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Stone Barrington #19
Strategic Moves
Stone Barrington is enjoying his usual dinner at Elaine's when his boss at Woodman & Weld, the law firm where Stone is counsel, walks in, sits down, and hands Stone a check for one million dollars. Thank you Bill Eggers. It seems Stone's undercover dealings with MI6 have brought in a big new client for the firm, and they're willing to pay Stone a huge bonus and make him a partner.
But almost as soon as he's taken the deal, Stone gets wind of an impending scandal that might torpedo his big promotion: It may be that the lucrative new client he introduced to the firm is a Bernie Madoff in disguise...
Librarian's note: the audio version is unabridged, 7 CDs, 8 hours and read by Tony Roberts.
Librarian's note: the characters, settings, etc. for the first 30 books in the series are complete: #1, New York Dead, 1991; #2, Dirt, 1996; #3, Dead in the Water, 1997; #4, Swimming to Catalina, 1998; #5, Worst Fears Realized, 1999; #6, L.A. Dead, 2000; #7, Cold Paradise, 2001; #8, The Short Forever, 2002; #9, Dirty Work, 2003; #10, Reckless Abandon, 2004; #11, Two Dollar Bill, 2004; #12. Dark Harbor, 2006; #13, Fresh Disasters, 2007; #14, Shoot Him if He Runs, 2007; #15, Hot Mahogany, 2008; #16, Loitering with Intent, 2009; #17, Kisser, 2009; #18, Lucid Intervals, 2010; #19, Strategic Moves, 2010; #20, Bel-Air Dead, 2011; #21, Son of Stone, 2011; #22, D.C. Dead, 2011; #23, Unnatural Acts, 2012; #24, Severe Clear, 2012; #25, Collateral Damage, 2012; #26, Unintended Consequences, 2013; #27, Doing Hard Time, 2013; #28, Standup Guy, 2014; #29, Carnal Curiosity, 2014, and #30, Cut & Thrust, 2014.
But almost as soon as he's taken the deal, Stone gets wind of an impending scandal that might torpedo his big promotion: It may be that the lucrative new client he introduced to the firm is a Bernie Madoff in disguise...
Librarian's note: the audio version is unabridged, 7 CDs, 8 hours and read by Tony Roberts.
Librarian's note: the characters, settings, etc. for the first 30 books in the series are complete: #1, New York Dead, 1991; #2, Dirt, 1996; #3, Dead in the Water, 1997; #4, Swimming to Catalina, 1998; #5, Worst Fears Realized, 1999; #6, L.A. Dead, 2000; #7, Cold Paradise, 2001; #8, The Short Forever, 2002; #9, Dirty Work, 2003; #10, Reckless Abandon, 2004; #11, Two Dollar Bill, 2004; #12. Dark Harbor, 2006; #13, Fresh Disasters, 2007; #14, Shoot Him if He Runs, 2007; #15, Hot Mahogany, 2008; #16, Loitering with Intent, 2009; #17, Kisser, 2009; #18, Lucid Intervals, 2010; #19, Strategic Moves, 2010; #20, Bel-Air Dead, 2011; #21, Son of Stone, 2011; #22, D.C. Dead, 2011; #23, Unnatural Acts, 2012; #24, Severe Clear, 2012; #25, Collateral Damage, 2012; #26, Unintended Consequences, 2013; #27, Doing Hard Time, 2013; #28, Standup Guy, 2014; #29, Carnal Curiosity, 2014, and #30, Cut & Thrust, 2014.
8 pages, Audio CD
First published January 18, 2011
710 people are currently reading
1777 people want to read
About the author
Stuart Woods
408 books3,220 followersStuart Woods was an American novelist best known for Chiefs and his long-running Stone Barrington series. A Georgia native, he initially pursued a career in advertising before relocating to England and Ireland, where he developed a passion for sailing. His love for the sport led him to write his first published work, Blue Water, Green Skipper, about his experiences in a transatlantic yacht race.
His debut novel, Chiefs, was inspired by a family story about his grandfather, a police chief. The book, a gripping crime saga spanning several decades, won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel and was later adapted into a television miniseries. It launched Woods' career as a novelist, leading to a prolific output of thrillers.
Woods' most famous creation, Stone Barrington, is a former NYPD detective turned high-profile lawyer who navigates elite circles while solving crimes. The series became a bestseller and remained a staple of his career, often featuring crossover characters from his other books, such as CIA operative Holly Barker and defense lawyer Ed Eagle.
Beyond writing, Woods was an experienced pilot and yachtsman. He maintained homes in Florida, Maine, and New Mexico, where he lived with his wife and their Labrador, Fred. His literary career spanned decades, with dozens of bestsellers to his name.
His debut novel, Chiefs, was inspired by a family story about his grandfather, a police chief. The book, a gripping crime saga spanning several decades, won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel and was later adapted into a television miniseries. It launched Woods' career as a novelist, leading to a prolific output of thrillers.
Woods' most famous creation, Stone Barrington, is a former NYPD detective turned high-profile lawyer who navigates elite circles while solving crimes. The series became a bestseller and remained a staple of his career, often featuring crossover characters from his other books, such as CIA operative Holly Barker and defense lawyer Ed Eagle.
Beyond writing, Woods was an experienced pilot and yachtsman. He maintained homes in Florida, Maine, and New Mexico, where he lived with his wife and their Labrador, Fred. His literary career spanned decades, with dozens of bestsellers to his name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 464 reviews
October 4, 2017
Good series! enjoyable but predictable storyline with a few old/past supporting characters involve in this series (paperback!)
November 17, 2012
I picked up this book last week when I visited the library. The blurb looked interesting enough for some light popcorn reading. Plus, I was lulled by the fact that Woods has written so many books in the series. New York Times bestseller, award-winning, blah blah blah. Boy oh boy was I ever wrong.
This is a terribly written book. The dialogue is so wooden that it feels like the author wrote this thing by taking a 2x4 and beating his computer to death with it. I'm not exaggerating. He probably took a sheet of 1/2 plywood, set it on top of his Macbook Pro, and then jumped up and down on it until the computer surrendered.
I just lost two hours of my life. I could've spent that two hours taking a nap or baking a cake or even just staring at the wall. Any of those choices would've been more productive.
The characters in this book are as one-dimensional and flatter than a pancake made without any rising agent (such as baking powder or baking soda, though, if you're going to use baking soda, you probably need to add a touch of lemon juice too--I don't know why, but it usually works). At least you can eat the pancake, flat or not. You can't eat this book, unless you have some weird paper deficiency going on.
In fact, you know that Flat Earth Society? The characters in this book are too flat for them. That kid in 7th grade band class who played the clarinet and was always flat? You got it; these characters would make him seem like Yo Yo Ma. Yeah, yeah. I know Yo Yo Ma doesn't play the clarinet. He plays the cello, but the metaphor still kind of works. So sue me if you don't think it works.
Seriously, the characters randomly drift through the plot like automatons. Need to have some sex? Let's introduce the hot young widowed aunt. Need to inject some mystery? Let's randomly kill off the aunt, but don't have the hero react in any way to the fact that his new bedmate is now dead. Let's fly to Spain now and pick up a mysterious arms-dealer. Oh, the arms-dealer has just jumped out of the plane by backing up his Mercedez through the cargo door? Oh, yawn. Nobody reacts.
I mean, Jar-Jar Binks suddenly appearing in this book would've been a drastic improvement, and I hated Jar-Jar Binks. 60 seconds of him onscreen in that stupid movie Lucas inflicted on the world and I wanted to drive a tank over that rubbery nitwit and then run it back and forth until the treads ground him into organic compost. What was Lucas thinking? Was he thinking? Is Lucas even alive, or is that just some kind of Lucas-looking robot built by the geeks at Lucas Arts?
I can't even articulate what the plot really is, despite reading the book. I think my brain refused to process it. Stuff happens. Stone Barrington has meals at restaurants, gets handed big checks, flies his plane, drinks expensive wines, has random dialogue with CIA agents, sleeps with the hot widowed young aunt, beats himself over the head with a 2x4 (oh, wait, that doesn't happen, but I wish it would have)...
This is a terribly written book. The dialogue is so wooden that it feels like the author wrote this thing by taking a 2x4 and beating his computer to death with it. I'm not exaggerating. He probably took a sheet of 1/2 plywood, set it on top of his Macbook Pro, and then jumped up and down on it until the computer surrendered.
I just lost two hours of my life. I could've spent that two hours taking a nap or baking a cake or even just staring at the wall. Any of those choices would've been more productive.
The characters in this book are as one-dimensional and flatter than a pancake made without any rising agent (such as baking powder or baking soda, though, if you're going to use baking soda, you probably need to add a touch of lemon juice too--I don't know why, but it usually works). At least you can eat the pancake, flat or not. You can't eat this book, unless you have some weird paper deficiency going on.
In fact, you know that Flat Earth Society? The characters in this book are too flat for them. That kid in 7th grade band class who played the clarinet and was always flat? You got it; these characters would make him seem like Yo Yo Ma. Yeah, yeah. I know Yo Yo Ma doesn't play the clarinet. He plays the cello, but the metaphor still kind of works. So sue me if you don't think it works.
Seriously, the characters randomly drift through the plot like automatons. Need to have some sex? Let's introduce the hot young widowed aunt. Need to inject some mystery? Let's randomly kill off the aunt, but don't have the hero react in any way to the fact that his new bedmate is now dead. Let's fly to Spain now and pick up a mysterious arms-dealer. Oh, the arms-dealer has just jumped out of the plane by backing up his Mercedez through the cargo door? Oh, yawn. Nobody reacts.
I mean, Jar-Jar Binks suddenly appearing in this book would've been a drastic improvement, and I hated Jar-Jar Binks. 60 seconds of him onscreen in that stupid movie Lucas inflicted on the world and I wanted to drive a tank over that rubbery nitwit and then run it back and forth until the treads ground him into organic compost. What was Lucas thinking? Was he thinking? Is Lucas even alive, or is that just some kind of Lucas-looking robot built by the geeks at Lucas Arts?
I can't even articulate what the plot really is, despite reading the book. I think my brain refused to process it. Stuff happens. Stone Barrington has meals at restaurants, gets handed big checks, flies his plane, drinks expensive wines, has random dialogue with CIA agents, sleeps with the hot widowed young aunt, beats himself over the head with a 2x4 (oh, wait, that doesn't happen, but I wish it would have)...
October 21, 2025
4 Stars. Action galore. And a bit of James Bond to boot. I read it quickly - couldn't wait to find out whether some of the impossible situations Stone Barrington encounters could be successfully navigated. I don't want to give too much away, but he pulls it off - exclamation mark! There's a scene which has to be a highlight of Woods' writing career. A captured fugitive from the CIA escapes by driving a Mercedes out the back of a huge cargo plane at 10,000 feet. That's Erwin Gelbhardt, alias Pablo Estancia. Stone and Holly Barker watch in astonishment; did you know she's now high up in the CIA? Does Pablo make it? That's where you come in - read the book. Our detective turned lawyer and reluctant international agent does note that Pablo took a parachute with him. The car ends up in a backyard swimming pool. Can you imagine the astonishment of the owner? We also run into Jack Gunn, the multi-millionaire financier and father of Herbie Fisher's new wife. Herbie is the nebbish who's always in trouble. Gunn has not one but two moments in the book which bring Bernie Madoff to mind. At least it wasn't his car. Or swimming pool. (Se2023/Oc2025)
March 2, 2011
I don't know why I keep reading these books because I really don't like Stone Barrington much. I'm sure he's a great lawyer, but he's a lousy person. He's always been a slut, but in the past when his lady friends get murdered he usually shows a little bit of emotion. In this one he's dating a woman, takes her off for a romantic weekend, then she's murdered, and he acts like it's nothing. At the crime scene he and his pals decide it's time for a meal. Seriously? His name should be Stone-hearted.
Then midway through the book, it switches from a high finance swindle story to a tale of espionage, which I didn't like, either, because anything to do with that kind of crap usually bores me, which it did.
While it did have a lot of action and Stuart Woods can write very good dialogue, the book really turned me off because of Stone's lack of emotion and character. When I read a book, that's my main focus, who's in the book and what's happening to that person or the people. In this one, Stone could've easily been a cut out doll, flat and two-dimensional, devoid of feeling and/or interest. He's more a cartoon action figure.
It's a shame, too, because Woods can write, but I really dislike the direction of the books. I think part of the problem for me is I keep expecting Stone to show some feeling other than being horny and I don't get that.
Then midway through the book, it switches from a high finance swindle story to a tale of espionage, which I didn't like, either, because anything to do with that kind of crap usually bores me, which it did.
While it did have a lot of action and Stuart Woods can write very good dialogue, the book really turned me off because of Stone's lack of emotion and character. When I read a book, that's my main focus, who's in the book and what's happening to that person or the people. In this one, Stone could've easily been a cut out doll, flat and two-dimensional, devoid of feeling and/or interest. He's more a cartoon action figure.
It's a shame, too, because Woods can write, but I really dislike the direction of the books. I think part of the problem for me is I keep expecting Stone to show some feeling other than being horny and I don't get that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2016
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
After pushing myself to finish this book I can honestly say I did not enjoy it one bit. The book had no real story. Problems ranging from small to impossible were thrown at the main character Stone and some how he always had an answer. And since he is portrayed as an insufferable know it all, then it must make sense he can always find a solution. This may be a book of the imagination but to go from helping a man that is wanted for not paying taxes to having information of Bin Laden to being hunted by the Mossad, it sounds like the ramblings of a terrible dream world. The caption on the back of the book read, "Stone Barrington has been set up to take a big fall....." Now having read through the book I still don't know what he was set up to take blame for. Since he solved everything! Everything except who killed his first "lover" in the book. Um did we forget about that? Or was it solved when Stone suggested who he thought may have done it? Well then, it must be solved. All in all, terrible story and I will not find myself rushing to get any more of these books.
After pushing myself to finish this book I can honestly say I did not enjoy it one bit. The book had no real story. Problems ranging from small to impossible were thrown at the main character Stone and some how he always had an answer. And since he is portrayed as an insufferable know it all, then it must make sense he can always find a solution. This may be a book of the imagination but to go from helping a man that is wanted for not paying taxes to having information of Bin Laden to being hunted by the Mossad, it sounds like the ramblings of a terrible dream world. The caption on the back of the book read, "Stone Barrington has been set up to take a big fall....." Now having read through the book I still don't know what he was set up to take blame for. Since he solved everything! Everything except who killed his first "lover" in the book. Um did we forget about that? Or was it solved when Stone suggested who he thought may have done it? Well then, it must be solved. All in all, terrible story and I will not find myself rushing to get any more of these books.
February 6, 2011
About halfway into this book, Stone Barrington (an attorney) signs a new client who is hired by the CIA (who is also a client of Stone's) to extract (read: kidnap) a person from Europe so the CIA can "interrogate" him for information. (What happens until this point in the book? Honest to God, I have no idea what the point of the first half of the book was. Except that Stone slept with a woman who died, and then he didn't really seem to care. And the new client gets suspected on "losing" millions of dollars. But then it gets found. Whew.")
The person the client extracts pulls a D.B. Cooper out of the airplane (except he uses a Mercedes). Then Stone has more sex with another woman.
The extracted person then hires Stone because he has sensitive information that he knows the CIA will want. It's information the U.S. has wanted since September 11th.
At this point, the book got so ludicrous, I would have thrown it across the room had it not been a library book.
The person the client extracts pulls a D.B. Cooper out of the airplane (except he uses a Mercedes). Then Stone has more sex with another woman.
The extracted person then hires Stone because he has sensitive information that he knows the CIA will want. It's information the U.S. has wanted since September 11th.
At this point, the book got so ludicrous, I would have thrown it across the room had it not been a library book.
November 15, 2024
I’m kinda shocked I liked this book so much. Herbie is back and so is the drama.
This doesn’t go where you think it will go when Stone does a job for Lance Cabot. Things spiral out of control.
This ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so hopefully the next book clears up some things….
This doesn’t go where you think it will go when Stone does a job for Lance Cabot. Things spiral out of control.
This ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so hopefully the next book clears up some things….
January 29, 2011
Too much ice yesterday so I picked up the latest from Stuart Woods. "Strategic Moves" was the best strategic move I've made in a while. I knew I was grabbed from the first chapter. It has the perfect amount of intrigue and gripping plot development and I didn't see many of the bomb shells coming until they hit. I started reading just after breakfast and finished just in time for dinner. My only complaint is that I have a hard time with Stone Barrington; what with a new woman for every adventure; Knob Creek at the cocktail hour and Elaine's for dinner most every night of the week, this was an enjoyable and fun read, but to make matters worse Stone starts this adventure with a new jet airplane and a million bucks bonus from his "Of Counsel" law firm!! It's a bit far-fetched, but he's a likeable enough character that it's hard to hold it all against him. The action picks up after a slow start when Stone takes a trip to Iraq with a new client to pick up a bad guy for Lance Cabot, of CIA renown. Mr. Woods is lucky I can suspend reality and go with the flow because the bad guy escapes a flying C-17 Cargo jet in a 550 Mercedes and then parachutes to safety while the Mercedes goes on to land in a swimming pool in Newburgh, NY. However, the bad guy is really the good guy (sort of) and Lance Cabot a Benedict Arnold (big surprise) who Stone easily thwarts with every sneaky gambit the CIA agent tries to pull off. I won't give away the rest of the story other than to say the action is akin to Mr. Woods earlier works despite the fact that Dino is still window dressing who is too busy with a double homicide to get involved except for dinner at Elaine's late.
February 19, 2011
I tend to be judicious about my guilty pleasures. I'll read a Stuart Woods mind-candy thriller, featuring Stone Barrington, but I won't give it more than 3 stars. Kinda like having a slice of cinnamon raisin toast before you kick off a diet. But who knew. This 18th Stone Barrington in the series could very well be the best. That's why ya gotta keep reading even the pulp. Who knew that cinnamon would have such positive health benefits, I just thought it tasted great.
May 8, 2017
The woman that Stone Barrington is trying to bed for the second time is murdered and he’s curious to know why? Meanwhile he seizes the opportunity to fly on a C14 to Iraq to pick up a witness for the CIA who later becomes Barrington’s client.
Strategic Moves is full of twists and turns and not only is it a fun read but a page-turner.
I still miss Richard Ferrone as the voice of Stone Barrington and hope that he returns soon.
Strategic Moves is full of twists and turns and not only is it a fun read but a page-turner.
I still miss Richard Ferrone as the voice of Stone Barrington and hope that he returns soon.
September 14, 2024
September 2024. VW back to 5 stars.
September 2023 somehow my rating was 4 although was supposed to be five stars. Still a favorite
October 2021. Upped ratings to five stars. If you like Stone, this will becomes a favorite story. If you don't like Stone, why read it? ENJO?Y!!!!
Sept 2019 book on tape. Now prefer to hear the Tone Roberts rendition rather than reading it myself. Even with the farfetched nature of the story, I still liked listening to it.
April 2017 ditto
3-15 re read like it . Woods books getting shorter and larger print and less words per page.
sad, really. Its like getting 1/2 a book.
7-20-2013 re-read (got an actual book). The money sure does flow in this book of investments and BS.
6-1-2011 book on tape. couldn['t find a synopsis by publisher but one reader wrote:
Stone Barrington is hired by a big security service as consular and ends up on a CIA mission to extract an Arms dealer from Spain. Things go ok till they are over the US heading for a landing in upper NY. The Dealer escapes and later contacts Stone, requesting his acting as his lawyer in dealing with the CIA. Mean while Stone is having to deal with is client Herbie Fisher who has gotten married to the daughter of a financier who is under investigation for misappropriation of clients money
Me: lots of people are getting lots of money and lots of legal representation. Good pace inthe book. MOre great escape reading.
September 2023 somehow my rating was 4 although was supposed to be five stars. Still a favorite
October 2021. Upped ratings to five stars. If you like Stone, this will becomes a favorite story. If you don't like Stone, why read it? ENJO?Y!!!!
Sept 2019 book on tape. Now prefer to hear the Tone Roberts rendition rather than reading it myself. Even with the farfetched nature of the story, I still liked listening to it.
April 2017 ditto
3-15 re read like it . Woods books getting shorter and larger print and less words per page.
sad, really. Its like getting 1/2 a book.
7-20-2013 re-read (got an actual book). The money sure does flow in this book of investments and BS.
6-1-2011 book on tape. couldn['t find a synopsis by publisher but one reader wrote:
Stone Barrington is hired by a big security service as consular and ends up on a CIA mission to extract an Arms dealer from Spain. Things go ok till they are over the US heading for a landing in upper NY. The Dealer escapes and later contacts Stone, requesting his acting as his lawyer in dealing with the CIA. Mean while Stone is having to deal with is client Herbie Fisher who has gotten married to the daughter of a financier who is under investigation for misappropriation of clients money
Me: lots of people are getting lots of money and lots of legal representation. Good pace inthe book. MOre great escape reading.
November 19, 2012
As I told a friend, I think that Stuart Woods had three or four manuscripts laying around, all going absolutely nowhere, and someone turned on a ceiling fan. The resulting stack of mixed up plot lines is Strategic Moves. There is too much going on and none of it is going anywhere. Herbie Fisher, one of Stone's less than stellar and constantly bumbling clients, marries into millions. Not long after the "I do's" the wife's father is accused of embezzlement, one of the company employees takes a hostage and accidentally shoots him, the son is "on vaction" but not really, and so on. Stone is on the cusp of being offered a partnership in Woodman & Welds, at least until a car falls into a client's swimming pool from an airplane that Stone happens to be aboard. Top this off with CIA director Lance Cabot's entwinement in Stone's activities...apparantly Lance has taken to stalking Stone this time since he always knows where he is. Oh, and don't forget the gentleman the government kidnaps who calls Stone to represent him, promising that he knows the location of Osama bin Laden. See? Makes no sense right? If you want to be even more confused, you can read the book!
January 27, 2012
Totally disappointed!! I have every Stuart Woods books to date and generally can't wait until his new books come out to read them. I even pre-order them and have them sent to whatever bookstore he is doing his signing and have him personalize his new book. As a rule, a Stone Barrington book is finished in 2 days tops - this one took me a month! It was awful! It was a chore for me to continue and towards the end I had had enough! It was so boring and had no major plot and ughhh ... just terrible. Stuart's work has been going down hill lately which is SOOOOO disappointing because he was hot! Books were full of adventure, twists, great story line...he's becoming predictable like he just doesn't know what to write anymore - burned out! Stop while you are ahead please before you ruin your name. Again sooo disappointed!
May 26, 2012
First let me say that I am a huge Stuart Woods fan, Stone Barrington is my favorite of his many characters, BUT he missed it with this book.
I think this book just felt rushed in the way that he wrote it. Poor story development, a murder that goes unsolved (its almost like he forgot that he put that story line in the book), numerous errors in placing people in a city or town or someplace and then the next you hear they are somewhere else. Very poor effort.
If you want a good Stone Barrington book and are new to Stuart Woods, try Dark Harbor, or Lucid Intervals first.
I'm just going to forget he wrote this one and read Son of Stone which is right here on my reading table, to try and get the bad memory of this book out of my head.
I think this book just felt rushed in the way that he wrote it. Poor story development, a murder that goes unsolved (its almost like he forgot that he put that story line in the book), numerous errors in placing people in a city or town or someplace and then the next you hear they are somewhere else. Very poor effort.
If you want a good Stone Barrington book and are new to Stuart Woods, try Dark Harbor, or Lucid Intervals first.
I'm just going to forget he wrote this one and read Son of Stone which is right here on my reading table, to try and get the bad memory of this book out of my head.
September 12, 2023
Definitely a sequel to LUCID INTERVALS, the previous book in the series. Read that one first. Actually, there are references to plot line in a few of the prior books.
If the murder was actually solved, I missed who dunnit. Stone offers a hypothesis, but it is neither proved nor disproved.
The more of these I read, the less I like Lance Cabot. Love the flying Mercedes...
If the murder was actually solved, I missed who dunnit. Stone offers a hypothesis, but it is neither proved nor disproved.
The more of these I read, the less I like Lance Cabot. Love the flying Mercedes...
June 28, 2016
Another solid Stone Barrington novel. These never fail to entertain me - Stone is the kind of guy that everybody wants in their life, along with his Detective friend Dino. The books are solid thrillers, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader highly engaged and the characters are engaging and complex so they just come alive on the page. The small details given to even the smaller characters are what really sets apart these from so many others. If you haven't read any of these yet....no time like the present to get a little Stone Barrington into your life!
May 8, 2013
Stone Barrington is involved with the CIA, Mossad, and the banking industry. He has inherited and airplane and two percent of a security firm. He also got a million dollar bonus for bringing the firm to the law firm is id of counsel to as a bonus. One of his clients' new wife's family is involved in an investment firm accused of stealing money. After dating Stone the wife's aunt is murdered. Stone also takes on an international arms dealer for negotiations with the CIA.
November 1, 2024
My least favorite book in this long series. A bit convoluted, in my opinion. There are two major storylines for Stone to tackle this time around. Periodic client Herbie Fisher gets himself mixed up in his wife's family's crooked investment business, while Stone also gets involved in the kidnapping of a famous arms dealer from Europe by the CIA. Stone is naturally dealing with various concerned parties representing the law and the lawless and is constantly negotiating to the best of his ability.
September 27, 2015
Excellent book. I really enjoyed reading this page turner! Thriller/mystery from start to finish. This is about the fourth Stone Barrington series by Stuart Woods I've read and I've really enjoyed all of them!
Read
August 30, 2011This is the first Woods book which I have listened to via Audible and will probably not read, but listen to all of his books from now on-MOST ENTERTAINING.
August 24, 2017
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With each 'Stone Barrington' novel comes drinks, entertainment, and danger to boot.
They are easy to read and each can stand on its own.
With each 'Stone Barrington' novel comes drinks, entertainment, and danger to boot.
They are easy to read and each can stand on its own.
May 31, 2022
A decent, quick read. But it felt unfinished. There was a lot left open. Not the greatest in the series, but not the worst either. It just felt like it didn’t go anywhere.
June 20, 2017
His Stone Barrington novels are always a Fast, fun read
October 14, 2025
my kind of book. moves fast lots of action. not much smutt
March 12, 2011
*Plot/Summary/Thoughts*
This is the 19th edition of the Stone Barrington series, and it's come to a point to say to Mr. Woods, when is enough enough?
As we open the book, as usual, Stone, Dino Bacchetti, NYPD Lieutenant for the 19th precinct and Stones former partner join Bill Eggers, managing partner for the law firm of Woodman and Weld for dinner at Elaine's. Bill has a surprise for Stone; an end of the year bonus check of $1 million buckaroos. The bonus is for bringing Strategic Services to W&W as a client. Bill also incinuates that he will become partner next year. Stone is stunned to silence; which is highly unusual since he always has a snarky comment or two to toss into a conversation.
If you follow this series, you know that Stone worked with the MI6 and Felicity Devonshire to find a former agent that they presumed had gone rogue; Stanley Whitestone. Whitestone is now Mike Freeman CEO and COO of Strategic. Stone also received a 2 percent stock option, along with the position of Strategics council. Needless to say, he's had an awesome day.
Now comes the wayward storyline;
First, he is reminded by his ever present secretary Joan Robertson, that he is to attend Herbie Fishers wedding party. I have one thing to say to Mr. Woods, and please I pray he hears me; Either Kill off Herbie, or find another realm of reality for him to live in. Yes, I realize that he is Stone's second biggest client, but, he's also the stupidiest character you will ever find in this series. Has been since the moment he has been since the moment he was introduced.
So, we next move onto the point where Herbie's new father in law Jack Gunn may be another Bernie Maddoff, bilking his company out of billions of dollars. Since SS, has money tied up in this company, Stone gets called into offer his recommendation. He, and his partner are found innocent of the charges, and Stone, of course, sleeps with the Aunt who is a widow due to shooting her former husband. She ends up getting killed by either the daughter, or son. It's not clear who pulled the trigger. In the end, Herbies new wife and brother flee the country to Attola and bilk the country out of 1 billion US dollars.
Next story within the story is Stone's involvement in extradiction of a character named Erwin Gelbhardt, aka Pablo Estancia, who fled the US and became an arms dealer. So, Stone, Mike Freeman, Holly Barker, and Todd Bacon fly to Iraq, then to Spain where they pick up Pablo. In a move similiar DB Coopers escape; Pablo drives a mercedes out the back of a C-17, which then ends up in a swimming pool, much to the dismay of the owner.
So, now Mr Woods has re-introduced the reader to each and every one of his characters from both the Barrington series, as well as the Barker series. Tiffany Baldwin, US Attorney for whom Stone had sex with on a conference table in another story; Lance Cabot, CIA director who Holly answers to and who treats Stone as a piece in a chess game. Then you have new characters like Willa Crane, who he ends up bedding and is a Deputy District Attorney. The Mossad and Osama Bin Laden make their way into the storyline since Pablo seems to have Bin Laden's location, and willing to give it up for his freedom.
Overall, this story was way over the top, and I wonder why I continue to put myself through the idiocy that's called Stone Barrington. Stone has slept with so many women, I have lost count. It reminds me of a soap opera that has gone on way too long, and needs to be cancelled to save the reader from putting a gun to their head, and pulling trigger. Stone has also been involved in getting people around him killed. Dino, has been divorced for the last several books now, and is now seeing someone new, which most likely won't last.
This is the 19th edition of the Stone Barrington series, and it's come to a point to say to Mr. Woods, when is enough enough?
As we open the book, as usual, Stone, Dino Bacchetti, NYPD Lieutenant for the 19th precinct and Stones former partner join Bill Eggers, managing partner for the law firm of Woodman and Weld for dinner at Elaine's. Bill has a surprise for Stone; an end of the year bonus check of $1 million buckaroos. The bonus is for bringing Strategic Services to W&W as a client. Bill also incinuates that he will become partner next year. Stone is stunned to silence; which is highly unusual since he always has a snarky comment or two to toss into a conversation.
If you follow this series, you know that Stone worked with the MI6 and Felicity Devonshire to find a former agent that they presumed had gone rogue; Stanley Whitestone. Whitestone is now Mike Freeman CEO and COO of Strategic. Stone also received a 2 percent stock option, along with the position of Strategics council. Needless to say, he's had an awesome day.
Now comes the wayward storyline;
First, he is reminded by his ever present secretary Joan Robertson, that he is to attend Herbie Fishers wedding party. I have one thing to say to Mr. Woods, and please I pray he hears me; Either Kill off Herbie, or find another realm of reality for him to live in. Yes, I realize that he is Stone's second biggest client, but, he's also the stupidiest character you will ever find in this series. Has been since the moment he has been since the moment he was introduced.
So, we next move onto the point where Herbie's new father in law Jack Gunn may be another Bernie Maddoff, bilking his company out of billions of dollars. Since SS, has money tied up in this company, Stone gets called into offer his recommendation. He, and his partner are found innocent of the charges, and Stone, of course, sleeps with the Aunt who is a widow due to shooting her former husband. She ends up getting killed by either the daughter, or son. It's not clear who pulled the trigger. In the end, Herbies new wife and brother flee the country to Attola and bilk the country out of 1 billion US dollars.
Next story within the story is Stone's involvement in extradiction of a character named Erwin Gelbhardt, aka Pablo Estancia, who fled the US and became an arms dealer. So, Stone, Mike Freeman, Holly Barker, and Todd Bacon fly to Iraq, then to Spain where they pick up Pablo. In a move similiar DB Coopers escape; Pablo drives a mercedes out the back of a C-17, which then ends up in a swimming pool, much to the dismay of the owner.
So, now Mr Woods has re-introduced the reader to each and every one of his characters from both the Barrington series, as well as the Barker series. Tiffany Baldwin, US Attorney for whom Stone had sex with on a conference table in another story; Lance Cabot, CIA director who Holly answers to and who treats Stone as a piece in a chess game. Then you have new characters like Willa Crane, who he ends up bedding and is a Deputy District Attorney. The Mossad and Osama Bin Laden make their way into the storyline since Pablo seems to have Bin Laden's location, and willing to give it up for his freedom.
Overall, this story was way over the top, and I wonder why I continue to put myself through the idiocy that's called Stone Barrington. Stone has slept with so many women, I have lost count. It reminds me of a soap opera that has gone on way too long, and needs to be cancelled to save the reader from putting a gun to their head, and pulling trigger. Stone has also been involved in getting people around him killed. Dino, has been divorced for the last several books now, and is now seeing someone new, which most likely won't last.
February 22, 2025
I love this series. Such quick fun reads!!
August 1, 2014
Unfortunately, 2 stars
I have read several of the Stone Barrington novels, the books at the beginning of the series are significantly more enjoyable in my opinion. I have skipped quite a few in the middle there, but decided to pick the series back up because even though I have always found the dialogue to be a bit odd, I have also always enjoyed the plots.
There was too much going on in this one. And not only too much going on, but there also wasn't any real depth to the characters or the situations and that made the fact that so much was going on just...not enjoyable.
It would have been better to focus on one aspect, I believe and have some genuine dialogue and character interactions.
Stone has gotten...vapid or something. I wasn't pleased with his handling of these women. I had no affection for any of the characters really. I did enjoy those moments when Stone would cleverly outplay someone but it wasn't enough to carry the story. If he's going to be involved with a woman who isn't just a one-dimensional prop then we need something from her or something substantial from him otherwise, why bother?
The situation with Herbie, if better played would have been worth reading as he was probably the most likable character.
The stuff with Mossad at the end? Bizarre.
I doubt I will continue on with the series, but I would recommend for readers to try the novels at the beginning of the series.
I have read several of the Stone Barrington novels, the books at the beginning of the series are significantly more enjoyable in my opinion. I have skipped quite a few in the middle there, but decided to pick the series back up because even though I have always found the dialogue to be a bit odd, I have also always enjoyed the plots.
There was too much going on in this one. And not only too much going on, but there also wasn't any real depth to the characters or the situations and that made the fact that so much was going on just...not enjoyable.
It would have been better to focus on one aspect, I believe and have some genuine dialogue and character interactions.
Stone has gotten...vapid or something. I wasn't pleased with his handling of these women. I had no affection for any of the characters really. I did enjoy those moments when Stone would cleverly outplay someone but it wasn't enough to carry the story. If he's going to be involved with a woman who isn't just a one-dimensional prop then we need something from her or something substantial from him otherwise, why bother?
The situation with Herbie, if better played would have been worth reading as he was probably the most likable character.
The stuff with Mossad at the end? Bizarre.
I doubt I will continue on with the series, but I would recommend for readers to try the novels at the beginning of the series.
November 23, 2014
This is my first Stuart Woods book and I thought it was just okay. I'm not even sure what genre it is supposed to be--there was no real mystery in it (there was a murder but it was never solved) and it didn't have enough action or intrigue to be a thriller or suspense novel. I actually liked Stone Barrington but felt that the whole book was just him reacting to and controlling situations (which generally meant directing those around him on what to do). But none of the situations really affected him. I kept waiting for him Stone to get in trouble but he didn't really. His reputation was good enough that his clients and friends, as well as the CIA and other law-enforcement people, automatically vouched for and believed Stone's word on anything. He was never stranded, injured, or otherwise inconvenienced. He slept with a girl on their 2nd date, she was shortly thereafter murdered, but the murder was never solved and that didn't seem to matter. (Granted, he had only known her for a week or two when she was killed.) So, overall, the events with Pablo and the CIA were interesting but not gripping. I felt like Woods could have made that plot line and/or the financial fiasco with Gunn into something more intriguing than they were. I think Woods is a good writer but his plot was lacking and my TBR pile is too big to add more of these.
December 12, 2011
Poor Stone Barrington -- every time he gets lucky, the woman ends up dead. With the exception of Holly Barker, all of Woods' female characters seem two dimensional and...well, kind of stupid (when they're not dying). What's up with that? Normally, I like to listen to these books, but narrator Tony Roberts reminds me of the filmstrip guy from grade school. His interpretation of Dino is horribly grating, and his attempt at accents is really distracting. But I digress. Barrington is kind of a James Bond type, and some of Woods' writing is a little old fashioned feeling, but if you like that kind of storycrafting, his stuff is a fairly decent distraction with lots of local references thrown in, which is kind of fun. He writes a pretty solid plot, and even though Stone is quite the ladies man, there's not a lot of graphic sex or naughty bits. That's also kind of refreshing sometimes. Sometimes his books feel a little formulaic, but it's a formula that's worked for him, so who are we to say. This one of many in the Stone Barrington series. Collect them all!
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