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Stone Barrington #44
Unbound
Stone Barrington is pulled along for the ride when a friend pursues a perilous course of vengeance in the newest novel from #1 New York Times –bestselling author Stuart Woods.
In the wake of a personal tragedy, former CIA operative Teddy Fay—now a successful Hollywood film producer known as Billy Barnett—takes a leave of absence to travel and grieve, and lands in Santa Fe in the company of his friends Stone Barrington and Ed Eagle. There, fate hands him an unexpected opportunity to exact quiet revenge for his recent loss, from a man who helped to cover up the crime.
But when his enemy wises up to Teddy’s machinations, a discreet game of sabotage escalates to a potentially lethal battle. From the arid splendor of the New Mexico desert to the glamour of Hollywood’s rolling hills, it will take all of Stone Barrington’s diplomacy and skill to maneuver for Teddy’s advantage while keeping innocents out of the crossfire.
In the wake of a personal tragedy, former CIA operative Teddy Fay—now a successful Hollywood film producer known as Billy Barnett—takes a leave of absence to travel and grieve, and lands in Santa Fe in the company of his friends Stone Barrington and Ed Eagle. There, fate hands him an unexpected opportunity to exact quiet revenge for his recent loss, from a man who helped to cover up the crime.
But when his enemy wises up to Teddy’s machinations, a discreet game of sabotage escalates to a potentially lethal battle. From the arid splendor of the New Mexico desert to the glamour of Hollywood’s rolling hills, it will take all of Stone Barrington’s diplomacy and skill to maneuver for Teddy’s advantage while keeping innocents out of the crossfire.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 2, 2018
2275 people are currently reading
1658 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 408 reviews
August 29, 2018
This is Teddy Fay, ex C.I.A.
Lost his wife in an accidental way.
Not to worry, no time for grief.
Another woman comes along to provide relief.
Should you ruin Ted's day, he will make you pay!
6 of 10 stars
Lost his wife in an accidental way.
Not to worry, no time for grief.
Another woman comes along to provide relief.
Should you ruin Ted's day, he will make you pay!
6 of 10 stars
November 1, 2018
Should be called a Teddy Fey Novel not a Stone Barrington. I am so tired of these books, but I can't stop reading them. Something is wrong with me.
January 13, 2018
3.5 stars, actually
Teddy Fay is not a nice man. On the other hand, if you want vengeance - all the way up to and including having somebody rubbed out - Teddy's your guy. But if you need to find him, look for Billy Barnett; that's the identity he's been using ever since New York attorney Stone Barrington, his friend of sorts, finagled him a Presidential pardon for sins he committed years earlier. Billy even works at the motion picture production company run by Stone's son, Peter, with his partner Ben (another well-connected son of a filthy rich and powerful guy).
As this story begins, Billy is still mourning the death of his wife, who was run down by a drunk driver - the wife of another filmmaker, Dax Baxter, who outshines Billy in the unnice guy category. Dax also managed to use his considerable wealth and connections to protect his wife from prosecution, which understandably rankles Billy no end. As a former CIA operative back when he was Teddy, Billy is a man who tends to get what he wants - and he wants Dax's head on a platter (literally, if necessary).
Using still another identity, Billy gets hired on the set of Dax's latest movie, where he hopes to create havoc that will hit Dax where it hurts most - in the pocketbook. But Dax smells a rat, figuring out who Billy really is. Worse, he decides Billy needs to be taken out, bringing in some Russian muscle to do the job.
So since this book supposedly is about high-powered, oversexed Stone (this is the 44th book, I believe), how does he play into the story? Hardly at all, as it turns out. Mostly, he jets from place to place, talks on the phone and arranges for friends, including Billy, to stay in one of his ostentatious homes that are scattered all over the country. At least this time he settles on a single woman - a highly successful Sante Fe realtor - rather than trying to keep customers satisfied in all the cities in which he owns property.
All in all, it's not a bad story - perhaps with a bit more murder, mayhem and gore than usual - so if I overlook the fact that Stone is pretty much overlooked, I'm willing to call it a decent read (nowhere near as boring as the last few in this series, in fact). That said, I've never been a big Teddy Fay fan, and this book didn't do much to change that opinion.
Teddy Fay is not a nice man. On the other hand, if you want vengeance - all the way up to and including having somebody rubbed out - Teddy's your guy. But if you need to find him, look for Billy Barnett; that's the identity he's been using ever since New York attorney Stone Barrington, his friend of sorts, finagled him a Presidential pardon for sins he committed years earlier. Billy even works at the motion picture production company run by Stone's son, Peter, with his partner Ben (another well-connected son of a filthy rich and powerful guy).
As this story begins, Billy is still mourning the death of his wife, who was run down by a drunk driver - the wife of another filmmaker, Dax Baxter, who outshines Billy in the unnice guy category. Dax also managed to use his considerable wealth and connections to protect his wife from prosecution, which understandably rankles Billy no end. As a former CIA operative back when he was Teddy, Billy is a man who tends to get what he wants - and he wants Dax's head on a platter (literally, if necessary).
Using still another identity, Billy gets hired on the set of Dax's latest movie, where he hopes to create havoc that will hit Dax where it hurts most - in the pocketbook. But Dax smells a rat, figuring out who Billy really is. Worse, he decides Billy needs to be taken out, bringing in some Russian muscle to do the job.
So since this book supposedly is about high-powered, oversexed Stone (this is the 44th book, I believe), how does he play into the story? Hardly at all, as it turns out. Mostly, he jets from place to place, talks on the phone and arranges for friends, including Billy, to stay in one of his ostentatious homes that are scattered all over the country. At least this time he settles on a single woman - a highly successful Sante Fe realtor - rather than trying to keep customers satisfied in all the cities in which he owns property.
All in all, it's not a bad story - perhaps with a bit more murder, mayhem and gore than usual - so if I overlook the fact that Stone is pretty much overlooked, I'm willing to call it a decent read (nowhere near as boring as the last few in this series, in fact). That said, I've never been a big Teddy Fay fan, and this book didn't do much to change that opinion.
January 21, 2018
I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and there used to be a film critic on the San Francisco Chronicle who used a guy in a chair to indicate the rating. Guy bouncing out of his chair clapping was the highest. Toward the bad end, there was an empty chair and a chair that was knocked over in the critic's haste to get out of there. This was a knocked-over-chair bad book. I had never read anything by Stuart Woods before; I picked this up off of a "favorites" table at the library. It's truly terrible. This book is a real he-man fantasy filled with numerous people shooting each other, stabbing each other, and having sex with women who throw themselves at men 10 minutes after meeting them because the men, apparently, are just so incredibly irresistible. The plot was ridiculous. The whole thing is idiotic. This is the 44th Stone Barrington novel, so clearly Woods is a very popular author, but this is one reader who will not be reading any of the other 43--or any of Woods' other series, either.
January 24, 2018
This is basically Teddy Fay #1.5, since Stone Barrington is barely to be found in the book. Tragedy strikes Teddy Fay, now known as Billy Barnett, and he chooses to exact his vengeance in the form of economic sanctions against the movie producer who covered for the perpetrator. Then, the movie producer decides Billy is trying to kill him, and hires a Russian hit man to get rid of Billy. Quite a bit more murder, mayhem and gore than usual for a Woods novel as killers run amok, especially Billy.
May 16, 2018
To show how interchangeable these Stone Barringtons have become, I was tracking my reading on Goodreads as the book "Shoot First," and I didn't even notice...In fact, they're so interchangeable that the plotline seems borrowed from "Dangerous Intentions"...where Stone has to deal with an ill-tempered movie producer with Russian mob connections...in this one, after an ill-tempered movie producer with Russian mob connections wife accidently kills Teddy Fay's wife, Teddy has to deal with him...nevertheless, they ARE a guilty pleasure & the pages DO turn!
February 17, 2020
If there was such a thing as a book having bad acting, this is the book. If people in the real world carried on conversations like the ones taking place in this book, I would never leave the house for fear of my head exploding. Absolutely ridiculous storyline and I feel a bit more dumb for having read the whole thing.
January 27, 2018
Thought I bought a Stone Barrington book but... 95 % Teddy Fay, 5 % Stone Barrington.... Shouldn’t advertise it as a Stone Barrington book & he’s only a cameo character in his own book....
February 28, 2018
Teddy Fay's wife is killed in an auto/pedestrian accident. The woman who hit her is the wife of a wealthy movie producer who whisks her off to rehab and buys the cops off to say the accident occurred due to a medical emergency. Needless to say, Teddy Fay wants revenge. Since he is a former CIA assassin, he's quite capable of meting out his own brand of justice. The movie producer, Dax Baxter, responds to rumors of his imminent demise by hiring a Russian hit man to take Teddy Fay out.
If you read the Stone Barrington books to learn about Stone's most recent escapades, you might be disappointed because he is only a supporting character in this one. However, only Stone could find a woman to hop into bed with in just a cameo feature. Teddy Fay is the prominent character in this book and he is much more interesting, not to mention deadly, than Stone. I read this book in a short period of time as it's filled with action. Be prepared for some violent scenes as Teddy Fay takes care of business.
If you read the Stone Barrington books to learn about Stone's most recent escapades, you might be disappointed because he is only a supporting character in this one. However, only Stone could find a woman to hop into bed with in just a cameo feature. Teddy Fay is the prominent character in this book and he is much more interesting, not to mention deadly, than Stone. I read this book in a short period of time as it's filled with action. Be prepared for some violent scenes as Teddy Fay takes care of business.
June 25, 2018
Never underestimate the power or resilience of Teddy Fay . . . just ask the rattlesnake! Enjoyable listen on audio -- 6 out 0f 10.
May 8, 2018
This one was different with the focus on Billy Barnett (Teddy) and I thought it was a much more engaging storyline and not so cheesy as the last ones about Stone. It has Billy going between LA and Santa Fe after the death of his wife. You know he has to make it right and his has his own way of doing that.
August 6, 2018
I'm not sure why I finished this book as I really did not like it very much. The characters seem wooden and comprise self satisfied men who fly their own planes, have several residences and can always find a beautiful blonde to share their beds. I don't think I will read another.
January 4, 2018
Delighted to read a new Billy Barnett TALE written without a partner! This one flows like the Mississippi, in true Stuart Woods style. I couldn't put it down, and I can't wait for the next one!!
March 23, 2025
This book was insane. Teddy Fay lost his wife to a pedestrian accident and seeks revenge. It snowballs out of control when a hit man targets Teddy. Chaos ensues.
Teddy isn’t single for long. Stuart Woods finds women disposable so it’s no surprise that this is where the plot takes us. Teddy with new girlfriend Sally, dodge the assassin through out the whole book. It’s ridiculous at times.
Teddy always wins. Stone is in this but not much. Ed Eagle as well. Snooze. 😴
Teddy isn’t single for long. Stuart Woods finds women disposable so it’s no surprise that this is where the plot takes us. Teddy with new girlfriend Sally, dodge the assassin through out the whole book. It’s ridiculous at times.
Teddy always wins. Stone is in this but not much. Ed Eagle as well. Snooze. 😴
January 16, 2018
As my friends know that I love Stuart Woods books, this one is no exception and it’s # 44 for Stone Barrington!!
January 14, 2018
Gee, here’s a Stone Barrington novel where the good guys prevail and the bad guys die—haven’t read one of those in quite a while. What was different this time was the focus on a minor character and one of Stone’s saved projects—a former CIA agent and trained assassin. This story had Cold War type plot twists with Russian agents and mob connections. And yes, Stone like 007 gets the girl too. In short, another successful diversion for reading on the bus during a cold, dark commute.
February 25, 2018
Allegedly, Unbound is a Stone Barrington mystery. In reality, it is a Teddy Fay mystery. While the Teddy Fay mysteries are okay, I find them needlessly violent. I was looking forward to reading about Stone, Dino, and the gang, so was disappointed to have been mislead.
January 14, 2018
#44 in the Stone Barrington series. Although series regulars Stone Barrington and Ed Eagle appear in this entry, the spotlight is on former CIA agent Teddy Fay, now working as a film producer for Stone's son Peter, under the name Billy Barnett. As always, the series feature features the lifestyles of the rich and famous, the women are beautiful and the sex is plentiful, and if you check your credulity at the door, you'll have a quick, enjoyable read as the good guys triumph yet again. This soap opera series is one of my favorite guilty pleasures.
Hollywood producer Billy Barnett is former CIA agent Teddy Faye. After a drunk driver kills Billy's wife while she's crossing the street in Beverly Hills, Billy takes a leave of absence from his studio and starts driving east. He ends up stopping in Santa Fe, N.Mex., where, coincidentally, nasty film mogul Dax Baxter, the husband of the woman who ran down his wife, is making a western. Dax has the connections to ensure that his wife, now in rehab, doesn't get prosecuted. Under an alias, Billy succeeds in securing a job on Dax's movie and starts exacting his revenge in small ways on the set. After figuring out that Billy is a threat and why, Dax hires a Russian thug to take care of him. Billy proves more than a match for the bad guys as the action escalates.
Hollywood producer Billy Barnett is former CIA agent Teddy Faye. After a drunk driver kills Billy's wife while she's crossing the street in Beverly Hills, Billy takes a leave of absence from his studio and starts driving east. He ends up stopping in Santa Fe, N.Mex., where, coincidentally, nasty film mogul Dax Baxter, the husband of the woman who ran down his wife, is making a western. Dax has the connections to ensure that his wife, now in rehab, doesn't get prosecuted. Under an alias, Billy succeeds in securing a job on Dax's movie and starts exacting his revenge in small ways on the set. After figuring out that Billy is a threat and why, Dax hires a Russian thug to take care of him. Billy proves more than a match for the bad guys as the action escalates.
March 18, 2018
This should be classified as a Teddy Fay book, even though Stone Barrington makes appearances, it is basically Teddy as the star. And he is a star. How does anyone not love Teddy. Or Billy Barnett as he is currently going by. This is a twisted, fun and interesting read. I read it in one sitting as I didn't want to put it down. Stuart Woods has nailed this character and his traits, perfectly.
January 13, 2018
SUBJECTIVE READER REVIEW WITH PLOT SPOILERS FOLLOWS:
I'm convinced that Woods listed 'Unbound' in the 'Stone Barrington' series by mistake; hell, it read like Teddy Fay settles all family business--a la 'The Godfather'. Having said that, he did it Teddy's way; no clues, no trail, no evidence; he pulled off the perfect crime--at least six times! At that point he'd gained vengeance for his wife's death crossing Rodeo Drive on foot by a drunk DUI who's Hollywood producer husband insured she skated through without even being charged. Not many people are paranoid enough to pull off the perfect crime--with motive reeking off of him--but doing it half a dozen times takes the concentration of a world-class chess champion!
Let's see, along the way we met Stone's latest tryst partner, Russian Romanov descendent Anastasia 'Ana' Bounine, were wowed by Ed Eagle's new Bentley Bentayga, learned that Porche 969's cost $800K and that the Inn of the Anasazi is the overnight lodging of choice in Santa Fe. All nice sidebars to the story of rebirth for Teddy Fay; hell, Woods could have just as easily titled it 'Rebound,' as Teddy meets and assimilates nicely with his 'who's next' partner, Sally Ryder. All done tastefully as Woods chooses everybody's favorite bad guys--out of work Russians prone to violence--as Teddy's targets. Other than sociopathic American Hollywood producers and their many enablers. Okay, it was a 2-night read for me, think NYC to LA flight, I enjoyed the hell out of it and the storyline was both believable and didn't daunt on Barrington so much. What more could you want, since everybody gets laid and happy, right? Buy it, read it and you'll smile.
I'm convinced that Woods listed 'Unbound' in the 'Stone Barrington' series by mistake; hell, it read like Teddy Fay settles all family business--a la 'The Godfather'. Having said that, he did it Teddy's way; no clues, no trail, no evidence; he pulled off the perfect crime--at least six times! At that point he'd gained vengeance for his wife's death crossing Rodeo Drive on foot by a drunk DUI who's Hollywood producer husband insured she skated through without even being charged. Not many people are paranoid enough to pull off the perfect crime--with motive reeking off of him--but doing it half a dozen times takes the concentration of a world-class chess champion!
Let's see, along the way we met Stone's latest tryst partner, Russian Romanov descendent Anastasia 'Ana' Bounine, were wowed by Ed Eagle's new Bentley Bentayga, learned that Porche 969's cost $800K and that the Inn of the Anasazi is the overnight lodging of choice in Santa Fe. All nice sidebars to the story of rebirth for Teddy Fay; hell, Woods could have just as easily titled it 'Rebound,' as Teddy meets and assimilates nicely with his 'who's next' partner, Sally Ryder. All done tastefully as Woods chooses everybody's favorite bad guys--out of work Russians prone to violence--as Teddy's targets. Other than sociopathic American Hollywood producers and their many enablers. Okay, it was a 2-night read for me, think NYC to LA flight, I enjoyed the hell out of it and the storyline was both believable and didn't daunt on Barrington so much. What more could you want, since everybody gets laid and happy, right? Buy it, read it and you'll smile.
July 31, 2025
In this fast-paced novel, former CIA operative Teddy Fay, now Billy Barnett, seeks revenge after a personal tragedy. Teddy is one of my favorite characters in the Barrington series I was glad to see a story mostly about him. Traveling to Santa Fe with friends, Teddy finds a chance to settle the score with those who wronged him. As his plan for vengeance unfolds, Stone Barrington steps in to help Teddy make the right choices. This quest for justice almost cost Teddy his life several times but Teddy is Teddy! The opinions of this review are my own.
November 15, 2018
44 books? what??! really??! wowza, i am behind ...found this read at Walmart and had to read it. totally was pulled in by the description. this is the sort of read i found myself always reading ...on the edge of your seat, curious throughout, wondering where it will end??! Will read more from Stuart soon enough. well written. such a new fan!
May 30, 2018
I bought this book at a book store. I enjoyed reading it. It had a good story to it. I like the authors books in the stone barrington series. They are well written. I look forward to the next book in this series.
July 29, 2018
Totally predictable, like all his books, but that works for me sometimes. Woods is the male version of Nora Roberts but nowhere near as creative. It's time to drop that egotistical rant that follows each of your books Stuart. It has become tediously boring.
January 5, 2018
3.5 Unbound was a Stone Barrington novel, but not much of Stone..he was busy with Ana. Teddy Fay/ Billy Barnett took the lead in this story. I liked the second half . I especially enjoyed the ending , it much better than the “set up” mode of the first half.
January 14, 2018
I love a good Stone Barrington book! This one was mostly about Teddy Fay which is fine with me bc he’s quite the character!
January 16, 2018
Stuart Woods brings Teddy Fay aka Billy Barnett & Ted Shirley to the forefront in this edition of the Scott Barrington saga. Once again Woods mixes fun with quirkiness. A fast, enjoyable read.
May 4, 2018
A great adventure of Teddy Fay.
June 7, 2018
One of the very best! I love Teddy Fay!
January 21, 2020
If this is an example of Stuart Woods, then I do not read Stuart Woods.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 408 reviews