Grass

by Steve Williams

“Grass” is a novel about grow ops and two detectives who love golf. "In Williams' gritty debut thriller, the lives of drug dealers, organized criminals, political revolutionaries and marketing executives intertwine in spectacular fashion." - Kirkus Reviews. Pot is America’s largest cash crop – worth more than wheat and corn combined. Otis M. Gaverill has taken marijuana cultivation to the next level. Otis owns Verdant Greenhouses and Florists. He also owns 318 grow houses. Verdant does over $700 million in business annually. The grow ops are even more profitable. The company provides his grow houses with soil, hydroponics, fertilizers, chemicals, hybrid and cloning expertise, and a front to launder the dope money. There’s just one problem. A mysterious seven-man crew is knocking off his houses with military precision. Outlaws in their own country, the men have come to the U.S. to get cash to finance a coup against the corrupt regime that chased them from their homeland. The two cops leading the investigation into the grow-op rip-offs are Sal Mitchell and Eddie Sandovan. Mitchell and Sandovan have their own affinity with grass – they are golfers. They petitioned the city to provide their 8th Precinct with a green roof as an “environmental pilot project”. As a result Mitchell and Sandovan have a rooftop driving range, allowing them to hit golf balls into a park across the street. It’s where they do their best thinking. Mitchell’s girlfriend, Mya Laing, is an advertising executive. As Mitchell tries to coordinate his investigation, Mya’s team is orchestrating an alternate reality game (ARG) for a client. Pioneered by the band Nine Inch Nails, the video game HALO, and the film The Dark Knight, ARGs are at the bleeding edge of the ad business, incorporating online clues, real life scavenger hunts, and creative improvisation from the players. “Grass” brings together the game, the guerrilla force, the police and the dope dealers in dramatic fashion.

Genres: Fiction

452 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2011

About the author

Steve Williams is a 25-year veteran of the advertising industry. He has created award-winning ads and commercials that have been recognized in Cannes, New York, Toronto and Los Angeles. He left his job as Chief Creative Officer at a national ad agency to concentrate on writing. He has been a marketing columnist and freelance writer, and is now based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada (an hourʼs drive from the Rocky Mountains).

Reviews

[Jenee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, fun read! It was fast-paced, very interesting, the information about topics was enough to catch up the reader, witty and unique characters.
#goodreadsgiveaway

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting blend of lighthearted antics and gritty street crime, like a Shane Black script (KISS KISS BANG BANG, THE LAST BOY SCOUT). Williams throws plenty of entertaining characters at us - whip-smart ad execs, multimillionaire weed dealers, ruthless mercenaries in exile - to keep the plot moving. If anything, I'd jettison the two protagonists (a pair of bantering cops without much to distinguish them) and let the other zany stars duke it out.

If the plot were a few notches tighter or the stakes a little more madcap, it might be a modern Elmore Leonard. As it is, it's still worth the Kindle price.

[Wanda Watkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stopped reading.
I didn't get it and there are too many books to read to waste time