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Stone Barrington #52
Treason
Stone Barrington takes on a scheming rebel in this latest action-packed thriller from #1 New York Times -bestselling author Stuart Woods.
Upon returning to New York City after a whirlwind British excursion, Stone Barrington is notified of a delicate situation within the country's administration. A close friend requires his expertise and subtlety to eradicate a destructive presence in a classified agency--only it soon becomes clear that this renegade was sent by a rival Stone has encountered before.
From the City of Light to the rocky Maine coastline, Stone will need to summon all his wit and daring to halt the audacious plots threatening to reveal confidential intel, and catch the evasive traitor at last. This enemy may be equipped with unlimited resources and devious schemes, but if Stone remains vigilant, justice may finally prevail. . . .
Upon returning to New York City after a whirlwind British excursion, Stone Barrington is notified of a delicate situation within the country's administration. A close friend requires his expertise and subtlety to eradicate a destructive presence in a classified agency--only it soon becomes clear that this renegade was sent by a rival Stone has encountered before.
From the City of Light to the rocky Maine coastline, Stone will need to summon all his wit and daring to halt the audacious plots threatening to reveal confidential intel, and catch the evasive traitor at last. This enemy may be equipped with unlimited resources and devious schemes, but if Stone remains vigilant, justice may finally prevail. . . .
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 7, 2020
3306 people are currently reading
1168 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 335 reviews
January 30, 2020
The usual tripe of Woods trying to squeeze a story around Barrington's sexaholic proclivities. 2 of 10 stars
January 31, 2020
This one was better than previous with mystery about Russian spy. Stone also got a new toy, you'll never guess.... a Gulfstream! His sexcapade continues more so than before to the point I stop paying attention.
February 15, 2020
Stone is asked by part-time girlfriend and Secretary of State Holly Barker to help uncover a Russian mole in the State Department, paired with a fake female journalist. Also, now a CIA Deputy Director, Stone is asked by Lance Cabot to investigate Peter Grant, who seems to be a serf to Russian oligarch, Yevgeny Checkov. Chekhov and Stone have both profited from a recent IPO: Checkov wants insider information and Stone buys a Gulfstream 500. I think Stone may have broken his own record for sexual conquests in one book (four.) A fairly intricate plot, weaving in the usual haunts: Paris, Maine, NYC, Martha's Vineyard, with increasing spy elements and reduced crime solving than the earlier novels.
January 15, 2020
Woods uses ridiculous names for his characters. I keep finding errors. Would the Secretary of State (not a spoiler: but also as a Presidential candidate) use Stones private driver and car in NYC and avoid Secret Service protection? Would the private jet aeroplane hanger not have 24/7 video surveillance? In a car, one is informed that there are only 10 minutes for a description of one of the characters yet it takes just 2 paragraphs? Page after page one is assaulted by pandering, vague and poorly manufactured incidents and statements.
Now, what are the chances that the protagonist dines at the very same restaurants as the Russian bad guy or other significant characters? The odds of coincidence are being stretched here to unimaginable extremes.
Is seared Foie Gras still a thing? That trend is like 10 years old? The wine list is absurd and I would bet half the wines are forgeries, counterfeits, fakes. Stones restaurant & alcohol diet and lifestyle is also on the unhealthy side.
Scramble?...scrambled!: And there must be an app somewhere that automatically scrambles calls form people who keep having to say Scramble every time they call? The CIA certainly has encrypted walkie talkies?
Spoiler Alert...uhm if there was action then maybe this would apply but the actual anything hardly ever happens. Sex is alluded to with some slight descriptions, shoot out? Nah, that's explained after the facts in three cases where it applies, a silly poison plot that is later explained away as a rogue event, July 4th mentioned yet no word of fireworks which might impact night vision goggles? Giving guests sleeping medications? Stone is told to take it as well because what he does not know won't hurt him but then told not to and is involved because of a bad oyster taking on of the agents out? We have people embedded in the State Department and Department of defence committing treason yet have no idea of the harm they are causing or have caused? Why does the CIA have to rely upon Stones yacht and why would Lance show up unannounced and post a sniper offshore to secure it?
Now and then there are moments of lucidity. But they are rare. During a shopping trip in town, everything appears normal yet we later learn that the daughter and estranged mother do make contact. The mother is trying to protect her daughter, could have revealed this to Chekhov but does not. Nothing is made of this.
There are many outdated, poorly established plot turning events and significant leaps of faith not rewarded here. The man has written 81 books I believe? Lastly, most annoying, is the role of women who are all most willing to get themselves in bed with Stone. How old is this Stone? Why is Stone so disloyal as when he is with a woman he is also recruiting, with his biz card which they gladly exchange, the next conquest? Who carries business cards anymore?
There are a few dozen other lapses but then comparing this work to a Clancy or others in a similar genre may just be a bar set beyond the knowledge and capabilities of this author. He is prodigious but the lack of research and quality is stunning. Pity, the story should be worthy of excitement not the lack of it?
Now, what are the chances that the protagonist dines at the very same restaurants as the Russian bad guy or other significant characters? The odds of coincidence are being stretched here to unimaginable extremes.
Is seared Foie Gras still a thing? That trend is like 10 years old? The wine list is absurd and I would bet half the wines are forgeries, counterfeits, fakes. Stones restaurant & alcohol diet and lifestyle is also on the unhealthy side.
Scramble?...scrambled!: And there must be an app somewhere that automatically scrambles calls form people who keep having to say Scramble every time they call? The CIA certainly has encrypted walkie talkies?
Spoiler Alert...uhm if there was action then maybe this would apply but the actual anything hardly ever happens. Sex is alluded to with some slight descriptions, shoot out? Nah, that's explained after the facts in three cases where it applies, a silly poison plot that is later explained away as a rogue event, July 4th mentioned yet no word of fireworks which might impact night vision goggles? Giving guests sleeping medications? Stone is told to take it as well because what he does not know won't hurt him but then told not to and is involved because of a bad oyster taking on of the agents out? We have people embedded in the State Department and Department of defence committing treason yet have no idea of the harm they are causing or have caused? Why does the CIA have to rely upon Stones yacht and why would Lance show up unannounced and post a sniper offshore to secure it?
Now and then there are moments of lucidity. But they are rare. During a shopping trip in town, everything appears normal yet we later learn that the daughter and estranged mother do make contact. The mother is trying to protect her daughter, could have revealed this to Chekhov but does not. Nothing is made of this.
There are many outdated, poorly established plot turning events and significant leaps of faith not rewarded here. The man has written 81 books I believe? Lastly, most annoying, is the role of women who are all most willing to get themselves in bed with Stone. How old is this Stone? Why is Stone so disloyal as when he is with a woman he is also recruiting, with his biz card which they gladly exchange, the next conquest? Who carries business cards anymore?
There are a few dozen other lapses but then comparing this work to a Clancy or others in a similar genre may just be a bar set beyond the knowledge and capabilities of this author. He is prodigious but the lack of research and quality is stunning. Pity, the story should be worthy of excitement not the lack of it?
February 15, 2020
Good grief…..What an embarrassment for a series that was at one time one of the best around. My reading friends know I gave up on “Stone” long ago but saw so many good reviews and decided to give it a try. Big mistake - - huge mistake. Total waste of time. Only reason I finished it was I was between my reserve books at my local library. Hard to believe so many readers keep this series on so many Best Seller lists and sad that because of that Woods laughs all the way to the bank. Next time I’m between books and a Stone novel becomes available think I’ll buy a puzzle to fill my time.
January 20, 2020
Ditto from previous reviews; alcohol, sex, food sex, airplanes, sex, houses, sex... Also, Woods must get a fee for product placement. This novel is a thoroughly dreadful mess.
January 16, 2020
I have always liked SW books. I know some people pick them apart in their reviews as to theirs so called accuracy or unbelievable but I enjoy them as pure entertainment
January 10, 2020
I said I was done with this series, but I saw all the 4 and 5 stars, so I thought maybe Stuart was writing his books again and I got my hands on a copy. Nope, still the same person who wrote the last 2 or 3 books. The only thing going for this book is it's easy to read. I think the author got to a point where he was tired of the whole thing and decided to wrap it up real quick, leaving a lot of questions unanswered. Why would a person with a 6-1/2 million dollar penthouse hide sensitive documents in his car? Like why a certain person was poisoned and why another person was shot? Why would the second richest man in Russia be doing what this guy is doing? Several of the conversations sounded like interrogations like the author didn't have the time or inclination to write out a decent conversation. And the sex has become very predictable and boring. In the book.
Once again, the payoff isn't worth reading the book. I would give it 2 stars, but I wouldn't finish a 2 star, so I give it 3 stars.
Once again, the payoff isn't worth reading the book. I would give it 2 stars, but I wouldn't finish a 2 star, so I give it 3 stars.
June 7, 2020
Secretary of State Holly Barker thinks she has a Russian mole in the State Department and she asks Stone Barrington for advice. Stone has recently been appointed as a deputy director for the CIA (more like an occasional consultant). Now Director Lance Cabot has an assignment for him.
Good points - - writing style makes it easy to read so it's quick. There was some action toward the end of the story.
Bad points - - very little substance to the story. So predictable. The repetition almost drove me crazy. I couldn't stand how every phone call had to say "scramble". I got it after the first few times.
Unfortunately with the recent books, if you've read one - - with the food, drinking, airplanes, houses and the assembly line of women, then you've read them all. Woods has a formula that sells tons of books. I can't blame him for not changing his pattern. It works for him but no longer for me. So I've decided to part ways with Stone. However, I still like the spinoff books with Teddy Fay and will continue to read those until they become too predictable also.
Good points - - writing style makes it easy to read so it's quick. There was some action toward the end of the story.
Bad points - - very little substance to the story. So predictable. The repetition almost drove me crazy. I couldn't stand how every phone call had to say "scramble". I got it after the first few times.
Unfortunately with the recent books, if you've read one - - with the food, drinking, airplanes, houses and the assembly line of women, then you've read them all. Woods has a formula that sells tons of books. I can't blame him for not changing his pattern. It works for him but no longer for me. So I've decided to part ways with Stone. However, I still like the spinoff books with Teddy Fay and will continue to read those until they become too predictable also.
March 12, 2020
It has been a while since I have read one of his Stone Barrington novels and had forgotten how silly they are. Everyone is beautiful, rich and sleeps with Stone. There is actually a good plot but all the parts that would be interesting are glossed over and it is nothing but Stone, where he dines, houses he owns, airplanes he buys, shopping his women do and really nothing of substance. Woods makes a great living writing this stuff and I admit I occasionally read one but I have to believe he can do much better.
March 26, 2020
Please explain the ending!
I actually thought it was marginally better than the last two books and then...
I actually thought it was marginally better than the last two books and then...
September 5, 2020
This man...this is really terrible. Please don't write any more of these.
January 29, 2020
Back in the day I think I read the first 20-25 Stone Barrington novels by Stuart Woods. I quit reading them because they were all to predictable and so much was written that did not contribute to the story line.
On a whim I decided to read book #52 Treason to see if anything had changed. The story itself had potential but the author blew it still with non-essential BS in the book.
I really don't need to know what Stone and his cohorts are having for every meal in detail or the fact that Stone has sex 3-4 times a day. It adds absolutely nothing to the book.
Still a major disappointment.
On a whim I decided to read book #52 Treason to see if anything had changed. The story itself had potential but the author blew it still with non-essential BS in the book.
I really don't need to know what Stone and his cohorts are having for every meal in detail or the fact that Stone has sex 3-4 times a day. It adds absolutely nothing to the book.
Still a major disappointment.
January 12, 2020
I think Stone's story is about finished.
February 1, 2020
2020 has not started out well for authors. Perhaps their wallets are just fine, but Good God there are terrible “novels” this year. Thank Good it’s February, so there’s still a lot of hope.
May 25, 2022
I think I've read my last Stone Barrington book. The books have become too repetitive. Stone is a womanizer and gets ex-husbands, and a myriad of other people angry with him, and they come after him. This was the same for this book Treason. It had the background of following some people who Stone thinks are Russian spies which was an interesting turn of events but the rest was the same old stuff.
February 2, 2020
Same old, same old. I guess it’s a comfortable familiarity, and I rather enjoyed the tale, but I can see some of the other reviewers becoming quite tired of Stone’s sexual antics.
January 14, 2020
"Life Styles of the Rich and Famous" for the pulp mystery set...Huge "Guilty Pleasure" reading these...This one deals with Stone helping Lance ferret out a Russian mole in Holly's State Department...and Stone crosses some Russian Oligarch again which leads to discoveries of a nest of Russian deep cover assets!
January 21, 2020
I have read quite a few Stone Barrington books, and unfortunately I think the quality has gone down over time. The storyline now seems filled with Stone's sexual exploits and descriptions of his over-the-top lifestyle filled with houses, cars, and planes that he owns. There isn't much room left for an actual plot. I'm not sure if I will continue to buy the new books when they come out.
February 4, 2020
Standard fair with poor ending. This had some entertainment value, but far from being woods best work.
January 29, 2020
SUBJECTIVE READER REVIEW WITH PLOT SPOILERS FOLLOWS:
Okay, the Russians, especially the hideously rich oligarchs, have become the tous les jour for Woods' recent coven of novels. Note this is the first released in 2020, and I'd suspect 4 more before it's over. Who cares, as Stone becomes Lance Cabot's regular surveillance within wealthy circles, and the modus operandi seems to go something like this: Stone's in Paris (eventually), runs into his partner Marcel Dubois, catches wind of a Russian on the loose from Cabot, almost immediately meets an attractive female who both works for Lance and finds Stone bedworthy. Stone and the Russian become aware of one another, the interest extends back to New York when he returns, and then the case gets solved via different levels of cunning and violence.
I forgot; the CIA la femme gets called back to duty just as she and Stone are getting very used to one another, but he seamlessly falls into what Vivian Bachetti now refers to as an 'assembly line.' So Tessa Martindale, the hot CIA field officer, falls away to Vanessa Baker, owner of a successful bakery chain, 'Bakers Half Dozen.' When Vanessa falls off the hot list, it's Lance's cousin, the remarkably preserved and electric Christina Cabot. But Vanessa doesn't fall of the list by accident. No, the KGB-era poisoning almost takes her out, and the stakes grow deadly serious.
Lance launches Stone on a seek & ID mission regards mystery man ex-pat Peter Grant, no visible means of support nor provenance easily discovered. That's when Tessa Martindale, a neighbor in the same enclave on Cap d'Antibes along the Cote d'Azur, appears and is drawn magnetically to Stone. Their relationship escalates rapidly, and she's willing to give up what she knows about Peter Grant, giving Stone the beginning. Then the Russian oligarch Yevgeny Checkov arrives in Paris, seeking tips for insider trading, and after a first 'wrong foot' introduction, invites Stone for lunch in the Russian Embassy courtyard. Stone learns Checkov profited handsomely on the IPO of his investment partnership in New York, but refused to provide further 'tips' to the Russian.
The Vanessa Baker thing begins upon his return to NYC, but Peter Grant seems to appear at every restaurant Stone visits. Turns out Vanessa knows who Grant is, but her mother Betty Baker was his former paramour and close confidant. When Checkov turns up in NYC, Lance gets very interested, but after a dinner held in his honor, hosted by Grant and arranged by party contractor Vanessa Baker, Vanessa soon falls into a coma. Since she was sitting next to Peter Grant, no one's sure who the target of the KGB-era poisoning was. But Vanessa's on closely guarded care, fighting for her life. When she returns to normal ops, she demands Stone help her move out of her mother's life, as Betty Baker is a Russian mole.
When Peter Grant starts to get nervous about the true target of the poisoning, he's shot while driving a luxury sedan that subsequently hurdles into the Hudson River. The scene moves to Martha's Vineyard, where Checkov's superyacht Tsarina is moored. Who would have thought the GRU was the source of the not-official-cover spy contingency along the US East Coast? The book ends with a dangling and delicious participle; is Vanessa a part of Checkov's web or not? I cannot remember Stuart Woods leaving the opening to the next novel so blatantly before, but how can you not hope that rich and hot-bodied Vanessa is NOT part of the plot?
Never one to go 'All In,' Stone meets Christina Cabot, Lance's very charismatic cousin, just as the book's about to end, and there's almost certainty that little meeting is gonna reap heavy breathing. So in case Vanessa the Baker turns out to be an SVR asset, there's Christina tucking Stone's business card into her brassiere. What's not to like?
Okay, the Russians, especially the hideously rich oligarchs, have become the tous les jour for Woods' recent coven of novels. Note this is the first released in 2020, and I'd suspect 4 more before it's over. Who cares, as Stone becomes Lance Cabot's regular surveillance within wealthy circles, and the modus operandi seems to go something like this: Stone's in Paris (eventually), runs into his partner Marcel Dubois, catches wind of a Russian on the loose from Cabot, almost immediately meets an attractive female who both works for Lance and finds Stone bedworthy. Stone and the Russian become aware of one another, the interest extends back to New York when he returns, and then the case gets solved via different levels of cunning and violence.
I forgot; the CIA la femme gets called back to duty just as she and Stone are getting very used to one another, but he seamlessly falls into what Vivian Bachetti now refers to as an 'assembly line.' So Tessa Martindale, the hot CIA field officer, falls away to Vanessa Baker, owner of a successful bakery chain, 'Bakers Half Dozen.' When Vanessa falls off the hot list, it's Lance's cousin, the remarkably preserved and electric Christina Cabot. But Vanessa doesn't fall of the list by accident. No, the KGB-era poisoning almost takes her out, and the stakes grow deadly serious.
Lance launches Stone on a seek & ID mission regards mystery man ex-pat Peter Grant, no visible means of support nor provenance easily discovered. That's when Tessa Martindale, a neighbor in the same enclave on Cap d'Antibes along the Cote d'Azur, appears and is drawn magnetically to Stone. Their relationship escalates rapidly, and she's willing to give up what she knows about Peter Grant, giving Stone the beginning. Then the Russian oligarch Yevgeny Checkov arrives in Paris, seeking tips for insider trading, and after a first 'wrong foot' introduction, invites Stone for lunch in the Russian Embassy courtyard. Stone learns Checkov profited handsomely on the IPO of his investment partnership in New York, but refused to provide further 'tips' to the Russian.
The Vanessa Baker thing begins upon his return to NYC, but Peter Grant seems to appear at every restaurant Stone visits. Turns out Vanessa knows who Grant is, but her mother Betty Baker was his former paramour and close confidant. When Checkov turns up in NYC, Lance gets very interested, but after a dinner held in his honor, hosted by Grant and arranged by party contractor Vanessa Baker, Vanessa soon falls into a coma. Since she was sitting next to Peter Grant, no one's sure who the target of the KGB-era poisoning was. But Vanessa's on closely guarded care, fighting for her life. When she returns to normal ops, she demands Stone help her move out of her mother's life, as Betty Baker is a Russian mole.
When Peter Grant starts to get nervous about the true target of the poisoning, he's shot while driving a luxury sedan that subsequently hurdles into the Hudson River. The scene moves to Martha's Vineyard, where Checkov's superyacht Tsarina is moored. Who would have thought the GRU was the source of the not-official-cover spy contingency along the US East Coast? The book ends with a dangling and delicious participle; is Vanessa a part of Checkov's web or not? I cannot remember Stuart Woods leaving the opening to the next novel so blatantly before, but how can you not hope that rich and hot-bodied Vanessa is NOT part of the plot?
Never one to go 'All In,' Stone meets Christina Cabot, Lance's very charismatic cousin, just as the book's about to end, and there's almost certainty that little meeting is gonna reap heavy breathing. So in case Vanessa the Baker turns out to be an SVR asset, there's Christina tucking Stone's business card into her brassiere. What's not to like?
January 19, 2020
I’ve read all of his books, so I can’t stop now. I like to guess on which page will he gave sex with a total stranger and how many different women will he entertain in the book. Otherwise, it’s an easy read while having a pedicure.
January 20, 2020
Multimillionaire Stone Barrington is a former cop, lawyer, partner in a high-profile New York law firm, and a veteran of several different government employers. He also has served in political appointments and is reprised by Stuart Woods in TREASON.
Stone is surrounded by his usual coterie of friends and acquaintances in the escapades in which he finds himself partaking as he solves his latest mystery. Someone has reported a mole in a classified agency, and it is up to Stone and his crew to track down him or her. Obviously, this individual has nefarious reasons for betraying his or her country, and the faster he or she is found, the safer everyone will be. Stone has dealt with this person in the past and understands that he has his work cut out for him.
In TREASON, Stone is a consultant, and his long-time affair with Holly Barker is still in place. She is now Secretary of State and is working with an agent posing as a writer so he can snoop around looking for clues that will lead the team to the traitor. She is also planning a run for president and has to be careful about how much she makes public about her life. Their relationship does not prevent Stone from continuing his womanizing pursuits. Few ladies can resist his charms and the extravagance he presents to them. His wealth and reputation make him wanted by one and all.
An airplane broker named Callie Stevens sells Stone a custom airliner on a whim. When they go to the airport, they find a slashed tire on the plane. Stone deduces that the woman’s ex-husband is probably the perpetrator. She doesn’t know what to think. Appearing in major roles here are Stone’s friends, Dino and Viv Bacchetti. He is the police commissioner and she his faithful wife. They all decide to go to Paris for a few days, and Stone invites Callie to come along. She does, but leaves early to return to New York and sell his old plane.
Stone meets another woman at a private dinner, and she accompanies him home. She is the neighbor of one of the men who Stone is interested in as a possible suspect and is able to offer some information about him. Stone sees him the next night in a restaurant and notices that he is spending tremendous amounts of money, despite his reputation for being tightfisted. Next comes an invitation for Stone and his friends to have dinner at the man’s house. They all go.
Since Stone owns several homes with servants around the world and has his own plane, he can pick up and go anytime he pleases. He also is in contact with all of his connections no matter where he is and is ready to follow whatever instructions he receives on his scrambled phone line. This keeps readers up to date on Stone’s latest assignments, which adds to the narrative’s fast pace.
Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum
Stone is surrounded by his usual coterie of friends and acquaintances in the escapades in which he finds himself partaking as he solves his latest mystery. Someone has reported a mole in a classified agency, and it is up to Stone and his crew to track down him or her. Obviously, this individual has nefarious reasons for betraying his or her country, and the faster he or she is found, the safer everyone will be. Stone has dealt with this person in the past and understands that he has his work cut out for him.
In TREASON, Stone is a consultant, and his long-time affair with Holly Barker is still in place. She is now Secretary of State and is working with an agent posing as a writer so he can snoop around looking for clues that will lead the team to the traitor. She is also planning a run for president and has to be careful about how much she makes public about her life. Their relationship does not prevent Stone from continuing his womanizing pursuits. Few ladies can resist his charms and the extravagance he presents to them. His wealth and reputation make him wanted by one and all.
An airplane broker named Callie Stevens sells Stone a custom airliner on a whim. When they go to the airport, they find a slashed tire on the plane. Stone deduces that the woman’s ex-husband is probably the perpetrator. She doesn’t know what to think. Appearing in major roles here are Stone’s friends, Dino and Viv Bacchetti. He is the police commissioner and she his faithful wife. They all decide to go to Paris for a few days, and Stone invites Callie to come along. She does, but leaves early to return to New York and sell his old plane.
Stone meets another woman at a private dinner, and she accompanies him home. She is the neighbor of one of the men who Stone is interested in as a possible suspect and is able to offer some information about him. Stone sees him the next night in a restaurant and notices that he is spending tremendous amounts of money, despite his reputation for being tightfisted. Next comes an invitation for Stone and his friends to have dinner at the man’s house. They all go.
Since Stone owns several homes with servants around the world and has his own plane, he can pick up and go anytime he pleases. He also is in contact with all of his connections no matter where he is and is ready to follow whatever instructions he receives on his scrambled phone line. This keeps readers up to date on Stone’s latest assignments, which adds to the narrative’s fast pace.
Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum
June 4, 2020
This is the hard cover version brought from Barnes and Noble, as a birthday gift for me from my family, who know I love spy mysteries. I have enjoyed Stone Barrington stories from the past.
Story: Stone Barrington, was once a regular "Joe" a working stiff like most of the population, and he does remember what it was like to live from pay cheque to pay cheque, but this Stone Barrington has come a long way baby! He is no longer the cop on the beat, he has become a very successful lawyer, a connoisseur of fine wine, rich beyond belief, a wise businessman and he mixes in the "fine" circles, as well as dinning at the best clubs and restaurants and also hob knobs with the rich and famous. On top of that, he has houses in many countries, a fabulous yacht and in this story, he ups his plane. James Bond, eat your heart out, Stone Barrington is also a spy! On top of that, he must be totally dashing as well as charming, as women appear to fall all over themselves to fall into his bed. Is he a womanizer, a Casanova or a lothario or all three? He is also very generous to the loves of his life, as well as to his friends. I would say, if one wanted a real good friend, Stone is the one to pick! But that would be as a friend, not a lover!
Stone is also attached as an advisor to the CIA and his main lover, Holly is running to be President of the USA, however their love life is not inclusive, and his bed sheets constantly run hot! That is some secretary he has, she handles a lot! Of course, there is a mole in the government who can it be? This story has Stone and friends flying of to Paris on the new plane. After an interesting week, including Russian spies etc, it is back, hunting for the spy, more parties and wild women every night (this poor man, needs some sleep) and back to the yacht for more spy hunting. Disappointing ending as it leaves the reader hanging. Not my favourite Barrington story, but enjoyed none the less. Expect I will be buying more in the future.
Story: Stone Barrington, was once a regular "Joe" a working stiff like most of the population, and he does remember what it was like to live from pay cheque to pay cheque, but this Stone Barrington has come a long way baby! He is no longer the cop on the beat, he has become a very successful lawyer, a connoisseur of fine wine, rich beyond belief, a wise businessman and he mixes in the "fine" circles, as well as dinning at the best clubs and restaurants and also hob knobs with the rich and famous. On top of that, he has houses in many countries, a fabulous yacht and in this story, he ups his plane. James Bond, eat your heart out, Stone Barrington is also a spy! On top of that, he must be totally dashing as well as charming, as women appear to fall all over themselves to fall into his bed. Is he a womanizer, a Casanova or a lothario or all three? He is also very generous to the loves of his life, as well as to his friends. I would say, if one wanted a real good friend, Stone is the one to pick! But that would be as a friend, not a lover!
Stone is also attached as an advisor to the CIA and his main lover, Holly is running to be President of the USA, however their love life is not inclusive, and his bed sheets constantly run hot! That is some secretary he has, she handles a lot! Of course, there is a mole in the government who can it be? This story has Stone and friends flying of to Paris on the new plane. After an interesting week, including Russian spies etc, it is back, hunting for the spy, more parties and wild women every night (this poor man, needs some sleep) and back to the yacht for more spy hunting. Disappointing ending as it leaves the reader hanging. Not my favourite Barrington story, but enjoyed none the less. Expect I will be buying more in the future.
May 19, 2020
Hubby passed this to me after reading it. I hadn't tried a Stone Barrington novel in some years and the banter between he and his side kick Dino used to entertain me. It still did, however, this one disappointed both of us. Nothing much has changed. Same ol' same ol' as they say. Sexcapades galore, every woman Stone meets wants to jump his bones, and he "comes" through for them :-) But he didn't come through for his fans with this one.
The plot was weak and unclear. What was the point here? What did the Russian really want? Who was Peter Grant really? Why was CIA/Lance pursuing his real identity? Maybe I skimmed too much and missed something. I guess I didn't really care. His older novels had much more meat to them plot-wise.
The settings are almost always the same, as he is a globe trotter, but this time buys a gazillion dollar airplane to fly himself from country to country himself where he owns homes. Much of the story line mimics his previous Stone novels: the upscale dining, the expensive wardrobes, what they are all drinking and where - all those expensive wines and liquors. We get it, when money is no object... why not?
The ending just stops. Apparently there may be more coming up about Stone Barrington, but I think for us in this household, we are done.
The plot was weak and unclear. What was the point here? What did the Russian really want? Who was Peter Grant really? Why was CIA/Lance pursuing his real identity? Maybe I skimmed too much and missed something. I guess I didn't really care. His older novels had much more meat to them plot-wise.
The settings are almost always the same, as he is a globe trotter, but this time buys a gazillion dollar airplane to fly himself from country to country himself where he owns homes. Much of the story line mimics his previous Stone novels: the upscale dining, the expensive wardrobes, what they are all drinking and where - all those expensive wines and liquors. We get it, when money is no object... why not?
The ending just stops. Apparently there may be more coming up about Stone Barrington, but I think for us in this household, we are done.
January 12, 2020
Always a great fun read, fiction books are meant to allow the reader to escape into another world and live another life, I think some people who have read these books have forgotten that premise, with all the complaints I see of how Stone lives, I saw to Mr Woods, keep up the great work and I will keep reading.
January 20, 2020
Okay so the bed hopping continues with great earnest. Again, Holly is able to swoop in and have a dalliance with Stone and no one supposedly knows? Come on, get real on that. Stone is seemingly set up for some investigating that he seems to blunder along. Dino and Viv (both professionals in their own right) can't quite figure out what's going on? Stone always seems to find himself in a compromising position because he is thinking with the wrong part of his body again. His constant befuddlement at trusting possibly the wrong woman has gotten really old. I was hoping for more intrigue than what I was given. I am just trying to figure out how the story that has promise could wind up being more about what goes on in Stone's bedroom and less about his supposed professional purposes. I am hoping that Stuart Woods realizes that his readers like Stone to be involved in a great plot, not a bed-hopping machine all of the time. The ending was a bit of a cliffy that had me scratching my head.
February 8, 2020
Another enjoyable quick read by this author. A lot of jumping around from
country to country . The book had plenty of women to keep Stone
Entertained, but had little substance. A typical Stone Barrington tale with
Women and expensive toys, parties, and drinking.
country to country . The book had plenty of women to keep Stone
Entertained, but had little substance. A typical Stone Barrington tale with
Women and expensive toys, parties, and drinking.
March 12, 2020
Pfft! Over. Stone’s character, if one can take his escapades at all seriously any more, is becoming an entitled, vapid, womanizing, dilettante - what a guy, lol! The stories, even the better ones (say, the 2-star rated) are too silly by far.
August 2, 2020
Better than the last...
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