CRAZY DIAMOND

When rising pop star Mira M. is found dead in the aquarium of her producer’s on-loan apartment, she leaves the media and her friends to speculate on the true cause of her death, as well as whether her chart-topper was actually written by Melody, a friend and fellow singer. CD tracks instead of chapters delve into the intertwined backgrounds of Mira, spirited into Germany in an amp case from Yugoslavia; Melody, smuggled in a container from Ghana with two other teens; and Kralle, their rescuer. Each year, the friends gather to celebrate the anniversary of Melody and her companions’ arrival in Hamburg. This gritty story, translated from German, alternates between the first anniversary party after Mira’s death and the singer’s memories and observations in the afterlife. As she recalls possible borderline personality disorder and certain industry burnout, readers begin to understand her fall from glory, but may never know all her secrets. Chotjewitz draws upon his work with teen musicians and actors to create an edgy tale of friendship and stardom. (afterword) (Fiction. YA)