The First True Thing

"A raw and heartbreaking story about addiction and recovery that will leave readers breathless." —Kathleen Glasgow, New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces

Claire Needell’s evocative novel, perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, explores the risks of substance abuse as well as what it means to take control of your life when it seems like the only path forward is the one that will take all of your courage.

Marcelle is clean and sober, attending a tough-love version of after-school rehab, and barely hanging out with her user friends. But one night she gets a text from her best friend, Hannah, asking Marcelle to cover for her.

The next morning, Hannah is missing. Marcelle was the last one to hear from her...and now she’s lying to everyone—about the text, and more.

How long can Marcelle go on before she admits to herself what she has to do? If she comes clean, can she save Hannah?

• Missing Person Mystery: Marcelle was the last person to hear from her best friend Hannah before she vanished. Now she’s lying to the police, Hannah’s mother, and everyone else who asks.
• Addiction and Recovery: Fresh out of a tough-love rehab program, Marcelle’s sobriety is tested at every turn as she’s pulled back into the world she fought to escape.
• Unreliable Narrator: With her own history of blackouts and deceit, can Marcelle even trust her own memory of that night? The truth is buried deep, and digging it up could be dangerous.
• Psychological Thriller for Teens: A gripping exploration of toxic friendships, peer pressure, and the courage it takes to tell the first true thing.

“A raw and heartbreaking story about addiction and recovery that will leave readers breathless.” - Kathleen Glasgow, New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces

“Teens will...appreciate this serious look at a relatable and realistic heroine wrestling with a difficult dilemma.” - Booklist

“A strong exploration of recovery and the dangers of substance abuse... solid additional purchase for libraries where realistic and issue-driven novels are popular.” - School Library Journal