Hit List

Stone Barrington #53

by Stuart Woods, Tony Roberts (Narrator)

Book #53 from the series: A Stone Barrington Novel
🎧Run Time = 7 hours and 13 minutes

A New York Times bestseller from an Edgar Award–winning author: When Stone Barrington’s name shows up on a hit list, he’s prepared to wait it out — but the assassin isn’t so easily deterred. A globe-spanning game of cat and mouse commences in this enthralling thriller that makes for “fast-moving, easy reading in the familiar Woods style” (Booklist).

Stone Barrington faces down a vengeful miscreant in this latest heart-stopping thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author

When Stone Barrington finds his name on a hit list, he plans to lie low until the culprit is caught. But when this foe shows no signs of stopping until his deadly objective is realized in full, Stone is left with no choice but to face the problem head-on.

Armed and alert, Stone joins forces with his most savvy connections to catch the perpetrator before the next strike. But it turns out this scum is an expert at evasion in more ways than one, and the international cat-and-mouse hunt that ensues has Stone questioning if he has become the predator or the prey…

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

Audible Audio

First published March 17, 2020

About the author

Stuart Woods was an American novelist best known for Chiefs and his long-running Stone Barrington series. A Georgia native, he initially pursued a career in advertising before relocating to England and Ireland, where he developed a passion for sailing. His love for the sport led him to write his first published work, Blue Water, Green Skipper, about his experiences in a transatlantic yacht race.
His debut novel, Chiefs, was inspired by a family story about his grandfather, a police chief. The book, a gripping crime saga spanning several decades, won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel and was later adapted into a television miniseries. It launched Woods' career as a novelist, leading to a prolific output of thrillers.
Woods' most famous creation, Stone Barrington, is a former NYPD detective turned high-profile lawyer who navigates elite circles while solving crimes. The series became a bestseller and remained a staple of his career, often featuring crossover characters from his other books, such as CIA operative Holly Barker and defense lawyer Ed Eagle.
Beyond writing, Woods was an experienced pilot and yachtsman. He maintained homes in Florida, Maine, and New Mexico, where he lived with his wife and their Labrador, Fred. His literary career spanned decades, with dozens of bestsellers to his name.

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Your choice to pick the most inept. The Hitter, The Hittee, The Police Commissioner and The Law Firm. All the nonsense welded between the usual Stone sexcapades. 0 of 10 stars

[Montessahall Montessahall · Rating 1 out of 5]

This series is a repetitive loop of the same basic plot. How many home security systems does a person need? (Stone) Can Vanessa be more of a bimbo stereotype? Why in one instance Vanessa was eager to “shoot someone” while a chapter later, she was too afraid to look at a long gun? Same as previous novels; Dino and Vivian abandon their jobs and personal lives on a whim to travel around the world with Stone. BTW, what happened to Bob the dog? He was the most interesting character! A pure waste of valuable reading time.

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one felt long, I was bored.
Stone is on a kill list. He decided to take matters into his own hands (plus Dino), in style with his gulf stream. They went to a few countries trying to find the killer. And finally, the election.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another entry in the very formulaic, but fun, Stone Barrington series...Its a vicarious "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous" tour de force for me and its a good thing they burn all those calories with lots of sex, otherwise from their high end eating and drinking, they'd all be 400 pounds...Stone finds himself on a "hit list" generated from someone in his past and we have a world-wide romp of searching for, and escaping the killer...All the periphery characters are there and in the midst of Holly Barker's run for the Presidency...decent "Shelter-in-Place" read!!!

[Jeff · Rating 1 out of 5]

Keystone Cops

I believe this is the most ridiculous book I’ve ever read. I’m obviously used to the formula writing, but this one takes the cake. ‘Follow that plane...’

[Keith · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was the worst Stuart Woods / Stone Barrington book I have read - and I have read them all. They were all quick and easy reads. Yes, they were predictable. I still enjoyed them. They were never great. My ratings for most of them were only 3 stars. Still, I read them all. After 52 books I felt like I was catching up with old friends.

But this one was bad. It went on too long, and was just blatantly ridiculous too often. Near the end Barrington was racing around the streets of Harlem on a motorcycle in the pouring rain. Shortly before that scenario played out it was stated he had not ridden a motorcycle since before he and Dino worked together. That's just one example of everything that was wrong with this book.

If the next Stone Barrington book is this bad, it will be my last.

[Alan]

My rating: 0! Nothing I could say would come close to describing the disdain I have for this book. If this were written by a jr. high school student aspiring to be a writer, I’d say - don’t!

[Gerri · Rating 1 out of 5]

Woods sure hit the bottom of the barrel with this one. My Goodread friends know I gave up on the Barrington series long ago and no doubt wondering why I even read this new novel. If not for COVID19 and my local libraries being closed for weeks I probably would not have read Hit List. However, when you’re used to reading a couple novels a week you get desperate so when neighbor offered to lend me her book I accepted. I cannot believe the horrid, shallow writing and the stupidity of some of the characters especially Vanessa and Jenna – talk about a couple twits. Why would Woods even create such mindless characters? Then of course we need the entrance of the off again on again Holly which leads to the last few chapters that could not have been more predictable or far-fetched. As I have nothing nice to say about this book I’ll stop here. However and as I’ve said in past Barrington reviews - - how do these books reach so many of the best seller lists and remain there so long?

[Richard Guerrero · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me start out by saying that I have been a diehard Stuart Woods fan and a Stone Barrington fan. In saying that, this book was horrible. I think it’s coming to the time where he probably needs to end this series. As I mentioned before, Stone should be in his 70s by now but he still running around like a 30 year old and having sex with two or three different women in a day. The whole story and everything about it was horrible. Have these guys running all around the world looking like idiots. Should’ve just played a Scooby Doo episode. I really did enjoy the books with the Lee’s and Holly Barker, but now he’s ruined them. To me those books were a little more serious and entertaining at the same time. Now he put them all in one and it’s horrible. Wish he would’ve stuck with Holly Barker on her own series and Will and Kate Lee with their own series oh yeah, and even at Eagle, I like the books when he first started but now mixing him with stone Barrington screwed all that up. It seems like Stuart Woods has a new book released every week, maybe he needs to slow down and put a little more into the books. He’s been such a good writer but again, not feeling it anymore.

[Skip · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stone receives a list of 10 names, which seem to have no connection. Then, the list grows shorter as people are being killed by a cipher. Nobody can find the killer, who is deadly, but for some reason, cannot manage to kill Stone. Shocking, right? Stone jumps in his Gulfstream 500, and starts jumping to his numerous homes in England, Paris, Maine, and eventually, out to Santa Fe, where he hangs with Ed Eagle. The killer has come into some serious money, and is on a quest to right actual or perceived slights. He even convinces his wife to kill Stone in a men's clothing store, and Stone charms her into helping catch her husband. Fast one, nothing really new, and hail to the chief.

[Nancy Burnett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blah ineptitude SILLY

I usually enjoy these fanciful plots however this one was mailed in. First 1/2 decent the second 1/2 was so ridiculous I found myself getting angry at me for reading. PASSS

[Melanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was not for me..... There wasn’t much happening except Stone and his friends living an expensive and unrealistic lifestyle. Yikes!

[elaine fernandez · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was very disappointed with the last Stone Barrington installment. Over the course of a few years the books have increased the unimaginable increase in Stone's wealth, influence and womanizing but it added to a fictional hero. This installment overplayed these aspects. The bantering between Stone and Dino has always been amusing; in this installment, their keystone cops antics dilute and disrespect the positions they hold, Police Commissioner and respected attorney.

If the author has no more to give this character, stop the books. On the other hand , with Holly being elected President there is a great deal of areas to explore and ability to make the main character stop his antics, grow up and truly get back to the main assets of the initial Stone Barrington. The exaggerated womanizing and unabashed power is loosing its' luster.
Really disappointing and somewhat insulting to the loyal fans.

[Todd Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year I read more than 300 books and buy most at the local Friends of the Library bookstore at $25 for a bag of books. When I find A new Author, I try to fill in at the bookstore and buy the ones I cannot find used on Amazon.

Stuart Woods in one of the very few authors that I purchase new. As soon a book is scheduled, I preorder on Amazon. “Hit List” is one of his better books.

A very good plot, the usual cast of characters plus Ed Eagle and Herbie Fisher, and laugh out loud dialogue. An absolute fun read.

[Rej · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, this is definitely the last book about Stone Barrington that I am reading. This one was dragging and did not inspire me. I would like to know how come the NY Police Commissioner can have so much time on his hand to travel to France, England and other US States plus time to go for lunch and dinner on a regular basis. Where can I apply for that job. The book is really about two idiots that make jokes while not being able to stop a criminal. Good by Barrington.

[Cybercrone · Rating 2 out of 5]

There seems to be a rash of really tired writers lately.
This was one of the products. All I can say is, if I'm ever in trouble, I hope I'm not being protected by either the NYPD or Strategic Services.
When an author writes a book where people are made to do really stupid and unthinking things just to push the plot along and get the required number of words for submission, it's time to move on to something else.

[John Sklar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a Stuart Woods fan so anything I say should be taken with that in mind. This was action packed and full of fun. There was a light and jovial atmosphere which I needed during this time of national panic. Woods always gives me a break from the real world and seems to pull me into this delightful fantasy of Stone Barrington and his friends. I needed the break. Great book.

[Shirley Kuder · Rating 2 out of 5]

The worst yet. What a serious disappointment. He is losing his edge
I won’t be buying any more of his books which is das because I’ve never missed onr

[Robert P Baron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hope there is no Book 54

They are getting worse and worse. The plot is inane and the telling equals it. No more for me Mr. Woods.

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

2.5 stars.

[Joanne Farley · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are this far into the Stone Barrington books my review is not going to sway you.
Typical book with typical Stone bed hoping. I actually enjoyed this one.

[Julianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 quick read and engaging plot

[Katie Bokan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is ridiculous. I love a good, fast-paced mystery or thriller, and I understand that sometimes lack of character depth comes with those genres. But Hit List is not only lacking character depth, it's lacking a solid plot, likeable characters, and it's boring, to boot. It's like reading about a knock-off James Bond, with all of James Bonds' chauvinistic character traits and none of his charm. I angry-read the entire thing because I was determined to finish, but I'm mad about it (hence this review).

The entire book revolves around the fabulously wealthy Stone Barrington showing off his, well, wealth. 'Oh no, there's a hit man after me? Let's go to my house in London. Oh no, he found me! Let's go to my house in Paris.' Then his house in Maine. Then back to his house in New York. All on his private jet, drinking expensive wines, adjusting his Patek Philippe pocket watch (a gorgeous and expensive brand, so at least the author knows his watches), and sleeping with a bunch of women (4), who exist just to go shopping and have sex with him. The last woman, who is voted in as President of the United States at the end of the book, at least has her own career, but she's all about Stone, who is just such an "amazing" lover. Ugh, no. He's a rich, selfish, conceited slug.

This book is absurd, and the fact that it's #53 in a series makes me seriously question just who is reading these atrocious things. I imagine the first books in the series were probably better, but now author Stuart Woods is really churning them out (this was the 5th Stone Barrington novel published in 2020), which might explain the decrease in quality (if there is, in fact, a decrease in quality).

I'm not sure who is enjoying this book, but people clearly are, based on its 3.9 star rating on Goodreads. I'd like to reiterate - I love a good trashy novel, and if the plot is interesting enough I don't even care if it's written poorly (ahem Twilight) but this falls far below even those lax standards. This review might sound snobby, but so be it. Come at me.

[Michele A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just okay to me. Stone is his usual blundering self lately who has found his name on a hit list. Dino tries to help and what ensues was pure disbelief on my part. Stone can't figure out why his name would appear on a hit list (any number of women immediately came to my mind) and doesn't quite take the appropriate precautions in the beginning. His womanizing knows no bounds. It seems unbelievable that he picks up women without any preamble. The constant globetrotting and giving random women his credit card to shop is ridiculous. It takes a while for them to figure out who is trying to kill him and they manage to bungle it quite a few times. I have always liked Dino but he is pretty much left to play part of one of the Three Stooges lately. Their bantering is usually witty but fell a bit flat in this one. Felt bad for Stone that he was left hanging after the incident toward the end. There were a few typos and that usually does not happen with his books. Am hoping the ending leads to Stone embarking on a new path.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked these early books but I had stopped reading this series because I found that I was disappointed with Stuart Woods constantly making Stone into a ridiculous play boy. This man obviously has much more sense than this and should have more character. Romance is fine but this man can’t keep his clothes on. I thought I would give it another try since I wasn’t the only one that disliked Stone’s “playboy” image. I thought maybe Mr. Woods would get the idea and tone it down…Of course he didn’t. Between the bedroom scenes with Stone and whoever rings his doorbell and an actual shootout in the streets of New York City…I think I’m through giving this any more chances. For now I‘ll just stick with the Teddy Faye series. So far Teddy has managed to stay at least half dressed…or maybe the ladies think twice about ringing an assassin’s doorbell.

[Hope · Rating 2 out of 5]

The thing I enjoy most about the Stone series is the clever, conniving plot twists, which this one did NOT have. This was a “Keystone Cops” book which included the ridiculous chase of a killer via airplanes. There is NO viable reason why a NY Police Commissioner should take directions from an attorney, who continued to foil each plot to catch the killer with rookie moves. I highly recommend PASSING on this one!

[Aaron G Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good addition

Very well told story with the expected professional flare you expect from a Stuart Woods novel. Great action and flow. These books are my favorites and they are over too soon.

[Oxana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit much

Stone Barrington continues in his usual way of getting his way by Charming all those around him, but the conversations are all a bit unreal. Would you call the commissioner of police to have a two or three word conversation even if you were best buds?

[C. Earle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did Not Finish

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. Typical of his