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Title: Stein, Stoned
Author: Hal Ackerman
Narrator: Andy Pyle
Format: Unabridged
Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins
Language: English
Release date: 09-28-12
Publisher: Audible Studios
Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5 votes
Genres: Fiction, Humor
Publisher's Summary:
A soft-boiled detective story where The Big Lebowski meets Fletch.
In the 60s, Harry Stein was the foremost authority on cannabis, writing a book on indoor cultivation and inventing 13 different hybrids. Nowadays, he stays straight to keep joint custody of his daughter. But when a crop of "orchids" goes missing, Stein must re-enter the haze he thought he'd left behind.
Members Reviews:
Too Many Problem Areas
I had this book floating around my Kindle for a couple of years, lost in the chaos of too many downloads. I was intrigued by the plot, so my lack of attention had nothing to do with disinterest. I mention this only because my copy shows as being published in 2010, whereas this Amazon copy (same cover) claims the publishing year as 2013. I noticed this because it's not showing up as a verified purchase. So it's possible the book has been edited since the first release, though I have to assume the major content remains the same.
The book started with promise. I liked Stein's character. He's an aging hippie, once the epitome of "pothead", who is now trying to raise his daughter responsibly. While I liked the premise and his character, the story quickly fell apart me for. One major problem area came with characterization. All the women in this book are spineless and/or crazy, acting like lunatics and willing to do anything for Stein, despite receiving little to nothing in return. Well, aside from his domineering and controlling ex-wife, who is the complete opposite of all the other women. Then we have the gay men, who are part of the major plot. Their characters are completely stereotypical. Rather than comical, as I think they are meant to be, it feels like a bad sitcom.
This brings us to the plot - or plots. There are really two storylines here. The major plot is about the theft of shampoo bottles. Having spent many years in the hair business, I know all about the importance of labels and name brands. But, even with that knowledge, this plot was over-the-top, bordering on silly. Also, the suspense and intended twists wind up an overly complicated mess. There is a murder, with graphic content that feels out of place in this otherwise kind of comic relief story. Without offering spoilers, I'll just say that Stein's part in this feels forced and his emotional investment unrealistic.
The secondary plot is about the missing pot, and that was initially far more interesting. Sadly, that storyline took a turn into the absurd. In both cases, Stein appears to be the only person able to solve the problems for these complete strangers.
While the story has moments that shine, and parts did make me laugh, overall it lacked depth and was too ridiculous to take seriously.
Very Funny Soft-Boiled Mystery!
I read the second book in the series, first.Stein, Stungwas such a hoot that I had to go back and buy "Stein, Stoned", the first book starring the frequently hapless Harry Stein.
It's somewhere around the year 2000 and Harry is still adjusting to the demise of the 60's. Back then, he was the go-to man on marijuana, friend to the stars and author of a famous, or is it infamous, book on how to cultivate cannabis indoors. Now, nearing 50, he gamely works on his respectability. The alternative is to lose joint custody of Angie, his teenage daughter.
