The Scammer

by Tiffany D. Jackson

Overview

• Big Mouth ARE mailing to a curated list of influential librarians and educators with specialty packaging 
• Advertising in key school & library media, such as School Library Journal, The Horn Book and Booklist 
• Author Study update to include new title 
• Featured title in Shake Up Your Shelves, a campaign to promote inclusive texts in curriculum, library collections, and bookstores  
• Launch and lead promotion at school & library conferences and preview events  
• Promotion with adult crossover titles  
• Pitch author for speaking engagements at school & library conferences and preview events  
• Featured title on HarperStacks, the school & library marketing digital hub  
  • Best Books for Teen Book Clubs promotions  
  • Title/authors-specific posts on social platforms boosted with educator-targeted advertising 
  • “Behind the Book” blog feature on HarperStacks  

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063271272
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	10/07/2025
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.30(d)
Age Range:	14 - 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, The Weight of Blood, and The Scammer. A Margaret A. Edwards Award and Coretta Scott King–John Steptoe New Talent Award winner, the Brooklyn native is splitting her time between the South and the borough she loves. You can visit her at writeinbk.com

Editorial Reviews

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