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Stone Barrington #5
Worst Fears Realized
He's not a man to dwell on the past, but Stone Barrington has no choice but to rattle old skeletons when people close to him start dying and he has little to go on but the suspicion that the killer may be someone he once knew. The trip down memory lane isn't all bad though, for it reunites Stone with his ex-partner, Dino Bacchetti—now head of detectives in the nineteenth precinct.
Trying to find a brilliant killer in a sea of old faces is difficult enough without Stone's former love, Arrington, now Mrs. Vance Calder, resurfacing too—especially when she sets off her own fireworks by coming nose to nose with his latest flame, a Mafia princess named Dolce, as beautiful as she is dangerous.
Caught on a thrill ride of a case that tests him as none has done before, Stone races to find a twisted madman with a taste for blood vengeance. Can he find him before his worst fears are realized?
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.
Trying to find a brilliant killer in a sea of old faces is difficult enough without Stone's former love, Arrington, now Mrs. Vance Calder, resurfacing too—especially when she sets off her own fireworks by coming nose to nose with his latest flame, a Mafia princess named Dolce, as beautiful as she is dangerous.
Caught on a thrill ride of a case that tests him as none has done before, Stone races to find a twisted madman with a taste for blood vengeance. Can he find him before his worst fears are realized?
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.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
1822 people are currently reading
1945 people want to read
About the author
Stuart Woods
408 books3,221 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 334 reviews
October 18, 2025
5 Stars. If you want to read one Stone Barrington novel to experience the series, to see if it's for you, this one should be considered. Another is Dirty Work which came out in 2003 - it's #9. I've always thought that the best entries in most series are among the first ten or so. The author has found his or her footing yet true originality is still achievable. Staleness may not have set in. It's all here. From a thrilling criminal conspiracy concocted by a lunatic to an intriguing secondary issue, oodles of humour, interesting characters, a dab or two of legal doings, Barrington's enduring friendship with Detective Dino Bacchetti, and last but not least, Stone's attraction to the most interesting and beautiful women in New York! Let's see; there's the recent release from prison of Herbert Mitteldorfer who is out for revenge on Stone and Dino who put him there, an undercurrent of illegal doings at the D.A.'s office, a refined senior mob player who happens to be Dino's father-in-law, the possible return of the love-of-Stone's-life, Arrington Calder, and two lovely women, one of whom is the mob guy's daughter Dolce Bianchi. Dare I say 6 Stars? (Fe2022/Oc2025)
May 23, 2015
really good writing
October 8, 2013
Please note: I read this book in 2006 from a copy I purchased for myself.
My Reading Experience: I read this book in an afternoon - about 4 hours. I literally could not stop turning the pages. This was an absolutely riveting chapter in Stone Barrington's life; suspenseful, horrifying and at the same time it sets up a lot of the ground floor for his future as well (the house in CT, his car, etc.). My only complaint (and boy is it a doozy) is that for some strange reason between the end of the last book (Swimming to Catalina) and the beginning of this book, Stuart Woods apparently got a bug up his butt and decided to change the gender of Vance and Arrington's child for some reason - at the end of the previous book, Arrington called Stone and said she had just had a baby girl, and suddenly in this book, they have a boy. It annoys me when a writer changes continuity like that for no reason.
My Synopsis: At any rate, when the book opens, Stone is pining for Arrington and Dino is trying to cheer him up by taking him to a party, where he meets a lovely young woman, who takes him to her place - and they order Chinese food. Unfortunately, the Chinese place cannot deliver, so he must go pick up the food. When he returns, he finds her dead, her throat slit wide open. Things spiral down from there as people first he knows, then Dino knows, are murdered or attacked. Stone and Dino find themselves racing against the clock to try to figure out who is behind this before the next killing - or before Stone himself is fingered for the first murder.
My Thoughts: Although the killer (for most of the murders) becomes quite obvious about half-way through the book, it still remains taut as they try to catch him and still remain out of his reach, and there still remains the matter of the first murder and who did that. This is a pleasing work from a great writer. I look forward to the next installment - LA Dead.
My Reading Experience: I read this book in an afternoon - about 4 hours. I literally could not stop turning the pages. This was an absolutely riveting chapter in Stone Barrington's life; suspenseful, horrifying and at the same time it sets up a lot of the ground floor for his future as well (the house in CT, his car, etc.). My only complaint (and boy is it a doozy) is that for some strange reason between the end of the last book (Swimming to Catalina) and the beginning of this book, Stuart Woods apparently got a bug up his butt and decided to change the gender of Vance and Arrington's child for some reason - at the end of the previous book, Arrington called Stone and said she had just had a baby girl, and suddenly in this book, they have a boy. It annoys me when a writer changes continuity like that for no reason.
My Synopsis: At any rate, when the book opens, Stone is pining for Arrington and Dino is trying to cheer him up by taking him to a party, where he meets a lovely young woman, who takes him to her place - and they order Chinese food. Unfortunately, the Chinese place cannot deliver, so he must go pick up the food. When he returns, he finds her dead, her throat slit wide open. Things spiral down from there as people first he knows, then Dino knows, are murdered or attacked. Stone and Dino find themselves racing against the clock to try to figure out who is behind this before the next killing - or before Stone himself is fingered for the first murder.
My Thoughts: Although the killer (for most of the murders) becomes quite obvious about half-way through the book, it still remains taut as they try to catch him and still remain out of his reach, and there still remains the matter of the first murder and who did that. This is a pleasing work from a great writer. I look forward to the next installment - LA Dead.
October 14, 2022
I think I liked this one the best so far.
February 10, 2021
This is a typical Stone Barrington novel. These novels are dated and they tend to suffer a little bit from that. Stone tends to fall into bed with which ever woman comes along (and in some books that is up to three women) and it gets tiresome. Other than that the novel is quite good. The mystery is solid and the twist and turns are really great.
If you can deal with Stone bedroom antics this is a great series.
If you can deal with Stone bedroom antics this is a great series.
September 13, 2014
Stone Barrington lives a life we all want! He is a handsome cop-turned-lawyer, very good suspense in this novel is erratic. You find yourself hooked Woods has all the right ingredients: sex, murder, etc. They just weren't mixed together well to create a great novel. Makes a great summer read.
February 19, 2022
Worst Fears Realized by Stuart Woods is book 5 in the Stone Barrington Mystery series. After picking up and going home with a prosecuter from a party, she is killed when ex policeman and now lawyer, Stone Barrington goes out to collect Chinese takeaway and soon others around him are also getting killed. An action packed thriller with plenty of excitement. The only complaint is all the women falling over themselves to sleep with him. Very James Bond like, even in now having acquired a car with extra armoury. Very entertaing.
March 2, 2017
Light and fun mystery. Strangely, "the baby" in this book is a boy and not a girl as was in previous book.
December 5, 2022
This is one of my favorite Stone Barrington books so far. 👌
Read
January 22, 2021June 2020 Pandemic. Love it!!
July 2019. Ditto my prior comments. Many of the minor characters are real jerks which does not make for a pleasant read throughout.
May 2017 For Stone Barrington fans, book #5 is key to many of the resident characters in the series and a "must read" for Stone fans. The Mitteldorfer finale seemed way too brief and actually abrupt.
Nevertheless, a "must read".
3-19-2015 re-listened to book on tape. Powerful story.
11-1-2013 book on tape I thought I had already read this book years ago but, there is not Goodreads listing from me. Another page turner. I liked the characters. I liked the Eduardo characterization and the Dolce characterization.
July 2019. Ditto my prior comments. Many of the minor characters are real jerks which does not make for a pleasant read throughout.
May 2017 For Stone Barrington fans, book #5 is key to many of the resident characters in the series and a "must read" for Stone fans. The Mitteldorfer finale seemed way too brief and actually abrupt.
Nevertheless, a "must read".
3-19-2015 re-listened to book on tape. Powerful story.
11-1-2013 book on tape I thought I had already read this book years ago but, there is not Goodreads listing from me. Another page turner. I liked the characters. I liked the Eduardo characterization and the Dolce characterization.
May 17, 2022
This was an earlier book about Stone Barrington and I have read mostly newer so, it was interesting to see Stone at a different point in his life where he didn't have the jet or houses in other countries etc. The plot for this book was good and it captured me and pulled me in. I like the narrator who does most of the Barrington books but I can see how his characters become more finessed in the later books. This one was rougher sounding for characters like Dino and showed me how his characters have changed (and I do mean changed). For instance, people in his life were killed off and I never knew them until this book. All in all, good read.
August 16, 2019
Stone has to have the best life ever.
He has plenty of money and he knows all kinds
of important people.
Never has a problem getting women and everything
always works out for him.
What's not to like?
He has plenty of money and he knows all kinds
of important people.
Never has a problem getting women and everything
always works out for him.
What's not to like?
November 22, 2020
Well, I gotta admit; this series is entertaining if nothing else. Too bad Stone Barrington is such a big whore. If it were not for that, the book would be more entertaining. As it is, you get used to his lame lines and expect him to crawl under the covers with anyone that will allow it. Then the sex scenes begin to be more predictable, and even less part of the story, just something to get you on the the heart of the matter.
April 2, 2016
One thing I like about Stuart Woods is that in his books he does not relive the past ...you either have read his previous books or you have not. Don't spent a half book reliving what the reader should have picked up on.
August 14, 2024
A revolving door of women in this one. Basically a day in the life of Stone Barrington. First the lawyer DA, then the English rose, then the one that got away and then the Mafia Princess. Hmmmm 🤔🤔🤔
And in the midst of all of that chaos someone is trying to kill Stone and everyone he’s close too.
It’s a bit of an asinine plot and you never really find out what this guy’s motivation was. Meh.
Everyone gets what they deserve and honestly that’s the most important thing. Who cares about plot holes 🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️
And in the midst of all of that chaos someone is trying to kill Stone and everyone he’s close too.
It’s a bit of an asinine plot and you never really find out what this guy’s motivation was. Meh.
Everyone gets what they deserve and honestly that’s the most important thing. Who cares about plot holes 🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️
November 12, 2018
After reading several technical books, I wanted something lighter and turned to my favorite popcorn writer. This is the fifth novel in the Stone Barrington series. Among the worst fears of a homicide cop is that someone they have put away will come back to haunt them. An assistant ADA is murdered hours after meeting Stone. His secretary and a neighbor are the next victims. Slowly Stone and Dino realize who the perpetrator is and track him down. We meet some people who are important in later books and Stone buys the first of his houses outside the city. A good, fast read.
August 12, 2013
Am enjoying reading the series. Always a pretty good story, hard to put down. I find his relationships with women pretty depressing, but I can see why they would be every man's fantasy.
Was confused by his changing Arrington's baby from a girl in one book to a boy in this one. It's hard to believe it was just overlooked, but don't see why it would be necessary. Maybe future books will shed some light?
Was confused by his changing Arrington's baby from a girl in one book to a boy in this one. It's hard to believe it was just overlooked, but don't see why it would be necessary. Maybe future books will shed some light?
August 31, 2020
As always great fun and suspense. I’ve read many of the books above this one so some of the constant love theme I know the outcome. So many of the women in Stone’s lives are getting killed and them Dino’s wife has a near death experience! So this killer is going right at these two men. Who have they put away that is bitter?
September 6, 2019
My favorite one out of the 5 that I've read so far. The action is almost nonstop, and poor Stone, who just has that weird streak of "luck" when it comes to women. I loved the verbal jousting with Papa Bianchi and am curious to see where that relationship goes.
January 3, 2012
A quick, entertaining read.
July 2, 2023
It took me a while to get through this book… In parts, it dragged on with what felt like filler material. It was too much of a “cat and mouse”. What kept me interested was truly Stone’s love life in this book! Not my favorite of the series, but am excited about the cliff hanger in regards to Stone’s relationship.
October 9, 2025
Great plot twist .kept me on the edge of my seat.
August 13, 2016
Good grief. Stone Barrington, former cop now a lawyer has beautiful women throwing themselves at him. And he's so stupid he'll buy a fancy car, a house, expensive furnishings, etc. based on someone he's spent a few days with. Oh, but he is faithful. Fortunately, the women either die or move away after a few days so he can move onto the next one without any guilt. Oh, and he won one big law case and so has the money to buy things like a house and car and pay for regular meals at Elaine's or rooms at the fanciest hotels with cash.
His best friend Dino, Stone's former partner on the police force, lets Stone work all the crime scenes with him. People die very quickly around Stone and the whole serial murder case unfolds and is solved in a matter of days! Stone is a suspect in the first murder, but don't worry, it doesn't slow him down even a little and all sorts of great dirt on the prosecutor will turn up in time to clear Stone.
A totally unrealistic mystery. And the writing is nothing to brag about. But, the story was just interesting enough that I finished the book. But, I won't be reading more books by Stuart Woods.
His best friend Dino, Stone's former partner on the police force, lets Stone work all the crime scenes with him. People die very quickly around Stone and the whole serial murder case unfolds and is solved in a matter of days! Stone is a suspect in the first murder, but don't worry, it doesn't slow him down even a little and all sorts of great dirt on the prosecutor will turn up in time to clear Stone.
A totally unrealistic mystery. And the writing is nothing to brag about. But, the story was just interesting enough that I finished the book. But, I won't be reading more books by Stuart Woods.
September 30, 2014
Geez, this somehow turned into a goopy erotica novel where the mystery is secondary. Stone Barrington is literally a chick magnet. No, I mean “literally.” Chicks come flying out of the woodwork to bang him. When Stone gets tired of one woman, he pretends they are going on a trip to England. He buys tickets for two, takes her all the way to the airplane gate, then abandons her when they are getting ready to board. (BTW, I don’t think an airline employee would watch Stone’s bags for him in today’s security environment. But, the gate attendant WAS a woman; she probably thought she could jump his bones if she watched his bags.) By the next chapter, Stone is playing footsie with another lascivious female(a mafia princess) eager to hump him. The dialogue between the two became so ridiculous that I fast-forwarded my audio, something I rarely do. Actor Tony Roberts must have been embarrassed to read such lines. I guess there are readers who like the erotica because the books sell. I hesitate to call these books mystery/romances because there is not much romance, or mystery.
March 16, 2016
I turned the pages, but more so to finish the book than because it was really suspenseful. I've read all the Stone Barrington books up to this point, and all of them have strong elements of fantasy - both male fantasy, but also just less than believable events. This book seemed over the top though, in terms of being unrealistic. Also, the actual mystery took sort of a back seat to the other plots, mainly Stone's pursuit of hot women (or more THEIR pursuit of him), and expensive trappings (extravagant car, second home)...
The dialog is just not realistic - no one talks so properly, except maybe in a British courtroom in 1850. It's just hard to take it seriously the way the characters talk to each other. Also, there's really no "detecting." The characters stumble upon the "bad guys" and never really use any detective techniques.
I may read another of these books if nothing else is available in the library, but only if I want to fantasize about Stone's lifestyle and exploits with the opposite sex... Also the books are a very quick/easy read, so they have that going for them.
The dialog is just not realistic - no one talks so properly, except maybe in a British courtroom in 1850. It's just hard to take it seriously the way the characters talk to each other. Also, there's really no "detecting." The characters stumble upon the "bad guys" and never really use any detective techniques.
I may read another of these books if nothing else is available in the library, but only if I want to fantasize about Stone's lifestyle and exploits with the opposite sex... Also the books are a very quick/easy read, so they have that going for them.
Read
October 15, 2024Many times I find books being thrown out and this book was one of them. The title caught my attention and I brought it home. I think I should've left it outside.
I felt like I was back in the 50s - 60s setting but with a cellphone and cursing permitted. Stone, nothing but a man-whore who's plunging his hotdog into many women who apparently throws themselves onto him. Throws money everywhere he can and even purchase a new home, car, etc. Each woman waking him up by giving him blow-jobs, like are you kidding me? The plotting was horrible and the whole story was just terrible. And the ending? Absolutely miserable. Wasted my time really.
Then to read the authors note was very rude. It wasn't necessary. It shouldn't have been placed in the book. All the author has to do delete emails if it's such an issue. He gave off a bad taste in my mouth when I read it.
Overall, I didn't enjoy this book at all. I'll keep it on the shelf because I hate throwing books out. I don't recommend it at all.
I felt like I was back in the 50s - 60s setting but with a cellphone and cursing permitted. Stone, nothing but a man-whore who's plunging his hotdog into many women who apparently throws themselves onto him. Throws money everywhere he can and even purchase a new home, car, etc. Each woman waking him up by giving him blow-jobs, like are you kidding me? The plotting was horrible and the whole story was just terrible. And the ending? Absolutely miserable. Wasted my time really.
Then to read the authors note was very rude. It wasn't necessary. It shouldn't have been placed in the book. All the author has to do delete emails if it's such an issue. He gave off a bad taste in my mouth when I read it.
Overall, I didn't enjoy this book at all. I'll keep it on the shelf because I hate throwing books out. I don't recommend it at all.
February 10, 2019
Good, page-turner that was finished within 24 hours. Barrington is caught up in a case in which a man he had arrested and convicted in his past is killing people who were close to Barrington in the present.
This book finds Barrington settling into his life by him finding and purchasing a house in the "country". Anyone who lives around the NYC area, (me for one), knows people who live in the city tend to find homes outside the city. A "country" place they can escape to on weekends and vacations.
The story also has him reconnecting for a weekend with Arrington...someone he still has very strong feelings for.
A large discrepency....Arrington and Vance's child in this book(#5 in series) is a boy, when in #4 the baby was a girl. Who was the copy editior for this book? They dropped the ball.
This book finds Barrington settling into his life by him finding and purchasing a house in the "country". Anyone who lives around the NYC area, (me for one), knows people who live in the city tend to find homes outside the city. A "country" place they can escape to on weekends and vacations.
The story also has him reconnecting for a weekend with Arrington...someone he still has very strong feelings for.
A large discrepency....Arrington and Vance's child in this book(#5 in series) is a boy, when in #4 the baby was a girl. Who was the copy editior for this book? They dropped the ball.
November 17, 2021
In some parts predictable (Stone bags beautiful babes), this is the fifth in the Stone Barrington series. It's the first one I've read, so I've missed some back story - maybe - that isn't really necessary to enjoy this crime thriller.
In this one, a man Stone and his former police partner Dino put away is killing people who had anything to do with his incarceration. And he's disappeared immediately after being freed from prison.
Meanwhile, Stone runs through three beautiful babes, which helps heal his doldrums after losing a lover to another man.
Fast paced, well constructed, likable characters. Not sure about tomcat Stone Barrington. I'll have to read a few more.
In this one, a man Stone and his former police partner Dino put away is killing people who had anything to do with his incarceration. And he's disappeared immediately after being freed from prison.
Meanwhile, Stone runs through three beautiful babes, which helps heal his doldrums after losing a lover to another man.
Fast paced, well constructed, likable characters. Not sure about tomcat Stone Barrington. I'll have to read a few more.
April 4, 2021
I know that these Stone Barrington stories are predictable (realize that after reading only the first 5), and there are too many "bedding" scenes for my personal tastes. But the telling of the predictable stories is excellent, and keeps me turning the pages. I like Stone, Dino, Elaine, and the cast of characters that interject themselves into the plot. There are quick, easy reads, and I can usually finish in them a day or two, just depending on how busy I am on other things. I am looking forward to reading more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 334 reviews