Genre: Psychological Suspense
Publisher: Broadway
Publication Date: July 2010
Thirty-something suburban mom Gwen Raine buys a bag of pot from a former boyfriend to share with her best friend, and takes a hit off a joint in a public park before heading home to her family and a much-needed weekend away at the family’s lake house. Unfortunately, she is in a car accident, in which the other driver dies. Gwen is not at fault, but the police search her car and find the bag of pot in her car. She is forced to take a blood test at the hospital and, under pressure from the local police force, gives up the name of her supplier. The resulting series of events tests Gwen’s friendships, her marriage, and even changes the life of an innocent girl forever.
The novel Stash is written in many people’s perspectives, and gives different reasons that people do what they do. It offers an inside look into what a “model” family deals with and how stupid decisions affect people in ways nobody sees. It also explores what a suburban town will- and will not- tolerate in order to keep its good feeling about itself and its residents.
The characters are all fairly complex and interesting: Gwen is a mom who will do anything for her children and husband, yet she smokes pot on a somewhat regular basis and visits an ex-boyfriend on occasion. Her husband, Brian, works too many hours and feels the pressure to perform well at work while still being there for his family. He is currently involved in an ethical issue at work that could make or break the company. Jude, Gwen’s ex-boyfriend and current supplier, has a college-age daughter whom he protects to the point of being overprotective. He is a successful restaurant owner but has a growing drug business on the side. He is considering retiring from the drug business but wants one really big sale before he retires. Together, these characters, as well as a few auxiliary ones, make for some tough situations and interesting reading.
The book, since it is based on drugs, does have some touchy areas. There are some brutal murders and some bloody fights. There is a thwarted rape scene and some foul language. There are several sexual situations, and of course, there are scenes in which characters use drugs. It’s not the kind of book a young person or one sensitive to violence should read. Anyone willing to look into the nasty world of the drug trade in the suburbs, however, will be intrigued by what happens and how people deal with situations. Stash delivers with its ability to entertain and to keep the reader hooked. It is not going to be a timeless classic, but it does manage to entertain.
Review copy provided by publisher.
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