The Scammer

by Tiffany D. Jackson, January Lavoy (Read by)

Overview

New York Times bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson delivers another stunning, ripped-from-the-headlines thriller, following a freshman girl whose college life is turned upside down when her roommate’s ex-convict brother moves into their dorm and starts controlling their every move.

Out from under her overprotective parents, Jordyn is ready to kill it in prelaw at a prestigious, historically Black university in Washington DC. When her new roommate’s brother is released from prison, the last thing Jordyn expects is to come home and find the ex-convict on their dorm room sofa. But Devonte needs a place to stay while he gets back on his feet—and how could she say no to one of her new best friends?

Devonte is older, as charming as he is intelligent, pushing every student he meets to make better choices about their young lives. But Jordyn senses something sinister beneath his friendly advice and growing group of followers. When one of Jordyn’s roommates goes missing, she must enlist the help of the university’s lone white student to uncover the mystery—or become trapped at the center of a web of lies more tangled than she can imagine.

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798228477827
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	10/07/2025
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.00(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Tiffany D. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Allegedly, Monday's Not Coming, Let Me Hear a Rhyme, Grown, White Smoke, and The Weight of Blood and coauthor of Blackout and Whiteout. A Walter Dean Myers Honor Book and Coretta Scott King–John Steptoe New Talent Award winner, she received her bachelor of arts in film from Howard University, earned her master of arts in media studies from the New School, and has over a decade of TV and film experience. The Brooklyn native is splitting her time between the South and the borough she loves. You can visit her at writeinbk.com.

January LaVoy, winner of numerous awards for narration, was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine in 2019. She is an American actress best known for her character Noelle Ortiz on the ABC daytime drama One Life to Live. In addition to working extensively in narration and television, including roles on Law & Order and All My Children, she has worked on and off Broadway as well as in regional theater.

Editorial Reviews

"Another visceral, propulsive thriller from an undisputed master of the genre. The revealing ending will lead readers to question what makes a person tick, what can make them break, and, ultimately, how to heal." — Booklist (starred review)

"Jackson’s portrayal of subtle brainwashing, leading up to a wholly unanticipated twist, is excellent...Engaging and frighteningly realistic; a suspense-filled winner." — Kirkus Reviews

"A timely chill." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

"Jackson’s signature chilling prose presents action-filled and fast-paced plotting rife with tension as Jordyn attempts to puzzle out the mystery behind Devonte’s endgame while navigating issues of personal identity. Jordyn and Nick’s budding romance—and the obstacles it unearths as it unfolds amid the HBCU setting and the overarching conflict—adds a layer of complexity to this satisfying offering." — Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

2025-07-19
A first-year college student’s experience turns into a nightmare when her roommate’s brother moves in.

Inspired by a real incident at Sarah Lawrence College, Jackson pens a gripping story about mental manipulation and predators disguised as positive influences. Against her parents’ wishes, Jordyn Monroe defers her Yale acceptance to attend Washington, D.C.’s Frazier University; she has a meaningful reason for wanting to choose an institution that’s among the most well-known Historically Black Colleges and Universities. After attending mostly white schools in the suburbs of Westport, Connecticut, Jordyn is excited to no longer be the only Black person in class. She and her three suitemates immediately bond and start thinking of themselves as sisters. When one girl’s older brother needs a place to stay after being released from prison—she says he was framed for credit card fraud—the others immediately welcome him. Devonte is smart, charming, and handsome, and he shares interesting stories about working in the hip-hop industry. He also offers the girls guidance and encourages them to expand their minds. Soon, however, he starts controlling their every move, and Jordyn can’t see a way out. Jackson’s portrayal of Devonte’s subtle brainwashing, leading up to a wholly unanticipated twist, is excellent, although the story wraps up a bit too quickly after the big reveal. The setting is intriguing and adds appeal, although readers may wish for more details about how HBCUs differ from predominantly white institutions.

Engaging and frighteningly realistic; a suspense-filled winner.(Thriller. 15-adult)

Kirkus Reviews