Back in Black (novel)
Back in Black represents the fifth installment in Zoey Dean's juvenile fiction series A-List. Initially published in September 2005 by Little, Brown and Company, it was later reissued by Poppy in 2008.
Plot summary
Instead of joining the school-organized Spring Break excursion to Washington D.C., the A-List members—Sam, Anna, Dee, Parker, Adam, and Cammie—opt for a trip to Las Vegas. Anna invites her boyfriend Ben, who is away at college, and also mentions the getaway to her close friend Cyn Baltres from New York, who admires Anna’s transformation.
Parker faces hidden financial difficulties and fears losing his A-list status if his situation becomes public. Due to legal restrictions preventing minors from collecting gambling winnings in Las Vegas, he depends on older women to cover his expenses. The group begins their vacation with a "tacky showgirl outfit contest," while Cammie slips away secretly, causing Adam to become concerned about possible unfaithfulness.
During dinner, Cyn arrives accompanied by her boyfriend Scott Spencer, whom Anna had secretly admired before relocating to Los Angeles. The friends attend a hypnotist show; Dee opts out to concentrate on helping Las Vegas sinners reform, displaying unusual spiritual behaviors connected to Ruby Hummingbird, Sam’s newly discovered half-sister.
Under hypnosis, Sam observes as her friends unintentionally disclose secrets: Adam admits attraction toward other girls; Cammie confesses that Adam can be dull at times; Anna reveals a crush on Scott. Although these revelations are forgotten by the group afterward, listening to the recording stirs conflicts. Adam and Cammie clash, and Cyn refuses to communicate with Anna—until Dee experiences a mental health crisis and is admitted to the hospital.
Dee decides to remain at Ojai Mental Hospital for care. The rest of the group returns to their hotel; Scott informs Anna that their relationship is unlikely to work out, which leads her to accept reality and mend her friendship with Cyn. Cyn expresses that her upset stems not from Anna’s crush but from feeling excluded from Anna’s confidences. She also hints at her own breakup with Scott, but Anna chooses not to pursue him.
Sam uncovers Parker’s monetary troubles and admires his pride when he declines assistance. Adam and Cammie reconcile after she explains her absences were due to visiting a platonic family friend in Las Vegas who later hosts a gathering for the group.
Before heading back to Beverly Hills, Ben arrives; he and Anna discuss their relationship status. Ben admits to seeing someone else casually, yet they agree to reunite.