Shine by Lauren Myracle 359 pages

This opens with a young victim of what seems to be a blatant, vicious gay bashing incident. 16 year old Cat had been a best friend of Patrick until she also became a sexual victim when she was around 12 and subsequently cut herself off from all friends. She feels called to action since it looks like the authorities would rather sweep the case under the rug than solve it. She is fearless, questioning local meth cookers and dealers, before she realizes that the case is more complex and touches all of her former friends and brother. Raw and rather bleak, Cat's life in squalid surroundings is told with polished prose that shines. Myracle is the best selling author of the Internet Girls trilogy - much lighter fare.