WILD CARD

4 stars out of 5

Admittedly, I keep reading this series mostly as a sort of respite from books that challenge my mind in some manner - whether that be thrilling, thought-provoking or educational. The lead character here, filthy rich New York attorney Stone Barrington, is a likable chap, but over the years the books - this is the 49th - for the most part have become rather banal. Once in a while, though, a gem pops up - and this is one of them. The plot is intriguing and attention-holding, and there seemed to be a bit more of the wry humor I always enjoy sprinkled throughout the pages.

This one opens as Stone is entertaining (euphemistically speaking) his most recent love interest, Jamie Cox, at his home in England. Jamie is polishing up the book to hand off to her editor (when she's not putting her hands all over Stone, that is). As they dawdle the time away, Stone gets a call from his pal, New York Police Commissioner Dino Bacchetti, informing him that the FBI has decided not to prosecute family members for their alleged computer crimes Jamie has written about, largely because almost all the evidence was destroyed in an explosion and fire. One of the family chieftains, however, is certain that Stone was behind the explosion and is intent on payback, hopefully sooner than later.

When one of Stone's dinner guests - a well-known movie star - and his trainer meet Stone later for a gym workout, the actor takes a bullet to his backside; Stone is convinced the shot was meant for him so it's off to the mattresses (meaning other of Stone's many homes - from Key West to Maine to New York City) while Bacchetti and other cop-type friends try to gather enough evidence to ensure indictments. Rest assured, though, everyone is well entertained, wined and dined at every turn - as long as they're properly dressed for the occasion, of course.

All told, it's a rather fun romp that kept me reading almost nonstop (short chapters and not much over 300 pages make that even easier). Enjoyable!

Wild Card by Stuart Woods (G.P. Putnam's Sons, March 2019); 319 pp.