Stash by David Matthew Klein Review

Product Details from Amazon.com

Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Broadway; Original edition (July 27, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0307716813
From Publishers Weekly Amazon.com

"A small misstep derails several lives in Klein's intriguing if uneven debut, which examines a mix of middle-class upstate New Yorkers, chiefly Gwen Raine and her husband. Gwen's misfortune begins with the purchase of a small bag of marijuana from restaurateur and former lover Jude Gates. Later, a car accident that isn't her fault results in the death of an elderly man. When police detective William Keller finds the bag of marijuana in Gwen's car and decides to go after her to get the name of her supplier, a charge of possession turns into much more. Klein paints a sometimes too clinical picture of an idyllic suburban life--successful workaholic husband, two near-perfect kids, a stay-at-home mom heavily involved in PTA activities. Eschewing a focus on evildoers, Klein instead portrays how the unintended consequences of one bad decision spread exponentially and change the fates of many people, but does so in a fashion where the design is often more important than the characters."
My Thoughts:
This first novel, Stash, by David Matthew Klein is a fast paced novel telling what happens when Gwen Raines, a stay at home mom, makes a descision that creates chaos for those around. Gwen buys a small amount of marijuana for use by her and a friend. It isn't so much buying the marijuana that creates the chaos but what happens after it is purchased. A fatal car accident results in the finding of this 'Stash" in Gwens car that creates the problems. Even though Gwen is found not responsible for the fatal accident it still causes problems. The detective for her case is bound and determined to see that Gwen pays for her lack of judgement. Her former boss and lover is her supplier and Gwen does not want to divulge to the police that Jude Gates is her supplier. Each chapter is in a different characters perspective, her husband Brian a pharmaceutical executive who is facing ethical issues at work, her friend Marlene, whom she was sharing the pot with and Marlenes husband who is the lawyer the Raines hire for any charges that arise. Jude owns and operates a restaurant and has a daughter away at college who has no clue as to her fathers 'sideline'.Gwen wants to do the right thing and in doing so causes her family and others to be put into danger. Some tense and emotional situations make for a very suspenseful and satisfying novel by a first time novelist. This fast paced story was a pleasurable read.
I received this book from Broadway Books, a division of Random House and did not receive monetarily compensation for my review.
You can read more about this book here and visit the authors website here