Wander in the Dark

Starred review from October 23, 2023
Seventeen-year-old Amir Trudeau had no intention of showing up to his estranged half brother Marcel’s extravagant 16th birthday party, until he receives a text from Chloe Danvers, the most popular girl at his affluent and predominantly white school. At the party, Amir unexpectedly hits it off with Chloe and goes home with her at the end of the night. Upon waking, however, he finds her stabbed to death. Now, he’s the prime suspect in a high-profile murder case. As public opinion quickly turns on him, Amir discovers an unexpected ally in Marcel, who doggedly searches for the true culprit in hopes of repairing their strained relationship. During their investigation, the brothers learn that Chloe had been on the verge of revealing dark secrets about the most powerful families in New Orleans before her death. Emill (The Black Queen) employs smart sleuthing, messy teen dynamics, and hidden agendas, as well as liberal use of Black cultural references and a vividly portrayed New Orleans, to present a propulsive and engaging thriller. Between scenes that explore the dark realities of media coverage and the systematic racism of the justice system, Emill expounds upon the Trudeau brothers’ flawed family dynamics as they slowly learn to lean on each other in the face of extreme prejudice. The Trudeaus are Black and Chloe is white; Marcel is openly gay. Ages 12–up. Agent: Alec Shane, Writers House.