Teddy Fay returns to La-La Land in the latest thriller from #1 New York Times-bestselling author Stuart Woods.
Teddy Fay is back in Hollywood and caught in two tricky situations. First, a rising star at Centurion becomes the target of malicious gossip, and Teddy must find and neutralize the source before the situation gets out of hand--or becomes violent. At the same time, Teddy finds himself targeted by a criminal thug bearing a grudge.
It's a lot of knives to juggle, even for a former-CIA-operative-turned-movie-producer accustomed to hazardous working conditions. This time Teddy will need to leverage every bit of his undercover skills and fearless daring to stay one step ahead of his foes . . . or he'll find himself one foot in the grave.
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.
A "clean" mystery by Stuart Woods, lol! I was very much entertained with this one, and Teddy Fay is a great character who wears many hats, once a spy ....
A local crime boss is seeking retribution against movie producer, Billy Barnett, having no idea he is trying to kill ex-CIA operative, Teddy Fay. Most of his wiseguys cannot find Barnett, and those that do are no match for his prodigious skills. Meanwhile, Bombshell Vivica is trying her best to smear Tessa Bachetti, who is her competition for Best Actress in the Academy Awards. However, she ends up being cast in a new Peter Barrington movie with her and they develop a friendship. Her overly protective ex-military boyfriend and a hitman decide the Awards ceremony is D-day. Pretty weak.
How come Stuart Woods doesn't know that it's been many years since the words "the winner is" were replaced by "the Oscar goes to"?
Set in Hollywood, Retired CIA agent turned Movie producer, Teddy Fay, has a mobster looking to gun him down. At the same time, jealousy rears its head between two starlets who are vying for the Academy Award for Best Actress. He must move carefully if he hopes to avoid a bullet or a vixen’s bite.
Although there are many moving parts in this story with a lot of suspense and action, I was unable to warm up to the hero. The only thing this hero was missing was a red cape. He could do no wrong. No matter the odds, he finds the enemy and puts them down with little sweat. The story felt like an old black and white mystery movie, but in modern times.
I had heard and seen this author in the past but had never had the opportunity to read him. I’m not sure I’ll be visiting him again.
I enjoy all the Stone Barrington novels and I’ve read some of the Teddy Fay books before, but this is just bad. It made so little sense and had too many characters, too many murders and no closure. Very disappointing.
I know that Woods can write very entertaining books, perhaps not great literature, but certainly not like this very bad book. I look forward to the next Stone Barrington book.
I like this book, more informative and interesting like the Rick Barron books ("The Prince of Beverly hills", "Beverly Hills Dead") Stuart Woods wrote that got me reading more of his work. I think with Woods's short, Hemingway-like style of writing, this pulp tough guy stuff is more his bailiwick. Credit to Parnell Hall as well, for whatever paragraphs or chapters he writes. Much fun, and I like Teddy Fay (I'm fine with Stone Barrington, but it's easy for me to get too "Stone-ed" due to him being the main feature in so many novels). An d the Oscar goes to...Teddy Fay, for being a reasonably believable jack of all trades, and who I feel is entertaining in a low-key kind of way (the Tim Duncan of book characters).
Not a literary work of art, but this was a quick, entertaining read that I enjoyed. You have to stretch your imagination, but it was interesting and anytime I had 5 spare minutes I was grabbing this book to read a little bit more. So for that it gets 4 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in pre-publication. Bombshell is a Teddy Fay novel with Stone Barrington and Dino Bacchetti making a brief appearance in the book. Set in Hollywood, Teddy has a lot on his hands from two fighting divas a local mob boss giving him a hard time. Teddy is an entertaining character with a past life as a CIA operative who in his current career is living a dual life – or I guess a triple life also as stunt man Mark Weldon and movie producer Billy Barnett; and working at the movie studio owned by the sons of Stone and Dino. Billy Barnett has angered a local crime boss who has taken out a hit on him and is doing everything he can to make his life miserable…but he can’t ever seem to find Billy when he’s looking for him. With his skills of disguise Billy/Teddy/Mark is very adept at staying hidden.
What I liked about the book: Like all Stuart Woods books, it’s an entertaining, quick read. The characters are fun and the book is fast-paced. Teddy Fay is a great foil for the bad guys who end up looking like they aren’t too bright.
What I didn’t like about the book: If I had never read Woods’ earliest books (Chiefs, the Will Lee series, etc.) I wouldn’t know what a fine writer he actually is and what he is truly capable of creating. While I will always enjoy one of his quick reads with Stone, Dino, Holly and other characters, I with he’d take on a more complex plot line again and produce novel with the depth and talent he is capable of.
I never knew that competition for the Oscars was so competitive…or so dangerous…but it has two Hollywood starlets considering murder. I first met Teddy Fay back when the Will Lee series first started and Teddy worked with the FBI in Washington D.C. and then came along Ed Eagle series and the Holly Baker series where Teddy was computer genius at gathering and secret information for the government. These were all excellent books that were action packed...short on wasted words and descriptions and could have been as long a series as the Stone Barrington series. So far Teddy Faye is a fascinating character and has far topped Stone Barrington although Stone does appear in almost every book thus far. By only making brief appearances I guess it gives Stone time to buy multi million dollar airplanes and plenty of time waiting for some random beautiful woman to ring his doorbell and want to go to bed him In the meantime Teddy can dodge the bullets…disarm all the bombs and kill all the bad guys that would like nothing more than to kill him. So far Teddy has proven to be a wonderful, believable hero. Hope this trend continues and there is as many books featuring Teddy as there are featuring Stone.
The fourth in the Teddy Fay series our former CIA operator, now film producer and most recently a villainous character actor...With the backdrop of the Academy Awards our members of the "Barrington Universe," now nominated for Oscars must deal with a local crime boss seeking retribution against one of Teddy's personae, movie producer Billy Barnett...Tough task, as Teddy cleverly handles the threats...Fun as always!!!
Teddy Fay was a former CIA operator, one of their best-turned film producer. But, he is caught in the middle of trying to sort out several situations. A popular star in a film currently being made, is the victim of a gossip columnist. Teddy has to figure out who it is and what is going on before the situation goes out of control. The other situation is that a local Italian crime boss is after Teddy. Either or both of the situations could become violent and Teddy finds himself in the cross hairs. Teddy will have to use all his skills to figure out what is happening.
This story moves and holds interest but slows down at end. I would have given 4 stars but because began to lose interest at end 3 1/2 stars! You might give it 4🥸
I can’t believe how good this novel is! Wish I would’ve read other three “Teddy Fay” novels first but I definitely will in very near future! I’ve read many Stuart Woods books but its been awhile, forgot how great of author he is. Whatever Parnell Halls part was in this novel had to be significant because this type of writing is exceptional.
I enjoy Stuart Woods' character, Teddy Fay, and found this one a quick listen. I've listened to several of Stuart Woods' stories, so know that where Teddy Fay is, Stone Barrington isn't too far away. And where Stone is, his best friend Dino Bacchetti is bound to be around. So when I started listening, a gangster was introduced, and I was having a hard time making the connection because I knew Dino Bacchetti is chief of the NYPD. Upon listening closer, the antagonist character's name was Gino Patelli -- a bit too close to the same name for my liking and caused confusion. Aside from that, the cast of characters is the same and the story a bit predictable. 5 out 0f 10.
The story in general was pretty seamless. EXCEPT the Daily Planet like unawareness displayed by everyone who came in contact with both of Teddy Fay's alter egos and had no idea that they were the same person. Teddy was both a producer and actor on the same movie. He was able to change his appearance convincingly using makeup and a wig. So convincingly that he fooled the professional makeup people on the movie set? That thought kept bouncing around in my head while I read.
A clean mystery by this author without all the sex and jumping into bed. I really enjoyed it. Nicely done with a good plot, action, and characters. I recommend this book. A fast read.
Hollywood, mob guys, the Oscars and an unbelievable main character, with so many costume changes, he reminded me of Robin Williams in MRS DOUBTFIRE. Looks like I'm one-and-done with this Teddy Fay series
Teddy is such a great character to read, well listen to. He is everything you want in a secret hero. I really enjoyed this series but at the same time I can see why the author called it quits at 5 books.
Another solid entry in the Teddy Fay series. I think I like this series better than the Stone Barrington books and definitely better than the Holly Barker books. It must be Parnell hall's input.
There's less sex and eating so there's a little more action than the Barrington books. I will admit I don't mind that Stone and Dino make a brief cameo in most (all?) of these books. Probably for promotion purposes because it wasn't necessary. Another plus to this story is we see a little more of Peter and Ben doing their actual work. Not a great deal of detail, but they just weren't someone to have drinks and dinner with in this one.
A quick read (as all Woods books are) that can be finished in a couple of hours. Light (yet bloody) reading.
This read was courtesy of my local public library. So glad it is back open.
This series, which has many of the characters that are familiar in the Stone Barrington series which is getting very stale, it is much fresher. Narration was better, too, even thought it is the same narrator. My disappointment came in Chapter 94, as the audio program from the library, didn't transfer over the last few chapters. Tough I could pretty well figure it out, since I listened to the first 93 chapters, I would have liked to hear the final ones. I will give the Teddy Fey series another go, if one is in the works.