Shoot First

Stone Barrington #45

by Stuart Woods

Stone Barrington is enjoying a round of golf in Key West when the game is violently interrupted--and it seems as if the target of the disturbance may have been one of his playing companions, the brilliant businesswoman behind a software startup on the cutting edge of technology. Soon, it becomes clear that this incident is only the first thrust in a deadly scheme to push the beautiful young woman out of the way and put her company's valuable secrets up for grabs.

From the sun-soaked Florida shores to an idyllic English country retreat, Stone embarks on a quest to protect his lovely new companion while searching for the mastermind behind the plot against her. But he may find that her enemy is far more resourceful--and dangerous--than he could have anticipated.

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

368 pages, Hardcover

First published April 10, 2018

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

[(NurseLisa) Square Granny from Ohio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh...kinda better but I’m still a little sad about this series...this one started better & definitely had a better storyline, but - and I never thought I would feel this way - I am OVER the womanizing-type/gratuitous sex-capades that Stone (our MC) is ALWAYS engaged in...I can’t figure out why the author ALWAYS chooses the drama “recipient” to be a bed-buddy... hello? This character is supposedly BFF’s with everyone from the Chief of NYPD, to the Secretary of State (MAYBE MARRY THEM???), to the us president to CIA and so on and on and on and on....there’s GOTTTTTTTA be better stories hidden in there somewhere, imho. *shrugs*

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Feels like Mr. Woods rushed this less than fulfilling story with an unfulfilling end. 4 of 10 stars

[Skip · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little better than recent books. Stone befriends/beds a young woman entrepreneur, who has sold her self-driving car business. A disgruntled former employee is alternatively trying to kill her or extort her by causing the software to fail. After a bunch of near misses, the couple head to Maine, where Ed Rawls makes a once in a lifetime shot -- killing two birds with one stone. Turns out, there are international players, very dangerous ones, after the car design too, putting the two bedmates in the crosshairs. I hope this does not ruin anyone's enjoyment, but Stone buys another house...

[Jenmalloy Chirichillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hate to say it but I am tiring of Stone and his wily ways.... how old is he by now?

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's the usual sex and more sex..not that I have anything against sex...but in a series with a character as interesting as Stone Barrington and some of his friends, it would be really nice to see more other types of action in the story. The one thing that I can say about any of Stuart Wood's books is that he doesn't waste time on descriptions of the room, the countryside, or anything...except of course the the sex which he manages to describe in minute detail. The female head of the corporation was also an air-head and so naive it's a wonder she could find her own a_ _ in the dark. Come on Mr. Woods bring back the Stone Barrington from the earlier books.

[Rhonda Spilde · Rating 1 out of 5]

If Hallmark movies were made for men, this book would make the perfect movie. So if you enjoy more description of an airplane's flight pattern than why the leading female character decides to sleep with the leading male character, this is your book. Zero character development, zero setting (the story leaps to locations all around the world), and zero plot development. It was a very simple read and I finished it only to see if it could ever redeem itself. The super arrogant, condescending Author's Note at the end was humorous though, so thanks for that.

[Judy Crudele · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shallow plot, no character development. Same old, same old. Woods used to be able to write. Now he just churns out books like Patterson. Apparently money is more important than actually writing something good.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Normal Stone Barrington featured novel chock full of sex, danger, travel and real estate transactions. This one, additionally, was an enjoyable easy read consisting of the normal cast of supporting characters and several nefarious villains. Dodging bullets and serious relationships is becoming second nature to Mr.Barrington.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent entertaining
Another entertaining will written romantic mystery thriller in the series. The characters good and bad are interesting and will developed. The story line is international and complicated leading to the unexpected conclusion. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys will written mysteries. Enjoy reading 2019😇

[Laura Wonderchick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic Stone Barrington tho this one seemed a bit too familiar like it was done before but different character names.

[Joanne Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barrington books can be hit and miss - this one was a hit. I really enjoyed it.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#45 in the Stone Barrington series. Another page turner in my favorite year 'round beach read. On a business trip to Key West, in his usual, in his Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous fashion, Stone encounters a nubile female for companionship but showing real restraint, he doesn't bed her until page 31. On his third day he manages to buy another house, a golf club membership and a yacht (to match the one at his English manor house). His female companion is in danger from a disgruntled ex-partner who is having attempts made on her life. To keep safe, Stone takes her to his home in NYC and then to Maine and England, with danger following. At one point with these threats seeming like a Saturday morning serial, the lyrics to the 1959 Coasters song "Along Came Jones" came to mind: "Salty Sam was a-tryin' to stuff Sweet Sue in a burlap sack / He said, "If you don't give me the deed to your ranch, I'm gonna throw you on the railroad track" / And then he grabbed her (And then?) / He tied her up (And then?) / He threw her on the railroad track (And then?) /A train started coming (And then? And then?) / And then along came STONE." Safe 'til next week.

Stone Barrington's business takes the wealthy New York lawyer to Key West, Fla., where he meets Silicon Valley entrepreneur Meg Harmon, whose company has recently developed software for a self-driving car. Unfortunately, a former partner of Meg's, Gino Bellini, feels she cheated him out of his fair share of the profits from the software design, and sets a pair of assassins on her trail. In between dodging bullets first on a golf course and then on a beach, Meg and Stone find time to get to know each other and have great sex. They later retreat to Stone's Manhattan townhouse, though trips on Stone's private plane to his place in Maine and his house in the English countryside also prove necessary for their safety.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way better than the last couple, which really isn’t saying much. Stone and his cronies are once again omnipotent. If this were a Hollywood film it would be termed a rollicking romp of a thriller. Fun, but not to be taken seriously, by any means!

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing ,when it comes to Robert Parker and Stone Barrington , it is a non-stop joy ride. And this may be one of Parker's best.
Stone is off to Key West with his best 'buds' Dino and Vivian Bacchetti. Vino is the NYC Police Commissioner and Viv is an ex-cop.They are going to participate in a corporate golf tournament and enjoy a few days of leisure. In Key West they meet Meg Harmon, who was the head of a software company that she recently had sold for 1.5 billion! However , she now has a mortal enemy in Gino Bellini along with his wife, Veronica. Gino , who was forced out of the corporation with a very generous buyout is not a happy man. He is plotting to get revenge by assassinating Meg.
And so the adventure begins ....from Florida to NYC to Maine...Stone tries to protect Meg and stay one step ahead of Gino. The pace is frantic , dangerous and hilarious too.
Enjoy Robert Parker's and Stone Barrington in " Shoot First " !! !!

[ML · Rating 3 out of 5]

This actually was a pretty good book. Implausible in parts but so are all Barrington books.

Meg, the next in a long line of Stone’s female companions is especially annoying. When you are rooting for a hit man you know the character is grating 🤣🤣

Stone is all over the place, Key West,NYC, Maine and the English countryside. Bought yet another house. 🙄🤣

It has a satisfactory conclusion.

[Kym Gamble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good Stone Barrington book. This time he hooks up with an ultra-rich, woman who is fighting to keep her patents out of the hands of the bad guys. Stone suffers some consequences for helping her. Good book and quick paced.

[Don Gorman · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3). This is the best Stone Barrington book in the last year or two. Woods is very creative when it comes to the criminal element in these stories, and this one is not only incredibly up to date, it all feels reasonably plausible. I am glad to know that Stone's testosterone levels have come back to superman values again, and that his checkbook is ever flowing. That snarkiness behind, this, as usual, is another fun romp in Stone Barrington's world. Only 3 months until the next one!

[Nick Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots and lots better than the previous episode from the Stone Barrington series. That one was bsically nothing more than a lacklustre Teddy Faye novel. So far this one is a Stone Barrington classic. All the well known ingredients: the beautiful and easily bedded blond in trouble, a dastardly duo of daredevil do-no-gooders, and loads of members of the society of Friends Of Stone Barrington to drool over our hero's escapades. Boring but familiar, if it weren't for the writing talents of mr. Woods, that make it a bit more exciting.

[Bill Donhiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

For this late in the series this one is surprisingly good. Typical Stuart bad guys expensive stuff plenty of sex. Nothing new but not bad

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Stone Barrington novel that has him helping a Software company exec who has had her program stolen by an x-partner. The usual connections occur as they try to avoid the shooters hired by the x-partner and then those of a Russian arms dealer who thought he had purchased the software from the x-partner. Lots of scurrying around between NY, England and Maine. Quick and light read as always.

[Jenny Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast paced read. This is a bit reminiscent of James Patterson in the pacing and short chapters, though the characters are a lot less likable.
Stone is sometimes likable, and then two sentences later does something that makes him not likable. It's rather amusing to see how the rich half lives, and the reviews are not wrong- It's a soap opera. The writing is decent, and at least in this particular volume I did not see any obvious things that Stone and company should have picked up on that they did not.

[Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woods got his Mo back. This Barrington barrage of violence and wonderfully funny dialogue is reminiscent of earlier editions of this never ending series. I loved it. I hope you do.

[Peter Lapuc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

I couldn't stop laughing when Stone met up with Owaki or whatever his name was and kept pronouncing his name. Lol

[Dianna W · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s hard to believe this was the 45th book. It’s an incredible feat. Stuart Woods is a man to be applauded because even 45 books later I still want more Stone Barrington. His life is one the supersedes belief. One of wealth not imaginable to me. One of danger and excitement and connections. A man to envy, a man every ordinary man wishes to be yet somehow Stuart Woods has kept Stone grounded. He doesn’t come off obnoxious or egotistical. He’s kept the same friends and remains a loyal friend to them. He’s found a moral compass that works for him. Yes he can only possibly be fictional but even as a woman I love getting lost in his life. His friends have become mine. These characters that I know so well ... Dino, Viv, Holly, Joan. I can picture them. I can understand them. Thank you Mr. Woods. For these friends that I can get lost with for a few hours at a time.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this on the "new books" table at the library, and since it had a jet, Key West & mystery in it I decided to try it out without looking to see if there were earlier books. And the book stands well on it's own. However, I was very surprised to find that it's book FORTY-FIVE in a series! So I guess I have a bunch to catch up on!

The action is a bit simple, but the story moves quickly & the author doesn't abuse your credibility too much with coincidences needed to move things along. The main characters seem like people you'd like to know, with a core of honor that I happen to like. So I think I'll enjoy reading the first 44 books.

[Michael crage · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book Stone starts out in Key West playing golf with members of the board of the Steele Groups which Barrington is also a member. While playing, a shot rings out and wounds a member of his party. It is finally decided that the shot was meant for Meg, a beautiful businesswoman who owns most of a start of business tha is in the process of designing a driverless car. Stone endeavors to protect moving all over the world with her. Of course since she is beautiful and it is Stone, she ends up in his bed. One slightly surprising thing is tha she is still with him at the end of the book.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While playing golf, Stone witnesses another player getting shot. He immediately knows that the shooter was either after him or one of the other members of his foursome. What follows involves much flying around, gun fights, and even some cartoonish Russian villains. Although it gets a bit silly at times, it's still a fun read.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another typical Stone Barrington... This time Stone gets involved with a beautiful billionaire businesswoman who has developed a self-driving car. Her former partner thinks he’s been cheated and wants to kill her. Stone has to fly her all over to his many houses (including buying a new one in Key West) to keep her safe. Quite a few bodies pile up before it’s all over.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent Stone Barrington story. Stone gets involved in a deadly plot to kill the owner of a heigh tech self driving car startup. Multiple attempts are made on her life and Stone helps to get to the bottom things. The action takes places in the USA and England and wherever they go trouble is not far behind. Action packed from start to finish. A very enjoyable read.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Stone Barrington story. But I like Stuart woods because his books are such easy reads.