OBSESSION

4 stars out of 5

Although I've never considered myself to be a big fan of ex-CIA operative Teddy Fay (at least not in comparison to the related Stone Barrington series), this one is in my mind the best of the lot so far (it's the sixth). Teddy, who by most accounts is considered to be dead, is trying hard not to be resurrected and takes on the persona of three different characters (yes, his ability to switch identities so quickly without anyone suspecting defies rational thought), so it's sometimes a little hard to keep them all straight. But somehow, it works.

The story takes place primarily in and around Santa Barbara, California, where Centurion Pictures and a Croatian billionaire are close to a deal on a joint venture. Centurion is owned by Ben Bachetti, and a film starring Mark Weldon - one of Teddy's alter egos - is being directed by Peter Barrington (both names will be familiar to readers of the Barrington series so I won't bother with details). Early on, the billionaire's wife is kidnapped, and Teddy agrees, under one of his other identities, that his "friend" (secretly the real Teddy) will try to rescue her. Meantime, another bad guy has the hots for Ben's dazzling model wife Tessa, and his quest to win her over turns from stalking to something way more threatening.

The rest of the story follows those two themes all the way to their conclusions, with plenty of action - and a lot of help from familiar friends including Stone - along the way. One hallmark of both series is that it's rare for any of the main characters to meet an untimely end - at worst, one might get roughed up a little - so I and other readers can stay on the edge of our seats without biting our nails to the quick. While situations certainly get serious and there are several casualties of war, so to speak, things tend to work out in the end, as they do here. All in all, it's another enjoyable romp and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. 

Obsession by Stuart Woods and Brett Battles (G.P. Putnam's Sons, October 2023); 315 pp.

NEAR MISS

4 stars out of 5

What can I say? Here we have a romp through the world of the rich and famous for the 64th time. Even with the loss of long-time author Stuart Woods last year, "takeover" author Brett Battles has continued Woods' tradition of turning banter into an art form interspersed with snippets of a plot that threatens to mess up the life of main character, New York attorney Stone Barrington. Like its predecessors, this one is mostly predictable but still fun and, dare I say, even exciting here and there. And as always, this dependably good series offers a much-appreciated break from the blood-and-guts, mess-with-my-head fare that dominates my reading list.

As often happens, this one begins with the ever-ready Stone and U.S. President Holly Barker "entertaining" one another, after which Stone joins his good friend and police commissioner Dino Bachetti for dinner, which happens with even more regularity than Stone's bedroom capers. There, they meet (and come to the rescue of) Mathilda Martin, a beauty whose date dumps her. That move, let's say, doesn't endear Stone to the guy, who clearly wants to even the score with both Stone and Mathilda. He almost does exactly that, but then Stone takes the concept of hard-headed to a whole new level. 

Before long, readers meet a prodigy named Carly Riggs, who's been hired as a new lawyer at Stone's hot-shot firm, Woodman & Weld and plays a major role here. Not only does she have close to a photographic memory, she aced - meaning answered every single question correctly - the Bar Exam. And of course, she's gorgeous (and hot-to-trot for Stone's body, despite its being at least 96 years old by now).

The action turns more complex when a Russian mob honcho decides his score with Stone is uneven as well - and sets out to put the odds back in his favor. But the ever-vigil Stone and his security team get wind of the plot, "forcing" Stone to call in his old pal Teddy Fay (who now has a new I.D. and job as a film producer with Stone's son out in California). Actually, this one seems a little grittier than past stories, with Stone becoming far more down and dirty - and perhaps closer to getting bumped off - than I've seen in the past. Of course, it all works out in the end, when Stone gets back to bed (maybe with breakfast for two) and dinner as usual - and, as always, brought a few smiles to my face. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. 

Near Miss by Stuart Woods and Brett Battles (G.P. Putnam's Sons, June 2023); 352 pp.