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Stone Barrington #34
Naked Greed
Stone Barrington is back in the thrilling new adventure from the #1 New York Times–bestselling author.
When Stone Barrington rescues a prominent brewery owner from an attack by two rogue policemen, he’s thrown into the turbulent world of beer making and distribution, where the stakes are higher than he ever could have expected. . . .
When Stone Barrington rescues a prominent brewery owner from an attack by two rogue policemen, he’s thrown into the turbulent world of beer making and distribution, where the stakes are higher than he ever could have expected. . . .
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2015
925 people are currently reading
1972 people want to read
About the author
Stuart Woods
408 books3,220 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 369 reviews
July 31, 2015
It is hard to say anything positive about this latest effort by Stuart Woods. Perhaps the book is aptly titled (about the author.) Much of the book is centered on a bunch of low-level wise guys and some petty crimes they commit, and their vengeance against Stone and Dino. There are cameo appearances by a few, but not many, of Stone's inner circle.
July 24, 2015
SUBJETIVE READER REVIEW FOLLOWS:
I think Woods has bottomed out with NAKED GREED; the lights are on but nobody's home! I've sensed and complained about Stuart Woods' drop-off in novel quality over the past three years, but most of 'em have been entertaining enough to recommend to other readers. NAKED GREED has hit rock bottom and is a terrible read. Most of the book is devoted to small time gangsters who escape NYC and head south to greener pastures in Florida, which is completely off the title's implications and completely boring. NAKED GREED is a great title but there's nothing behind the façade. Sure we get to meet Stone's next conquest since his latest doll, Caroline Woodhouse is a sex addict and he can't keep up with her. No loss of esteem there, but at least give us something to read for Christ's sakes! Hank Hasker is for the next book but who cares? Woods had a decent storyline going with hiding out the MI6 black op controller that paid the Gulf embassy bastards back for their conspiracy to take out POTUS and the UK PM, but he sort of discarded it and didn't go back after the UN Ambassador for the gulf nation shot his wad trying to make the MI6 action officer a civil suit target. Why the hell Woods didn't take that one and run it to ground I cannot hope to conjecture about. Once he ventured from the White House staff and British cabinet, things got boring fast. Sorry to announce the life support, as Woods gave us CHIEFS--one of the best novels of all time--but that was damn near 40 years ago. As you attorney, I advise you to perhaps borrow a used copy of NAKED GREED, cause if you buy it you're gonna be disappointed!
PLOT SPOILER SUMMARY FOLLOWS:
Dino and Stone Deal with Residual Mob Minions. Following a truncated dinner with Dino one night, Stone runs into a shakedown on the street outside of Patroon and gives the cops hell for their tactics. Turns out they were roughing up a Mexican beer brewer who wanted to establish a presence in New York. Of course Pepe Perado's dream runs into mob conflict in Queens that don't want the competition. As the mob dinosaur, Gino Parisi, pursues business as it was in the 60s, Dino and Stone plot to ruin their plan. In a major setup, Gino's son Al and his accomplice take out the old man to rid themselves of problems. In the process, some of Gino's persuaders lose their jobs, blame it on the NYPD and target Dino for the problem. The most volatile of the goons, Gene Ryan decides to take a hit on Dino, wounds he and his bodyguard and Dino's stuck in a hospital trying to direct the case while the hitters runs south and get into ill advised robberies that ultimately brings Gene Ryan back to NJ, courtesy of a rip off artist female he meets on the train back. Small time operations and scams anger the big boys, and Al Parisi turns up dead as Dino and Stone pursue the leads via the Chief of Detectives Harrington. In the meantime, Stone has found another female to take up with, but Caroline Woodhouse is a sex addict and Stone soon finds he can't keep up with her perverted demands. In the meantime the bush league rip-offs and robberies in Florida where the key Parisi hitter fled finally come to a halt via insider snitching and the survivor Ryan heads back to NJ. In the end, Dino take him out in the Four Seasons Restaurant, but Stone makes friend with a new babe, Hank Hasker that looks promising.
I think Woods has bottomed out with NAKED GREED; the lights are on but nobody's home! I've sensed and complained about Stuart Woods' drop-off in novel quality over the past three years, but most of 'em have been entertaining enough to recommend to other readers. NAKED GREED has hit rock bottom and is a terrible read. Most of the book is devoted to small time gangsters who escape NYC and head south to greener pastures in Florida, which is completely off the title's implications and completely boring. NAKED GREED is a great title but there's nothing behind the façade. Sure we get to meet Stone's next conquest since his latest doll, Caroline Woodhouse is a sex addict and he can't keep up with her. No loss of esteem there, but at least give us something to read for Christ's sakes! Hank Hasker is for the next book but who cares? Woods had a decent storyline going with hiding out the MI6 black op controller that paid the Gulf embassy bastards back for their conspiracy to take out POTUS and the UK PM, but he sort of discarded it and didn't go back after the UN Ambassador for the gulf nation shot his wad trying to make the MI6 action officer a civil suit target. Why the hell Woods didn't take that one and run it to ground I cannot hope to conjecture about. Once he ventured from the White House staff and British cabinet, things got boring fast. Sorry to announce the life support, as Woods gave us CHIEFS--one of the best novels of all time--but that was damn near 40 years ago. As you attorney, I advise you to perhaps borrow a used copy of NAKED GREED, cause if you buy it you're gonna be disappointed!
PLOT SPOILER SUMMARY FOLLOWS:
Dino and Stone Deal with Residual Mob Minions. Following a truncated dinner with Dino one night, Stone runs into a shakedown on the street outside of Patroon and gives the cops hell for their tactics. Turns out they were roughing up a Mexican beer brewer who wanted to establish a presence in New York. Of course Pepe Perado's dream runs into mob conflict in Queens that don't want the competition. As the mob dinosaur, Gino Parisi, pursues business as it was in the 60s, Dino and Stone plot to ruin their plan. In a major setup, Gino's son Al and his accomplice take out the old man to rid themselves of problems. In the process, some of Gino's persuaders lose their jobs, blame it on the NYPD and target Dino for the problem. The most volatile of the goons, Gene Ryan decides to take a hit on Dino, wounds he and his bodyguard and Dino's stuck in a hospital trying to direct the case while the hitters runs south and get into ill advised robberies that ultimately brings Gene Ryan back to NJ, courtesy of a rip off artist female he meets on the train back. Small time operations and scams anger the big boys, and Al Parisi turns up dead as Dino and Stone pursue the leads via the Chief of Detectives Harrington. In the meantime, Stone has found another female to take up with, but Caroline Woodhouse is a sex addict and Stone soon finds he can't keep up with her perverted demands. In the meantime the bush league rip-offs and robberies in Florida where the key Parisi hitter fled finally come to a halt via insider snitching and the survivor Ryan heads back to NJ. In the end, Dino take him out in the Four Seasons Restaurant, but Stone makes friend with a new babe, Hank Hasker that looks promising.
August 9, 2015
ACTUALLY ZERO STARS!
Ladies and Gentlemen, there is a new soap opera in town and it's called "Stuart Woods' Convenient Coincidences" and it's not looking good. Whatever happened to the author that penned Chiefs? Oh yeah, he sold his fans down the river for a massive cheque each quarter. His books have slowly and steadily grown weaker and weaker until this latest "novel" and with this latest piece of ABSOLUTE TRASH he has finally reached the very depths of his own "Naked Greed". There is NOTHING here to save this nonsense, the characters are so paper thin and one dimensional that they actually make the Kardashians appear Shakespearean.
The plot has so many convenient coincidences that I will allow Mr Woods to use my title for any and and all future works that he decides to poison us with. I can see the future and it is "Convenient Coincidences 1, 2, 3, 4 etcetera.
In "Naked Greed" women will sleep with anyone (and who needs to worry about STIs?) and they are so EASY to get in to bed I can't believe that women the world over aren't screaming for Woods' head on a pike. One female character is passed around so readily among the male characters that I expected there to be a queue of men lining up to give her a "train" at one point. All the characters know each other or know someone that knows someone blablabla and it would seem that there are only two places in America that women come from: New York and some town in South Carolina that zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Added to this nonsense is the fact that everyone seems to CONVENIENTLY have just what the next character needs and.....ah what the Hell, I can't be bothered. This is just pure NONSENSE.
How this author can sleep at night producing works like this is beyond me.
SAVE YOURSELVES THE HORROR AND DO NOT READ THIS ABSOLUTE....... (I wanted to use so many curse words here but alas I can't, just use your imagination...unless in fact you're Mr Woods in which case don't try, I know you haven't got one)
Ladies and Gentlemen, there is a new soap opera in town and it's called "Stuart Woods' Convenient Coincidences" and it's not looking good. Whatever happened to the author that penned Chiefs? Oh yeah, he sold his fans down the river for a massive cheque each quarter. His books have slowly and steadily grown weaker and weaker until this latest "novel" and with this latest piece of ABSOLUTE TRASH he has finally reached the very depths of his own "Naked Greed". There is NOTHING here to save this nonsense, the characters are so paper thin and one dimensional that they actually make the Kardashians appear Shakespearean.
The plot has so many convenient coincidences that I will allow Mr Woods to use my title for any and and all future works that he decides to poison us with. I can see the future and it is "Convenient Coincidences 1, 2, 3, 4 etcetera.
In "Naked Greed" women will sleep with anyone (and who needs to worry about STIs?) and they are so EASY to get in to bed I can't believe that women the world over aren't screaming for Woods' head on a pike. One female character is passed around so readily among the male characters that I expected there to be a queue of men lining up to give her a "train" at one point. All the characters know each other or know someone that knows someone blablabla and it would seem that there are only two places in America that women come from: New York and some town in South Carolina that zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Added to this nonsense is the fact that everyone seems to CONVENIENTLY have just what the next character needs and.....ah what the Hell, I can't be bothered. This is just pure NONSENSE.
How this author can sleep at night producing works like this is beyond me.
SAVE YOURSELVES THE HORROR AND DO NOT READ THIS ABSOLUTE....... (I wanted to use so many curse words here but alas I can't, just use your imagination...unless in fact you're Mr Woods in which case don't try, I know you haven't got one)
July 27, 2015
I'm done reading this series. I keep reading each new book as they come out and end up regretting it. The last few books, I haven't even been able to finish without forcing myself....just in case it gets better. Done! No more for me! Too many good books out there to read!
August 13, 2015
Seriously. Another example of an author putting out a book simply for a paycheck. Advertised as a Stone Barrington book but was anything but. The few times he is in the book he is welcoming another woman through the revolving door of his bedroom. Inviting them up to see his etchings, I mean his mothers paintings is getting old. We know Stone is a great swordsman so give him something else to do. We also know he is well known to the rich and famous so stop throwing that in every chapter. Bring back the old Stone Barrington.
July 27, 2015
Fast, fun and entertaining.
February 22, 2025
Stuart Woods was really churning these books out in the end and it shows. Convenient plot points and a really unbelievable story arc are the norm now with Stone Barrington books.
Meh. That Caroline really got around too, huh??
The end was tied up and against my better judgement I’m off to read the next one 😑🤣🤣
Meh. That Caroline really got around too, huh??
The end was tied up and against my better judgement I’m off to read the next one 😑🤣🤣
July 19, 2015
This is the 34th novel about the life and loves of super-rich New York lawyer Stone Barrington. Although I enjoyed it more than some of the others over the past couple of years, I must note that I read it almost in one sitting - and on a day I was cooking dinner for friends, no less. In part, that's because it's just 320 pages; it's also because even when something happens that borders on action, no one gets the least bit worked up and it's easy to breeze through without fear of missing anything important. At times, in fact, the "excitement" happens when both parties hang up the phone.
Case in point: A typical conversation, as Stone - who apparently has become the target of mobsters - is warned to hole up in his fortified mansion.
"If I can't go out, then maybe I should have a dinner party. I don't do that often enough."
All rightee, then. But don't misunderstand; such is the author's style, and - Lord help me - I've rather come to enjoy the laid-back way the characters approach day-to-day life, even when murder happens and friends' lives are threatened. This one begins as Stone is introduced to a man looking to do business in New York, with guidance from Stone's prestigious law firm, Woodman & Weld. Turns out, though, that the man is encroaching on the established territory of a few criminals - and they don't take kindly to the situation.
That's when the action - if you want to call it that - begins, highlighted by a few murders, friends with bullseyes on their backs, anticipation of delivery of a fancy new airplane and [mercifully brief] reports of Stone bedding just about every eligible female he encounters including - be still my heart- a self-described "sex addict." The ending is gobsmackingly abrupt, leaving unfinished business that I suppose will be continued in the next book. On the plus side, since the last few were published within a few months of each other, I don't expect to wait long to find out.
Case in point: A typical conversation, as Stone - who apparently has become the target of mobsters - is warned to hole up in his fortified mansion.
"If I can't go out, then maybe I should have a dinner party. I don't do that often enough."
All rightee, then. But don't misunderstand; such is the author's style, and - Lord help me - I've rather come to enjoy the laid-back way the characters approach day-to-day life, even when murder happens and friends' lives are threatened. This one begins as Stone is introduced to a man looking to do business in New York, with guidance from Stone's prestigious law firm, Woodman & Weld. Turns out, though, that the man is encroaching on the established territory of a few criminals - and they don't take kindly to the situation.
That's when the action - if you want to call it that - begins, highlighted by a few murders, friends with bullseyes on their backs, anticipation of delivery of a fancy new airplane and [mercifully brief] reports of Stone bedding just about every eligible female he encounters including - be still my heart- a self-described "sex addict." The ending is gobsmackingly abrupt, leaving unfinished business that I suppose will be continued in the next book. On the plus side, since the last few were published within a few months of each other, I don't expect to wait long to find out.
August 2, 2015
No point to this book. I think this will be my last Stone Barrington book. They are nothing but a bunch of words strung together
October 17, 2023
Totally felt like I was reading three different stories in one book. It got a little confusing for me. It had all the usual characters. Not a bad story…starting to think they are all the same though. Getting bored with this series. I’m not sure how much more I can handle.
July 29, 2015
Stone Barrington is in the forefront of Naked Greed. He is practicing law, kicking butt, threatening suspects, flying planes, drinking Knob Creek, and seducing a whole lot of women. The ending leads me to believe that there will be a sequel. It's also the reason I gave Naked Greed only 3 stars. If you like Stone Barrington, don't be discouraged; it's worth the read.
July 14, 2018
Woods’s Stone Barrington novels are the very definition of formulaic. This 34th entry the series is just a variation on the first 33 books. The details may be different but the basic story is the same in every one.
I honestly believe Woods has a template he uses, just plugging in whatever details he wants to change. How else could he crank out four books a year for the past five years?
Stone meets a woman. Stone wines and dines the woman. Stone beds the woman. Stone crosses some bad guys. The bad guys try to kill Stone. Stone beds another woman. Stone spends a bazillion dollars on something. Stone makes a bazillion dollars for signing a paper. Stone beds another woman. Everybody talks like they’re living in 1918. Everyone anyone meets thinks the person they’re meeting is just wonderful. Stone and Dino take down the bad guy(s). Stone beds another woman. The order may vary but these elements are in every Stone Barrington novel.
And everything I’ve said in my reviews of those earlier books applies here. This truly is a case of ‘nothing new under the sun.’ Although, there is a touch of humor in one scene where two bad guys chasing Stone find their efforts stymied by the Maine island locals.
And again, Woods has the threat to Barrington taken out by others: several bad guys fall in a botched robbery and Dino, Stone’s buddy, takes down another one.
I keep reading these books because they are like Twinkies for the mind.
I honestly believe Woods has a template he uses, just plugging in whatever details he wants to change. How else could he crank out four books a year for the past five years?
Stone meets a woman. Stone wines and dines the woman. Stone beds the woman. Stone crosses some bad guys. The bad guys try to kill Stone. Stone beds another woman. Stone spends a bazillion dollars on something. Stone makes a bazillion dollars for signing a paper. Stone beds another woman. Everybody talks like they’re living in 1918. Everyone anyone meets thinks the person they’re meeting is just wonderful. Stone and Dino take down the bad guy(s). Stone beds another woman. The order may vary but these elements are in every Stone Barrington novel.
And everything I’ve said in my reviews of those earlier books applies here. This truly is a case of ‘nothing new under the sun.’ Although, there is a touch of humor in one scene where two bad guys chasing Stone find their efforts stymied by the Maine island locals.
And again, Woods has the threat to Barrington taken out by others: several bad guys fall in a botched robbery and Dino, Stone’s buddy, takes down another one.
I keep reading these books because they are like Twinkies for the mind.
October 22, 2015
When you pick up a Stone Barrington series, you know there ACTION,sex and a cliffhanger ending! Stuart Woods Does not disappoint in Naked Greed.
May 4, 2022
This has been my least favorite Stone Barrington book. There were many supporting characters that made it hard to follow. Usually, the books center around Barrington but this one was more about the supporting characters and it was hard to keep up with who they were. I like the way the character's voices (Stone, Dino, Viv, Holly, etc) have developed over the span of these books. In this book, however, it was hard to pick out these extra characters by voice. At one point I was listening and thought it was Barrington and here it was a criminal instead. It was very hard to follow with all of the bad guys in the book and it was not centered on Barrington. I read 3/4 of it but just couldn't finish.
June 9, 2024
This installment in the Stone Barrington series ended with more questions than answers! Hopefully they will be answered in future book. Stone gets involved with a businessman from Texas, Jose Perado that leads to problems with the NY City mob. Gene Ryan ex-cop turns to a life of crime and when Stone and Dino get involved Gene tries to take revenge against Stone and Dino. Stone has his life filled with several women in this book and plenty of action to keep the Barrington series true to form and still enjoyable.
January 7, 2019
This is back to more of the action, mystery of the Stone Barrington series. Quick read. Ending was a little abrupt but overall, good book.
January 25, 2025
January 2025. I thought my august 2021 we as spot on.
September 2024. My Aug 2021 sums up my opinion of Woods spending an entire story on thugs, thieves, and bank robbers. Feh!
May 2023 funny that two totally uniqu characters popped up at the very end of the book: Sylvia May , a pick pocket and a small time crook and “Hank” Hanker a venture capitalist . I think both characters might appear on future stories.
Aug2021. My new take on the bad guys. I don't like or have sympathy for any of them anymore. Their "naked greed" knew no boundaries. And certainly this story destroyed any sense of "honor among thieves". I still like this story!!!!
Sept 2019 I just upped the rating, once again. this time to ****. Book on tape. Maybe it works much better with AUDIO rather than the written word.I rarely root for the "bad guy" but toward the end of the story, I had some sympathy for the "bad guy". One doesn't often get a likable or sympathetic "bad guy".
5-26-2016 Just did my second read. I liked it better that six months ago, but not by much. I must have really disliked it in December. We were vacationing at Avila Beach in the Central Coast of Calif. Still way below his standards in writing. But I did up the rating to two stars. Maybe I'm in a better mood today than when on vacation.
12-12-2015I just saw this is in the new book shelf at the library. Having read 50+ Woods books, I can tell you it has most of the formula stuff, almost included in it as well as his list of characters in most every book. The plot was really weak and without any attempt to make it more interesting, like most other Stone Barrington novels. Too bad for those of us who are loyal readers of Woods. This is the only Stone book I'd suggest one passes on. I am a multiple times reader of each of his books -NOT SO WITH THIS ATTEMPT. PS Am reading it on vacation and still feel it's not up to par.
September 2024. My Aug 2021 sums up my opinion of Woods spending an entire story on thugs, thieves, and bank robbers. Feh!
May 2023 funny that two totally uniqu characters popped up at the very end of the book: Sylvia May , a pick pocket and a small time crook and “Hank” Hanker a venture capitalist . I think both characters might appear on future stories.
Aug2021. My new take on the bad guys. I don't like or have sympathy for any of them anymore. Their "naked greed" knew no boundaries. And certainly this story destroyed any sense of "honor among thieves". I still like this story!!!!
Sept 2019 I just upped the rating, once again. this time to ****. Book on tape. Maybe it works much better with AUDIO rather than the written word.I rarely root for the "bad guy" but toward the end of the story, I had some sympathy for the "bad guy". One doesn't often get a likable or sympathetic "bad guy".
5-26-2016 Just did my second read. I liked it better that six months ago, but not by much. I must have really disliked it in December. We were vacationing at Avila Beach in the Central Coast of Calif. Still way below his standards in writing. But I did up the rating to two stars. Maybe I'm in a better mood today than when on vacation.
12-12-2015I just saw this is in the new book shelf at the library. Having read 50+ Woods books, I can tell you it has most of the formula stuff, almost included in it as well as his list of characters in most every book. The plot was really weak and without any attempt to make it more interesting, like most other Stone Barrington novels. Too bad for those of us who are loyal readers of Woods. This is the only Stone book I'd suggest one passes on. I am a multiple times reader of each of his books -NOT SO WITH THIS ATTEMPT. PS Am reading it on vacation and still feel it's not up to par.
December 26, 2017
Always like Stuart Woods books,this one not so much
Read
September 20, 20212018: This was kind of a crazy book. The plotlines had potential, but there were small branches that would drift off into weird places. The main plot was about two guys pretending to be cops who actually were kicked off the force, but do enforcement work for a mobster. One of Stone's clients gets involved and Stone is put on the hit list, as is Dino. Ian Rattle, Felicity Devonshire and Holly Barker also show up in one of the branches of the story. Felicity just never shows up again after leaving Stone's bed to deal with an emergency. There are quite a few deaths, though mostly bad guys. Stone acts a bit sluttily and the whole story ends in a cliff hanger.
Very strange.
2021: I am not as critical of the book this time as I seemed to be in 2018. Although there were quite a few plotlines, they all sort of hung together or were continuations from the last book. I didn't think that the ending was too much of a cliff hanger. At least it really had nothing to do with Stone and Dino. Stone is a bit of a slut in the book. The Ian Rattle/Dahai issue is never really moved forward and I can't remember if it crops up again in later books.
Caroline Woodhouse was from Delano, Georgia.
Very strange.
2021: I am not as critical of the book this time as I seemed to be in 2018. Although there were quite a few plotlines, they all sort of hung together or were continuations from the last book. I didn't think that the ending was too much of a cliff hanger. At least it really had nothing to do with Stone and Dino. Stone is a bit of a slut in the book. The Ian Rattle/Dahai issue is never really moved forward and I can't remember if it crops up again in later books.
Caroline Woodhouse was from Delano, Georgia.
July 20, 2015
There are just some books or series that I enjoy reading without rhyme or reason, the Stone Barrington series by Stuart Woods is one of those. I look forward to every installment with eagerness. The newest one, "Naked Greed" was no different. There are those who say it is time for the author to stop writing this series, that they are formulaic, same old, same old. I say, no! For me, it may never be time to "do away" with Stone. I may not always like him but I enjoy him, he's a little James Bond-ish, suave, debonair, a definite ladies man and I like his band of other recurring characters, his friends. There is something to be said for enjoyment! It may not be literary greatness, but there is still something to be said for books that are quick, easy reads with enjoyable, if perhaps unbelievable plots. Long live Stone Barrington!
January 14, 2016
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads for review. It was an “uncorrected proof”, so your experience might be different.
I have read the previous 33 in the Stone Barrington series, most of which I gave 3 star reviews. I have also read a lot of his other novels, and a lot of the characters turn up in each.
There was a lot of action, and glimpses into the lives of the rich and famous, as usual, but there didn’t seem to be any coherence to the plot.
Also, I was expecting more of the recent characters, but this was more like an introduction to a new fork in the series. Maybe the current line has reached the end.
It was still a decent read, just not what I was expecting. If you are new to the Stone Barrington series, you will probably have a better experience.
I have read the previous 33 in the Stone Barrington series, most of which I gave 3 star reviews. I have also read a lot of his other novels, and a lot of the characters turn up in each.
There was a lot of action, and glimpses into the lives of the rich and famous, as usual, but there didn’t seem to be any coherence to the plot.
Also, I was expecting more of the recent characters, but this was more like an introduction to a new fork in the series. Maybe the current line has reached the end.
It was still a decent read, just not what I was expecting. If you are new to the Stone Barrington series, you will probably have a better experience.
August 13, 2015
This is the first Stuart Woods book that I have read. It was quite entertaining and an easy read that flowed right along. Stone Barrington is easy to like though the wealth and privilege is a little over the top. The friendship and camaraderie is evident in the banter between Stone and Dino and is fun to read. It is a stand-alone novel but there are several offhand references to Stone's previous adventures that are not essential to the story. I would definitely read other novels by Stuart Woods.
October 31, 2015
I never get tired of Stuart Woods' Stone Barrington. The stories are beginning to blend together as the more recent novels progress. Every once in a while Stone comes up with a razor sharp remark that makes me laugh out loud. One shortcoming that I am beginning to find in the novels, however, is the bed-hopping minus repercussions. Stone moves seamlessly from one woman to the next and the women are compliant in moving in and out of Stone's life with apparent ease. That's fiction, however...
January 22, 2016
It's really a 3.5. Just like all Stone Barrington books, they don't really pick up until the last 5 chapters. This one wasn't as good as previous books. There were WAY too many characters to keep up with. Plus, it was kind of boring. The ending was horrible too. Maybe that new character will appear in the next book. Read it if you are a Stone Barrington fan, but don't expect too much action. In to the next one, Foreign Affairs.
December 18, 2015
I read an ARC for this book. A perfect beach book, with popcorn or potato chips alongside. The book is filled with double-crosses and fine meals. I always like reading his books. Occasionally he gets off gems like this: "[t]he party had upshifted from cordiality to conviviality, though nobody was wearing a lampshade yet."
August 5, 2015
I have long been a Stuart Woods fan and a fan of the Stone Barrington books. Lately it feels like it is the same book over and over, just a new title. The characters have lost their originality - everyone is wealthy, Stone sleeps with all the women, and all the dangers are a bit too easily escaped. I miss the days when they went to "Elaine's...late". and still had some unchartered storylines.
January 3, 2016
One thing you have to give Woods credit for: he is consistent. His books are never going to qualify as great literature, but they have the virtue of starting with some kind of hook and keeping the action going right up to the end. This installment was a bit bloodier than usual, but it was the bad guys coming to a bad end, so I didn't mind. A good evening's entertainment.
November 21, 2015
Stone and Dino are something else, you never know what those two are going to get into it. As usual I have enjoyed another Stuart Woods- Stone Barrington novel. Stone ought to have about 50 kids by now but oh well.
June 7, 2016
Always a Great Read
A little formulaic, but lots of us obviously like the formula and will always buy the new Woods novel, if for no other reason than to see what new and larger plane Stone will 'need' to buy next.
A little formulaic, but lots of us obviously like the formula and will always buy the new Woods novel, if for no other reason than to see what new and larger plane Stone will 'need' to buy next.
July 15, 2015
This is the latest Stone Barrington novel, and it's just classic Stuart Woods: nonstop action, great dialogue, believable characters, and a story that never lets you catch your breath. Good stuff!
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