Book Talk: Harlan Coben, ‘Stay Close’

For most of the past 17 years, Megan Pierce has led the stereotypical suburban life: wife, mother, car-pool driver. She loves her husband Dave, and Dave loves her. But there’s something missing in her life. Perhaps the excitement, the every-night’s-a-party-night of her former secret past.

One day, she drives from her middle-class neighborhood to the seedy side of Atlantic City and enters Le Crème, the strip club where she once performed and gave lap dances. Although she sits in an inconspicuous seat away from busy part of the establishment, long-time bartender Lorraine recognizes her, despite her changed appearance and bearing.

This single incident touches off a mystery that will change not only her life, but the lives of others whom she once knew when her name was Cassie. And that includes her former lover Ray, a photojournalist whose life deteriorated when Cassie disappeared from Atlantic City. Now, he scrapes by as a phony paparazzo, working Bar Mitzvahs and other events where people want to be treated and photographed as if they were celebrities.