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Stone Barrington #1
New York Dead
Everyone is always telling Stone Barrington that he's too smart to be a cop, but he knows the little extra helps. Yet it really is pure luck that places him on a street in the dead of night just in time to witness the horrifying incident that turns his life inside out.
Suddenly he's on the front page of every New York newspaper, and his life is hopelessly entwined in the shocking life and death of Sasha Nijinsky, the country's hottest and most beautiful television anchorwoman.
No matter where he turns, the case is waiting for him, haunting his nights and turning his days into a living hell. Stone finds himself caught in a perilous web of unspeakable crimes and dangerous friends with one common thread: Sasha.
Librarian's note: the characters, settings, etc. for the first 30 books in the series are complete: #1, New York Dead, 1991; #2, Dirt, 1996; #3, Dead in the Water, 1997; #4, Swimming to Catalina, 1998; #5, Worst Fears Realized, 1999; #6, L.A. Dead, 2000; #7, Cold Paradise, 2001; #8, The Short Forever, 2002; #9, Dirty Work, 2003; #10, Reckless Abandon, 2004; #11, Two Dollar Bill, 2004; #12. Dark Harbor, 2006; #13, Fresh Disasters, 2007; #14, Shoot Him if He Runs, 2007; #15, Hot Mahogany, 2008; #16, Loitering with Intent, 2009; #17, Kisser, 2009; #18, Lucid Intervals, 2010; #19, Strategic Moves, 2010; #20, Bel-Air Dead, 2011; #21, Son of Stone, 2011; #22, D.C. Dead, 2011; #23, Unnatural Acts, 2012; #24, Severe Clear, 2012; #25, Collateral Damage, 2012; #26, Unintended Consequences, 2013; #27, Doing Hard Time, 2013; #28, Standup Guy, 2014; #29, Carnal Curiosity, 2014, and #30, Cut & Thrust, 2014.
Suddenly he's on the front page of every New York newspaper, and his life is hopelessly entwined in the shocking life and death of Sasha Nijinsky, the country's hottest and most beautiful television anchorwoman.
No matter where he turns, the case is waiting for him, haunting his nights and turning his days into a living hell. Stone finds himself caught in a perilous web of unspeakable crimes and dangerous friends with one common thread: Sasha.
Librarian's note: the characters, settings, etc. for the first 30 books in the series are complete: #1, New York Dead, 1991; #2, Dirt, 1996; #3, Dead in the Water, 1997; #4, Swimming to Catalina, 1998; #5, Worst Fears Realized, 1999; #6, L.A. Dead, 2000; #7, Cold Paradise, 2001; #8, The Short Forever, 2002; #9, Dirty Work, 2003; #10, Reckless Abandon, 2004; #11, Two Dollar Bill, 2004; #12. Dark Harbor, 2006; #13, Fresh Disasters, 2007; #14, Shoot Him if He Runs, 2007; #15, Hot Mahogany, 2008; #16, Loitering with Intent, 2009; #17, Kisser, 2009; #18, Lucid Intervals, 2010; #19, Strategic Moves, 2010; #20, Bel-Air Dead, 2011; #21, Son of Stone, 2011; #22, D.C. Dead, 2011; #23, Unnatural Acts, 2012; #24, Severe Clear, 2012; #25, Collateral Damage, 2012; #26, Unintended Consequences, 2013; #27, Doing Hard Time, 2013; #28, Standup Guy, 2014; #29, Carnal Curiosity, 2014, and #30, Cut & Thrust, 2014.
303 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1991
2989 people are currently reading
12023 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 953 reviews
January 11, 2010
The main character in the book, Stone Barrington, is not your typical New York cop. He went to law school but became interested in police work during his stint in school. As a foodie and oenophile, and with his white collar background, he's also supposed to be somewhat more "cultured" than the average cop, although this doesn't keep him from condoning the use of offensive, negative terms for minorities and lesbians.
Stone is on medical leave recovering from a bullet to the knee when a woman, Sasha, falls from a 12-story building in front of him. He's put on the case with his partner, Dino, an Italian who personifies the usual stereotypes associated with Italian people. Sasha is a prominent news anchor, and the main suspects include her co-anchor and her lesbian lover. What is odd is that the body disappears on its way to the hospital, so the book is set up so that there is a possibility that Sasha might still be living. The romantic interest is Cary, a woman who works at the news station where Sasha works. The sex scenes in this book are so poorly written, it was embarrassing to read them. It made me wonder why they were even included. This is definitely not an example of the Romantic Suspense genre. The ending is also so far-fetched and sounds like something out of a Hannibal Lecter novel, I would not be surprised if The Silence of the Lambs came out around the time this was being written... It's a page-turner, but I don't feel at all compelled to continue with the series. It felt very much like a book that was written by a man, for men. Stone definitely thinks like a guy, and some of his thoughts are ones that as a woman, I'd rather not be privy to.
Stone is on medical leave recovering from a bullet to the knee when a woman, Sasha, falls from a 12-story building in front of him. He's put on the case with his partner, Dino, an Italian who personifies the usual stereotypes associated with Italian people. Sasha is a prominent news anchor, and the main suspects include her co-anchor and her lesbian lover. What is odd is that the body disappears on its way to the hospital, so the book is set up so that there is a possibility that Sasha might still be living. The romantic interest is Cary, a woman who works at the news station where Sasha works. The sex scenes in this book are so poorly written, it was embarrassing to read them. It made me wonder why they were even included. This is definitely not an example of the Romantic Suspense genre. The ending is also so far-fetched and sounds like something out of a Hannibal Lecter novel, I would not be surprised if The Silence of the Lambs came out around the time this was being written... It's a page-turner, but I don't feel at all compelled to continue with the series. It felt very much like a book that was written by a man, for men. Stone definitely thinks like a guy, and some of his thoughts are ones that as a woman, I'd rather not be privy to.
March 9, 2022
There are so many cop and detective books out there. When I started this one I was expecting more of the same old type of narrative. This book really blew me away. There are so many things unique to it that I personally haven't experienced before. I don't want to give away any spoilers and ruin the fun for others.
Only one I'll mention happens so early in the story that it's not much a spoiler. The victim is found after falling out of a high rise, but immediately goes missing. It's unclear what happened to her and whether she is alive or dead. Of course the author makes as many comedic jabs at this as they investigate.
It's a lightning fast read that never slowed down for a minute. Given it's short nature, it left me wanting to read book 2 almost immediately. Really well done! I don't know if I can ever get through all 60+ entries though.
Only one I'll mention happens so early in the story that it's not much a spoiler. The victim is found after falling out of a high rise, but immediately goes missing. It's unclear what happened to her and whether she is alive or dead. Of course the author makes as many comedic jabs at this as they investigate.
It's a lightning fast read that never slowed down for a minute. Given it's short nature, it left me wanting to read book 2 almost immediately. Really well done! I don't know if I can ever get through all 60+ entries though.
October 18, 2023
DNFed at Page 269 (70%). On the middle of the book there is an anticlimax and I skimmed the chapters a lot.
This author is annoying me. First, because of the sexist way he's describing women. Second, for the descriptions he makes of black people. Example:
Chapter 15:
"When Stone arrived at the precinct, a well-dressed, obviously irritated man was sitting next to Dino’s desk. Dino, unaccountably in the station house early, was interviewing him.
“Look, I’ve already explained,” he said, looking uncomfortably around him. A VERY DIRTY, HANDCUFFED BLACK MAN WAS SITTING AT THE NEXT DESK, ADMIRING THE MAN'S CLOTHES.
“Mr. Duncan, this is my partner, Stone Barrington. Stone, this is Mr. Evan Duncan, who has something interesting to tell us.”
“How do you do, Mr. Duncan,” Stone said, extending his hand. HE STEPPED BETWEEN DUNCAN AND THE BLACK MAN.
“Would you please tell Detective Barrington what you saw, Mr. Duncan?” Dino asked politely.
SHIELDED FROM THE BLACK MAN and seeming to take confidence from the presence of Stone, who probably looked like most of the people he knew, Duncan nodded.
“I’m an investment banker,” he said. “My office is in Rockefeller Plaza.” Having established that he was a person worthy of belief, he went on.
............
Dismissed, Duncan retrieved his trench coat from Dino’s desk and made his way out of the room, giving the LEERING BLACK MAN a wide berth."
This author is annoying me. First, because of the sexist way he's describing women. Second, for the descriptions he makes of black people. Example:
Chapter 15:
"When Stone arrived at the precinct, a well-dressed, obviously irritated man was sitting next to Dino’s desk. Dino, unaccountably in the station house early, was interviewing him.
“Look, I’ve already explained,” he said, looking uncomfortably around him. A VERY DIRTY, HANDCUFFED BLACK MAN WAS SITTING AT THE NEXT DESK, ADMIRING THE MAN'S CLOTHES.
“Mr. Duncan, this is my partner, Stone Barrington. Stone, this is Mr. Evan Duncan, who has something interesting to tell us.”
“How do you do, Mr. Duncan,” Stone said, extending his hand. HE STEPPED BETWEEN DUNCAN AND THE BLACK MAN.
“Would you please tell Detective Barrington what you saw, Mr. Duncan?” Dino asked politely.
SHIELDED FROM THE BLACK MAN and seeming to take confidence from the presence of Stone, who probably looked like most of the people he knew, Duncan nodded.
“I’m an investment banker,” he said. “My office is in Rockefeller Plaza.” Having established that he was a person worthy of belief, he went on.
............
Dismissed, Duncan retrieved his trench coat from Dino’s desk and made his way out of the room, giving the LEERING BLACK MAN a wide berth."
October 18, 2025
4 Stars. Another book, much more weighty than this, opens with "In the beginning .." That concept applies to this series too. Unlike others, the series has significant background development from one volume to the next. Although far from a necessity, I wanted to read the books in order. Homicide Detective 2nd class Stone Barrington is a bit of an outsider in the NYPD. Educated as a lawyer, smart, well dressed, and with an excellent closing record, he doesn't fit the police mold. Late one evening, thinking he should exercise his knee which had been wounded a few months earlier, he walks home from Elaine's Restaurant and witnesses the terrible dive of a woman from a penthouse into a dumpster. A suicide? Or was she assisted off the balcony? Is she even dead? Acting quickly, he chases a person fleeing the scene but his knee fails. Then he and partner Detective Dino Bacchetti lose the body! An ambulance took it to the hospital but which one? The jumper turns out to be Sasha Nijinsky, the star TV news anchor. It's front page. But where's the victim? In all the confusion, Stone at least meets Cary Hilliard, a love interest. Marriage? I am so ready for #2. (Jul2020/Oc2025)
June 17, 2011
In this Stuart Woods book, we find Stone Barrington in his first outing. He is a Lt. Detective on limited duty due to a bullet he took to his knee and has decided after an evening out to walk home in order to get some exercise to it when, in a case of being in either the right place at the right time, or wrong place at the wrong time, he witnesses a woman falling from a building. It turns out to be a rather famous TV personality who was scheduled to take her place as a co-anchor on a prestigious network the next night. When he arrives at her apartment he hears someone leaving it rapidly, but when he gives chase his knee gives out and he loses the person he was chasing. However, what is set up to be a relatively open-and-shut homicide case is quickly muddied by the arrival of a freelance journalist who got footage of her at the scene showing that she was still alive when put in the ambulance, by her diary that shows that she was severely depressed at times, and then by her disappearance - no body, no crime. Barrington's obsession with finding out the truth in this case, as opposed to just finding someone to stick with the crime, quickly puts him at odds with the rest of the department (with whom he never fit in all that well to begin with) and he soon finds himself railroaded out on a medical disability retirement. However, he has a background in law and decides to take the bar exam and set himself up that way. The twists just keep on coming as taxi drivers start getting murdered around the city, and Barrington begins to get notes purportedly from the missing star.
I started to read these books out of order when I picked up "Reckless Abandon" and then "Two Dollar Bill," then I decided to hold off until I put my hands on all of them and start at the beginning; I'm glad I have, because I can now look forward to a long line of these most excellent thrillers. Woods knows how to put together a great mystery and keep it exciting!
I started to read these books out of order when I picked up "Reckless Abandon" and then "Two Dollar Bill," then I decided to hold off until I put my hands on all of them and start at the beginning; I'm glad I have, because I can now look forward to a long line of these most excellent thrillers. Woods knows how to put together a great mystery and keep it exciting!
December 22, 2014
Mystery with explicit content and derogatory language.
One could label this book as romantic suspense from a male POV and written by a male author, however its graphic sex scenes have little romance and aren't really necessary in the book plot. The women in this book are shown as sex objects, greedy for power and money, under a strain weak, crying and suicidal. Men fare not better, presented as cock-driven fools, annoying sexists, weirdos or psychos.
Woods gives us a pathetic and pessimistic vision of the 1990s New York. The blue force is a corrupt organization that demands absolute loyalty and doesn't care about factual guilt or innocence, but its own public image. The sensation- and ratings-driven television is again a place where everybody screws everybody for advancement, prime time and money. The medical world is also not spared a blow when a hospital staff would rather conceal a rape by its intern from the knowledge of the victim and the public rather than suffer the consequences of the damaged public image, the trial and the financial compensation for the victim. There is no real loyalty, friendship and trust, almost everyone is calculating and scheming.
Despite its flaws this book is quite an enjoyable read, and you could always hope that the series would improve with the next instalment.
One could label this book as romantic suspense from a male POV and written by a male author, however its graphic sex scenes have little romance and aren't really necessary in the book plot. The women in this book are shown as sex objects, greedy for power and money, under a strain weak, crying and suicidal. Men fare not better, presented as cock-driven fools, annoying sexists, weirdos or psychos.
Woods gives us a pathetic and pessimistic vision of the 1990s New York. The blue force is a corrupt organization that demands absolute loyalty and doesn't care about factual guilt or innocence, but its own public image. The sensation- and ratings-driven television is again a place where everybody screws everybody for advancement, prime time and money. The medical world is also not spared a blow when a hospital staff would rather conceal a rape by its intern from the knowledge of the victim and the public rather than suffer the consequences of the damaged public image, the trial and the financial compensation for the victim. There is no real loyalty, friendship and trust, almost everyone is calculating and scheming.
Despite its flaws this book is quite an enjoyable read, and you could always hope that the series would improve with the next instalment.
October 12, 2020
I began reading the Stone Barrington novels when I was house sitting for my parents and they had several books on their bookshelves. Easy to read and a lot of action without extra fluff.
June 2, 2021
Stone Barrington has a life crisis. He's a policeman who does not agree on the way a case is being handled. He's just returned from being injured and it turns out he is being given early retirement instead of being reinstated considering his position on the current case. He ends up taking the test to become a lawyer which is what he'd gone to school for in the first place and passes the Bar. He's hired as an investigator with the possibility of working as an attorney also for a legal firm. As this is happening he meets a lady and falls in love and lust. She pops in and out of his life over the next few months. He comes across new information regarding the case he was given retirement over and talks his old partner to do some checking for him. As a result the case is solved but things don't work out as Stone expected - the 'bad guy' was not who he thought. His life is also endangered by one of the suspects. Good story
August 20, 2012
I have been reading Stuart Woods books for a long time. I especially like the Stone Barrington series but not necessarily in order. I started Son of Stone and didn't like it at all but I had to finish it when I found that in order to make a later book make sense I had to find out what happened to Arrington. What I have had a problem with is the dialogue. I just doesn't set right - not bad enough to make me stop reading but it just doesn't always seem quite right somehow. "Hello, Dino." "Hello, Stone." But I loved this book. The dialogue seemed to flow more naturally - mixing it in with the narrative. Maybe because it was written in 1991 and Mr. Woods has changed his style of writting - I don't know, but I really loved this book. Stone Barrington isn't quite the self-assured rich attorney at this point and he isn't hopping into bed with every female character. You see the begging of his relationship with Dino and the law firm. The storyline is a little unique and kept me interest right up to the last page. I'll keep reading these books, but by far this is the best.
January 18, 2024
My 2nd time reading this author. I called it quits after the second instance of describing the only two black characters, albeit minor background characters in a stereotypical and racist way. Woods also seems to be a bit of a sexist as well. If I didn't know better I'd think this book was written in the 1930's and not 2012.
April 19, 2013
This was my first by Woods. I was really impressed with the quick, easy, and enjoyable reading. Glad I found a new author with an extensive list.
January 31, 2016
New York dead by Stuart Woods is the first Stone Barrington novel. The body of Sash Nijinsky, television anchorwoman, falls from the penthouse of a high rise apartment in front of Stone Barrington setting in motion a series of events that change the course of his life. A terrific start to a series, this book sets up nicely the events that lead to Stone Barringtons career as an attorney and investigator. It was full of action and suspense and Stone was always in the middle of it all. I'm looking forward to the next book.
February 18, 2017
I'm a huge fan of Stone Barrington series, but just recently. I have read all the new S.B. series in the past two or three years. It was unnecessary to start from the beginning, many of the later books covered Stone's past both personal and career but I thought it would be fun to get into the details. Really enjoyed it.
November 1, 2020
Well I have done it again, picked up a book that is number 1 in a series that is more than 50 books long. Stone is a great character and I loved him from the very beginning of this book. The story was entertaining and the mystery was compelling. This is a series I will be continuing with.
March 18, 2018
So, I read this book with my father as I'm trying to get him into reading more and I know he likes this author. Also, I figured I could learn what kinds of books he does like. Unfortunately, I didn't like it.
While I will give some leeway since it was written in the 80s, I feel like I should also make excuses because it was written by a man. Wow, it is so obvious. There is just some weirdly written things and moments that made me groan, roll my eyes, and wish I could put the book down. UGH.
I will say, the mystery was interesting. I honestly wanted to know if Sasha was dead or alive, if she committed suicide or if it was murder. The mystery is what kept me going. What sucks, is that I probably only needed to read the first 10 chapters and the last 5 chapters in order to understand the mystery. The rest is about Stone's life. Which I get, as my dad says "sets up the next 10 books" but I wanted to enjoy this one, not be set up to enjoy the next ten, because dear stars I will not be reading them. I also thought the mystery was too easily figured out...
I couldn't connect to the characters, because I just didn't like them. How are Dino and Stone friends?? Stone is kind of pretentious and is led around by his dick, while honestly no other characters are even worth mentioning.
Also, what the heck is the difference between dead and "New York Dead" besides location??? Just... * sigh *
So done, please give me In Death again.
While I will give some leeway since it was written in the 80s, I feel like I should also make excuses because it was written by a man. Wow, it is so obvious. There is just some weirdly written things and moments that made me groan, roll my eyes, and wish I could put the book down. UGH.
I will say, the mystery was interesting. I honestly wanted to know if Sasha was dead or alive, if she committed suicide or if it was murder. The mystery is what kept me going. What sucks, is that I probably only needed to read the first 10 chapters and the last 5 chapters in order to understand the mystery. The rest is about Stone's life. Which I get, as my dad says "sets up the next 10 books" but I wanted to enjoy this one, not be set up to enjoy the next ten, because dear stars I will not be reading them. I also thought the mystery was too easily figured out...
I couldn't connect to the characters, because I just didn't like them. How are Dino and Stone friends?? Stone is kind of pretentious and is led around by his dick, while honestly no other characters are even worth mentioning.
Also, what the heck is the difference between dead and "New York Dead" besides location??? Just... * sigh *
So done, please give me In Death again.
April 26, 2016
Serious language and sex in this book, but story moves along and it's interesting. Stone sees newscaster, Sasha Nijinsky, fall from her balcony and ends up leading the investigation.
Likes:
* Stone Barrington is an honest NYC cop who went to law school, then went to the police academy instead of taking the bar exam
* Pretty good book, for setting up the background for the series
* Dino Bacchetti, Stone's Italian partner
* Frank Woodman, law firm partner
* Bill Eggers, law firm partner and Stone's law school classmate
* Hope the beautiful Judge O'Neal appears in other stories
Dislikes:
* Barron Harkness, news anchor, is an arrogant jerk
* Cary Hilliard and Stone's relationship seemed purely physical
* Herbert Van Fleet, the creepy mortician, was strange and threatening
* Double cross
With-reservations:
lots of language, somewhat graphic sex scenes, perversions, violence, blackmail, intimidation, racial and sexual slurs, adultery and lesbians.
Likes:
* Stone Barrington is an honest NYC cop who went to law school, then went to the police academy instead of taking the bar exam
* Pretty good book, for setting up the background for the series
* Dino Bacchetti, Stone's Italian partner
* Frank Woodman, law firm partner
* Bill Eggers, law firm partner and Stone's law school classmate
* Hope the beautiful Judge O'Neal appears in other stories
Dislikes:
* Barron Harkness, news anchor, is an arrogant jerk
* Cary Hilliard and Stone's relationship seemed purely physical
* Herbert Van Fleet, the creepy mortician, was strange and threatening
* Double cross
With-reservations:
lots of language, somewhat graphic sex scenes, perversions, violence, blackmail, intimidation, racial and sexual slurs, adultery and lesbians.
April 5, 2012
Loved the start of this series!!! I can't believe I hadn't read Woods sooner! Boy have I been missing out! This story had a lot of suspense! When I thought I had it down on who the killer was and what happened to SN I was wrong!
The book is very fast paced from the very beginning when a news reporter falls to what is thought to be her death. It is soon discovered that she is not dead but alive and still breathing. The ambulance is called and rushes her to the hospital. Along the way to the hospital though, the ambulance car is in a car accident. Soon the ambulance car and the woman go missing! Did she die? Is she alive? Did she fake her own death? Was she kidnapped? OHHHHH it gets so good!!!
Even detective Stone Barrington's love interest has a major secret of her own... I did not see that one coming! & what a even more major shocker to find out SN's secret from her childhood. & let me just say that I found Herb to be a real freaky man... Sex with ill patients? How disgusting!
I can't wait to read the second book & see what new case Detective Barrington has to crack!
The book is very fast paced from the very beginning when a news reporter falls to what is thought to be her death. It is soon discovered that she is not dead but alive and still breathing. The ambulance is called and rushes her to the hospital. Along the way to the hospital though, the ambulance car is in a car accident. Soon the ambulance car and the woman go missing! Did she die? Is she alive? Did she fake her own death? Was she kidnapped? OHHHHH it gets so good!!!
Even detective Stone Barrington's love interest has a major secret of her own... I did not see that one coming! & what a even more major shocker to find out SN's secret from her childhood. & let me just say that I found Herb to be a real freaky man... Sex with ill patients? How disgusting!
I can't wait to read the second book & see what new case Detective Barrington has to crack!
July 14, 2014
I don’t have a great first impression of Stone Barrington, based on this first book in the series. I started at book 1 because a friend gave me a boxful of Stuart Woods’ books. Then again, the setting is the early-1990s, and the racism, sexism, and derogatory insults that are freely thrown about seem so out-of-date. Casual sex seems to be Stone’s modus operandi, but when I thought the “love-interest” was out of the picture, I started to like Stone a little better; but wait, here she comes again - and hey, maybe he might consider marrying her after a month or two! The “mystery” seemed silly, and the one thing I was thankful for was that the author at least had the sense to put an end to the ridiculous puppy love for Stone, as he didn’t seem capable of it himself.
January 11, 2024
Smart detective. Integrity and good looks. New York City. Seems like a recipe for a great series.
Pretty good read with some twists but I kept wanting more... since it’s a popular, longtime series, I’m hopeful it gets better.
One thing I noticed... even though it was set in early 90s (maybe even late 80s), the lack of technology wasn’t nearly as obvious as it can be in other crime procedurals. That’s a good thing.
Barrington isn’t Bosch but I think I’d like to get to know him a little better, just the same.
(Reviewed 4/15/18)
Pretty good read with some twists but I kept wanting more... since it’s a popular, longtime series, I’m hopeful it gets better.
One thing I noticed... even though it was set in early 90s (maybe even late 80s), the lack of technology wasn’t nearly as obvious as it can be in other crime procedurals. That’s a good thing.
Barrington isn’t Bosch but I think I’d like to get to know him a little better, just the same.
(Reviewed 4/15/18)
June 26, 2021
Absolutely horrible. I kept reading as I thought it might improve. The language was continuing unacceptable, especially while Stone was a cop. The ongoing, graphic sexual exploitations were unnecessary. And I found the book just plain creepy.
February 19, 2025
I don't know how a decent person like Stone Barrington could remain friends with his partner Dino, based on this first Stone Barrington book. I'm not particularly sensitive to name calling, but Dino's references and hatefulness toward lesbians made me cringe and I despise him for that. It's just basic human dignity. Beyond that, Dino's participation with others to nail Hank Morgan for the murder of Sasha Nijinsky felt dirty, underhanded and criminal in nature.
Over the years and books though, Dino's character has morphed into a less offensive one. I wish Stuart Woods (born Stuart Chevalier Lee) would have striven for a more neutral political stance publicly and just try to get along with all of us. I avoid the six most political books like the plague: 'Cut and Thrust,' 'Capital Crimes,' 'Grass Roots,' 'The Run,' 'Mounting Fears' and 'Heat.'
I dislike that almost every woman is portrayed as a forward, depraved nympho who craves Stone's bod like there is hardly a more worthy human on the planet. I would love to see the human embodiment of Barrington in real life because he must be a human Rolls Royce. Also, women die in his books at a slightly slower pace than Dexter and with almost the same sense of loss.
However, I do love the flying, the mystery, the food, wines & liquor education, the interesting people, places and settings.
Over the years and books though, Dino's character has morphed into a less offensive one. I wish Stuart Woods (born Stuart Chevalier Lee) would have striven for a more neutral political stance publicly and just try to get along with all of us. I avoid the six most political books like the plague: 'Cut and Thrust,' 'Capital Crimes,' 'Grass Roots,' 'The Run,' 'Mounting Fears' and 'Heat.'
I dislike that almost every woman is portrayed as a forward, depraved nympho who craves Stone's bod like there is hardly a more worthy human on the planet. I would love to see the human embodiment of Barrington in real life because he must be a human Rolls Royce. Also, women die in his books at a slightly slower pace than Dexter and with almost the same sense of loss.
However, I do love the flying, the mystery, the food, wines & liquor education, the interesting people, places and settings.
September 6, 2011
This may have been the last good Stone Barrington book. It actually had a plot with several twists and suspense leading up to the final pages with the final revelations. In this book, Stone was still a police detective and hadn't adopted the smug wealthy lifestyle which becomes the consummate profile of later Stone books. He actually experienced a brief look at financial disaster, and entered the book wearing ordinary clothing. His adoption of expensive clothing and absorbing the finer lifestyle was fine for this novel since it exhibited character development in reaction to other characters and plot movement. The character development of Stone in later books has all but ceased, along with strong suspense plots.
Cary Hilliard was a landmark character for Stone's reference.
The book fits the formulated 300 page size of nearly all Stuart Woods books.
Cary Hilliard was a landmark character for Stone's reference.
The book fits the formulated 300 page size of nearly all Stuart Woods books.
August 17, 2021
Stone Barrington is an awesome police detective in NYC. He is a witness to a woman falling 12 floors down to the ground, and he is tasked with the case solving what happened to her. What seems like it should be an easy case to solve, turns out to be full of suspects, motives and twists. It has such a wide variety of colorful characters and a great mystery to keep you on the edge of your seat. I felt like I was Stone's friend and taking this journey along side him. First book by this author and I will be reading more! Narration on audio was wonderful!!
November 4, 2018
I’m not sure what I thought of this book 🤔
The actual detective part of it wasn’t bad ...but...there has to be a but...
When you get...and I quote ‘Later, when they fell asleep, exhausted, it was with his soft penis in her hand, he liked sleeping that way,’ unquote
😳😳...just 😳😳😳....that has to be the most vomit inducing turgid drivel I have ever read. How on earth did the author or his proof readers allow such complete bullshit get into a book.
I’m still shuddering 😳
The actual detective part of it wasn’t bad ...but...there has to be a but...
When you get...and I quote ‘Later, when they fell asleep, exhausted, it was with his soft penis in her hand, he liked sleeping that way,’ unquote
😳😳...just 😳😳😳....that has to be the most vomit inducing turgid drivel I have ever read. How on earth did the author or his proof readers allow such complete bullshit get into a book.
I’m still shuddering 😳
July 14, 2015
I find that I am less and less gripped by detective books as the years go by. They tend to be all of a likeness, the same thing happening so often even by different authors that it's hard to tell them apart. For the most part this was true about this novel as well. There was nothing amazingly original about it, the crime was familiar enough to be predictable and there was a lot of the tired tropes I dislike about this genre in evidence in the writing.
So why is it that this is a five star review where so many other detective books fall below the mark?
The answer is simple. Change.
One of the key gripes I have about this genre is the lack of change from one book to the next. Every author seems to be obsessed with returning to the status quo at the end of every novel which puts the reader (or me at least) in detective Groundhog Day only without the laughs that Bill Murray had. This novel had a great deal of change and character growth right the way through the novel and the main character is certainly not at all where he started the novel which is genuinely exciting for me.
That change being said, this is still a detective novel and as anyone with experience in the genre will tell you, it's very hard not to be predictable. It's all been done before and as with a number of books, I guessed at the killer almost from the start. However, that was not to say the book was without surprises. What surprised me was some of the actions the protagonist took which was quite a pleasant experience. Every time I thought I had him pegged as to where he would go he went in another direction and this led to a lot of the change I liked so much in the novel.
Overall I am pleasantly surprised by this book. I picked it up for an easy read and I'm happy to have found something more. I am now very eager to get started on the next book in the series. With 34 to go (at the time of this review) I can only hope the author keeps up the good work.
So why is it that this is a five star review where so many other detective books fall below the mark?
The answer is simple. Change.
One of the key gripes I have about this genre is the lack of change from one book to the next. Every author seems to be obsessed with returning to the status quo at the end of every novel which puts the reader (or me at least) in detective Groundhog Day only without the laughs that Bill Murray had. This novel had a great deal of change and character growth right the way through the novel and the main character is certainly not at all where he started the novel which is genuinely exciting for me.
That change being said, this is still a detective novel and as anyone with experience in the genre will tell you, it's very hard not to be predictable. It's all been done before and as with a number of books, I guessed at the killer almost from the start. However, that was not to say the book was without surprises. What surprised me was some of the actions the protagonist took which was quite a pleasant experience. Every time I thought I had him pegged as to where he would go he went in another direction and this led to a lot of the change I liked so much in the novel.
Overall I am pleasantly surprised by this book. I picked it up for an easy read and I'm happy to have found something more. I am now very eager to get started on the next book in the series. With 34 to go (at the time of this review) I can only hope the author keeps up the good work.
October 30, 2022
A couple of decades ago I read Stuart Woods’ novel, Dead in the Water, and loved it. I went on to read four or five more of his books and then for no reason in particular stopped picking up more of them. The other day I came across Dead in the Water again and was going to reread it when I noticed it was third in his Stone Barrington series and decided to start with book 1, New York Dead.
Stone is an injured NYC police detective who witnesses what may be a suicide attempt, or may be attempted murder, when a famous news personality falls to her near death. Then she disappears from the ambulance that picks her up leading to an intriguing mystery in which, for reasons that I didn’t think quite worked, the police department decides to move on from the abduction and possible murder without finding the body. Stone gets pushed off the force.
All of that was interesting, but the best part of the novel comes as he picks up his life as a lawyer / investigator / problem solver. He handles several mini cases that were awesome little short stories in the novel that I really enjoyed. And as the reader expects, as Stone’s life goes on he keeps stumbling across little pieces of evidence on the case that wrecked his career. He doesn’t want his career back, but he’s intrigued. And I must say that I figured out the villain from the beginning and that always makes me happy. I will also say that the abduction twist added a lot of punch to this novel. I really enjoyed the book.
Stone is an injured NYC police detective who witnesses what may be a suicide attempt, or may be attempted murder, when a famous news personality falls to her near death. Then she disappears from the ambulance that picks her up leading to an intriguing mystery in which, for reasons that I didn’t think quite worked, the police department decides to move on from the abduction and possible murder without finding the body. Stone gets pushed off the force.
All of that was interesting, but the best part of the novel comes as he picks up his life as a lawyer / investigator / problem solver. He handles several mini cases that were awesome little short stories in the novel that I really enjoyed. And as the reader expects, as Stone’s life goes on he keeps stumbling across little pieces of evidence on the case that wrecked his career. He doesn’t want his career back, but he’s intrigued. And I must say that I figured out the villain from the beginning and that always makes me happy. I will also say that the abduction twist added a lot of punch to this novel. I really enjoyed the book.
December 25, 2023
I inherited a half dozen or so of these books from my mother many years ago but have been reluctant to even try one after many negative reviews. I finally bit the bullet ... and found this one not too bad at all. It kept me turning the pages and I felt fully engaged with the characters. Some of the plot was a little too predictable but other parts were quite a surprise. I liked the way the main character transitioned based on all that happened to him over the course of a single novel.
Many readers seem to sour on this author claiming he is racist, sexist, and homophobic. I disagree. The individual characters may be but that makes for realistic characters. They don't all share the same viewpoints so I don't think those criticisms should land at the feet of the author.
I will likely read more of these books, since I have a few on my shelves. It's entirely possible, of course that they might go south, or the main character becomes hard to empathize with...but I shall give them a fair chance.
Many readers seem to sour on this author claiming he is racist, sexist, and homophobic. I disagree. The individual characters may be but that makes for realistic characters. They don't all share the same viewpoints so I don't think those criticisms should land at the feet of the author.
I will likely read more of these books, since I have a few on my shelves. It's entirely possible, of course that they might go south, or the main character becomes hard to empathize with...but I shall give them a fair chance.
January 13, 2016
Kept reading it to find out who did it. Nothing else about the book made me want to continue. The characters were extremely shallow. They had no depth and for the most part were motivated by only power and sex. This includes the main character. There is very little to admire about any of the characters. There is nothing here to learn in this book. Police procedure was inconsistent and unbelievable. Though it takes place in NYC, you will learn nothing about NYC. Though there are scenes in TV production studios and hospitals, you will learn nothing about how they work. Very shallow and unbelievable. Unless I see evidence that the author can do better, I will not be reading any more of his books.
July 20, 2021
The Stone Barrington novels have lots of followers and a lot of sex. The plots are often good but the sex many times out of place. I read one or two and decided to go back to number one. Sorry I did. I read through a book once I start even if I don't really like it that much. That was the case with this one. The sex is so far off the mark it isn't even a turn on while the murder mystery sort of takes backstage status.
January 4, 2019
Ever met someone with incredible luck, both good and bad? Well, that would be Stone Barrington. Interesting character and interesting relationships. I have read some of this series before, but since the few I read assumed you had read the others, doing the series in order. Let's see if I end up loving or hating the incredible Mr. Barrington.
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