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The Stash
Great for fans of Stranger Things and The Hardy Boys!
"A real page-turner with more twists than a backcountry trail!"
"The kind of adventure I dreamt of in my younger years. Fun read!"
Dean Nelson had every detail of his heist planned to perfection. He’d made a flawless getaway and was patiently waiting for the right moment to dig up the money that was buried late in the night without any witnesses. Or at least any witnesses that he knew of.
Katie’s life as a park ranger is centered around one protect the park. On most days the threats are nothing more than off-leash dogs and illegal campfires but one night she realizes something is afoot. Somebody has been digging in her park.
Cooper and his friends are always outrunning the police on their harmless adventures into the unknown. One night, they ended up in the right place at the right time and stumbled upon a clue that could leave them rich beyond their wildest dreams. They just have to find the treasure before somebody catches up to them.
As the three forces collide, can Cooper make it out with the cash in hand or will it cost him more than he bargained for? Is the cash worth their lives?
"A real page-turner with more twists than a backcountry trail!"
"The kind of adventure I dreamt of in my younger years. Fun read!"
Dean Nelson had every detail of his heist planned to perfection. He’d made a flawless getaway and was patiently waiting for the right moment to dig up the money that was buried late in the night without any witnesses. Or at least any witnesses that he knew of.
Katie’s life as a park ranger is centered around one protect the park. On most days the threats are nothing more than off-leash dogs and illegal campfires but one night she realizes something is afoot. Somebody has been digging in her park.
Cooper and his friends are always outrunning the police on their harmless adventures into the unknown. One night, they ended up in the right place at the right time and stumbled upon a clue that could leave them rich beyond their wildest dreams. They just have to find the treasure before somebody catches up to them.
As the three forces collide, can Cooper make it out with the cash in hand or will it cost him more than he bargained for? Is the cash worth their lives?
182 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2021
About the author
Benjamin Bradley
5 books69 followersBenjamin Bradley is a member of both Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. His upcoming release WHAT HE LEFT BEHIND hits shelves on April 29, 2025 from CamCat Books. He's the author of the Shepard & Kelly Mystery series and his short fiction has appeared in literary magazines including Reckon Review and Flash Fiction Magazine. He works in public health and homelessness and lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with his wife, their cat Fox, and their dog Harper.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 22, 2021
While the author has labeled this a YA book, it could easily hold its own against adult thrillers.
There are three large and moving parts to this book. Each has its own characters of focus and direction. The braiding of the three is well done and led me easily down the winding path – until the ledge – that I never saw coming. I would gladly suggest this book for anyone in high school and up to age 102!
There are three large and moving parts to this book. Each has its own characters of focus and direction. The braiding of the three is well done and led me easily down the winding path – until the ledge – that I never saw coming. I would gladly suggest this book for anyone in high school and up to age 102!
February 2, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. The 3 kids, Cooper, Taylor and Cam all reminded me of my 3 kids growing up and how they had adventures in the neighborhood and nearby woods (though I don't think they had any as exciting as these kids did).
I thought the character of Park Ranger Katie was done really well. I really enjoyed reading about the William Umstead State Park and definitely would like to visit and hike there one of these days.
Hook was another good character in this book. Don't want to say too much about him to give any spoilers.
The best part of the book was how it all came together in one wild and crazy way. The ending was done really well and I sure hope there is a sequel so I can see more adventures of this group of characters.
I thought the character of Park Ranger Katie was done really well. I really enjoyed reading about the William Umstead State Park and definitely would like to visit and hike there one of these days.
Hook was another good character in this book. Don't want to say too much about him to give any spoilers.
The best part of the book was how it all came together in one wild and crazy way. The ending was done really well and I sure hope there is a sequel so I can see more adventures of this group of characters.
March 25, 2021
The Stash
Benjamin Bradley
The Stash is a sinuously penned thriller novel which blew my mind. It is the story of three kids - Cooper, Taylor and Cam who see something they weren’t meant to. Throw in a heist and hidden treasure in the mix and voila, you have got a very captivating coalescence of a wonderful YA Thriller.
The moment I started reading this novel, I was totally into it. Thriller novels, in the modern era and generally dominated by the NA genre. Reading this novel took me back to the times I used to lie in my bed reading books like Famous Five and The Secret Seven.
The cover of the book is vibrant and - considering the fact that the majority of the book takes place in a garden - is absolutely justified. The title is simple yet tailor-made for the book. I adored the storyline and the pace was also perfect. The chapter division was also phenomenal. After every chapter, I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen next. Basically, this story has 3 different aspects, which later on become entwined in an excruciatingly beautiful way.
The characters were realistically penned and it wasn’t really difficult to connect with them. I adored the character of Park Ranger Katie. She was a headstrong woman and due to her, there were some really humorous situations in the book. It aided in diffusing the tension and keeping the readers engaged. I liked how there was an ‘underlying’ theme of teenage Romance. The fact that it was not so explicit that it took over the thriller aspect, is commendable.
In short, I would recommend this book for everyone who is looking to read an amazing thriller which is bound to give you the old-school vibes of The Secret Seven and Famous Five series.
“𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.”
Benjamin Bradley
The Stash is a sinuously penned thriller novel which blew my mind. It is the story of three kids - Cooper, Taylor and Cam who see something they weren’t meant to. Throw in a heist and hidden treasure in the mix and voila, you have got a very captivating coalescence of a wonderful YA Thriller.
The moment I started reading this novel, I was totally into it. Thriller novels, in the modern era and generally dominated by the NA genre. Reading this novel took me back to the times I used to lie in my bed reading books like Famous Five and The Secret Seven.
The cover of the book is vibrant and - considering the fact that the majority of the book takes place in a garden - is absolutely justified. The title is simple yet tailor-made for the book. I adored the storyline and the pace was also perfect. The chapter division was also phenomenal. After every chapter, I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen next. Basically, this story has 3 different aspects, which later on become entwined in an excruciatingly beautiful way.
The characters were realistically penned and it wasn’t really difficult to connect with them. I adored the character of Park Ranger Katie. She was a headstrong woman and due to her, there were some really humorous situations in the book. It aided in diffusing the tension and keeping the readers engaged. I liked how there was an ‘underlying’ theme of teenage Romance. The fact that it was not so explicit that it took over the thriller aspect, is commendable.
In short, I would recommend this book for everyone who is looking to read an amazing thriller which is bound to give you the old-school vibes of The Secret Seven and Famous Five series.
“𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.”
March 16, 2021
Fun story. Fun characters. Fun twists. All around fun. It reminded me of the trouble I used to get into as a kid, although these kids were better at getting out of it. Honestly, recommend for all ages. Thrilling, fast-paced adventure that is a real page turner!
March 25, 2021
I loved this book. It was a fun mystery thriller with so many twists that I didn’t see coming. Great for readers young and old! Definitely recommend!
May 7, 2021
I loved this book right up until the very end. The plot was fast-paced, read it in two days straight.
The three main characters - the kids - were amazingly developed. Lots of interesting twists and turns in the story.
What I liked most about this book is how it transferred me to the past when I was younger exploring and getting in trouble.
It also gave me the feeling in the beginning that I was about to read something out of R.L. Stine's world, but it was a bit more "innocent" than that, which I found amazing.
I've already purchased the next book from this author called "Welcome to Punkhorns" and I can't wait to dig in.
The three main characters - the kids - were amazingly developed. Lots of interesting twists and turns in the story.
What I liked most about this book is how it transferred me to the past when I was younger exploring and getting in trouble.
It also gave me the feeling in the beginning that I was about to read something out of R.L. Stine's world, but it was a bit more "innocent" than that, which I found amazing.
I've already purchased the next book from this author called "Welcome to Punkhorns" and I can't wait to dig in.
July 3, 2021
The Stash was a great read, the story telling really took me back to my youth spending time with friends exploring the woods and parks near my house (not nearly as many run-ins with the law of course). Reminded me of a modern day Goonies. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a fun read that will remind you of the innocent and adventurous nature of being young again.
March 23, 2022
I am a big fan of Benjamin Bradley’s books. They contain just enough spooky and mystery to keep me interested and on the edge, without making me scared so I cannot sleep! They also always have an element of fun. This novel is written a little differently from his others as the chapters alternate between three major characters: Detective Hook, Park Ranger Katie, and Cooper, a high school student.
Detective Hook was an outstanding detective until an escaped criminal killed his partner. Now he has a hard time focusing, generally feels run down and his mind is not as sharp as it once was. That is until another criminal escapes and suddenly he is on the ball working round the clock to find the guy.
Park Ranger Katie can not get over the death of her parents, so she isolates herself in the forest that she serves to protect, writing tickets to teens that are up to no good. Why does she keep seeing the same teen in the park carrying a shovel?
Cooper is best friends with Taylor and Cam. It might be better to call them the three stooges, given their propensity to get into trouble. The three are all about adventure and discovering the latest alien landing in the area or haunted house. Who knows what will happen if the three are brought home by the police one more time. And unfortunately for Cooper, he is trying to maintain some sanity in High School while managing his Mother’s care as he watches cancer ravage her body. How in the world is he going to get the money for more treatment or maybe a drug trial?
Bradley does a fabulous job of weaving the stories together while keeping the suspense going until the very end. Excellent storytelling, strong coming of age tale, and poignant in its dealing with losing a loved one. Do not miss this one!
Detective Hook was an outstanding detective until an escaped criminal killed his partner. Now he has a hard time focusing, generally feels run down and his mind is not as sharp as it once was. That is until another criminal escapes and suddenly he is on the ball working round the clock to find the guy.
Park Ranger Katie can not get over the death of her parents, so she isolates herself in the forest that she serves to protect, writing tickets to teens that are up to no good. Why does she keep seeing the same teen in the park carrying a shovel?
Cooper is best friends with Taylor and Cam. It might be better to call them the three stooges, given their propensity to get into trouble. The three are all about adventure and discovering the latest alien landing in the area or haunted house. Who knows what will happen if the three are brought home by the police one more time. And unfortunately for Cooper, he is trying to maintain some sanity in High School while managing his Mother’s care as he watches cancer ravage her body. How in the world is he going to get the money for more treatment or maybe a drug trial?
Bradley does a fabulous job of weaving the stories together while keeping the suspense going until the very end. Excellent storytelling, strong coming of age tale, and poignant in its dealing with losing a loved one. Do not miss this one!
December 24, 2021
The Stash is a delightful mystery by Benjamin Bradley. It is listed as a teen/YA mystery and given the age of three of the protagonists that makes sense. However, this book can also be enjoyed by readers long removed from that demographic.
Bradley chose to tell the story by cycling between three different POVs and this worked quite well. It allowed him to let each set of characters move through their own timelines at different speeds so that no one's arc seemed rushed or drawn out.
We follow Taylor, Cam, and Cooper three friends who are always ready for their next adventure. Then there is Katie a park ranger who works the job she loves at the Umstead State Park in North Carolina. Lastly there is Detective Arlo Hook, hot on the trail of bank robbers. All of their worlds eventually collide as they become involved in searching for The Stash.
Bradley weaves a fun story with a satisfying conclusion that contains more than one twist!
Bradley chose to tell the story by cycling between three different POVs and this worked quite well. It allowed him to let each set of characters move through their own timelines at different speeds so that no one's arc seemed rushed or drawn out.
We follow Taylor, Cam, and Cooper three friends who are always ready for their next adventure. Then there is Katie a park ranger who works the job she loves at the Umstead State Park in North Carolina. Lastly there is Detective Arlo Hook, hot on the trail of bank robbers. All of their worlds eventually collide as they become involved in searching for The Stash.
Bradley weaves a fun story with a satisfying conclusion that contains more than one twist!
September 16, 2021
If you’re looking for a fun story with a delightful nod to the Goonies and Stranger Things, The Stash will meet your expectations!
The Stash is a complex story with several lives and their backstories colliding in a surprising climax. It follows the stories of teen adventures, Taylor, Cooper, and Cam. I thought Bradley did a nice job of creating characters who are endearing and believable, complete with a line of faulty thinking born out of pure intentions. But that’s teens for you. They, along with their dialogue and interactions, met my expectations.
Secondary characters include Katie, a mid-twenty something park ranger with a traumatic past, and Detective Hook, a selective mute who is very good at their job.
Plot lines for all these characters were tied together, and the story ended in a mostly satisfying conclusion.
The Stash is a complex story with several lives and their backstories colliding in a surprising climax. It follows the stories of teen adventures, Taylor, Cooper, and Cam. I thought Bradley did a nice job of creating characters who are endearing and believable, complete with a line of faulty thinking born out of pure intentions. But that’s teens for you. They, along with their dialogue and interactions, met my expectations.
Secondary characters include Katie, a mid-twenty something park ranger with a traumatic past, and Detective Hook, a selective mute who is very good at their job.
Plot lines for all these characters were tied together, and the story ended in a mostly satisfying conclusion.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews