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Palindrome
When both your past and future spell fear. Award-winning author Stuart Woods has crafted a masterful novel no reader will soon forget. For years, Liz Barwick has been battered by her brutal husband, a famous pro football player. This time it takes an emergency room to keep her from death. Now, the beautiful and talented photographer retreats to an island paradise off Georgia's coast to find solitude—and herself. As she becomes increasingly involved with the strange and handsome twin scions of the powerful Drummond family, she feels her traumatic memories begin to fade. But when a killer launches a series of gruesome murders, Liz discovers that there is no place to hide—not even in her lover's arms.
345 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
563 people are currently reading
1716 people want to read
About the author
Stuart Woods
410 books3,233 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 300 reviews
September 8, 2021
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A masterful tale of murder and unquenched revenge. I couldn’t put this book down!
Unfortunately, I had to shave off a star in the rating due to racially insensitive language.
A masterful tale of murder and unquenched revenge. I couldn’t put this book down!
Unfortunately, I had to shave off a star in the rating due to racially insensitive language.
August 28, 2013
I reckon this will definately be my last Stuart Woods book. And I reckon I said that before but it was strongly suggested by a friend who knows that I loved his book Chiefs, which, by the way, was great.
As another reviewer put it, Woods sold out to the company, writing two books a year, none of which are a half way decent read. So I reckon you guys who read a lot will see through this one quickly. It was just bad and barely readable.
Enough said, don't have time to pan this book much. If you read it though, get used to the word reckon because it's used throughout by all the characters, all the time, including a Harvard graduate. Maybe ole Woods thinks that we talk that way down south. Who knows?
I have to say though, the book's only saving grace, for me, was Cits setting, umberland Island which is not too far from where I'm from and where I live. I'm sure there are books though on Cumberland Island so I would have gotten those pictures and descriptions without reading the word 'reckon' 100 times in a book slightly more than 400 pages.
Woods needs to hang up his pen/pencil or computer. He's way past writing anything that is decent enough to read. Last Stuart Woods I'll ever read and I know I've said that before, but I really, really mean it this time.
As another reviewer put it, Woods sold out to the company, writing two books a year, none of which are a half way decent read. So I reckon you guys who read a lot will see through this one quickly. It was just bad and barely readable.
Enough said, don't have time to pan this book much. If you read it though, get used to the word reckon because it's used throughout by all the characters, all the time, including a Harvard graduate. Maybe ole Woods thinks that we talk that way down south. Who knows?
I have to say though, the book's only saving grace, for me, was Cits setting, umberland Island which is not too far from where I'm from and where I live. I'm sure there are books though on Cumberland Island so I would have gotten those pictures and descriptions without reading the word 'reckon' 100 times in a book slightly more than 400 pages.
Woods needs to hang up his pen/pencil or computer. He's way past writing anything that is decent enough to read. Last Stuart Woods I'll ever read and I know I've said that before, but I really, really mean it this time.
January 18, 2018
I really enjoyed this book and hope some of you will pick it up.
My full spoiler free review is on my blog
Link: https://amelianamora18.wixsite.com/my...
Thank you for reading!
My full spoiler free review is on my blog
Link: https://amelianamora18.wixsite.com/my...
Thank you for reading!
June 6, 2015
I loved the story, plotline, characters setting and back history, but......
It did seem to pack a hell of a lot of one off events into a very short amount of time. I know all novels have to do it to an extent, but it did stretch belief the amount of 'one off' events that occur throughout the book.
The characters were believable for the most part, but there was a sub-plot involving two brothers that I thought was REALLY predictable. Still enjoyed reading on, but left me thinking less of the main characters for not guessing at the obvious outcome.
All in all, great book and if you like Woods, you'll love this one. Previously read a load of the 'Stuart Woods world" books [novels in the Stone Barrington, Will Lee and Holly Barker series] and have read 1 other standalone by him, Dead Eyes, like that I think it skirts the wider world, but I can't remember reading any major characters come into the story at any point.
Seems to write his main characters from the prospective of people who are nothing like the characters in his series, risky move, that I think really paid off and made for a good read.
ONE WARING---
Remember the year this book was published, 1989, many times I've found myself reading it and wondered why the characters didn't simply use a smartphone or the internet and kept remembering the year! Isn't a spoiler of the story, but think you need to be reminded so events in the book stay believable.
It did seem to pack a hell of a lot of one off events into a very short amount of time. I know all novels have to do it to an extent, but it did stretch belief the amount of 'one off' events that occur throughout the book.
The characters were believable for the most part, but there was a sub-plot involving two brothers that I thought was REALLY predictable. Still enjoyed reading on, but left me thinking less of the main characters for not guessing at the obvious outcome.
All in all, great book and if you like Woods, you'll love this one. Previously read a load of the 'Stuart Woods world" books [novels in the Stone Barrington, Will Lee and Holly Barker series] and have read 1 other standalone by him, Dead Eyes, like that I think it skirts the wider world, but I can't remember reading any major characters come into the story at any point.
Seems to write his main characters from the prospective of people who are nothing like the characters in his series, risky move, that I think really paid off and made for a good read.
ONE WARING---
Remember the year this book was published, 1989, many times I've found myself reading it and wondered why the characters didn't simply use a smartphone or the internet and kept remembering the year! Isn't a spoiler of the story, but think you need to be reminded so events in the book stay believable.
April 14, 2014
This was excellent. A captivating read of a double mystery which, in the end, merges together for a very sad, but satisfying, conclusion.
My compliments to Stuart Woods. He was recommended tome by a fellow reader and I'm glad I picked the novel up to read. I think I might turn out to be a fan. Especially so if he can weave a complex plot in the next novel as he did in this one.
Gotta say, it's a wonderful feeling when you discover an author who writes this well.
My compliments to Stuart Woods. He was recommended tome by a fellow reader and I'm glad I picked the novel up to read. I think I might turn out to be a fan. Especially so if he can weave a complex plot in the next novel as he did in this one.
Gotta say, it's a wonderful feeling when you discover an author who writes this well.
February 10, 2023
*3.5 ⭐️ I quite literally couldn’t put this book down. The plot was great, but I really didn’t like some of language the author used. Very much dated the book
January 30, 2008
This is one if Stuart Woods's older novels, and probably my favorite, if only for the intriguing concept he built the story around. This has a lot more depth than his Stone Barrington series. (Not that I don't also enjoy those!)
November 12, 2010
Since this is the first book I read by Woods, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I definitely didn't expect what 'Palindrome' delivered--it was great. It had all the things I look for in a book, great characters-- whom you're truly interested in, multiple story lines, wonderful plot twists, and the best of all when you--the reader--think you have it all figured out....nope you don't.
If you haven't read this book go and get a copy however you can, because you wont be disappointed! Great read and I can't wait to read another book by Stuart.
If you haven't read this book go and get a copy however you can, because you wont be disappointed! Great read and I can't wait to read another book by Stuart.
August 12, 2019
Stuart Woods never fails to bring the excitement!
October 13, 2021
I read about a third of the book, I realized I have read this book years ago and decided I did not want to read it for second time. The book was an OK read but gets ridiculous at times.
July 30, 2023
It started off really well but the ending was a bit anticlimactic. The plot twist didn't twist me enough 😂. Moreover, the confrontation between Liz and Bake doesn't really felt as exciting as it ought to be. Long story short, the ending bored me.
January 2, 2024
I enjoyed this book. Perhaps because I have twins in my family and perhaps because I hate steroids. The mystery was great. The plot was masterful.
April 7, 2025
Stuart Woods best book!
May 26, 2023
What an interesting book. So many things going on. Really enjoyed it. Loved the setting.
July 19, 2021
I am a fan of Mr. Woods, so not surprised to enjoy this one. It was reminiscent of The Other by Tryon, yet had a flavor of it's own. The Island is a place I would love to visit. As far as Bake? SPOILER! No matter how good a football player, someone would have leveled him long before he killed the couple. Still, I liked it and it is a good action read.
June 16, 2023
If I say I don't truly know this book, believe me. This was just posted by a group member on Facebook. Many of us looked up the book's title out of curiosity. 😂 Almost every person in the group contributed to and spent time on this book. Since this is the first book I've read by Stuart Woods, I wasn't sure what to anticipate, but Palindrome definitely exceeded my expectations; it was excellent. It had everything I sought for in a book: interesting characters you care about, several narrative lines, fantastic plot twists, and the best part: just when you, the reader, think you've got it all figured out, you're wrong. 🫢 A compelling book about a two-part mystery that, in the end, combines for a heartbreaking but rewarding ending. Stuart Woods wrote a book that I believe is well-written. I wholeheartedly urge you to delve into his early works if you are a fan of Stuart Woods. What an amazing book! Highly recommended! 🙌🏻
August 13, 2025
2021 Book Hoarders Challenge #30--1 Word Title
When her husband nearly killed her, Liz got a divorce and disappeared. She is now photographing the unscarred beauty of Cumberland Island, a family-owned island off the coast of St. Marys, GA. When two very close acquaintances suddenly die, Liz knows her ex-husband, pro football QB, is searching for her so he can finish what he started.
2025--Four years later, I reread this story. I loved it! I still rate it as five stars. Most of Stuart Woods' works are formula fiction, but some, such as Palindrome and Chiefs, are very good, plot-driven, and worthy of being made into good film features. I'm glad I reread it. It was worth my time.
When her husband nearly killed her, Liz got a divorce and disappeared. She is now photographing the unscarred beauty of Cumberland Island, a family-owned island off the coast of St. Marys, GA. When two very close acquaintances suddenly die, Liz knows her ex-husband, pro football QB, is searching for her so he can finish what he started.
2025--Four years later, I reread this story. I loved it! I still rate it as five stars. Most of Stuart Woods' works are formula fiction, but some, such as Palindrome and Chiefs, are very good, plot-driven, and worthy of being made into good film features. I'm glad I reread it. It was worth my time.
February 13, 2012
Nothing like the book Under the Lake by Stuart Woods. After that book I read a lot of his books but recently stopped since it's the same plot book to book. This book was an older book and I was surprised I never read it. It was a good book but not many twists or turns. You knew right away who the killer was. It was an interesting twist with the twins but I wished he would've of gave more of a back round information on their story. Over all a good book that made me keep reading.
March 14, 2012
This book is incredible. I like Stuart Woods' series books, but they get a certain routine to them after a while. This one, a standalone, is AMAZING. You spend a lot of time wondering if you have it right in your head, only to learn something new that makes you second-guess yourself.
You really get to know the characters as well, which is my favorite part of a story.
You really get to know the characters as well, which is my favorite part of a story.
June 4, 2021
Liz Barwick is beaten by her husband when she tells him she wants a divorce. After he beat her, she got a nice settlement and a divorce. But, he’s not done. He’s taken a lot of steroids and has a lot of rage. People start dying until he finds out where she is. She’s happy in her little island life, but she’s always on the lookout for Baker Ramsey.
August 7, 2021
I believe this is my first Stuart Woods book and it definitely wasn't what I expected. Yes, it was written in 1991, but the casual racism and misogyny were astonishing, cringe-worthy and off-putting. The characters (especially the villain) weren't believable. But, the setting (Cumberland Island) was interesting. It was all a bit too much. I can't recommend it.
July 1, 2009
This was a quick beach read--a little cheesy for me
March 18, 2010
Author - uses "I reckon" so many time in his books -
even if the character is a Harvard Grad!
UGH - I want to cross out every I reckon in his books..........
even if the character is a Harvard Grad!
UGH - I want to cross out every I reckon in his books..........
September 25, 2016
I read this year's ago and found it very suspenseful and hard to put down. A great intro to this author for those who enjoy a good escape read!
February 1, 2021
The greatest book of all time. A must read.
July 28, 2019
Finalist 1992 Edgar Award for Best Mystery. This 1991 thriller by prolific author Stuart Woods is one of his early standalone thrillers before giving in entirely to his soap opera Stone Barrington universe. Photographer Liz Barwick is savagely beaten by her steroid freak football player husband, Bake Ramsey. Her aggressive lawyer gets her a quick divorce and a remunerative settlement, after which she goes into hiding off the Georgia coast. Her ex goes on a homicidal rampage attempting to locate her and a major story arc follows the Atlanta homicide detective trying to prove Ramsey is a killer. The other story arc follows Liz as she seamlessly integrates into the life of the island and the Cumberland family. It's incredible how quickly the family patriarch comes to trust her and involve her in family affairs; and some of the climax events are telegraphed, However, this is an enjoyable read.
When Liz Barwick is beaten nearly to death by her steroid-crazed husband, Baker Ramsey, a star NFL running back, she quickly divorces him, takes a large cash settlement and disappears from public view. Liz, whose book of sports photographs has just been released, takes advantage of her publisher's offer to live in his cottage on an isolated private island off the Georgia coast. But when Ramsey goes on a murderous rampage, Liz's lawyer and publisher and his wife are among his victims. Meanwhile other events are unfolding on Cumberland Island, where Liz becomes involved with the Drummond family, the island's original settlers, and forms a warm relationship with patriarch Angus Drummond. She also embarks on a romance with one of a pair of handsome twins--inseparable as children, they now mysteriously refuse even to acknowledge each other's existence. A tragic secret more than two decades old shatters the island's tranquility just as Ramsey arrives on the scene.
When Liz Barwick is beaten nearly to death by her steroid-crazed husband, Baker Ramsey, a star NFL running back, she quickly divorces him, takes a large cash settlement and disappears from public view. Liz, whose book of sports photographs has just been released, takes advantage of her publisher's offer to live in his cottage on an isolated private island off the Georgia coast. But when Ramsey goes on a murderous rampage, Liz's lawyer and publisher and his wife are among his victims. Meanwhile other events are unfolding on Cumberland Island, where Liz becomes involved with the Drummond family, the island's original settlers, and forms a warm relationship with patriarch Angus Drummond. She also embarks on a romance with one of a pair of handsome twins--inseparable as children, they now mysteriously refuse even to acknowledge each other's existence. A tragic secret more than two decades old shatters the island's tranquility just as Ramsey arrives on the scene.
May 14, 2024
the absolute worst book i’ve ever read in my life. a stupid pedantic slog of a book written by an old, white racist who’s never been in the same room as a living breathing woman before, let alone had a decent conversation one. also, a drunk preschooler could figure out the big “twist” ending because it basically slaps you in the face and dances the macarena while shouting “oooh i’m so mysterious and cooooool”
spoilers ahead:
- lady has beefy ‘roided up tarzan-wannabe husband who almost kills her
- lady gets a divorce and a fancy vacation to an island
(insert lady doing boring weird things with boring weird people with a sprinkle of misogny and racism on levels that only an old out-of-touch white guy in the early 90’s could achieve)
- lady meets “hot” dude on a beach who unironically wears a loincloth and doesn’t respect boundaries
- lady falls inexplicably in love with hot dude who has the personality of wet cardboard (and an even more generic ken doll twin brother who’s apparently “not as hot”)
(insert more racism and misogyny)
- lady also flirts with hot dudes geriatric (but still hot apparently?) grandpa who’s one stiff breeze away from keeling over
- lady finds out two pages away from the ending of the book that the “hot dude” and his “not as hot twin” are actually just one dude pretending to be two dudes because dude-bro#1 killed dude-bro#2 over a hot girl
- SURPRISE! roided up ex-husband is on the island! he tries to kill lady! hot dude fights him and literally gets squished to death (no, i’m actually serious) after sticking an axe in roided up ex-husband’s neck
The End
wow. amazing. a masterpiece.
just skip this book and watch paint dry instead. it’ll probably be more entertaining.
spoilers ahead:
- lady has beefy ‘roided up tarzan-wannabe husband who almost kills her
- lady gets a divorce and a fancy vacation to an island
(insert lady doing boring weird things with boring weird people with a sprinkle of misogny and racism on levels that only an old out-of-touch white guy in the early 90’s could achieve)
- lady meets “hot” dude on a beach who unironically wears a loincloth and doesn’t respect boundaries
- lady falls inexplicably in love with hot dude who has the personality of wet cardboard (and an even more generic ken doll twin brother who’s apparently “not as hot”)
(insert more racism and misogyny)
- lady also flirts with hot dudes geriatric (but still hot apparently?) grandpa who’s one stiff breeze away from keeling over
- lady finds out two pages away from the ending of the book that the “hot dude” and his “not as hot twin” are actually just one dude pretending to be two dudes because dude-bro#1 killed dude-bro#2 over a hot girl
- SURPRISE! roided up ex-husband is on the island! he tries to kill lady! hot dude fights him and literally gets squished to death (no, i’m actually serious) after sticking an axe in roided up ex-husband’s neck
The End
wow. amazing. a masterpiece.
just skip this book and watch paint dry instead. it’ll probably be more entertaining.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2024
This fragile old paperback circa 1991 was a good started-on-vacation read that I finished today. A thriller/romance/murder mystery centered on the abused and now-divorced wife of a steroid-fueled pro-football player who liked to use his fists on her. Liz Barwick, a successful photographer, and her savvy attorney hold the threat of revealing Bake Ramsey's murderous brutality over him for a comfortable settlement and the end of their marriage. Bake, however, is enraged at being spurned and plots revenge.
Liz decamps, anonymously, to Cumberland Island, GA, where she meets the quirky, engaging, and mysterious Drummond family, especially scion Angus, in his 90s but sharp and the ruler of the island roost. Liz, with Angus' encouragement, begins to photograph the island and to look into its history, and while doing so befriends and is befriended by members of the Drummond family and an ancient Black retainer and his grandson. Lots of complicated relationships, rivalries, and worries about the Island's future.
Meanwhile, Bake is hunting for Liz, and does so while brutalizing (and worse) people from Liz's life, others he encounters, with nary a smidge of remorse.
As Bake closes in, so does a convenient hurricane. A 20-foot gator lurks in the churning waters, too.
Entertaining!
Liz decamps, anonymously, to Cumberland Island, GA, where she meets the quirky, engaging, and mysterious Drummond family, especially scion Angus, in his 90s but sharp and the ruler of the island roost. Liz, with Angus' encouragement, begins to photograph the island and to look into its history, and while doing so befriends and is befriended by members of the Drummond family and an ancient Black retainer and his grandson. Lots of complicated relationships, rivalries, and worries about the Island's future.
Meanwhile, Bake is hunting for Liz, and does so while brutalizing (and worse) people from Liz's life, others he encounters, with nary a smidge of remorse.
As Bake closes in, so does a convenient hurricane. A 20-foot gator lurks in the churning waters, too.
Entertaining!
October 24, 2021
4/5 Stars
Liz Barwick is an abused wife. At the opening of the novel, she’s rushed into a hospital emergency room, on the brink of death, after the most recent beating from her husband.
From this opener, a course of actions is taken by Liz. And subsequently, that pushes her controlling, manipulative and mentally unstable ex-husband into his own course of action.
Throughout the story you meet various bit-players; friends of Liz and then inhabitants of the island where she goes to rebuild her life. If I had a criticism of the book it would be that many of these characters lack any real substance or story. But then you don’t really need them to exist more than they do, as they serve their purpose as narrative prompts or tools.
Over the next couple of hundred pages, as you hurtle towards the inevitable conclusion of the story, your focus is on Liz and Bake. And Woods has convincingly written a baddie, in Bake, that you can really enjoy disliking. I harboured a guess on how I thought the ending would go and I wasn’t that far off - if you read with caution and keep your eyes open, the clues are there to find.
Definitely a good read and, based on this, I would definitely be interested in reading more of Stuart Woods.
Liz Barwick is an abused wife. At the opening of the novel, she’s rushed into a hospital emergency room, on the brink of death, after the most recent beating from her husband.
From this opener, a course of actions is taken by Liz. And subsequently, that pushes her controlling, manipulative and mentally unstable ex-husband into his own course of action.
Throughout the story you meet various bit-players; friends of Liz and then inhabitants of the island where she goes to rebuild her life. If I had a criticism of the book it would be that many of these characters lack any real substance or story. But then you don’t really need them to exist more than they do, as they serve their purpose as narrative prompts or tools.
Over the next couple of hundred pages, as you hurtle towards the inevitable conclusion of the story, your focus is on Liz and Bake. And Woods has convincingly written a baddie, in Bake, that you can really enjoy disliking. I harboured a guess on how I thought the ending would go and I wasn’t that far off - if you read with caution and keep your eyes open, the clues are there to find.
Definitely a good read and, based on this, I would definitely be interested in reading more of Stuart Woods.
July 20, 2025
I've read Stuart Woods before, and so far have yet to be disappointed. This is a fascinating read if you love lush island settings, mystery, and a little romance.
Liz Barwick is the hero of the story: a whip-smart, emotionally intelligent woman with a knack for photography and a terrible taste in men. After her husband nearly kills her in a domestic dispute, she divorces and flees to a charming little island to start a new life—but as you can imagine, not everything on the island is as it seems.
My main criticisms: Liz is a little bit boring as a protagonist—she always knows what to say and do in every scenario, and everyone that meets her is infatuated instantly. The main twist of the novel, the secret of the island's heirs, is unfortunately predictable, and the conclusion of the story is a literal whirlwind, feeling rushed at times.
But, Woods' writing is smart, efficient, and easily digestible; this is the perfect summer read to take to the beach (and I often did).
Liz Barwick is the hero of the story: a whip-smart, emotionally intelligent woman with a knack for photography and a terrible taste in men. After her husband nearly kills her in a domestic dispute, she divorces and flees to a charming little island to start a new life—but as you can imagine, not everything on the island is as it seems.
My main criticisms: Liz is a little bit boring as a protagonist—she always knows what to say and do in every scenario, and everyone that meets her is infatuated instantly. The main twist of the novel, the secret of the island's heirs, is unfortunately predictable, and the conclusion of the story is a literal whirlwind, feeling rushed at times.
But, Woods' writing is smart, efficient, and easily digestible; this is the perfect summer read to take to the beach (and I often did).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 300 reviews