In Catherine McKenzie’s latest, Spin, available from Denver’s new book dealers, protagonist Kate is assigned as an undercover journalist to the same rehab facility as Lohan-esque popular young actress, Amber Shepard. Kate forms a friendship with Amber just as Amber's dashing Cruise-like actor boyfriend joins her in rehab accompanied by his mysterious manager, Henry. Does Henry like Kate? Does Kate like Henry? Our novice undercover journalist is learning things about herself and life both surprising and exciting. Thirty years old, writing articles for pulp music slicks and various newspapers, she didn’t have a lot of prospects. For economic reasons, she lied about her age and perpetuated the life of a couch-surfing student bumming drinks and meals from her supposed peers. Her confusion sorting out her rehab counsellor Saundra’s feedback while rethinking what her own self concept was palpable behind her game bravado. Did she belong in treatment, after all? Is it really just a ruse?
Spin was compelling and fast paced enough to pull me through itself, while never dramatic enough to impress or depress me, exactly. All characters are well-defined, shown not told, with a frothy mix of light humor and drama to lighten the mood of Kate’s war with herself as she struggles to learn her true motivation in this strange rite of passage. Can Amber forgive Kate when she finds out the real reason Kate was in rehab, to expose her private life? What will happen?!
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