Hush-Hush

Stone Barrington #56

by Stuart Woods

Stone Barrington is in hot water in the newest novel from #1 New York Times-bestselling Stuart Woods.

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

334 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 29, 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

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what else I can say about this series. I'm giving it 3 stars cus I'm crazy to keep reading them.

Hush-Hush started out pretty interesting. Stone received a ransom email on his home computer for one million Bitcoin. He ignored this by telling the hacker to Go F*** Himself. The following day none of his computers were working. Per Joan's (his secretary) suggestion, he called Lance at the CIA. Lance sent over a bra-less (I think) CIA techie, Rocky Hardwick (wink wink). As per usual things got crazier which then led to a lot of traveling, eating, drinking and shooting.

[Skip · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the worst in a long time. Completely non-sensical plot. Someone inserts malware on Stone's computer and he refuses to pay the $1 million fee (in Bitcoin, just to be trendy), turning to his techie resources, resulting in a higher ask and eventually an attempt on Stone's life. Lance and Holly send in IT expert, Rocky Hardwick, who needless to say, is a gorgeous woman. Then we pop up to Maine, where further assassins are running amok, annoying Ed Rawls, who comes to NYC to chase down those responsible, eventually ridding himself of two Russian pests. The rest of the book is a complete and utter farce, with everyone on the run from their successors, who want revenge on Stone.

It must be Stuart Wood's witty dialogue that keeps me reading more...

[Ken Karcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure what the attraction to Stone Barrington is for me, I'm NOT a wealthy lawyer with high powered clients and government contacts. Neither do I sleep with a stable of beautiful women in my ONE rented apartment. But for a couple of decades or so these novels of his exploits have been my guilty pleasure, and I've learned to not ask why, just simply enjoy the ride. Once again our hero is in hot water through no fault of his own, and reading how he extricates himself seems to take no time whatsoever, I sincerely wish these novels would take considerably longer to digest but it seems that this is my only complaint with Mr. Woods. Until next time, I'll be impatiently waiting for the further adventures of our favorite (I cringe saying THIS) lawyer.

[Carole · Rating 1 out of 5]

This might be the worst Stone Barrington ever. The plot made no sense. The characters were completely charmless. Whatever happened to Stone's charm, and Dino's wit. Luckily for Holly, she had only a bit part -- and her bit part made absolutely no sense where she inexplicably had information at the top of her head that Lance didn't have at all. The bad guys were formless blobs. Ed Rawls was unnecessary except to add more people to the party. I think perhaps Stuart Woods publisher and editor just don't even bother proofreading books any more, they just print them, because everyone is bored and stuck at home -- at least Woods might try to make the travel more interesting since we're all stuck at home reading these nonsense books to escape.

Thank goodness there was a great inauguration day today so it was a good day despite a terrible book.

[Montessahall Montessahall · Rating 1 out of 5]

It never cease to amaze me how Woods continues to write and get novels published with the same old plot over and over. Also, the high number of five star ratings for this novel with no written review content is very dubious to say the least.

[Janice · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF....I had enough of Stone the lounge lizard after his thank you to a woman he just met was a gift of a roll in his bed, page 35. (Gag) if this is the best the publishing world has to offer, I’m giving up reading.

[Alan]

First half - contrived, tedious repartee;
Second half - comical, if violent, mayhem.
Rating - what a crock, lol!

[Anne, Unfinished Woman · Rating 1 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT

Absolutely ridiculous! Each of Woods' novels gets more surreal than the last. This involves a full assault from the Russian mob which the author equates with all of the Russian government.

Holly Barker has just left Stone's home with a kiss and it begins with a hack of Barrington's computer demanding $1 million in Bitcoin which Stone scoffs at returning a rude answer. He has no intention of paying a penny to one unknown idiot. The threats increase. Stone calls Lance Cabot as it is pointed out that there are incriminating documents within, along with the communications he has with the President Holly Barker. The CIA sends in an expert IT person Rocky Hardwick. The hack quickly escalates into an explosion from C4 and reveals that it is intended as an attempt on Stone's life. Speculation about the cause harkens to his earlier conflict with a Russian. They don't forget or forgive. We then are switched to a meeting between Ed Rawls, former CIA assassin, who lives in Maine, and is a friend of Stone's. He is approached by a representative (not sure I got which group he was part of, perhaps the Pod a secret arm of the CIA of which rocky is a member) of the President, in a obscure way, who is hiring him to assassinate the mob members behind the assault, the Pentkovsky brothers. Ed completes the job. The assault does not stop there, and another mobster who was a romantic friend of one of the brothers takes over the job, Gromyko, aka The Greek. They go after Ed Rawls, who is the victor again. The conflagration begins, continuing in London, and Stone's country estate in England. Then back to the US and up to Maine where his impenetrable home is penetrated. It is a very bloody fight including the death of a deer, and the near death of Rocky. A chest hit sends her to a hospital that is very close accompanied by Stone who thinks she may die, and a Dr. Paul Krause, who turns out to be the best thoracic surgeon in the US. And it is completely beyond the level of reality for me.

Though the pace is frantic much of the time, the story was long and drawn out, got seriously boring as Stone and Rocky have sex several times a day and are constantly commenting on the beauty of each other's bodies and the prowess of each's sexual abilities. There are the requisite references to famous restaurants, expensive wine and booze, the involvement of every high powered intelligence agency and police force that Stone is familiar with, and Stone's various toys. There is a barrage of weapons that make for a gory outcome of disintegrating bodies and heads, destroyed boats and armored Humvees and Range Rovers. All of the law enforcement entities respond immediately as if Barrington was the President herself, anticipating each move that needs to be made before Stone makes it. All in all it approaches the level of a fantasy. Perhaps it is...a man's fantasy. I may be finished with this author.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good story, but there is really no reason for most of the plot, or what there is for a plot. Stone does something at the end of the book I don’t recall him ever doing before and it came as a shock. This series does continue to be a great training guide on how I should spend my money when I hit that really big PowerBall. So far, I’m definitely going for the Norton, the house in Key West and Ed Rawl’s gun collection. And the jet.

[Donna Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't like the way the last few books have ended. Sigh. I'll still keep reading them though. I love that they are quick reads, but parts just didn't really make sense. The females - all from Delano - are getting annoying. Maybe the next one will be better.

[THOMSON · Rating 2 out of 5]

That was a truly awful book, yet I read the whole thing.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stone Barrington is back in his New York City home when he receives an email from an unknown source demanding a million dollar ransom in exchange for unlocking his computer and returning his files. Of course, he responds with his typical flair and goes to meet his guest, President Holly Barker, with whom he is carrying on his relationship as difficult as that might be. The threat, however, turns out to be very real, and with the help of the President and Lance Cabot, head of the CIA, the perpetrator is identified as a foreign national, but finding him and neutralizing him will prove very difficult. And, unbeknownst to Stone, his friend and ex-CIA agent Ed Rawls has been offered to substantial reward for removing the two individuals who are behind the threat. In a story that goes from NYC to Paris and London and back to his home in Maine, this book is pretty much non-stop action. Of course, there is a romantic interest, the government agent assigned to keep him safe, although Woods seems to have toned it down a bit. This is the 56th book in Woods’ Stone Barrington series. And he just keeps on putting out entertaining reads with a likable protagonist, and for the most part, a likable supporting cast which comes and goes from novel to novel. My thanks to G. P. Putnam’s Sons and Edelweiss for the ARC of this book in exchange for my review.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Stone Barrington adventure!

[Golfergirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone once in a while I like to take a break and indulge in the pure fantasy of Stuart Woods Stone Barrington. And the novel didn’t disappoint. Luxurious homes on two continents, influential people able to drop everything at a moments notice and take on whatever opposing forces there may be. The men are rich, the women are beautiful and talented. It is truly a fairy tale, with violence!! And you can be sure the good guys will win in the end. You just don’t know what the collateral damage will be. I do like that the female characters are portrayed as every bit as competent as the men. A nice change of pace from more serious reads. Good fun!!

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

SUBJECTIVE READER REVIEW WITH PLOT SPOILERS FOLLOWS:

Unfortunately, 'Hush-Hush' has that familiar chase scene; some danger rousts Stone from Turtle Bay, so he goes to Windward Hall in Hampshire, if the heat's still on he bails to Wilton Crescent, his London flat, if they chase him there he bails for his house in Paris, but the chase almost always ends up in Dark Harbor. Well, this book's no different except for his lady of the moment and how things end.

Since becoming POTUS Holly Barker's a sometimes romance, and seems very understanding about Stone filling in the long lonely spots with hot tamales. For 'Hush-Hush' since the extortionist threatens outing confidential comms with Lance Cabot, the Agency comes to Stone's defense very early on. Lance assigns Roxanne 'Rocky' Hardwick as Stone's CIA Protective Security Detail, along with others, and the buxom operative quickly shifts into 24/7 coverage, including as much sex and love making as allowed given their role as targets for the Russian mob.

The Russian Mafia is led by the Pentkowsky brothers until Ed Rawls kills the two leaders, then Chechnyan Serge 'The Greek' Gromyko takes over, a much more ruthless Capo. They flee back to Manhattan after things get dicey in London, and that's where Ed offs the first two brothers, badly pissing off the Mafia. The Greek shows up in New York, and has many assets at his disposal. Stone's entourage bails to Dark Harbor, which now includes attractive retired Scotland Yard superintendent Sarah Deerfield, who instantly takes a liking to Ed. Which is important as Ed's the only one on the good guy's side with RPGs.

The showdown on Dark Harbor might be the most violent of the last two dozen Woods novels. The Greek's got a lot of trained soldiers with good mobility and heavy arms. Stone, Dino, Rocky, Ed and Sarah manage to hold them at bay with the State Police providing eyes in the sky. Rocky takes a round in the chest as the last of the Mafia hitters is killed, then rushed to the hospital, Stone not thinking she'll make it, but she does, thanks to the best thoracic surgeon on the East Coast.

I've given most of Stuart Woods' brain candy a 3 star rating, but of course I buy the next one the day it hits the shelves. The savagery of the violence in Hush-Hush earns the 4 stars, as Stone has to prove, after a years long pause, that he's still a fighter. With Ed and Dino by his side, they're hard to kill, but primarily because Ed is the king spook, most paranoid, best defended and by far the best illegally armed. Get this book and enjoy the read, I did.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I have read books in this series before and enjoyed them. I've never considered them high literature but they were good popcorn. This review reflects a drop in quality, I didn't accidently pick up this book and not understand the genre.
I'm pretty sure one of the following happened:
A) Stuart Woods does not quarantine well.
B) A ghost writer was involved and all parties assumed the book would be bought regardless because Barrington is basically a brand name
C) Stuart Woods is out of ideas and secretly wants this series to end.
D) Some combination of the above.
This book was a hot pile of mess. The book had the characters travel incessantly, on at least one occasion to their detriment. Additionally, I'm getting tired of Barrington's approach to his love life. Just once I want a lesbian to turn him down or *something.*
All the cleverness of previous books is gone. Instead of lawyer skills and buying things out from under his enemies, we get a weird amount of gunfire and death. He's not James Bond. I felt like I was reading a real estate guide combined with a spy novel. I probably won't be picking up another book in this series unless it gets really good reviews.

[Thomas Franks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spoilers included,

The list of things that a Gentleman must have used to include only lots of money, Tuxedo's for dinner, Knob Creek and a well stocked wine cellar in each of your houses, private plane, democratic politics and a hand gun. Now it includes the need to have a private army and a rocket propelled grenade launcher.

4 things I can not figure out in this book and this series:

1. What is the CIA so useless in helping Stone out of his jam in this one.
2. Why he has not been brought up on Firearms violations in New York City, England, France or Maine. (Florida is fine and dandy).
3. Why the bad guys do not attack Stone during the desert course of his nightly several hour dinner when he is two sheets to the wind.
4. He finally included a short scene for the first time between two of Stone's gal pals in the same room together and it was the most boring scene in the book.

However, like many of Stone's gal pals I will keep reading the books and feel awful about myself when I am done.

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

NOT a great opener for 2021, imo anyhow. Think I’m finished with this author sadly. Just plotless. 2.5/5

[Bonny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typical Stone Barrington! Lots of action. Fun read.

[Patsygermany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very unusual lots of killing and lots of sex. Wish Stuart would leave out some of the love making and just have a good story

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only one woman in this one but now Stone is also a Rambo type so I’m looking forward to when he adds “astronaut” to his resume, which will surely happen within the next few books....

[andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

dnf 30% no plot idk whats going on

[Kym Gamble · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am new to books by Stuart Woods. I have read a coupe in the Stone Barrington series and I like them. This one was good with a lot of action. We pick up Barrington who is hit with some type of ransomware and is visited by a CIA agent who piques his interest. And not all is as it seems. There was a ton of action and good character development... characters that I care about. I was reading too much intrigue into the book though. I was seeing clues where there weren't any. Good 4-star book.

[Cindy Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK.

[Sherrie Howey · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this latest Stone Barrington book, the Russian mobsters are back. It starts out with a computer hijacking and proceeds to plenty of violent encounters. As is expected in the Stone Barrington series, he has a new love interest. However, his newest love interest is the only one in this book (somewhat different from multiple love interests in other books).
Ed Rawls has a major role in this book as does Lance. For fans of this series, this is a quick and easy read.

[Tara Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Stuart Woods’ plots and writing style, this is a good one.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the series for the life style, this was too violent.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stone Barrington doesn't disappoint in Hush-Hush. He is still doing what he does best: flying all over the world, spending money, sleeping around, and guzzling Knob's Creek. This time he is the victim of what initially seems like a random attack, but then the attacks keep coming. Dino, Viv, Holly, Lance, and a rotating cast of women accompany Stone on this adventure. Good summer read.

[Håvard Bjørnelv · Rating 1 out of 5]

So, this was disappointing. I remember reading a couple of Stone Barrington books years ago, and liked them. So when this came up on sale at kindlestore i bought it. And now i really hope the old books was better, cause this was bad...

Ok, synopsis: (spoiler alert)

Some rich people goes out for drinks and dinner, they get shot at, flee, calls in security and travels to another country (where they have at least one mansion with a standing staff).
In the new country, they invite some guests, have drinks, goes to dinner, gets shot at, flees, calls in security, and travels to another country.
Repeat, repeat, repeat... you get the picture.

In between all this drinking, dining and fleeing, they get to shoot some people, blow things up and have sex.

But there is next to none story, its just like a really poor actionmovie. Its a possibility that this is a "in-between" book, and part of a bigger story in other books, but read as a stand-alone this sucks...

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

November 2025. Upped to 5 stars!!!! Fresh new characters.

Jan 2024 I should have started a corpse count. P’s I’ve gotten over the fiction Elaine’s closure.

June 2023 nice to see new characters: Rocky Hardwick, Col. Philip Charter and Dame Sally.

2922. No spoiler but most ever helicopters in one Barrington story!

Nov 2021A story twist with a mega amount of fire power!

April 2021. Once again I am surprised at the variety of ratings on Woods books. Why oh why if you hate the book do you keep reading them? I thoroughly enjoyed the story and some of the surprises. This story is a huge improvement over some of the recent offerings. Of course, I still miss Elaine's as a venue.