Hold Tight is a riveting piece of fiction. I think most of its compelling force emanates from my own experience as a parent of teenagers. Let's face it, teens are risk-takers whose judgements are suspect. They embrace their independence but are often ill-equipped to wield it safely. The world they encounter is full of dangers. This book underlines a few: sociopaths, drugs, prosperity, mobility, computers, and peer pressure. What teenagers aren't telling you is what you have the most to fear.

Harlan Coben weaves together a story not only of teenagers but also of parents, some good, some not so good, most just struggling to juggle their jobs, their marriages, and their children. In the story, there are doctors who debate telling secrets, parents who debate learning their children's secrets, and teens who don't debate much, they just act and try to keep secrets from their caretakers.

There's also a character in the novel who is a psychopath. Now normally I don't want to read about depraved or evil characters. I know they're out there, but I don't go looking to immerse myself in their world. Coben's psychopath, though, is one who has a twist in his twisted brain: his malevolence springs from a misguided sense of family loyalty. Odd, slightly unbelievable, but interesting nonetheless. This guy is also someone you could meet anywhere, such as in the parking lot at say, Target.

I highly recommend this novel, especially for parents of teens or teens to be. I'll leave you with just one question. If you don't know the answer, you better read this book. Do you know what a "pharm party" is?? After I learned the answer, I immediately made a change in one particular household practice in my own home.

Tags: Fiction, Teenagers