It is July 1995 and pretty fifteen-year-old Amy Stevenson has some definite goals in spite of being only a teenager. She has a cute, but very shy, boyfriend named Jake and two of the best friends a girl could want in Jenny and Becky. In fact, the three girls have made a sort of bet as to who will lose her virginity first. Amy figures it should be her since she is the one with a boyfriend already, but Jake is just too shy to try anything with her. She is actually getting rather frustrated with him in that she has to initiate everything or not even kissing would happen between them.

Amy, however, has a secret that just might have her a bit ahead of the game. This secret could help her win the race ahead of her two friends, but it is also a very dangerous secret as she discovers the night she is attacked and left for dead. Amy does not die, though. Not exactly. She is in a sort of twilight sleep state and has been that way for fifteen years. Her attacker was never found, but a reporter battling her own demons stumbles upon Amy's case and decides that she must get justice for Amy. Her search for the truth may also save her own life.

TRY NOT TO BREATHE is a mesmerizing tale of the various people who were affected by what happened to Amy. It really destroyed some lives. Yet, no one has ever been able to find out who did this horrible thing to her. Being allowed to follow along as Alex Dale, freelance reporter, investigates the few leads that are scattered around like bread crumbs is completely enthralling.

Something I discovered about Holly Seddon in TRY NOT TO BREATHE is that she is not afraid of writing faulty characters. There was truly not one of the main characters involved that I actually liked. Alex is fighting her own demons and is completely stubborn in a stupid way. Then there is Jake, now all grown up and married. His wife is expecting their first child. Both of these people are weak and insecure to the point of madness. The other characters as well as these made me want to shake them at times. However, in the end, they are redeemed somewhat, and I found myself wanting to give them a second chance. Of course, being so drawn into the characters is a true sign of genius writing.

TRY NOT TO BREATHE is a page turner of a different kind. Though it is told through the eyes of the various players, there was never a moment when I was confused about what was happening. Instead, I was riveted to page after page as I could not seem to stop reading. There is just one thing after another through the entire story that kept me devouring each morsel of clues.

If you like to become a part of books and become a member of an investigative team of crime solvers, you will adore TRY NOT TO BREATHE. It is an experience not to be missed.