Thisis the frank, harrowing, and true story of one young woman's descent intoaddiction and prostitution, and the long arduous struggle to reclaim her life. Ashy, bookish college graduate, a nice girl from a solid middle-class home butuncertain of her way in life, Kate Holden tried her first hit of heroin as aone-time experiment-an adventure with friends-but the drug took over. Hooked,she lost her job and her apartment, and she stole from her family. Desperationdrove her onto the streets, where she became "Lucy," offering her body for cashto the first car to stop, risking arrest and, worse, the humanpredators-anything for her next fix. With her name on the police blotter, sheeventually left the streets and offered her services to a high-class brothel.There she discovered hidden strengths, as well as parts of herself thatfrightened her. Throughout,however hurt and dismayed, her family never abandoned her, and their acceptanceand unyielding love helped her defeat the drug and leave her netherworldbehind. In taut, devastating prose, Kate Holden recounts her journey with anemotional honesty and genuineness that will leave no reader untouched.