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Stone Barrington #21
Son of Stone
After an eventful trip to Bel-Air and a reunion with his sophisticated, and very wealthy former love Arrington Calder, Stone Barrington is back in New York. He's looking to stay closer to home and cash in on his new partnership at Woodman & Weld. He does seem to be slipping into a routine though - Dino, dinner at Elaine's and other great restaurants, unpredictable Herbie Fisher, Bill Eggers and difficult new clients, and a mystery or two of the feminine variety.
But Arrington has other plans for Stone...including introducing him to the child he fathered many years ago. Plus, there's even a bigger surprise or two for Stone and all of us.
Librarian's note: the characters, settings, etc. for the first 30 books in the series are complete: #1, New York Dead, 1991; #2, Dirt, 1996; #3, Dead in the Water, 1997; #4, Swimming to Catalina, 1998; #5, Worst Fears Realized, 1999; #6, L.A. Dead, 2000; #7, Cold Paradise, 2001; #8, The Short Forever, 2002; #9, Dirty Work, 2003; #10, Reckless Abandon, 2004; #11, Two Dollar Bill, 2004; #12. Dark Harbor, 2006; #13, Fresh Disasters, 2007; #14, Shoot Him if He Runs, 2007; #15, Hot Mahogany, 2008; #16, Loitering with Intent, 2009; #17, Kisser, 2009; #18, Lucid Intervals, 2010; #19, Strategic Moves, 2010; #20, Bel-Air Dead, 2011; #21, Son of Stone, 2011; #22, D.C. Dead, 2011; #23, Unnatural Acts, 2012; #24, Severe Clear, 2012; #25, Collateral Damage, 2012; #26, Unintended Consequences, 2013; #27, Doing Hard Time, 2013; #28, Standup Guy, 2014; #29, Carnal Curiosity, 2014, and #30, Cut & Thrust, 2014.
But Arrington has other plans for Stone...including introducing him to the child he fathered many years ago. Plus, there's even a bigger surprise or two for Stone and all of us.
Librarian's note: the characters, settings, etc. for the first 30 books in the series are complete: #1, New York Dead, 1991; #2, Dirt, 1996; #3, Dead in the Water, 1997; #4, Swimming to Catalina, 1998; #5, Worst Fears Realized, 1999; #6, L.A. Dead, 2000; #7, Cold Paradise, 2001; #8, The Short Forever, 2002; #9, Dirty Work, 2003; #10, Reckless Abandon, 2004; #11, Two Dollar Bill, 2004; #12. Dark Harbor, 2006; #13, Fresh Disasters, 2007; #14, Shoot Him if He Runs, 2007; #15, Hot Mahogany, 2008; #16, Loitering with Intent, 2009; #17, Kisser, 2009; #18, Lucid Intervals, 2010; #19, Strategic Moves, 2010; #20, Bel-Air Dead, 2011; #21, Son of Stone, 2011; #22, D.C. Dead, 2011; #23, Unnatural Acts, 2012; #24, Severe Clear, 2012; #25, Collateral Damage, 2012; #26, Unintended Consequences, 2013; #27, Doing Hard Time, 2013; #28, Standup Guy, 2014; #29, Carnal Curiosity, 2014, and #30, Cut & Thrust, 2014.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 20, 2011
1612 people are currently reading
1916 people want to read
About the author
Stuart Woods
413 books3,224 followersStuart Woods was an American novelist best known for Chiefs and his long-running Stone Barrington series. A Georgia native, he initially pursued a career in advertising before relocating to England and Ireland, where he developed a passion for sailing. His love for the sport led him to write his first published work, Blue Water, Green Skipper, about his experiences in a transatlantic yacht race.
His debut novel, Chiefs, was inspired by a family story about his grandfather, a police chief. The book, a gripping crime saga spanning several decades, won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel and was later adapted into a television miniseries. It launched Woods' career as a novelist, leading to a prolific output of thrillers.
Woods' most famous creation, Stone Barrington, is a former NYPD detective turned high-profile lawyer who navigates elite circles while solving crimes. The series became a bestseller and remained a staple of his career, often featuring crossover characters from his other books, such as CIA operative Holly Barker and defense lawyer Ed Eagle.
Beyond writing, Woods was an experienced pilot and yachtsman. He maintained homes in Florida, Maine, and New Mexico, where he lived with his wife and their Labrador, Fred. His literary career spanned decades, with dozens of bestsellers to his name.
His debut novel, Chiefs, was inspired by a family story about his grandfather, a police chief. The book, a gripping crime saga spanning several decades, won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel and was later adapted into a television miniseries. It launched Woods' career as a novelist, leading to a prolific output of thrillers.
Woods' most famous creation, Stone Barrington, is a former NYPD detective turned high-profile lawyer who navigates elite circles while solving crimes. The series became a bestseller and remained a staple of his career, often featuring crossover characters from his other books, such as CIA operative Holly Barker and defense lawyer Ed Eagle.
Beyond writing, Woods was an experienced pilot and yachtsman. He maintained homes in Florida, Maine, and New Mexico, where he lived with his wife and their Labrador, Fred. His literary career spanned decades, with dozens of bestsellers to his name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 583 reviews
September 17, 2018
Good series! Nice storyline and plot twist (paperback!)
March 13, 2012
OK, I think I may be officially done with Stuart Woods now. Once again (spoiler alert), he killed off another love interest of Stone's, but not before giving her ovarian cancer, an abusive ex lover and an illegitimate son. Nice. Seriously, this guy really seems to hate women and has a very hard time creating believable characters. The "son" (who turns out to be Stone's) is a genius, handsome, sweet, unspoiled by wealth or his movie-star upbringing, and seems not to notice or mind that his mom is not only loose, but kind of an idiot. In other words, like father like son, he's ridiculously perfect, and he agrees with every saccharine "life lesson" lecture Stone imparts. For some reason, the dialogue in this book struck me as more forced and affected than usual, but then again, the guy sells a lot of books, so who am I to say? I think good old Herbie Fisher is becoming my favorite character, but even he's on a path that's pointing to straight and narrow. (sigh) I will say the book held my interest enough to finish it, but it was definitely a let down, and when I was done, I was left wondering, "Well what the hell was that all about?" Whatever formula Woods is using needs a tune up. Even James Bond is more human than Stone Barrington. But let me tell you how I really feel...
March 2, 2012
What the hell happened to this series! Mr. Woods has some explaining to do.
This book was an emotional Sahara, nothing was real about it, the characters have become so phoney.....Stone, Dino what has he done to you!
I mean I know that Woods has built this series on Stone being the underdog always on the verge of the lifestyles of the rich and super rich. Now that Woods has got Stone into the super rich club, its all champaigne, caviar and some of the worst dialogue between characters it has been my displeasure to read. Please re-read the "talk" Peter has with Ben and the Stone and Peter discussions if you need to be reminded again.
Finally after reading book after book over the years about Stone and Arrington and their trials and tribulations, the love that could not be! Everything that has been built up between them, suddenly ends in a shotgun blast and Stone does what....oh whats that Stone becomes such a wuss! Back in the day (or three or four books ago) he would have grabbed a gun and hunted down her killer and made him pay. Or perhaps he could have used his tremendous new wealth to hunt the guy down or perhaps make a call to Eduardo Bianchi to help move the killer painfully into the afterlife, call in some Ex-Special Forces guys that Mike has at Strategic Services who I guess are just lying around that place and go all Black Ops on the killer and sort him out ala Bin Laden!! So much possible and yet nothing was done. For christ sake Stone used to have a pair of THUNDER PANTS!!
If Woods plans to start up a series focusing on Peter, Ben and Haddie, count me out! They, particularly the Peter Barrington character was so barf inducing that I could barely read it. Nobody likes someone who is perfect, it is the imperfections that make the charaters. This group of goodie, goodies would be so boring, particularly as Woods chose to castrate the Ben character, see the Peter/Ben we are going to make movies talk, as noted above! Haddie could have been interesting she did have an abortion in this book (don't get me started!), but now that she is with Peter well that is that there are on there way to perfect land!! Barf!
Please Woods, don't do this to Ed Eagle!!
This book was an emotional Sahara, nothing was real about it, the characters have become so phoney.....Stone, Dino what has he done to you!
I mean I know that Woods has built this series on Stone being the underdog always on the verge of the lifestyles of the rich and super rich. Now that Woods has got Stone into the super rich club, its all champaigne, caviar and some of the worst dialogue between characters it has been my displeasure to read. Please re-read the "talk" Peter has with Ben and the Stone and Peter discussions if you need to be reminded again.
Finally after reading book after book over the years about Stone and Arrington and their trials and tribulations, the love that could not be! Everything that has been built up between them, suddenly ends in a shotgun blast and Stone does what....oh whats that Stone becomes such a wuss! Back in the day (or three or four books ago) he would have grabbed a gun and hunted down her killer and made him pay. Or perhaps he could have used his tremendous new wealth to hunt the guy down or perhaps make a call to Eduardo Bianchi to help move the killer painfully into the afterlife, call in some Ex-Special Forces guys that Mike has at Strategic Services who I guess are just lying around that place and go all Black Ops on the killer and sort him out ala Bin Laden!! So much possible and yet nothing was done. For christ sake Stone used to have a pair of THUNDER PANTS!!
If Woods plans to start up a series focusing on Peter, Ben and Haddie, count me out! They, particularly the Peter Barrington character was so barf inducing that I could barely read it. Nobody likes someone who is perfect, it is the imperfections that make the charaters. This group of goodie, goodies would be so boring, particularly as Woods chose to castrate the Ben character, see the Peter/Ben we are going to make movies talk, as noted above! Haddie could have been interesting she did have an abortion in this book (don't get me started!), but now that she is with Peter well that is that there are on there way to perfect land!! Barf!
Please Woods, don't do this to Ed Eagle!!
May 21, 2012
Mild spoilers ahead.
Wow. I kept reading to the end, thinking there had to be more to the plot...but, no. The character development was nonexistent. Peter spoke the way a 50-year-old dad wishes his 16-year-old son would speak. He and Ben and Hattie were devoid of personality. When a character was killed, I felt no sorrow or sympathy. Actually, I thought she kind of deserved it for being so high-handed and arrogant with the killer.
What the heck was all that about changing Peter's birth certificate without batting an eye?! The reasons were so lame as to be ridiculous, and the ease with which it was accomplished? Oy! Why can Dino get time off work whenever he feels like running off to hang with the rich folks? Cops have to request their vacation time 15 months in advance and aren't guaranteed getting it off even then. Ugh. This is another series I am DONE with.
Wow. I kept reading to the end, thinking there had to be more to the plot...but, no. The character development was nonexistent. Peter spoke the way a 50-year-old dad wishes his 16-year-old son would speak. He and Ben and Hattie were devoid of personality. When a character was killed, I felt no sorrow or sympathy. Actually, I thought she kind of deserved it for being so high-handed and arrogant with the killer.
What the heck was all that about changing Peter's birth certificate without batting an eye?! The reasons were so lame as to be ridiculous, and the ease with which it was accomplished? Oy! Why can Dino get time off work whenever he feels like running off to hang with the rich folks? Cops have to request their vacation time 15 months in advance and aren't guaranteed getting it off even then. Ugh. This is another series I am DONE with.
October 22, 2025
4 Stars. Different yet interesting. Dare I say it? Yes - in part, it's a romance. Some GR readers seem to be reluctant to disclose the heart of the story, that Stone Barrington gets married. An exciting tid-bit, but that's far from the whole story - the entry eventually slips back into its main raison d'etre, a criminal thriller. Here he marries his first real love, Arrington Carter Calder - you'll remember her. While he awaited her arrival on a Caribbean island in #3, Dead in the Water, a storm delayed her flight from New York and her magazine interview of Hollywood legend Vance Carter ended with her running off to L.A. and marrying Vance. Nine months later, a son was born - Peter, now 15. Calder himself was murdered in #6, L. A. Dead, leaving Arrington extremely wealthy. The parentage of Peter becomes a media frenzy for reporter Kelli Keane and an old-time gossip columnist 'Prunie' Wheaton of the New York Post. The thriller? Arrington is building her dream home in Virginia with the assistance of local architect Timothy Rutledge. Is he after her money? Possibly, but he certainly doesn't like her marriage to Stone. It becomes an emotional rollercoaster. (Oc2023/Oc2025)
August 26, 2016
Totally emotionless. Three hundred pages of detached recitation on the life of the uber-wealthy and privileged. Murder, abortion and confrontation with an armed killer don't cause any of the characters to bat an eyelash, much less display an emotion or even have interesting dialog. It reads as though even the author was indifferent to his characters and what they were experiencing - as long a there was plenty of money and luxury to spread around. Yale admission, millions of dollars, yachts, cars, multiple homes, servants, business success, passing the bar - all are obtained without a shred of effort and received without a shred of enthusiasm. Even the teenagers in this book are docile, polite and dispassionate.
I have enjoyed Mr. Woods' previous books, but perhaps he's become too complacent with his own characters. I gets two stars ("it was ok") rather than one ("didn't like it") out of respect for earlier works and because I can't work up enough emotion about it to dislike it. It's just - there.
I have enjoyed Mr. Woods' previous books, but perhaps he's become too complacent with his own characters. I gets two stars ("it was ok") rather than one ("didn't like it") out of respect for earlier works and because I can't work up enough emotion about it to dislike it. It's just - there.
June 2, 2012
This is the last book of this series that I am reading. I am done with Stuart Woods. I could tell exactly what was going to happen in the last book (which was awful)
SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!
All he does is kill off people to get his main character money. He has killed off so many of Stone's love interests that I cannot even count and Stone doesn't even act upset. the previous book in this series was nothing but setting up his long term on again off again mother of his childs finances, so when he killed her off in this book, Stone would be rich.
The whole book was ridiculous. He needed the son to be 18 so why didn't he just set the book two years in the future instead of illegally making the kid 18. The kid didn't seem to have any problem with anything that happened to him or his mother.
Stuart Woods must just hate women the way he kills them off and if he wants Stone to be so rich, why doesn't he earn some of it instead of just inheriting it from characters that are killed off.
Just done.
SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!
All he does is kill off people to get his main character money. He has killed off so many of Stone's love interests that I cannot even count and Stone doesn't even act upset. the previous book in this series was nothing but setting up his long term on again off again mother of his childs finances, so when he killed her off in this book, Stone would be rich.
The whole book was ridiculous. He needed the son to be 18 so why didn't he just set the book two years in the future instead of illegally making the kid 18. The kid didn't seem to have any problem with anything that happened to him or his mother.
Stuart Woods must just hate women the way he kills them off and if he wants Stone to be so rich, why doesn't he earn some of it instead of just inheriting it from characters that are killed off.
Just done.
May 16, 2012
This was another book that was left at our beach condo. I read some Stuart Woods books about 20 years ago, particularly the Stone Barrington series, and recall liking them well enough. I guess I was in a very different place then because there was very little to recommend in this book.
The characters are wooden and undeveloped, the dialogue is stiff, and the plot is basically non-existent. I kept waiting for something to happen and when it did, it was dry and passionless. This was primarily a story about incredibly wealthy people leading an unbelievable life, spending money in ridiculous ways and getting everything they want - all done with no emotion. I'm sorry, Stuart Woods, if this is bestseller material, I should be as wealthy as Arrington.
The characters are wooden and undeveloped, the dialogue is stiff, and the plot is basically non-existent. I kept waiting for something to happen and when it did, it was dry and passionless. This was primarily a story about incredibly wealthy people leading an unbelievable life, spending money in ridiculous ways and getting everything they want - all done with no emotion. I'm sorry, Stuart Woods, if this is bestseller material, I should be as wealthy as Arrington.
May 10, 2016
WTH did I just waste my time reading? I am glad I checked this book out from the library as oppose to purchasing this book.. This book was pure transition which could have been told with a better storyline. This storyline started way to late, I knew Rutledge was a wierd stalker type when Barrington made the first call.. It tooks Woods well over half the book to get to the interesting action of the book.. Also, that part of the story was lame.. Most of the book was how great Peter (Son of Stone)is, how accepting his is, he has a genious I.Q of 161, and he will be a billionaire by 35 (his mother's trust).. He is such a great kid, I learned to dislike him..
October 27, 2011
I've never been a fan of Stone Barrington. I find him arrogant and grow tired of his sexual conquests. With this book I've realized the basic reason I don't like him--- he's non emotional.
Stone has always lived like a king when he really didn't have the money. His secretary has always fought the creditors off until Stone could make a great fee as a lawyer or inherit something [house in Maine, townhome in NYC, etc...]. In the last book, he partnered up for a great deal of money with a law firm and in this book less than a month after marrying Arrington she is murdered and he inherits almost a billion dollars!! And his son inherits more.
Life comes easy to Stone. His newly acquainted 16 yr. old son finds out Stone is his real father instead of Vance Caulder the deceased actor. He would like to change his name and age. Stone makes a phone call from NYC and birth records are sealed in California and a new one issued with his new name AND age. Give me a break!!! Oh yes, the son would like to attend Yale so of course with a couple of calls that is taken care of not only for him but also his friend! His whole life is like that- taken care of with a phone call. I think even Bill Gates would have more difficulty getting things done than Stone.
His son is a replica of Stone. After finding Arrington shot and dying, Stone holds her head while she takes her last breath then covers her with a sheet and manages to calmly take care of business. Their son sits on the couch with his gal. If there were tears or sobbing the book didn't mention it. Oh yes, when the butler announced lunch for the guests and the police investigating about an hour later, Stone wasn't ready to eat. I guess that showed some emotion!
By the end of the book I actually found myself rooting for the killer that he would manage to kill Stone!!!
Stone has always lived like a king when he really didn't have the money. His secretary has always fought the creditors off until Stone could make a great fee as a lawyer or inherit something [house in Maine, townhome in NYC, etc...]. In the last book, he partnered up for a great deal of money with a law firm and in this book less than a month after marrying Arrington she is murdered and he inherits almost a billion dollars!! And his son inherits more.
Life comes easy to Stone. His newly acquainted 16 yr. old son finds out Stone is his real father instead of Vance Caulder the deceased actor. He would like to change his name and age. Stone makes a phone call from NYC and birth records are sealed in California and a new one issued with his new name AND age. Give me a break!!! Oh yes, the son would like to attend Yale so of course with a couple of calls that is taken care of not only for him but also his friend! His whole life is like that- taken care of with a phone call. I think even Bill Gates would have more difficulty getting things done than Stone.
His son is a replica of Stone. After finding Arrington shot and dying, Stone holds her head while she takes her last breath then covers her with a sheet and manages to calmly take care of business. Their son sits on the couch with his gal. If there were tears or sobbing the book didn't mention it. Oh yes, when the butler announced lunch for the guests and the police investigating about an hour later, Stone wasn't ready to eat. I guess that showed some emotion!
By the end of the book I actually found myself rooting for the killer that he would manage to kill Stone!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2011
I have to say that this is the first stone barrington book that I did not like. To me the pompous of the rich was just too much, I grew tired of the perfection that Peter displayed and the constant foreshadowing that Arrington would not make it through the book. The father role that Stone took on seemed so easy and almost surreal. There was a point where I thought (and partially hoped) that the series was over....
October 16, 2011
really?? I stopped reading this book (which kills me since I never do that) as it was not entertaining, believable or well anything. The characters did not react with anything resembling human emotions. Starting with a teenage boy who finds out his parents have lied to him his whole life and well just seems meh about it and the book goes down hill from there..... obviously the author has no children.......to bad I looked forward to reading this one I usually enjoy the barrington series
October 17, 2011
What a disappointment and waste of time! I usually enjoy all of Stuart Woods' books. They're not great literature but they're usually fun and entertaining. The last few have been a little one-dimensional but this one was very flat. It was just a very static book - no dimension to the characters, plot lines that lead nowhere, boring and unbelievable teens.I'm just glad I didn't pay money for the book!
January 24, 2012
I finished it because I was out of bedtime reading material. No literary merit. Woods is riding on the popularity of previous novels and putting little effort into his work. Just making money, I'd guess. The premise of the novel seems to be "This is how rich, privileged people behave, network, and make even more money."
October 7, 2011
Stone Barrington's son rolls right onto the pages of this fast-paced book.
Stone's son Peter has been discussed plenty in the past but never introduced until now. His son is very smart, clever and a genius. As a matter of fact, he seems a bit too perfect because everything Stone and Peter do throughout this book is nearly always the exact right thing to do.
There are some very interesting moments in this book that I will not speak of but the lack of emotion and odd actions some people take did not sit well with me. I only say this because I've come to really love all the characters in the Stone series and was surprised how some situations were handled.
If you are a Stone Barrington fan then this is clearly a must-read but do not get your hopes up too high.
If you have never listened to the series, this might actually be a good starting point because while there are characters and history you won't know, the introduction of Peter seems to be something of a new beginning for the series.
For Audible listeners, we still get to enjoy Tony Roberts still turning out great voices for all the characters.
-Bill
Stone's son Peter has been discussed plenty in the past but never introduced until now. His son is very smart, clever and a genius. As a matter of fact, he seems a bit too perfect because everything Stone and Peter do throughout this book is nearly always the exact right thing to do.
There are some very interesting moments in this book that I will not speak of but the lack of emotion and odd actions some people take did not sit well with me. I only say this because I've come to really love all the characters in the Stone series and was surprised how some situations were handled.
If you are a Stone Barrington fan then this is clearly a must-read but do not get your hopes up too high.
If you have never listened to the series, this might actually be a good starting point because while there are characters and history you won't know, the introduction of Peter seems to be something of a new beginning for the series.
For Audible listeners, we still get to enjoy Tony Roberts still turning out great voices for all the characters.
-Bill
November 17, 2012
Thank goodness they get a little better after this turkey.I had read other negative reviews before reading this, I picked this one up at the library, yup pretty bad. Mr. woods must have been in fantacy land when he wrote this one. stone and his son Peter become rich with everything they do. and every thing just falls in place, all the time.Even Stones new Wife getting killed by a shotgun blast, ends up making stone and his son almost a billionare. Arrington is barley cold in the ground and
Stone is already planning on what to keep and what to sell. and has interested buyers lined up also. Simply put this book does not relate real life at all.
Stone is already planning on what to keep and what to sell. and has interested buyers lined up also. Simply put this book does not relate real life at all.
November 20, 2018
A good book for this series. Stone's nearly adult son comes to live with his dad after his step-father's death and he decides to go to a New York school. He embarks on a campaign to refresh his identify to align himself more with his real father and the career he has planned. He becomes friends with Dino's son, Ben, and starts planning both their futures. He is, of course, prolific.
I think this is the one in which Arrington dies. I read two or three at one time, all around the same time setting. As with the punchline in most of Woods' books, the death is not much of a shocker, but I'll refrain from sharing that here.
Enjoy!
I think this is the one in which Arrington dies. I read two or three at one time, all around the same time setting. As with the punchline in most of Woods' books, the death is not much of a shocker, but I'll refrain from sharing that here.
Enjoy!
November 17, 2024
Very bittersweet book. Stone gets a wife and a son but only one of those things is true by book’s end.
Peter is a likeable addition. He’s bright and has a very optimistic future. Ben, Dino’s son becomes his best friend. Peter even develops a love interest, Hattie.
Stone is destined to never truly be happy with one woman. It’s sad that he couldn’t at least have once book of monogamy. 🙄🙄 if Stuart Woods wasn’t already dead I’d wish death on him for the way her treated the Arrington character. Ugh.
The story was executed well but the outcome unbelievably sad.
Peter is a likeable addition. He’s bright and has a very optimistic future. Ben, Dino’s son becomes his best friend. Peter even develops a love interest, Hattie.
Stone is destined to never truly be happy with one woman. It’s sad that he couldn’t at least have once book of monogamy. 🙄🙄 if Stuart Woods wasn’t already dead I’d wish death on him for the way her treated the Arrington character. Ugh.
The story was executed well but the outcome unbelievably sad.
October 3, 2011
not a 'good read' at all; a total disappointment after reading all the Stone Barrington novels!!!
January 20, 2012
Stone Barrington has finally become a partner in his prestigious NYC law firm. He is comfortable and happy with his life in the city. Stone has stayed friends with his long ago girlfriend, Arrington Calder. Arrington had been married to actor Vance Calder, who is now deceased. As a result of her marriage, she is a very wealthy woman. Arrington had become involved with the architect who is building her new home in VA. Since she is in the process of breaking up with Tim Rutledge, she decides that this would be a perfect time to spend Christmas in NYC with Stone. A doctor's appointment delays her ability to leave VA. but she sends her son Peter on ahead to stay with Stone. Arrington has a few surprises up her sleeve for Stone and his life is about to go in places that his best friends would never have believed would happen.
I enjoy Stone Barrington novels because they are very readable and packed with action. This one was a little disappointing. Although I liked catching up with Stone's life, I was three quarters of the way through the book before there was any action. The book was not up to the typical standards of Woods' books.
I enjoy Stone Barrington novels because they are very readable and packed with action. This one was a little disappointing. Although I liked catching up with Stone's life, I was three quarters of the way through the book before there was any action. The book was not up to the typical standards of Woods' books.
October 2, 2011
And now for something completely different. Here, in his 21th outing of the Stone Barrington series, Stuart Woods throws us something from left field. His character has become a thoughtful monogamist with strong parenting skills without a mystery to detect.
I’ve always liked the few demands that Stuart Woods imposes on his readers. Vision and pulse.
In this outing, Woods nearly upped the ante by going for critical thinking. By surrounding his main character with so much that is familiar to his most rabid (er … breathing) fans, he allows the trite and well worn to blanket the new in such a way that we can convince ourselves that it isn’t new. The evolution of a character that appeared in 20 other encounters as incapable of change seems apt. Almost foreshadowed.
Nah. This is Woods’ “Who shot JR?” We’ll get back to less demanding stuff in # 22.
I’ve always liked the few demands that Stuart Woods imposes on his readers. Vision and pulse.
In this outing, Woods nearly upped the ante by going for critical thinking. By surrounding his main character with so much that is familiar to his most rabid (er … breathing) fans, he allows the trite and well worn to blanket the new in such a way that we can convince ourselves that it isn’t new. The evolution of a character that appeared in 20 other encounters as incapable of change seems apt. Almost foreshadowed.
Nah. This is Woods’ “Who shot JR?” We’ll get back to less demanding stuff in # 22.
May 8, 2017
Arrington and Stone finally get married and Peter, Arrington’s son, confronts Stone on his parentage. There is a murder of one of the main characters and the person who they thought murdered the character didn’t. The fun is learning who did and why.
Son of Stone is better enjoyed through reading the paper copy. If you’re a fan of the Stone Barrington series and prefer the audio version, somehow you can enjoy the story while tolerating the awful narration.
October 27, 2022
I was not prepared for the twist that came in this book. It was gut-wrenching to me. I can't lie - these books are mindless brain candy. They're not even really all that good. And the dialogue is just painful to read at times - no one talks the way these characters do. But I actually really liked this installment. I'm curious to see where Stone goes next now that his life has been completely changed.
September 5, 2019
I found this one of the better ones, not as much sex and lots of activity and a slight indication on what to expect in the future. You would need to read the prior ones to get a good feeling of what happened. In fact, this one goes back to the beginning in some instances. Happy Trails.
February 6, 2013
One death too many nearly ruins this otherwise outstanding novel that is much better than Bel-Air Dead. It should have been a 10 star instead of only 9 of 10 stars.
September 19, 2024
Sept 2024 possibly my favorite Stone story.
Nov 2023 back to *****. Probably my favorite Stone story. Tears , laughter , pathos, drama, young love, murder, and of course- revenge.
Sept 2021. Somehow my ***** lost one *. I have returned it to its rightful position.
PS of 2011. ..... and with all the plot frustrations, there is a happy final spin.
August 2019 I just increased my rating to *****. One of my favorite stories.
April 2017 ditto
6-22-2015 still like it
1-1-13 re-read ditto but I still enjoyed it.
7-30-2013 re-read. ditto what I wrote two years ago. Plus, FARFECTCHED but engrossing.
10-1-2011 The book jacket is date stamped 9-02-11 and I finished it in October 2011. The hold system is great. It is easy to become comfortable with the characters that keep re-apprearing.
It seems like the players are , periodically, killed/eliminated for a change of pace. A funny side note is the mentioning and inclusion of wealth and extreme wealth. of how easy it is to live when millions are at one's disposal. talk about escape... these stories are escape woven in escape. the new and young characters are wonderful, again what parents dream of as the perfect offspring.... studious, wise, handsome/;beautiful, articulate, talented and, for good measure - independently wealthy. It feels like the Stone B stories are finally winding down.
ps thank God for Joan.
New entry August 9/2022
Still a fav except for the architect.
Nov 2023 back to *****. Probably my favorite Stone story. Tears , laughter , pathos, drama, young love, murder, and of course- revenge.
Sept 2021. Somehow my ***** lost one *. I have returned it to its rightful position.
PS of 2011. ..... and with all the plot frustrations, there is a happy final spin.
August 2019 I just increased my rating to *****. One of my favorite stories.
April 2017 ditto
6-22-2015 still like it
1-1-13 re-read ditto but I still enjoyed it.
7-30-2013 re-read. ditto what I wrote two years ago. Plus, FARFECTCHED but engrossing.
10-1-2011 The book jacket is date stamped 9-02-11 and I finished it in October 2011. The hold system is great. It is easy to become comfortable with the characters that keep re-apprearing.
It seems like the players are , periodically, killed/eliminated for a change of pace. A funny side note is the mentioning and inclusion of wealth and extreme wealth. of how easy it is to live when millions are at one's disposal. talk about escape... these stories are escape woven in escape. the new and young characters are wonderful, again what parents dream of as the perfect offspring.... studious, wise, handsome/;beautiful, articulate, talented and, for good measure - independently wealthy. It feels like the Stone B stories are finally winding down.
ps thank God for Joan.
New entry August 9/2022
Still a fav except for the architect.
January 9, 2012
This book is like a visit from old friend. Not much to say and not exactly edge of your seat exciting, but comforting and enjoyable in it's own way.
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This seems to be a transitional book in the Barrington series, dumping off Arrington and introducing Peter, Hattie and Ben. The departure of Arrington has been telegraphed for awhile now, but the murder of her was a slight twist since I was certain cancer the was thing that would get her in the end. Her character had reached that point if this was Lost, that it was time for the Island to kill her off.
Having Stone married - even for a short time was an interesting experiment, but Woods couldn't carry that for too long without his trademark sexcapades.
The character of Peter needs some work as he is a bit too predictable and boring. Maybe Ben will be the catalyst to bring some trouble into the picture to make things interesting.
And what happened to Herbie Fisher? He used to be a bumbling buffoon. Now he's as smart and sucessful as Stone. Give me the old Herbie back so we'll have that comedic foil again.
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This seems to be a transitional book in the Barrington series, dumping off Arrington and introducing Peter, Hattie and Ben. The departure of Arrington has been telegraphed for awhile now, but the murder of her was a slight twist since I was certain cancer the was thing that would get her in the end. Her character had reached that point if this was Lost, that it was time for the Island to kill her off.
Having Stone married - even for a short time was an interesting experiment, but Woods couldn't carry that for too long without his trademark sexcapades.
The character of Peter needs some work as he is a bit too predictable and boring. Maybe Ben will be the catalyst to bring some trouble into the picture to make things interesting.
And what happened to Herbie Fisher? He used to be a bumbling buffoon. Now he's as smart and sucessful as Stone. Give me the old Herbie back so we'll have that comedic foil again.
February 24, 2012
I do enjoy Stuart Woods books, yet Son of Stone didn't do it for me. It revolves around Stone Barrington and his longtime lover's Arrington's son Peter. There is really no mystery in the story, it is the evolving relationship between father and son. Which is good, but is problematic in some ways of how Woods portrays this. First off, he is sixteen, yet they manipulate his birth certificate illegally, so he can attend film school. Strangely, he is so good that he sells a script (that he first writes) to Centurion Studios and has directed a independent film that makes the Cannes Film Festival. Then he starts a relationship with a young 18 year old composer, who is pregnant, has an abortion, and then they both do the dirty deed, which could be statutory rape. Much of the old Stone is missing here, and it does the series a disservice.
November 10, 2011
This was a very disappointing book. I really enjoy the Stone Barrington books with all their pompus and absurd plot lines but this had some side stories that just did not contribute to the story. I hope this was just a transitional book to introduce a new cast of characters - Peter, Stone and Haddie-and maybe some of the unnecessary side stories were to set up these next story lines.
I liked the stone who had to occasionally struggle and with his new found fortune......that won't be happening!
Love to listen to Tony Roberts, he would receive a 5 for his reading, just wish he had a better story to read!
I liked the stone who had to occasionally struggle and with his new found fortune......that won't be happening!
Love to listen to Tony Roberts, he would receive a 5 for his reading, just wish he had a better story to read!
October 14, 2015
What happened?? I recall enjoying the Stone Barrington novels. I confess I haven't read one in a long time, but how could it go so wrong?!? Everyone is so smart and so rich. Money peels off the characters. Gosh, two planes. Which should we keep? Maybe we should sell one. Your kid's bedroom is too small? Let's give him the suite upstairs. Oh, we need more furniture? No problem. We'll call the best carpenter to build whatever you want to your design specifications. It's not easy finding ways to spend all this money. The only intrigue comes late in the story and is predictable. Can't wait to get rid of this book. Read it only if you have nothing better to do with your time.
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