Stuart Woods' Deep Water

Stone Barrington #67

by Brett Battles, Stuart Woods

In the latest action-packed adventure in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, Stone Barrington must avenge attacks on two of his dear friends.

When Stone Barrington meets one of his clients, Trenton Sidney, for a sunset drink on Trenton’s new yacht, the last thing he expects is to be a victim of a shipwreck. As one of the four survivors of the incident but with little memory of the sinking, Stone finds himself diving straight back into work. His first task? To reach out to the beneficiaries in Trenton’s will.

But when new evidence that points to foul play comes to light, Stone must probe the tragedy in more ways than one in order to uncover the identity of the perpetrator . . . before they find another lethal way to get themselves out of deep water.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Revenge, Mystery Thriller, Technology

368 pages, Paperback

Published June 2, 2026

About the author

Brett Battles is a NEW YORK TIMES bestselling and Barry Award-winning author of forty novels, including the Jonathan Quinn series and its Excoms spinoff, the Project Eden series, and the time bending Rewinder series. He’s also the coauthor, with Robert Gregory Browne, of the Alexandra Poe series. He is one of the founding members of Killer Year, and is a member of Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. He lives and writes in Ventura County, California.

Reviews

[Tim]

Biggest criticism is it's too short.

[R L HERSKOWITZ]

Great Stone Barrington story written by Brett Battles. This is a “clean” story. Stone’s normal friends are involved.
This book is fast paced and intense.
I enjoyed it and happily recommend it!

MORE:
The book opens with Stone on a client’s boat.
Stone wakes up in the ocean. Apparently, the boat had an explosion. What caused the explosion?

FUN (?) FACT:
Approximately 30 years ago, a well known housing developer’s new $10 million yacht, exploded & sank on the east coast of the USA. The developer along with some of his male relatives were on the yacht.
The humans survived, the new yacht did not.
I’m not sure if the reason for the explosion was ever confirmed or made public.

[SCSoftballMom]

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Another great Stone Barrington novel. This book was one that I had a hard time putting down, typical of a Stuart Woods book.

[Sharon]

I am an audiobook reader. I just finished DEEP WATER by Brett Battles. This was #67 in the Stone Barrington series originally by Stuart Woods.

I enjoyed the book and the familiar characters. I must admit that I miss Tony Roberts as the narrator. Listening to Tony Roberts read a book was like putting on old comfy shoes! Battles must have worked with Woods prior to his death as he has succeeded in keeping the characters alive and thriving in this latest installment. If you are a physical book reader, I don't feel you would even know the book was written by the new Stewart Woods...Brett Battles.

[Jax]

Stuart Woods enjoyed a large and loyal following for many decades. To his readers, the adventures were riveting, and the lives of the rich and famous added spice. His writing style was straightforward, which enhanced readability. His plots seemed designed for pacing, not always believability. So, how does successor Brett Battles lineup? His writing is a bit more elevated, and he shows promise with technical detail. Woods, as readers know, did an excellent job with details about boats, airplanes, cars, guns, and more. In this book, Battles writes a believable escape attempt by airplane. On the other hand, Battles follows Woods in using the rags-to-riches trope wherein characters gain wealth thorough inheritance or by catapulting from a modest lifestyle and resume to a top government appointment.

Stuart Woods developed enduring characters and relationships that Battles improves on by portraying scenarios in a more realistic manner. While Woods's plots could be wildly coincidental, Battles weaves more logical scenes. A sinking ship, the death of a client, memory loss, the last will and testament—this adventure is believable and a fun read.

Many thanks to Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for providing this e-galley.

[Lou]

This is the first audio book I have listened too without narration by Tony Roberts. It will take a little while to get used to the new voice. The story was good, but there seems something was missing. I will need to listen to a few more before I can put my finger on what is different.

[Jeanne]

Loved this story! Although it falls under the Stone Barrington series, the only thing that really carries forward is the relationship between Stone Barrington and Dino Bacchetti. There are appearances by some characters I've heard of in prior stories, but for the most part this is stand-alone and you won't have any problems enjoying the story. A who-dun-it, with parallel story lines, with many surprises as the guilty parties come to light! You won't be disappointed - 10 out of 10

[Amy]

How is this possibly installment #67?!
Deep Water is another action-fueled adrenaline rush that proves the Stone Barrington series—now kept alive and kicking by Brett Battles—never disappoints.Does it require you to completely suspend your disbelief? Absolutely. But it delivers exactly what it promises: a predictably entertaining ride powered by a colorful cast of supporting characters. It’s comforting, fast, and fun.Already anticipating the next book. 3.5/5 ➔ 4/5 Stars

[Thomas George Phillips]

This is my first Stone Barrington's Mystery Stories.

It was a fine story as far as it went; but, in my opinion, entirely too predictable and a too predicable ending.

[Steve]

Listened to audiobook. New narrator getting better. Battles doing a good job of continuing the Stone Barrington series - but how long can it go on?

[Martha]

If you're a fan of Stone Barrington's adventures, you will love this latest one! Dame Felicity is targeted by an old nemesis, and you can probably guess the rest. Lots of exciting twists make this hard to put down. Brett Battles has taken the reins of this series in good fashion. I cannot wait until the next one is published!!!!

[Mark]

We’re back to “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” where Brett Battles, the author who has continued to bring Stone Barrington to life as a legacy author…Stone, the Manhattan attorney, is on his billionaire client and friend’s yacht when he wakes up to find it sinking. He miraculously survives, and the hunt is on for clues about what caused the disaster…Plus, Stone’s friend and MI-6 director is killed in a car bomb, but she miraculously reappears to reassure him that she’s not really dead and would love a safe place to hide for a while. It’s no surprise that these two storylines intertwine, and we get another good entry in the series. It’s just a fun guilty pleasure!

[Ken Karcher]

This book starts right off by throwing Stone right into deep water, he's on board a friend's yacht when it sinks. Then before he can catch his breath from that, the news that Dame Felicity was blown up in a car explosion is on TV. Stone and Dino are shocked as they watch the news accompanied by the supposed deceased. Our intrepid legal eagle is juggling trying to uncover the reason behind the shipwreck, assisting British Intelligence in discovering an assassin and mole and fending off a challenge to a will in a most fascinating way. Nothing is simple with Stone but it's always interesting, and strangely enough this time everything becomes interconnected in the most peculiar way. I appreciate the small touches, the way Stone and Dino bicker and I wish I could hire Joan for myself. This series continues to be fun, escapism; nothing serious but enjoyable, easy to read and exciting enough to hold your attention. I plan on reading this series until Stone's elected president and fires Lance.

[Vincent]

Enjoyable Stone Barrington story good characters, I'm glad to see someone has taken over writing these tales since Stuart Woods past away. Please keep them coming.

[Bill]

Decent read, lots of interesting plots in this one.

We get a lot more of Woodman and Weld Managing Partner Bill Eggers in this one but no Herb Fisher.

Stone doesn't get laid in this one which I believe is the first time in this series that has happened. One acquaintance has her work take her away and another, Stone opts not to sleep with her yet.

Dame Felicity is a pain in the ass in this story. I was hoping one of the assassins would connect.

Solid Fred time and the Bentley gets good usage.

Dino really added nothing to this one but he ate well as both of the gentlemen seem to do.

Dino's wife Viv is absent and Mike Freeman plays a little role in this story. Stone's administrative assistant Joan is sharp always and her wit is great.

One snot nose kid tries to mess with Stone concerning a will but is put in his place and loses his inheritance. Don't mess with NYC's best lawyer.

Looking forward to the next book!

[Marcia]

Story gets 4 stars, narrator gets 1. Tony Robbins was great, get him back!

[Laurie]

Series book #67 still falls into the guilty pleasure category for me. Brett Battles continues to impress me taking over where Stuart Woods left off with Stone Barrington and his cast of cronies. This book at times felt like a turning point in trying to adjust Stone’s character.

Enjoyed the story. Still getting used to the new narration realizing Tony Roberts as a tough act to follow.

[Maureen]

Excellent story.

I really enjoyed this book. I could not put it down. Every opportunity I had, I was reading this story. It was fun because all the characters were familiar and I couldn’t wait to see what they were going to do next. If you have not read any of the Stone Barrington books, I would recommend you start at book number one. The story progresses and so much fun to read. It’s one of my favourite book series.

[Diane Hernandez]

Stuart Woods' Deep Water stars Stone Barrington, millionaire lawyer and playboy. However, in this installment, he is much less arrogant than in previous books. He is still richer and smarter, in his mind at least, than everyone else in the room. But he doesn’t shove it down everyone’s throats in this entry in the long running series. Which is an enjoyable change.

This time Stone is protecting the head of England’s MI6 and executing a will with argumentative family members while also investigating a yacht explosion of which he is one of the survivors. While the way the stories come together may require a bit of suspension of disbelief, the plot moves at a briskly compelling pace.

Stuart Woods' Deep Water is a fun way to spend a weekend, while not being too tasking to the brain. 4 stars for this escapist read.

Thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for providing me with an advanced review copy.

[Bertha]

Sticks to the formula (mostly) and the formula works.
A somewhat reformed Stone? Time will tell.
Meanwhile the short chapters move the interesting plot along quickly. The familiar characters and locations are enhanced by some new bad guys and some new good characters who are likely to return.

An enjoyable and quick read. Brett Battles is doing a great job carrying on the Stuart Woods / Stone Barrington tradition.

[Dr. Horacio]

Deep Water is another brilliant addition to Stuart Woods’ impressive collection of thrillers. The narrative is gripping and energetic, filled with suspense, intrigue, and the trademark smooth storytelling Woods is known for. The characters are written with depth and personality, making their decisions feel genuine and compelling. The pacing is tight, and the plot twists land perfectly, keeping you guessing right up to the end. The writing is elegant yet accessible, creating a reading experience that’s both fun and sophisticated. I thoroughly enjoyed every chapter. This is a five-star thriller that deserves all the praise.

[Auburn B Robinson]

Better than expected

I enjoyed the storyline I really enjoyed the pace of the book I thought it was shorter than normal but I also like how it got down to business we got into the mystery we got into all of the minutia of the book and it just took off from there enjoyed the pace I enjoyed the storyline I really enjoyed the pace of the book I thought it was shorter than normal but I also like how it got down to business we got into the mystery we got into all of the minutia of the book and it just took off from there enjoyed the pace and enjoyed the reading enjoyed the storyline looking forward to the next book

[Dashawn Oberbrunner]

An exhilarating read from beginning to end. Stuart Woods’ Deep Water delivers nonstop excitement, sophisticated characters, and a smartly layered plot. The writing is crisp and engaging, making it easy to completely lose yourself in the story. I appreciated how the twists felt surprising yet perfectly logical, keeping the momentum flowing. The action scenes are vivid and intense, and the pacing is absolutely ideal. Woods is a master at blending suspense with charm, and this book is no exception. If you’re a fan of polished thrillers with real style, this is a five-star must-read.

[Velva Mosciski]

I absolutely loved Deep Water. Stuart Woods delivers a smart, gripping, and stylish thriller that’s impossible to put down. The pacing is perfect—quick enough to keep your heart racing, yet steady enough to build real suspense. The characters are well-crafted and full of personality, and the plot is layered with danger, mystery, and intrigue. The writing feels effortless, drawing you into the world with ease. The twists are executed flawlessly, keeping the story unpredictable and exciting. This is everything you want in a high-quality thriller. A strong five-star read from start to finish.

[Dad]

A fun, quick read. A Stone Barrington novel that continue’s his evolution into a mature adult. This story had thrills and involved threats from mother nature and of course, relies on Stone and his friend Dino to solve the case. Of note, it was wonderful to see Stone evolve and avoid the quick meaningless hookup that in past novels consumed large portions of-the story. It was a shame that Herb disappeared from this story but introducing Ash as a new associate opens a world of opportunities for future novels. A good summer read.

[Sherrie Howey]

The book begins aboard a luxury yacht and Stone is thrown into deep water as the yacht sinks. His friend, Sidney Trenton who owns the yacht and does not survive. The reading of his will leaves many unhappy beneficiaries and makes Stone question whether this was a crime.
A second story byline includes the death (or not) of Dame Felicity. This book is fast paced, filled with intrigue and will be enjoyed by all readers of this series. Kudos to Brett Battles for his excellent job in continuing this series.

[Gary Evins]

This is a very different Stone Barrington. I won't deliver a spoiler by saying how, but once you read it, you'll see. Also, it may just be my perception, but Stone and Dino seem much closer in this book. I don't think it's because of the author; Brett Battles has written several Stone Barrington novels for the Stuart Woods estate. These two guys apparently have an unlimited dining budget to spread around high end NYC restaurants. Geez.

[connieppage]

Stone Barrington Novels always entertain

A near-death experience for Stone, who was aboard a friend's yacht, sets off a series of inter-linked espionage and assassination attempts. Of course, Stone meets a new female and enjoys her company, but not as graphically as in some of his other books. Overall, entertaining and enjoyable.

[Sandra]

Brett’s Best of Series!

Appreciated the action and interactions plus lack of sex scenes that were never necessary. Look forward to Choic working for Dino and Ryan again crossing paths with Stone.

[Donna]

Excellent!

Excellent! Another Stone Barrington hit! I loved the characters and all the action. Stuart Woods would be proud of Brett Battles. The book reads just as if Mr. Woods wrote it himself. Definitely don’t pass this book up!