Family Jewels

Stone Barrington #37

by Stuart Woods

Stone Barrington is back and better than ever in the newest thriller from the #1 New York Times–bestselling author.

Stone Barrington’s newest client seems to be a magnet for trouble. A poised lady of considerable wealth, she’s looking for help discouraging the attentions of a tenacious gentleman. But no sooner does Stone fend off the party in question than his client becomes involved in two lethal crimes.

With suspects aplenty, Stone must probe deep into his client’s life to find the truth, and he discovers that the heart of the mystery may be a famous missing piece of history, a stunningly beautiful vestige of a bygone era. It’s a piece with a long and storied past and untold value . . . the kind of relic someone might kill to obtain.

Among the upper crust nearly everyone has buried a skeleton or two, and it will take all of Stone’s investigative powers to determine whose secrets are harmless, and whose are deadly.

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

311 pages, Hardcover

First published April 5, 2016

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

[Lawrence Deering · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, we're at #37. So why have I read every Stone Barrington novel? They make me feel good. They're harmless good fun. I look forward to the next installment. What a world Stone lives in. He doesn't seem to age (or his women). He seems to work when he wants to. He's worth hundreds of millions of dollars and he always gets his man or woman. Let's not forget he calls the President and first gentleman his friends. #37 involves the murder of a socialite, a jealous and conniving ex-husband, and a historic piece of jewelry. Blah, blah, blah. Let's be honest. It doesn't matter what the plot is, Stone and Dino are going to eat great food, drink great wine, rub shoulders with the elite of high society, drive exotic cars, and yes, find time to catch the bad guys.

Mr. Woods, thank you for a great escape, although a brief one. I will forever be, your fan.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I always forgot how stupid I think these books are until I start reading one..... and then it hits me. This is that series about the randomly really rich guy who is a total man whore, and doesn't worry about taking one hook-up to a different hook-up's funeral or staying in her house. The whole story is unbelievable, without any illusion of a complicated plot. I'm embarrassed I read this book.

[Jeanine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this advance copy as a Goodreads giveaway. For those familiar with Woods' formula, you will not be disappointed. I've been a Stone Barrington fan from his first book and I enjoy reading about his escapades- gorgeous women, 5 star food & drink and his ever expanding fortune. This latest story brings back many of my favorite characters from this and other Woods series. The central storyline brings us from the Hamptons, to Santa Fe and Palm Beach then back to Manhattan. There's nothing terribly surprising that happens but to me, this series is like comfort food. I know what to expect and Woods delivered again.

[Monnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, another chance to revel in the world of the filthy rich. How rich? Well, how about a guy who buys two luxurious homes and a New York penthouse apartment for a mere $138 million, writing a check on the spot? Getting a look into the world as I'll never see it is, I suppose, one of the reasons I keep reading the books featuring near-billionaire New York attorney Stone Barrington, who hops in his fancy airplane (piloting it himself, of course) on a whim and is a personal friend of the first female President of the United States. It's for sure it's not because of the can't-put-it-down plot or nail-biting action; no, the most excitement Barrington and his friends get is being surprised at the choice of wine at dinner. For readers, it's likely to be which of the "ladies" will hop into Barrington's bed and which will be invited back.

It is a lady, of course, who gets the ball rolling here; her ex-husband, she claims, is out to kill her and she's got big bucks to pay for Barrington's legal help. Then a body turns up in a fancy mansion - conveniently next door to the mansion at which Barrington is a guest (a shift in the wind alerts his former cop nose that something is amiss). The victim has ties to his client's former husband, and the chase is on to find the guy before someone else bites the dust.

That chase leads to the discovery of an infamous and near priceless piece of jewelry, giving Barrington and his police friends a probable motive and Barrington a reason to hobnob with a colleague from exclusive auction house Sotheby's. Now all they have to do is find the murderer - and they put their minds to that task in between going to dinner parties, hopping in and out of the shower and arranging for property appraisals. Priorities, folks, priorities!

When it comes to ratings, I always waffle between 3 and 4 stars. But I must admit that despite my grousing, I rather enjoy this series (most likely because over the years I've simply become used to the banality of the stories and the ho-hum banter among the characters). The books - this is the 36th in the series, BTW - are great for deck or beach reading or when my brain is tired and balking at being challenged. Short chapters make it easy to stop any time I get the urge to do something else; reading this one in its entirety didn't waste much more than half a day.

[ML · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I thought this one would be better. I liked the idea of art and high end jewelry but this book was basically a vehicle for Stone to flaunt his wealth and have sex with random women except for Holly. 🙄🙄 he averages about 3 different women a book. Classy. Dino is right though that they never stick and see Stone as not a serious contender for partnership. He’s dumped often or the woman dies. 😣😣

The mystery in this one was lame. The “villain” not very good and the plotting pedestrian. When you are shelling out 4 books a year, quality is not your goal.

President Lee broke a bit of news in this one. She had another baby. Hmmmm. She’s over 50 by now. I wonder who had the kid??? Plausibility is not a staring suit for Stuart Woods. 🙄🙄🙄

[Michael crage · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best Stone Barrington novels. I didn't plan to, but I started reading it at 10 AM to fill a little time until I had to go somewhere. I picked it back up at 5PM when we got back and finished it at 9PM even though my wife thought there other things I should have been doing, and there were, but I couldn't put it down. I wish I had the money to buy the things Stone can.

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Much of this story is jumbled, unfulfilled and not Woods best. 4 of 10 stars 4 for this one.

[Kate Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first foray into the world of former detective, now attorney to the rich and high rolling - Stone Barrington. It's as though the story was ripped from the headlines as it deals with topics of recent entertainment news of note. Travels to the Hamptons, Santa Fe, Palm Beach and back to NYC all on a high expense account and living large, Stone is caught up in mystery of a socialite's demise. Was it the Ex whom she accused of stalking her? So many twists and turns with several red herrings thrown in for good measure. I thoroughly enjoyed this romp across the U.S. in search of justice.

I am grateful to author Stuart Woods, publisher Penguin Random House and Goodreads First Reads for having provided a free uncorrected proof of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Note: if scenes of amorous encounters (albeit not too graphic) cause discomfort, then this probably is not the book for you.

[Montessahall Montessahall · Rating 1 out of 5]

Must the author engage in so much airplane talk? Plane talk is way beyond dull now that he has reached book #37. Senior Citizen Stone's alley cat libido conquests is beyond sickening too. I do not know why I keep reading this insipid series. Perhaps I need to see a psychiatrist! This series is a seamless continuation of the same warmed over plot twists from past novels: disgruntled, homicidal ex-spouses/lovers, air planes, casual sex, mansions, perks and privileges of the wealthy, rich food and cocktails. Major eye roll: whatever happened to client/lawyer confidentiality? Stone shares information about his clients with all his sex partners! The most interesting character in this story is Bob, the dog.

[Debbie Floyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was given to me recently by a friend. This was the first Stone Barrington book I have read in this series. I actually give this one 3.5 stars. Good plot and mystery, quick read. I may read some of the other books in this series but not at the top of the To be read list.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy the Stone Barrington books. Good grief--I think that he may have been less of a horn dog in this one! A lot of real estate and money comes to Stone as he travels around the country.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun and quick read. Glad Woods have a couple of Barrington books out each year.

[Kym Gamble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 37 in the Stone Barrington series. Here we find Stone getting a mysterious appointment with a woman who says she is afraid her ex-husband will kill her. Stone recommends updating her will just in case something were to happen. She brings him out to her estate and they re-do the will as well as stoke a fire burning inside. The next day, she leaves her house and her dog in the backseat of his car. She hasn't told him where she is going or what she is doing. Things start to take weird turns and he ends up being in the same area as she is and so is her ex-husband. Thus, starts a whirlwind that ends up going across country and back, down to Florida and back to New York. There was a fitful beginning of the book where I thought I might have to DNF it. But, I held on and it ended up being a good 4-star book.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm totally accepting the fact that my rating may have a lot to do with this kind of book not being my sort of thing at all...but COME ON. Every element of the story was dubious at best, the only somewhat likeable character was the secretary, and the dialogue was utterly ridiculous. The one saving grace is that I Iistened to it during long drives, and the fury it conceived in me was enough to have me yelling at the book and thus keep me awake. So thanks for that, at least, Mr. Woods.

[Martin Pingree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure how Stuart does it but he continues to produce these awesomely Fun books to read ! Once again Stone Barrington is up to his ears with murder, mayhem and intrigue. As usual a woman is involved. These are great fun you should really be reading them.

[Karen ReadsALot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stone Barrington is always a fun read and I didn't pick out the murderer. Surprise surprise.

[Melvin Lance]

Quick read.

[Gail Cooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

With more than sixty novels to his credit one can easily understand why an author might occasionally seem to be reprising past situations or ideas. That was the case for this listener and Family Jewels. However, none of that detracted from thoroughly enjoying another adventure with handsome, clever super hero Stone Barrington.

Stone has come a long way from being an ordinary New York policeman and now he travels in high cotton. He’s called upon by the very wealthy Carrie Jarman Fiske for protection from her ex-husband Harvey Biggers who she believes is trying to kill her. However, as he goes about this task he comes across a corpse in a bedroom next door to Carrie’s East Hampton home. Not just any corpse mind you, but that of prostitute Darla Henry who’d been on Harvey’s arm at a recent New Year’s Eve party.

Well, one corpse follows another and Carrie is soon strangled. Is Harvey the guilty party? Not so he claims and does happen to have a solid alibi. Then we have Carrie’s ownership of a fabulous well known jeweled choker - is it real or a perfect copy? How did Carrie come to have it in her possession? As if all of this weren’t enough President Kate Lee asks Stone to look over the backgrounds of three candidates for the Supreme Court - one of whom is Stone’s ex-inamorata Tiffany Baldwin.

Somewhat implausible? All of this a little bit much? Not for this listener who hung on every word uttered by Tony Roberts - an estimable actor who has narrated a number of other Stone Barrington books.

Enjoy!

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#37 in the Stone Barrington series. I love this series, it's frothy, quick-reading and comes with frequent installments. Included with the fictional action is historical background of a fabulous necklace and the famous Klimt painting on which it's portrayed.

Stone Barrington series - Wealthy divorcee Carrie Fiske hires the New York City detective turned attorney to dissuade her ex-husband, Harvey Biggers, from stalking her and to remove Biggers from her will. Stone tasks his associate, former boxer Fred Flicker, with the first assignment, and he accepts Carrie's invitation for a weekend of business and pleasure in the Hamptons so that he might undertake the second. Stone revises the document, but barely has time to sample his lobster salad before discovering a dead body with ties to Biggers. He's soon embroiled in a mystery that involves a priceless object with cultural and historical significance.

[John]

Better with Sone and other characters back.

Stone Barrington is back and better than ever in the newest thriller from the #1 New York Times–bestselling author.

Stone Barrington’s newest client seems to be a magnet for trouble. A poised lady of considerable wealth, she’s looking for help discouraging the attentions of a tenacious gentleman. But no sooner does Stone fend off the party in question than his client becomes involved in two lethal crimes.

With suspects aplenty, Stone must probe deep into his client’s life to find the truth, and he discovers that the heart of the mystery may be a famous missing piece of history, a stunningly beautiful vestige of a bygone era. It’s a piece with a long and storied past and untold value . . . the kind of relic someone might kill to obtain.

Among the upper crust nearly everyone has buried a skeleton or two, and it will take all of Stone’s investigative powers to determine whose secrets are harmless, and whose are deadly.

[Diane Cogswell · Rating 2 out of 5]

The main character is a lawyer, pilot with his own plane, private eye, former cop, owns property all over the world, is very wealthy and has friends in all the right places, including the White House. He sleeps with every available woman who crosses his path, including his clients-which is unethical. But he can break the rules because he is the "perfect man". If the author developed the story line as much as he developed this character, it might have been a good book. Instead he leads the reader on with story lines that he never finished or explained. I'm still wondering how the thief actually got the necklace, but rest assured, "perfect man" caught him. Absolutely no suspense whatsoever. This was a typical "dime store" novel. Don't waste your dime.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuart Woods has clearly given up on writing separate series for each of his favorite characters: Stone Barrington, Ed Eagle, Holly Barker, Will Lee, and so forth. So be it. This book contains the familiar ingredients to Woods's books; namely, rich people in trouble assisted by the most powerful government executives in the world. As comical as extreme wealth can be, Woods still knows how to tell a good mystery. Tony Roberts's wonderful narration makes these books go down as smooth as Stone's favorite Knob Creek. Given how fast Woods turns out these books, I have no doubt I will find myself reading yet another soon.

[Skip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aptly titled, Stone Barrington gets a new client, Carrie Fiske, who is worried that her ex-husband is going to kill her. After she hires, sleeps with Stone, and leaves him in charge of her dog, she is killed. As the heir to a fortune of a tire company, her vast holdings include a storied necklace, made famous in Gustav Klimt’s famous painting, “Woman in Gold.” Fred, Joan, Dino, Viv, Holly Barker, Lance Cabot, and the President are in the story. I thought the ending a bit trite, as if such a thing is even possible for a Stuart Woods novel.

[Eric Aubin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a literary (I use the term loosely) version of "Livestyles of the Rich and Famous" and, like Robin Leach, it wears thin quickly. This is the first and last Stone Barrington book I'll ever pick up. It gets 2 stars for the beginning of the story because the ending was a sprint to the 300 page finish line. Talk about a lame wrap up; no suspence, implausible presidential security and incompetent guards. Come on, it wasn't even tongue in cheek. Stewart Woods is a hack of the first order; spare yourself if you value good crime fiction.

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

An audiobook read by Tony Roberts. I could listen to Tony read the phone book. This is #37 in the Stone Barrington series. This installment was not that thrilling. It was interesting but not overly creative. After 36 books I am emotionally invested in the regular characters and want to see what they are doing. As it turns out in this book, not that much. Perhaps it is setting us up for a more exhilarating #38.

[Bill Donhiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a typical Stone Barrington novel. For a while I stated I was giving up on Stuart Woods as the series was getting stale. Family Jewels is much better than several of his more recent efforts. I know this is mindless entertainment it is still a good beach or airplane read. Unlike before I can say I look forward to Stone Barrington's next adventure

[Harry Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Woods delivers his usual fast-paced action, and by this time most all of the characters are well-known. There were a couple of interesting twists in this one, involving a labrador retriever and a necklace of great value. I liken reading these to eating comfort food; goes down easy, but not very nutritious.

[Mysteryfan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always jump on his ARCs when available. This is a good entry in the series. The storyline is good, with references to Klimt’s “Woman in Gold.” I enjoy the aviation details. The mystery is pretty decent. All in all, a fun read. It should be out in time for vacation reading.

[Saundra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This may be one of the best Stone Barrington novels written. The storied necklace, made famous in Gustav Klimt’s famous painting, “Woman in Gold,” has a role in this novel, as does the Will Lee family and other characters from Stuart Woods' novels since the 80s.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the more enjoyable Stone Barrington books of the recent past. This one is about a very valuable necklace, as well as a series of murders. Stone is,of course, caught up in all sorts of wealthy encounters. Naturally, it all turns out well for Stone in the end.