a strong voice to narrate his grief over the loss of his best friend and his confusion about the events that follow. Her efforts to add mystery to the circumstances surrounding Hayden’s death are forced, however, and as the novel progresses, the revelations test plausibility. This aside, Falkoff treats a difficult topic with delicacy and care. A Spilled Ink Productions property. Ages 13–up. Agent: Richard Abate, 3 Arts Entertainment. (Jan.)