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Stone Barrington #55
Shakeup
Stone Barrington must track down an enemy intent on disturbing law and order in the latest action-packed thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author
Upon returning from a dangerous coastal adventure, Stone Barrington is looking forward to some normalcy with the leading lady in his life. But when a grisly crime arrives on his doorstep, along with some suspicious new clients eager for his help, Stone realizes peace and quiet are no longer an option.
As it turns out, the mastermind behind the malfeasance rocking New York City and the nation's capital wields a heavy hand of influence. And when Stone is unable to recruit those closest to the case to his side, he is left with few leads and a handful of dead-ends. But with the help of important people in high places--and the expertise of alluring new friends--Stone is more than ready to rise to the occasion.
Upon returning from a dangerous coastal adventure, Stone Barrington is looking forward to some normalcy with the leading lady in his life. But when a grisly crime arrives on his doorstep, along with some suspicious new clients eager for his help, Stone realizes peace and quiet are no longer an option.
As it turns out, the mastermind behind the malfeasance rocking New York City and the nation's capital wields a heavy hand of influence. And when Stone is unable to recruit those closest to the case to his side, he is left with few leads and a handful of dead-ends. But with the help of important people in high places--and the expertise of alluring new friends--Stone is more than ready to rise to the occasion.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2020
About the author
Stuart Woods
419 books3,282 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 311 reviews
January 6, 2021
The only reason this gets two stars is the ending was half decent. 4 of 10 stars
October 26, 2020
a very light plot, too many sexual encounters and a rushed ending. Why do I keep reading this series>
November 6, 2020
Poor Stone. To meet the President for some quick weekend "romance" seems to be a major logistic nightmare now. I think Stone needs a looong runway on his property so Air Force One can land? Oh dear...🤣
Pretty ridiculous as always. Going to give an extra star for making me laugh.
Pretty ridiculous as always. Going to give an extra star for making me laugh.
January 16, 2021
Returning from Holly Barker's inauguration afterparties with Dino and Viv Bachetti, Stone finds the dead body of Patricia Clark in his hotel room. She is the incoming secretary of commerce Donald Clark's wife. She is in the midst of a contentious divorce with her husband, a philanderer, including multiparty trysts with the D.C. chief of police, Little Debby. Holly soon dismisses Donald from her cabinet. Almost immediately upon leaving Holly's embraces, Stone hooks up with an actress preparing for a leading lady tryout for his son Peter's movie studio. Dino and Stone help investigate the Clark case and subsequent related murders. Nothing special.
November 10, 2020
The same old stuff. The last book was better because there were less sexual encounters, but Woods seemed to think he needed to make up for that in this book. It makes the plot weak because it never adds to the mystery or tension. It had a rushed ending, so my boredom ended quickly.
November 9, 2020
You know, comparing the Stuart Woods' early stuff to these later stories really highlights the move from excellent, almost artistic reads, to churning out pulp...But, I'm hooked, almost like a soap opera, into the Stone Barrington universe...They ARE a "Guilty Pleasure"...Don't tell!!!...After attending Holly Barker's inauguration, Stone returns to his suite at the infamous Hay-Adams hotel to find a dead woman in his suite...This is just the beginning of a series of suspicious deaths that must tie together somewhere, somehow...There's a lot of fine dining and capricious sex as Barrington unravels the mystery!
November 2, 2020
SHAKEUP is the 55th escapade in Stuart Woods’ long-running and popular series. Stone Barrington is a super-rich New York white-shoe attorney who has high connections, from the president of the United States to celebrities and other wealthy, well-known individuals. The book opens with Stone in Washington, D.C. getting ready to attend the inauguration of his “main squeeze,” Holly Barker, as the second woman to be elected commander-in-chief.
Stone is sitting with two of his closest friends: Dino Bacchetti, the New York police commissioner, and his wife, Viv, the COO of Strategic Services, the world’s second-largest security company. When he goes back to his hotel, he stumbles upon a corpse. Dino stops Stone from calling 911. With his connections, he can help stave off a media frenzy, thus saving their appearances at four presidential balls that evening.
Dino contacts Deborah Myers, chief of the D.C. police department. He explains the circumstances to her, and she takes over. It develops that the victim is Patricia Clark; her husband, Don, is about to be the new Secretary of Commerce. At this point in the story, Stone is a viable suspect, and Myers coldly questions him. But he has an airtight alibi and a photo to prove where he was and at what time. So after jumping to an erroneous conclusion, Myers informs him that he is no longer a suspect.
The eyes of suspicion then shift over to Don, with whom Patricia was going through a contested divorce. After being dismissed from Holly’s cabinet, he arrives in New York seeking assistance in locating the person who killed his wife. However, Stone and Dino are not keen to work the case on behalf of the victim’s husband and are busy with subsequent related murders.
Stone then receives a call from one of his law partners, Bill Eggers, who needs Stone to fly him to California for a meeting. This gives Stone an opportunity to meet a new woman, Lara, an aspiring actress who has an appointment to meet the director of a new movie. Coincidentally, the director happens to be Stone’s son, and his partner is Dino’s son, Ben. Naturally she gets the part.
As the story unfolds and the body count rises, the plot moves swiftly. Fans and newcomers alike will find themselves enjoying the shenanigans that Stuart Woods can always be relied upon to deliver.
Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum
Stone is sitting with two of his closest friends: Dino Bacchetti, the New York police commissioner, and his wife, Viv, the COO of Strategic Services, the world’s second-largest security company. When he goes back to his hotel, he stumbles upon a corpse. Dino stops Stone from calling 911. With his connections, he can help stave off a media frenzy, thus saving their appearances at four presidential balls that evening.
Dino contacts Deborah Myers, chief of the D.C. police department. He explains the circumstances to her, and she takes over. It develops that the victim is Patricia Clark; her husband, Don, is about to be the new Secretary of Commerce. At this point in the story, Stone is a viable suspect, and Myers coldly questions him. But he has an airtight alibi and a photo to prove where he was and at what time. So after jumping to an erroneous conclusion, Myers informs him that he is no longer a suspect.
The eyes of suspicion then shift over to Don, with whom Patricia was going through a contested divorce. After being dismissed from Holly’s cabinet, he arrives in New York seeking assistance in locating the person who killed his wife. However, Stone and Dino are not keen to work the case on behalf of the victim’s husband and are busy with subsequent related murders.
Stone then receives a call from one of his law partners, Bill Eggers, who needs Stone to fly him to California for a meeting. This gives Stone an opportunity to meet a new woman, Lara, an aspiring actress who has an appointment to meet the director of a new movie. Coincidentally, the director happens to be Stone’s son, and his partner is Dino’s son, Ben. Naturally she gets the part.
As the story unfolds and the body count rises, the plot moves swiftly. Fans and newcomers alike will find themselves enjoying the shenanigans that Stuart Woods can always be relied upon to deliver.
Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum
May 26, 2021
When a dead woman turns up in Stone Barrington's hotel room, everyone is puzzled. Since he was away at the President's inauguration, Stone is cleared of suspicion, but then other people start getting murdered as well, muddying the waters even further.
The FBI gets involved, so does NYPD and it's Chief, Dino Bachetti, Stone's best buddy. The conspiracy gets more crooked every moment.... Can Stone and his friends get to the bottom of it all?
Please read my detailed review from the link below
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Do visit🏃🏽, read📖, like👍🏼, comment💭, or share🚩!
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The FBI gets involved, so does NYPD and it's Chief, Dino Bachetti, Stone's best buddy. The conspiracy gets more crooked every moment.... Can Stone and his friends get to the bottom of it all?
Please read my detailed review from the link below
https://www.aniblogshere.com/book-rev...
Do visit🏃🏽, read📖, like👍🏼, comment💭, or share🚩!
🙏🏼🙏🏼
#stonebarrington #stuartwoods #fbi #policethriller #nypd #nytbestseller #murdermystery #policethrillers
January 17, 2021
I am being very generous by giving it a three. Someone else had mentioned how they’re addicted to it, I have to say that I am the same way. I have read every book in this series and love the first quarter or almost half of it. Now like they mention it’s like a soap opera addiction. I really feel that the author messed up the character of Holly Barker. I wish she would’ve kept her own series. She was much more serious of a character when she was on her own. I mentioned this on one of the previous books how I love Holly Barker, Will and Kate Lee, and even Ed Eagle. If I had never read any books from this author and started with one of the last of the series, I probably would have never picked up another book from this author thinking he was horrible. I have also mentioned before how ridiculous it’s getting with stone Barrington telling everybody from the president, director of the FBI, one of the heads of MI6, and a lead actress what to do and at the same time taking them all to bed. I would think he should be about 80 years old at least by now and his little friend down there should’ve fell off by now. Then to finish it off, the director of the FBI showing her “little girls“ to the killer in the interrogation room to get him to confess. This soap opera keeps getting lower and lower. It used to be young and the restless and now it seems like it’s becoming the days of our lives.
November 10, 2020
I have so many opinions about how boring this series has become. “Sexcapades of Stone” - zzzzzzzzz. I’m giving it one more then retiring from this cast of characters, despite them being so likable. No. Plot.
January 4, 2021
Ho hum. The author I love to hate.
November 9, 2020
The library lists the book under mystery/thriller. It should be listed under Fantasy! It's a silly, disjointed book with Stone having sex almost every night with a different powerful woman, etc. Rather boring. Most of it made me laugh.
September 25, 2022
The whole story looks skewed depending on your answer to the question: Would an unmarried Madame President be in an open relationship?
November 25, 2020
SUBJECTIVE READER REVIEW WITH PLOT SPOILERS FOLLOWS:
Holly Barker's inaugurated and the shakeups immediately begin. Commerce Sec Designate holds an Inaugural Ball at his mansion even though his wife died that morning, and Patricia Clark was just the first of six victims tied to the multiple sexual partners of DCPD Chief of Police Deborah 'Little Debby' Myers. She's tough to finger as a suspect though, as her Security Detail cum lover of need Rocco 'Valentino' Turko is offing all the threats for her. It all comes to an end when one of them sings like the bird, but I ain't telling ya who.
So Holly's now Chief Executive and must be circumspect about her behavior, especially as it relates to sex. She and Stone have this unwritten commitment to one another, but she's seldom available. If I had to guess, I'd say Stephen Stills was one of Woods' favorites back in the day, because 'Shakeup' is like the movie version of the song, 'Love the One You're With.' As in, 'if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with.' Now these meaningful overnight relationships are taking place in and among the narrow windows of opportunity Holly has for a spot of heavy breathing. But Lara Parks, female lead in a new Centurion movie, makes a coast to coast dalliance before Stone has to ship her back to LA 1st Class as Holly's headed in.
Talk about pity, Holly takes pity on Stone by sending in the very hot and big busted FBI Deputy Director for Criminal Investigations Maren Gustav to chase down the Little Debby murders in New York, and she and Stone take all of three hours to ravage each other on demand. The only one that seemed to get to Holly was the trip to Windward Hall in Hampshire, England, where she knew Dame Felicity Devonshire would be sharpening her incisors in anticipation. All things considered, you gotta wonder if Stone can fend off three new lovers per month and not become enthralled with at least one!
In all fairness, at least Stone's discrete enough to have sex one on one. The only thing in this book more nefarious than Stone's malleable morals is the pure open sex menu Little Debby Myers lives. Man, there's a price to pay for easy money, as six of Debby's former bed mates are murdered before the final page of 'Shakeup.' Get this book, enjoy the brain candy, and get ready for your next serious read. You'll enjoy it, I always do.
Holly Barker's inaugurated and the shakeups immediately begin. Commerce Sec Designate holds an Inaugural Ball at his mansion even though his wife died that morning, and Patricia Clark was just the first of six victims tied to the multiple sexual partners of DCPD Chief of Police Deborah 'Little Debby' Myers. She's tough to finger as a suspect though, as her Security Detail cum lover of need Rocco 'Valentino' Turko is offing all the threats for her. It all comes to an end when one of them sings like the bird, but I ain't telling ya who.
So Holly's now Chief Executive and must be circumspect about her behavior, especially as it relates to sex. She and Stone have this unwritten commitment to one another, but she's seldom available. If I had to guess, I'd say Stephen Stills was one of Woods' favorites back in the day, because 'Shakeup' is like the movie version of the song, 'Love the One You're With.' As in, 'if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with.' Now these meaningful overnight relationships are taking place in and among the narrow windows of opportunity Holly has for a spot of heavy breathing. But Lara Parks, female lead in a new Centurion movie, makes a coast to coast dalliance before Stone has to ship her back to LA 1st Class as Holly's headed in.
Talk about pity, Holly takes pity on Stone by sending in the very hot and big busted FBI Deputy Director for Criminal Investigations Maren Gustav to chase down the Little Debby murders in New York, and she and Stone take all of three hours to ravage each other on demand. The only one that seemed to get to Holly was the trip to Windward Hall in Hampshire, England, where she knew Dame Felicity Devonshire would be sharpening her incisors in anticipation. All things considered, you gotta wonder if Stone can fend off three new lovers per month and not become enthralled with at least one!
In all fairness, at least Stone's discrete enough to have sex one on one. The only thing in this book more nefarious than Stone's malleable morals is the pure open sex menu Little Debby Myers lives. Man, there's a price to pay for easy money, as six of Debby's former bed mates are murdered before the final page of 'Shakeup.' Get this book, enjoy the brain candy, and get ready for your next serious read. You'll enjoy it, I always do.
November 18, 2020
#55 in the Stone Barrington series. This series entry by author Stuart Woods is another in his line of jet setting, bed hopping , derring-do by the rich lawyer protagonist. L.A., England and several trips to Washington, D.C. serve to vary the background. Meanwhile Stone outdoes himself by bedding a Hollywood actress just signed to star in a major motion picture, the newly elected President of the U.S., the newly appointed Director of the FBI, and the head of England's M.I.6. As always this was a fast read and a guilty pleasure.
Stone returns to the Washington, D.C., hotel where he's staying for the inauguration of his longtime paramour, Holly Barker, as president--only to find the body of Patricia Clark, the incoming secretary of commerce's wife, lying on the floor of his suite. The chief suspect is the victim's husband, Dan Clark, with whom she was going through a contested divorce. Holly soon dismisses Dan from her cabinet. Stone and his New York City police commissioner pal, Dino Bachetti, help investigate the Clark case and subsequent related murders. An obvious villain doesn't lessen the tension of the cat-and-mouse game that ensues. Meanwhile, Stone and Holly contrive to meet discreetly for sex as often as possible. Fortunately for Stone, more than one attractive, willing woman is available when Holly isn't around. Better yet, nobody gets jealous.
Stone returns to the Washington, D.C., hotel where he's staying for the inauguration of his longtime paramour, Holly Barker, as president--only to find the body of Patricia Clark, the incoming secretary of commerce's wife, lying on the floor of his suite. The chief suspect is the victim's husband, Dan Clark, with whom she was going through a contested divorce. Holly soon dismisses Dan from her cabinet. Stone and his New York City police commissioner pal, Dino Bachetti, help investigate the Clark case and subsequent related murders. An obvious villain doesn't lessen the tension of the cat-and-mouse game that ensues. Meanwhile, Stone and Holly contrive to meet discreetly for sex as often as possible. Fortunately for Stone, more than one attractive, willing woman is available when Holly isn't around. Better yet, nobody gets jealous.
January 10, 2021
Stuart Woods books should be read in order because there is so much we have learned about the characters over the years. I feel.like I know them, and many routinely show up from one book to the next. Stone is not remotely believable, but I keep coming back. The excess sex with a multitude of partners is just silly, but whatever. Dialogue is great, and Woods has a superior grasp of the English language. I love the dry wit. I only give it 3 stars because the sex is just too much to believe, but humour saves the day. Woods can tell a story. Do I like Holly as president? No, but her role does not distract from the story lines much. Always a quick read. I like these books on audio because Tony Roberts gives a stellar performance time after time. It's his voice I hear when reading. Each book can be read on it's own, but I do recommend going in order so you can appreciate the series for what it is: fun fiction.
November 3, 2020
Another episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Sorry, I meant another smooth reading Stone Barrington book, with plenty of incredible, ridiculous sex. Fortunately, the books are entertaining and mostly fun reading.
This man advises presidents and the CIA and FBI, then does something incredibly stupid. His London house is broken into, but nothing is taken, so it appears to be a trial run for breaking into Stone’s country home that has the same security system, but also has some valuable paintings. Said security system was installed by MI6. Stone flies to his country home to see what’s what and ends up in bed with the head of MI6. Not only does Stone have no security people, neither does the head of MI6 and when they go to bed, knowing that someone is going to try to break in, they don’t even set the alarm system. When the burglars get in and make some noise, Stone decides to investigate on his own, naked. Ridiculous, makes absolutely no sense at all.
This man advises presidents and the CIA and FBI, then does something incredibly stupid. His London house is broken into, but nothing is taken, so it appears to be a trial run for breaking into Stone’s country home that has the same security system, but also has some valuable paintings. Said security system was installed by MI6. Stone flies to his country home to see what’s what and ends up in bed with the head of MI6. Not only does Stone have no security people, neither does the head of MI6 and when they go to bed, knowing that someone is going to try to break in, they don’t even set the alarm system. When the burglars get in and make some noise, Stone decides to investigate on his own, naked. Ridiculous, makes absolutely no sense at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2020
Great book
Great book. Great story and characters. I find it amazing there is all this trouble around Stone and never gets seriously hurt.
Great book. Great story and characters. I find it amazing there is all this trouble around Stone and never gets seriously hurt.
November 14, 2020
Murder, sex, and betrayal served with caviar, fine wine, and the power and grace of the rich and famous. In terms of structure, easy entertainment, quite tame, reminiscent of a JC Fletcher tale.
February 3, 2021
55 books and the same storyline... but if they sell, why change it. Difficult to top hopping into bed with the president of the USA, the FBI Director, the head of Britain's M16 & a movie star all in just a couple of chapters.
December 24, 2020
I have read all 55 Stone Barrington novels.
This was not one of best. The author did introduce a new character into the series, hopefully that will enhance the series going forward.
This was not one of best. The author did introduce a new character into the series, hopefully that will enhance the series going forward.
November 28, 2020
BARRINGTON SEXCAPADES...SPOILER ALERT
Stone Barrington confined himself to sleeping with just one woman, Holly Barker, POTUS-elect in the last novel, and that strained him greatly...so he catches up in this one. This is a showcase of how to juggle women, including POTUS. Before his life can proceed, however, he must be POTUS' date for the inaugural balls, and be filmed as he waltzes with Holly at each of the four venues. POOR STONE, his picture waltzing appears on social media and in "People" magazine. He eschews the publicity. Now, I couldn't seem to reconcile why they didn't just let it be known that Stone was POTUS' boyfriend. She's single; he's single. Then I had an AHA, POTUS cannot have a boyfriend that takes advantage of screwing any eligible women with whom he comes into contact. And we all know that he is incapable of going without, without getting techy. And he is techy as he and Holly have acknowledged that they cannot have sex in Washington, too may eyes watching, which is where they are before he heads for LA.
Just as a slight issue arises the evening of the balls, Stone and the Bacchettis return to Stone room at the Hay-Adams to find a dead body. Though Chief Debby Myers, the head of the investigation would like to pin it on Stone, pictures of his attending the swearing-in and balls provide him with a inviolate alibi. Through this Stone is coy, not providing the name of his alibi, POTUS, and Dino gives her the bad news. "Little Debby" will prove to be center of the slight plot of this book. She sleeps around, with multiple partners at a time, and she is ready to get rid of some of them. She has a "toady" in Dean Casey, a DCPD cop, and a detective that is her lover and also her killer, Detective Rocco Turko, aka "Valentino" because he is so handsome, who will proceed to take out a number of people in this book: Patricia Clark (Debby tries to pin it on Patricia's husband Donald), Deana Carlyle Art Jacoby's girlfriend, Frank Capriani, an NYPD cop protecting DCPD cop Art Jacoby, who Little Debby has targeted, and finally Eddie Craft and Shelley Moss, Eddie witnesses Debby taking a silenced gun from the Evidence Locker. Donald Clark was to be the Secretary of Commerce for POTUS, but this scandal just won't do. So he is fired before he is even confirmed. Donald Clark is taken out later by assassin Ma Barker while at the federal courthouse, planning to provide the Grand Jury with information against Little Debby. They do finally catch Rocco and he turns on Debby. But the real theme here is Stone's love life. He and Dino have multiple conversations about how Stone is going to go about having sex with POTUS without the world finding out about it: where, transportation, when, which of his houses, Camp David...and all the reasons why it will not work as nauseum. POTUS even gets a Ralph Lauren assistant to design a burka to use as a disguise. Another disguise either, doesn't work...she is immediately recognized at the restaurant, you know one of those named-dropped outrageously expensive places where Stone is well known to the owner/chefs. He knows and dines at Wolfgang Puck's in LA.
Bill Eggers, a partner in the legal firm Woodman and Weld gets Stone to fly him for a meeting in California, where he wants Stone to intimidate a potential business associate. Stone just stares at the man during the meeting and then Stone heads for his house on the property of the Arrington Hotel, and within less than an hour has gone to his private swimming pool, which has a strange woman trespassing. He whips off his swimming suit (she has already taken hers off) and they proceed to get it on. Now the difficulties begin for poor Stone...Holly calls to say she is coming to LA. So Stone kicks Lara Parks out (a budding actress auditioning for and getting a part in his son's new film) who has moved into his house, back to Santa Monica, and has his service quickly erase anything showing she was there. Holly comes to spend the night. When Stone and Bill plan to return to New York, he calls Lara back and invites her to come with him.
YOU GUESSED IT! Shortly after they settle to have sex, eat, have sex, shower, have sex (at least that is one scene)...Holly calls to say she is coming there. Using the slight problem of accused possible clients: DCPD policeman Jacoby as an excuse, he sends Lara back to California. I hope she has learned her lesson, though she does get some clothes out of the interlude. Now as part of the investigation into the murder of the girlfriend, it is determined that she worked for Justice and therefore, the FBI can intercede. Again...we have predictable. The woman who Holly sends...POTUS as pimp?...knowing full well Stone will sleep with her, is none other than Mauren Gustav, Deputy Director of Criminal Investigations, who will become the Director, when Director John Henry Shaker complains to POTUS about her going over his head to send Mauren, who he hates, and she fires him also. Holly is in fine presidential flair. Mauren isn't in Stone's office even an hour when she proposes to give him a blow job. He questions whether she is serious, and she assures him it is just what she is after and she gets down on her knees. Seriously?! When Dino shows up just as they are finishing he smells something odd. But Stone and Mauren merely straighten their clothes.
Now as a coincidence, Eddie Craft and his wife head for England, to escape possible assassination, and end up staying with Alfie Bing, a successful thief. He proposes a heist of paintings from a country estate...YOU GUESSED IT...Windward Hall, Stone's estate. They do a dry run at his London home which has the same security. It alerts Dame Felicity Devonshire, MI6, and she calls Stone. He jumps in his Gulfstream 500 and hotfoots it to the estate. But when the burglars decide to go ahead with the heist even with Stone is residence, Stone gets the drop on them only to have them cosh him. The keystone-cops-like burglars fall over each other in the process and Alfie shoots himself in the leg with the dart intended for Stone, and he has to be carried out by Eddie. Eddie screws up the exchange of real for forged and puts Stone's mother's paintings back in the wrong order. Stone thinks they may be forgeries, but they are not. Eddie's bad. So Alfie and his wife are killed for trying to put one over on the guy who had commissioned the heist. But it's a minoe problem as Stone gets to sleep with Felicity, a long-standing lover. That's number four in the sexcapades... which is more like a normal Stone Barrington novel.
This is once again an opportunity to create a story that is every man's wet dream, the story of musical beds. It brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "a girl in every port". There is first sex over and over again, and not safe sex...no mention is ever made to safety (which I have may have mentioned once or twice before). One of these days Stone is going to get a raging STD, though the reader will never know. This is the land of the wealthy and unethical, and the toys of the wealthy (Rolex, Bentleys, Gulfstreams, bespoke suits), and the restaurants (Patroon, Caravaggio, Spago) of the wealthy, and the stores where the wealthy shop (Turnbull and Asher, etc.), and derisive comments about those who are not wealthy or sophisticated, like Art Jacoby who Stone pities because he is an adult who has never traveled to New York City. It's about the lifestyle of one who has more money than he needs: a beautiful four-story home in mid-Manhattan, cook and factotum in residence, an armored Bentley, Gulfstream, multiple homes worldwide... It is that predictable tale of who one knows that can get what one wants simply by having the money to pay for it, and knowing how much to tip, to keep it coming. I cannot reconcile in my mind whether these stories are fairy-tales or satires. Perhaps a little of both. This was no doubt one of the most ridiculous pictures of the superficial life of Stone Barrington. He whines consistently about the problem of connecting for sex with Holly, until Viv lets him and Dino know how disgusting it is that he is cheating on POTUS. Stone then reminds her that he and Holly have an agreement to enjoy other connections as needed. Bear in mind that having described the difficulties of Holly surreptitiously getting to Stone, we know that she is not sleeping with anyone else.
Another quickie sexcapade.
Stone Barrington confined himself to sleeping with just one woman, Holly Barker, POTUS-elect in the last novel, and that strained him greatly...so he catches up in this one. This is a showcase of how to juggle women, including POTUS. Before his life can proceed, however, he must be POTUS' date for the inaugural balls, and be filmed as he waltzes with Holly at each of the four venues. POOR STONE, his picture waltzing appears on social media and in "People" magazine. He eschews the publicity. Now, I couldn't seem to reconcile why they didn't just let it be known that Stone was POTUS' boyfriend. She's single; he's single. Then I had an AHA, POTUS cannot have a boyfriend that takes advantage of screwing any eligible women with whom he comes into contact. And we all know that he is incapable of going without, without getting techy. And he is techy as he and Holly have acknowledged that they cannot have sex in Washington, too may eyes watching, which is where they are before he heads for LA.
Just as a slight issue arises the evening of the balls, Stone and the Bacchettis return to Stone room at the Hay-Adams to find a dead body. Though Chief Debby Myers, the head of the investigation would like to pin it on Stone, pictures of his attending the swearing-in and balls provide him with a inviolate alibi. Through this Stone is coy, not providing the name of his alibi, POTUS, and Dino gives her the bad news. "Little Debby" will prove to be center of the slight plot of this book. She sleeps around, with multiple partners at a time, and she is ready to get rid of some of them. She has a "toady" in Dean Casey, a DCPD cop, and a detective that is her lover and also her killer, Detective Rocco Turko, aka "Valentino" because he is so handsome, who will proceed to take out a number of people in this book: Patricia Clark (Debby tries to pin it on Patricia's husband Donald), Deana Carlyle Art Jacoby's girlfriend, Frank Capriani, an NYPD cop protecting DCPD cop Art Jacoby, who Little Debby has targeted, and finally Eddie Craft and Shelley Moss, Eddie witnesses Debby taking a silenced gun from the Evidence Locker. Donald Clark was to be the Secretary of Commerce for POTUS, but this scandal just won't do. So he is fired before he is even confirmed. Donald Clark is taken out later by assassin Ma Barker while at the federal courthouse, planning to provide the Grand Jury with information against Little Debby. They do finally catch Rocco and he turns on Debby. But the real theme here is Stone's love life. He and Dino have multiple conversations about how Stone is going to go about having sex with POTUS without the world finding out about it: where, transportation, when, which of his houses, Camp David...and all the reasons why it will not work as nauseum. POTUS even gets a Ralph Lauren assistant to design a burka to use as a disguise. Another disguise either, doesn't work...she is immediately recognized at the restaurant, you know one of those named-dropped outrageously expensive places where Stone is well known to the owner/chefs. He knows and dines at Wolfgang Puck's in LA.
Bill Eggers, a partner in the legal firm Woodman and Weld gets Stone to fly him for a meeting in California, where he wants Stone to intimidate a potential business associate. Stone just stares at the man during the meeting and then Stone heads for his house on the property of the Arrington Hotel, and within less than an hour has gone to his private swimming pool, which has a strange woman trespassing. He whips off his swimming suit (she has already taken hers off) and they proceed to get it on. Now the difficulties begin for poor Stone...Holly calls to say she is coming to LA. So Stone kicks Lara Parks out (a budding actress auditioning for and getting a part in his son's new film) who has moved into his house, back to Santa Monica, and has his service quickly erase anything showing she was there. Holly comes to spend the night. When Stone and Bill plan to return to New York, he calls Lara back and invites her to come with him.
YOU GUESSED IT! Shortly after they settle to have sex, eat, have sex, shower, have sex (at least that is one scene)...Holly calls to say she is coming there. Using the slight problem of accused possible clients: DCPD policeman Jacoby as an excuse, he sends Lara back to California. I hope she has learned her lesson, though she does get some clothes out of the interlude. Now as part of the investigation into the murder of the girlfriend, it is determined that she worked for Justice and therefore, the FBI can intercede. Again...we have predictable. The woman who Holly sends...POTUS as pimp?...knowing full well Stone will sleep with her, is none other than Mauren Gustav, Deputy Director of Criminal Investigations, who will become the Director, when Director John Henry Shaker complains to POTUS about her going over his head to send Mauren, who he hates, and she fires him also. Holly is in fine presidential flair. Mauren isn't in Stone's office even an hour when she proposes to give him a blow job. He questions whether she is serious, and she assures him it is just what she is after and she gets down on her knees. Seriously?! When Dino shows up just as they are finishing he smells something odd. But Stone and Mauren merely straighten their clothes.
Now as a coincidence, Eddie Craft and his wife head for England, to escape possible assassination, and end up staying with Alfie Bing, a successful thief. He proposes a heist of paintings from a country estate...YOU GUESSED IT...Windward Hall, Stone's estate. They do a dry run at his London home which has the same security. It alerts Dame Felicity Devonshire, MI6, and she calls Stone. He jumps in his Gulfstream 500 and hotfoots it to the estate. But when the burglars decide to go ahead with the heist even with Stone is residence, Stone gets the drop on them only to have them cosh him. The keystone-cops-like burglars fall over each other in the process and Alfie shoots himself in the leg with the dart intended for Stone, and he has to be carried out by Eddie. Eddie screws up the exchange of real for forged and puts Stone's mother's paintings back in the wrong order. Stone thinks they may be forgeries, but they are not. Eddie's bad. So Alfie and his wife are killed for trying to put one over on the guy who had commissioned the heist. But it's a minoe problem as Stone gets to sleep with Felicity, a long-standing lover. That's number four in the sexcapades... which is more like a normal Stone Barrington novel.
This is once again an opportunity to create a story that is every man's wet dream, the story of musical beds. It brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "a girl in every port". There is first sex over and over again, and not safe sex...no mention is ever made to safety (which I have may have mentioned once or twice before). One of these days Stone is going to get a raging STD, though the reader will never know. This is the land of the wealthy and unethical, and the toys of the wealthy (Rolex, Bentleys, Gulfstreams, bespoke suits), and the restaurants (Patroon, Caravaggio, Spago) of the wealthy, and the stores where the wealthy shop (Turnbull and Asher, etc.), and derisive comments about those who are not wealthy or sophisticated, like Art Jacoby who Stone pities because he is an adult who has never traveled to New York City. It's about the lifestyle of one who has more money than he needs: a beautiful four-story home in mid-Manhattan, cook and factotum in residence, an armored Bentley, Gulfstream, multiple homes worldwide... It is that predictable tale of who one knows that can get what one wants simply by having the money to pay for it, and knowing how much to tip, to keep it coming. I cannot reconcile in my mind whether these stories are fairy-tales or satires. Perhaps a little of both. This was no doubt one of the most ridiculous pictures of the superficial life of Stone Barrington. He whines consistently about the problem of connecting for sex with Holly, until Viv lets him and Dino know how disgusting it is that he is cheating on POTUS. Stone then reminds her that he and Holly have an agreement to enjoy other connections as needed. Bear in mind that having described the difficulties of Holly surreptitiously getting to Stone, we know that she is not sleeping with anyone else.
Another quickie sexcapade.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 3, 2021This is the first and last Stone Barrington book I will read.
I would call it comedy, not mystery. Perhaps Stuart Woods, I’ll give him a pass if this was all tongue in cheek, but if not my review is scathing to say the least.
This Stone character can not seem to go one day without sex with any woman he meets.
The women are from another planet or I’ve missed something, female President of the US does very little except find ways to have sex with Stone. If she can’t then she provides a woman for him, Director of FBI. I always thought that was a pimp.
This seems more like a Harlequin book. I am far from a prude, but this book definitely an insult to women.
Maybe Stuart has a problem with women
I would call it comedy, not mystery. Perhaps Stuart Woods, I’ll give him a pass if this was all tongue in cheek, but if not my review is scathing to say the least.
This Stone character can not seem to go one day without sex with any woman he meets.
The women are from another planet or I’ve missed something, female President of the US does very little except find ways to have sex with Stone. If she can’t then she provides a woman for him, Director of FBI. I always thought that was a pimp.
This seems more like a Harlequin book. I am far from a prude, but this book definitely an insult to women.
Maybe Stuart has a problem with women
December 8, 2020
First I will say I love reading a Stuart Woods book because of the perfect grammar, and the words just flow off the page like silk. And of course, we are delighted to see Holly sworn in as president of the United States. BUT, he has now completely lost all touch with reality and has fallen into complete insanity of his sexual fantasy life. He is having sexual encounters with four women, two of them within minutes of meeting them, day after day here, sometimes more than one of them in the same day. A they are not just "women." They are (1) the president of the United States, (2) the Director of the FBI, (3) the head of the UK's MI6, and (4) a star in his son's movie--all with each other's knowledge and consent. It is well known that movie stars depend on and thrive on publicity, no matter what kind. So can you imagine the chaos and repercussions if little miss movie star decides she needs more attention and publicity? No man is that good, so get a grip, Woods, before they have to commit you to the loony bin and find medication to put you back in touch with at least a smidgen of reality. Stone Barrington could lead a much more adventurous and interesting life without the phony sexcapades.
November 29, 2020
This year, I am working on not over rating my reviews so I give this one three stars...not the four I might have done last year just because... Stone books started out as really enjoyable stories about a top notch attorney who happened to be a former cop and skilled woodworker whose best friend and former cop partner is now the police commissioner on NYC. These fun and thoroughly entertaining novels have evolved into totally light weight beach novels leaving one to wonder if it was really worth the effort (though a quick read, and only a few hours of time needed). A little fantasy involving the president and white house is ok (think Independence Day or Jack Ryan) but this one is so over the top as to become more than slightly irritating. A president in disguise to facilitate a hookup? Really? A major city police chief committing murders? Sad and simply shows the lack of thought and plot development Mr Woods puts into these novels anymore.
November 3, 2020
The books begins with the inauguration of Holly as the second female president and when Stone returns to his hotel suite, he finds the body of a dead woman; the wife of a soon to be cabinet member. As is typical in this series, there is plenty of drama and women with which Stone can get involved, and pursuit of the killer.
This is a quick and easy read and Stone Barrington fans will enjoy this book.
This is a quick and easy read and Stone Barrington fans will enjoy this book.
February 21, 2021
It was better than the last couple so I won’t pack it in just yet but we really have gone beyond ridiculous. Not only does Stone sleep with 4 women - two within moments of meeting them - but the President sends women his way to fill her spot? I think even 007 would roll his eyes....
October 30, 2020
Good mystery, but overloaded with tarts.
The ending just kind of fizzled suddenly too, which is a drag.
The ending just kind of fizzled suddenly too, which is a drag.
December 28, 2020
This episode was uncomplicated, smooth, and advanced Holly as President of the US with Stone at her side.
September 22, 2020
Stone Barrington is attending the inauguration of Holly Barker as the second female president of the United States (they clearly have had an ongoing relationship (sexual of course) that will be challenged with her new role. Between the inauguration and the celebrations later in the day, he returns to his suite at the infamous Hay-Adams hotel to find a dead woman in his suite. She is Patricia Clark, the wife of Donald, who is about to be the Secretary of Commerce. Deb Myers is the head of the DC police force and is quick to enter the investigation, which many find interesting that she would get so involved. But this is just the beginning of a series of suspicious deaths that must tie together somewhere, but finding that string eludes Stone and company. Filled with the typical gallivants of Barrington (he outdoes himself in this book jumping from old flame to new several times), it is yet another fun read with characters we have come to know over the years. This is the 55th book featuring Stone Barrington by Stuart Woods. And, if nothing else, he is amazingly consistent - a good story teller with likable characters. I am on a mission to read this entire series from the beginning, although I think you can enjoy this book without doing so. However, I have read many earlier books in the series, and the characters and their interrelationships have clearly evolved through the years. I look forward to seeing how Holly Barker and Will and Katharine Lee got to this point. My thanks to Penguin Publishing Group and Edelweiss for the opportunity to review the ARC of this novel.
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