Paris Match

Stone Barrington #31

by Stuart Woods

Stone Barrington returns to Paris, only to be embroiled in high-stakes trouble involving an old enemy with a vengeful associate and a scandal that threatens to disrupt a vital project in the United States.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Audiobook, Crime, Adventure

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2014

About the author

Stuart 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.

Reviews

[Mysteryfan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good quick beach read. A number of recurring characters from his other series appear in this book. The main plot was decent. There were a couple of side stories that didn't contribute to the main story. His sex scenes are curiously passionless and mechanical. I don't know why I keep reading him. I guess it's like potato chips.

[Nancy M. · Rating 1 out of 5]

This series has officially been scratched off my reading list. No real plot, bed hopping without any interest or contribution to the plot or character development. Bleh...

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only two stars. I'm ready for the whole Hotel Arrington and Russian mobsters storyline to be over. I think this is the third or fourth book that is about that situation. I'm over it. I'm also tiring of Woods' gratuitous sex scenes. Stone Barrington is drifting toward becoming a sleezy sex fiend. Stay classy Stone!

[Hapzydeco · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stuart Woods jumped the shark many Stone Barrington novels ago. Keeping with that tradition Stuart Woods has produced another script here. While the cast of characters remains familiar and this work can be read quickly, your time might be better spent in pursuing other activities.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the characters and the long running stories, although I am getting very tired of the campaign. I also feel the ending of this saga was short and clipped, resulting in 6 of 10 stars.

[ML · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot was beyond dumb and Stone is in the middle of it. He gets involved with a woman who loves her brother and vice versa. Ick. I know they are French but still. 🤣🤣😬

Stone has his comfort c*ck sleeve with him in Paris too AKA..Holly. The Ann thing fizzles out because she chooses Kate’s presidential campaign over Stone. Smart.

Lance is back and still an enigma. So are the Russians-and the plot is more asinine than the previous one. Epic eye roll 🙄

Even the Paris setting can’t save this disaster

[Barbara ★ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately for me, I needed to read a Stuart Woods book for a challenge here on Goodreads. What a mistake! Another sexfest, this time with various women (at different times) though he had sex damn near every day and more than once daily at that. Without the constant sex, this 320 page book could have been told in about 200.

I simply do not understand the popularity of these books. The plots are terrible and many, the antics of Stone and the gang are ridiculous and the bad guys get through every time so much for governmental security. What an absolute waste of my time.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was good. A little far fetched for me personally. But then again, I’m not ultra-wealthy. Stone went to Paris. Opened a hotel. Got chased around the French countryside by bad guys. Only slept with like 2 women…maybe three. Bought a house. See…super rich problems. Not a bad book. Looking forward to the next one.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read some of these years ago, early in the series when they were published (and I was much younger) and enjoyed the. Every once in a while, I will get one from the library since they are quick reads / listens.

[Monnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My reviews of the more recent Stone Barrington books haven't been all that great - the plots have been thin (almost nonexistent, in fact). As for real action? Fuhgettaboutit. And this, the 31st in the series, started off much the same, with typical British understatement of just about everything that happens.

"Oh, someone has shot off your arm? Bummer. Might I offer you a glass of champagne before the ambulance arrives?" (my words, BTW). There also seems to be more in-bed action in this one; within the first few chapters, Barrington has well satisfied, or so it is claimed, no fewer than three different women in about the same number of days.And, there's a fourth so eagerly awaiting her turn that she can't help grabbing his crotch - in public, no less.

From that description, one might assume I wouldn't care much for this one. In fact, it surprised even me by being, in the end, not all that bad, but still not good enough to earn 4 stars. Yes, the action is understated as usual, but at least there is action. The filthy rich attorney is in Paris for the opening of his new Arrington hotel and discovers that an old enemy - and a couple of new ones - are out to get him.

Meanwhile, there's a heated Presidential election going on; the current First Lady is in the running to replace her husband as the country's chief. Both are close friends of Barrington, who supports her candidacy and contributed heavily to her campaign (besides that, he's been cohabitating with the woman who will become her chief of staff should she win). Should that happen, Barrington may have to find someone else since she'll be too busy and too far away - bummer.

The threats keep coming - at least one of them because Barrington does something stupid like wander off by himself (reminiscent of the women in horror films who choose to run down a dark alley to escape the ax murderer who's chasing them). How he survives that one is more than a bit unrealistic, and in true Barrington fashion, he just shrugs off the whole episode as another day in Paris. His only notable emotion (even in bed) comes when he actually gets angry enough to say he'd love to see one of his would-be killers dead.

There's a cliff-hanger at the end - suggesting the topic and location of the next book, I suppose. And I suppose I'll read it, hoping that it'll be an improvement on this one.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Far from the the first books in the Stone Bartington series, the book is a shadow of good writing Woods used to produce. The plot is thin and repetitious...Stone has to bed any woman without regard for the future, only tonight's sexual/ego satisfaction. Boring. Also the Russian mafia theme is weak. The book dribbles to an end. The hotel openings plot is running old as are the dinners Dino and Stone anchor each day. It is more Woods bragging that he knows what passes for good wines and food. Will not be reading anymore of Woods' writing.

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to know what Stone Barrington looks like since every woman that meets him wants to jump in bed with him. I haven't seen a man yet that every woman agrees is the best looking hunk and would give her body to [ maybe Tom Brady}.

[Gay Klietzke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everytime I read one of these books by Stuart Woods, I say this is the last time. There is no story line and it's the same old thing. However, I mean it this time, there are some wonderful books out there just waiting to be read. I am not going to waste my time anymore on Stone Barrington!

[Irv Kantrowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book enjoyable and easy to read. A Russian is trying to kill Stone. There is a lot of adventure and excitement.

[Christina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Come on, Stuart. Please kill off a main character, or have Stone get herpes or something to make these books less predictable.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, it was fun while it lasted. I have been enjoying the Stone Barrington books thus far, despite their formulaic approach. However, this one was absolutely dreadful. I barely got through it. My suspicion is that this is about the time that Stuart Woods stopped writing all or part of these books as the characters behaved completely differently and the language and writing style is noticeably inferior. I haven’t decided if I’ll keep reading the series or not but I’ll definitely be taking a break for a while.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another interesting, fast paced book. I still can't quite imagine the life style of Stone Barrington. He manages to get himself into trouble and out of it, but I don't think he ever really works. But he buys a lot of property. Must be nice. Anyway he survives this ordeal handsomely.

[Ginny · Rating 1 out of 5]

Enough already! Woods seems to put just enough storyline to hold together his sexual escapades of his character Stone Barrington. Isn't this guy getting any older? Jumping in and out of bed multiple times a day with multiple partners is a bit ridiculous. I am done.

[Joanne Farley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good addition to the Stone Barrington series.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

January 2025. Good story..
Aug. 2024. Still a favorite
April 2024. Good story.

2023 amazing the uses of a walking cane!

Jan 2021. "The Seine's water is polluted with high levels of heavy metals, nutrients, sediment, and bacteria. This is mainly caused by the waste water and the surface runoffs from Paris. Swimming in the river Seine has been outlawed since 1923 and can slap you with a 15 euro fine. "Enjoy your swim Stone!

Feb 2018 Still a favorite story.....
3-20-2016 still a page turner for me. I'm having a hiatus from more dense books with an historical base.
1-20-2015 re read 1 month ago. I've been reading so many SW books, I re-read this one because I like it.
12-16-2014 new another formula Stone B book but I like the characters.
My prognostication: next book (probably written already) will be set at the White House.
i'd be disappointed if Kate isn't the next prez. Something will occur that will require Stone B to step up at the last minute and save the day - again. ......I'm looking forward to the next book.

[Nathan Flamank · Rating 2 out of 5]

More pointlessness from a once great author. 2 stars because it didn't totally "suck balls". There is no real story here and what little plot there is is surface deep. After a lot of cogitation I have finally concluded what is missing from Mr Woods....DEPTH, especially with his characters, this was summed up perfectly in PM when Stone buys a house and quickly outfits it with furnishings, he takes "books by the yard" to fill bookcases - a perfect example of just how shallow Woods' characters are. Add to this Woods' obvious dislike for women (in all of his books they are little more than "whats between their legs") and his constant misuse of the English language and PM is business as usual....oh what ever happened to the man that penned the sublime "Chiefs"??

[Robert Maloney · Rating 1 out of 5]

One big yawn

Appears that Mr. Woods has done it again. Paris Match lacks structure, continuity,believability and is such a poor effort that he alone could get it published. I am so happy that I only paid $.99 for the Kindle version and will be deleting it from my device

I do not know when Mr. Woods lost his way with Stone Barrington, the earliest Barrington novels had at the very least some intrigue and entertainment value, whereas the latest offerings seemed to be little more then a score card of his sexual conquest.
My suggestion...run from this novel...read the back panel of your cereal box...it's got to be more entertaining

[E. Wallace · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not even a "close match" to the best effort by Stuart Woods. For a character who is an ex-cop & lawyer he has become naive and lacks common sense. The bed hopping needs to stop, enough already! If the plot is so weak that's all there is to write about, please do not bother. A bit of the same old, same old for the Barrington character. I was so disappointed every new Stone Barrington book has gotten weaker when it comes to characters and plots. The "rush" to wrap things up at the end of the book could have been better developed and the book might have set things in motion for the next book.

[Skip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stone flies to Paris to attend the opening of joint venture, Hotel L'Arrington, with Marcel DuBois; however, he quickly becomes a target for Yegevny Majorov, who wants the hotels. Of course, Stone jumps into bed with a French designer, who brother and father are well connected policemen and one of the two is dirty. The CIA, including Holly Barker, has their hands full trying to protect Stone. Meanwhile, back in the States, his girlfriend Ann is worried sick that Kate will not be elected President. I thought the resolution was pretty stupid, forced, and ill explained.

[Sailor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stone Barrington as usual is hopping from bed to bed, happy as ever while the bad guys are trying to kill him. After reading Stuart Wood’s last novel, Cut & Thrust I was sure that we would find out if Kate Lee would be elected President. I guess all the followers of the Stone Barrington saga will have to wait for Stuart Wood’s next novel, Insatiable Appetites due out Jan. 2015 to see if he has the cahonies to have a pregnant woman elected President of the U.S. Looking forward as always to reading his next book.

[Jennifer Sulc · Rating 1 out of 5]

I pulled Paris Match off of the new-book shelf at the library solely in the basis of the title, which appealed to my love of all things Parisian. While I can't comment on any of Stuart Woods' other titles, Paris Match (okay, the first forty pages of Paris Match) was a huge disappointment. Clunky prose, awkward dialogue, and ridiculously cliche situations led me to give it one star. Had I read further, I might have given it two or possibly three. But I seriously doubt it.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely airheaded book about Stone Barrington and his pals and enemies, puppets engaged in international intrigue, eating lovely food, buying lovely expensive things with abandon, solving nasty plots --puppets all and nary a poppet among them. Read a Stone Barrington on a day of resting up from exhaustion, for the glitter and the pace, certainly not the depth. A romp, fueled with helium.

[Mike French · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable and entertaining book in the Stone Barrington series! If you have read the series,you will enjoy this one too. If you want to read about Stone Barrington,start with New York Dead and read them In order.

[Forrest · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hated it

This willow be my last Stone Barrington book. In my opinion Mr Woods has been jumping the shark in the lasts 3 books. In Paris Match it was every chapter. The only reason I finished the book was I paid $10.00 of my hard earned money eyes for it.

[wayne r dalcin]

Sub-standard effort

The Barrington series is wearing thin. Not a great effort developing a sustainable story line. Stone is becoming less likable- more of an insatiable sexual deviate. Characters display an active "Far Left" political leaning, a real turnoff.