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.

DISTANT THUNDER

4 stars out of 5

As uber-rich New York attorney Stone Barrington enjoys an, um, relaxing time at his Dark Harbor, Maine, home accompanied by none other than U.S. President Holly Barker, he gets some disturbing news: there's a dead guy on his property. When it turns out to be CIA agent John Collins and he was murdered, the whole thing turns into a chase to the finish line that Stone just might not live long enough to win.

Well, don't be silly; of course he'll live to see another day - he's the star of this now 63-book series, after all - but there's no shortage of action that brings his life into question. Playing a Central role here, so to speak, is old friend and CIA chief Lance Cabot, who enters the subsequent investigation but is surprisingly tight-lipped about the details. Soon thereafter, the victim's ex-wife, Vanessa, pays a visit, wanting details of his death and how she can claim her rightful share of what may be a small fortune. One discussion leads to another and, as luck would have it, Holly has already left to run the country from Washington, D.C., so naturally Stone is happy to have a relaxation buddy once again. 

Back in New York, Stone meets up with good friend and NYPD chief Dino Bacchetti and his wife Viv for dinner - a regular happening - and to share the case's perplexing details. Surprise - here comes Vanessa again, in the mood to relax once again. A new detail is added to the investigation, though, that takes it to a whole 'nother level and prompts Stone to head back to Maine with Vanessa in tow. That changes quickly when it becomes apparent that Stone himself is slated for victimhood, prompting him to head for his property in London, Vanessa once again in tow. There, too, Stone's presence is detected by the bad guys, prompting yet another move to his Palm Springs yacht (yes, with Vanessa in tow). This time, though, the conflict gets very real, with an exciting chase that blows out all the stops. 

Of course, plenty happens in between all these relocations, including a ton more food and relaxation and progress in the investigation. All in all, it's another fun romp and a quick read (I finished it in roughly four hours). Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the pre-release copy to be read and reviewed.

Distant Thunder by Stuart Woods (G.P. Putnam's Sons, October 2022); 272 pp.

BLACK DOG

5 stars out of 5

Prolific author Stuart Woods passed away July 22, 2022, I'm sorry to say - just a few days before this book was released. But I'm comforted by knowing he wrote more than 90 novels in his 84 years and that I've read most of those in his popular Stone Barrington series (of which this is the 62nd). I'm sure I speak for other readers when I say he'll be missed.

As far as the Barrington books go, while I've grumbled about the somewhat boring content of some (at one point, I referred to him in my reviews as Stone Yawnington), the last few have been quite enjoyable. And I must say this one is notable to me because of the humor - yes, I out-loud chuckled my way through it, polishing it off in the equivalent of maybe half a day just because I wanted to.

This time out, Stone's uber-efficient secretary, Joan Robertson, plays a leading role. For openers, she brings her mother's youngest sister, Annetta Charles, into Stone's prestigious law firm as his client. An extremely wealthy recent widow, she wants to make a new will - and the firm gets the potential to earn a goodly amount of "rain," as Stone puts it (methinks he's become quite woke since the last book). It also puts Stone in contact with Annetta's stepson, a young man she dubs "Black Dog" because he's "too awful" to be a black sheep. To say he's an obnoxious pest would be a kindness; unfortunately, it just may be he's dangerous to boot.

As the story progresses, Stone (and Joan) try their best to keep him at bay and themselves alive, but most of the time the best they can do is play clean-up. No one is safe - not Stone, nor Joan, nor even Stone's friend and police commissioner Dino Bacchetti. But despite everybody's suspicions, the jerk somehow manages to elude detection and certainly arrest - even when murder is involved. Throughout it all, Stone and Dino don't miss a beat - and neither do they miss many of their nightly dinners at some of New York's finest restaurants. Stone's well-known penchant for bedding beautiful women seems turned down a notch, but that's probably more from lack of opportunity than desire.

I can't say the rather abrupt ending was satisfying to me, but for Stone, all's well that ends well as usual. All in all, it's another fun romp that loyal readers should love. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with a pre-release copy. 

Black Dog by Stuart Woods (G.P. Putnam's Sons, August 2022); 299 pp.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

4 stars out of 5

Don't quote me on this, but I suspect this book may have set the record for how many women uber-rich New York attorney Stone Barrington beds in the shortest amount of time. But then hey - he's gotta be 95 by now (this is his 60th book, after all) - as the old saying goes, if you've got it, flaunt it.

And flaunt it he does, starting with teeny-tiny "Tink" Dorsey, who cheekily accosts Stone while he's sipping a drink at one of his favorite bars. Two drinks or less later, they're at his pricey Manhattan digs - and she goes home with his small Remington bronze statue. She also, Stone later learns, has invested a considerable sum of money with a guy who apparently is running a Ponzi scheme and is in the process of running off with the proceeds. When she fails to believe what Stone tells her about the man (Stone has forgiven her for the theft - what's a little statue among friends), he blows her off in favor of a blind date with Kitty Crosse, a friend of the wife of Stone's friend and NYPD Police Commissioner Dino Bachetti. It goes without saying that this encounter, too, ends up with Stone and Kitty you-know-where. To that end, a word to those who might care about such things: the bedtime adventures seemed to me to be a little more graphic than usual.

Stone soon learns that Kitty, too, has invested with the Ponzi scheme guy (after it hits him square in the pocketbook). Even though he can well afford the loss, he decides to do what he can to bring the pseudo investment fund manager to justice - hopefully recouping at least some of the money for the bilked investors and a bounty for himself and Dino.

It doesn't come easy; the thief leads Stone, Dino and the FBI (including a beautiful top agent, so read what you will into that) on a not-so-merry island-hopping chase and not-so-merry time spent in a Middle East country where U.S. residency doesn't mean diddly squat. Money, however, speaks loud and clear - and that's something Stone and the U.S. government have plenty of. Still, there's the question of honor: who's to say whether the desert powers-that-be will live up to their end of the bargain?

All told, it's another relatively entertaining romp through the life of the rich and powerful that easily can be polished off in a day at the beach or in front of a cozy fire. No doubt it will be another hit with series fans (and I count myself among them).

Criminal Mischief by Stuart Woods (G.P. Putnam's Sons, December 2021); 317 pp.

FOUL PLAY

5 stars out of 5

Gotta be honest: I've read a big bunch of books in the Stone Barrington series (this is the 59th, so make that a BIG bunch). But a couple of years ago, I simply got a little tired of reading about the high-powered attorney and ex-cop and his bed-hopping ways - a guy who at the wink of a pinky can drop $10 million on a house or in a politician's war chest (one of those beds - and chairs, and shower stalls - he occasionally shares is with the first female President of the United States, for gosh sake). But then, I had a chance to get a pre-release copy of the newest one from the publisher via NetGalley - thank you very much - and from the minute I opened it, I felt as if I'd reconnected with an old friend. The only downside was that by the time of day I started it, I just couldn't keep my eyes open late enough to finish in one sitting.

Make no mistake - Stone and his well-heeled friends, including the aforementioned Prez and the New York City Police Commissioner, haven't changed in the slightest; if anything, the money flows more freely (although in fairness, much of it comes from a wealthy-beyond-belief client). And the bed hopping, if I counted correctly, is limited to only two also wealthy-beyond-belief ladies this time out. The adventure begins as Stone is on his way to his office in his posh New York City mansion to meet a new client; seeing a man being mobbed by a couple of no-gooders, Stone jumps in to save the day - and learns the man he protected is his new client. And of course, said client is wealthy beyond belief.

It seems the client recently came into an enormous inheritance from his late father - and as he stays at a luxurious apartment in the Carlyle Hotel, Stone offers advice on negotiating a deal to purchase it. But then, the client is attacked once again, and, as they say, the plot thickens. Suddenly, both the client and Stone find themselves in danger, and Stone must call in all his friends to help (most are characters familiar to me from previous books, and I was happy to "see" them again). Getting to the bottom of things takes Stone and the gang all over the country, culminating in, shall I say, a rather exciting and financially rewarding end. Spread throughout is the standard "ho-hum" attitude toward every situation, whether it's between the sheets or facing a near-death experience (just after the bullet misses passing through your brain by inches, for instance, you turn to your guests to ask which kind of wine they prefer with dinner). 

All in good fun - and the best one I've read for a while. That means this reader is back in the saddle and itching to trot - so bring on the next!

Foul Play by Stuart Woods (G. P. Putnam's Sons, October 2021); 352 pp.

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.

UNBOUND

3.5 stars


Teddy Fay is not a nice man. On the other hand, if you want vengeance - all the way up to and including having somebody rubbed out - Teddy's your guy. But if you need to find him, look for Billy Barnett; that's the identity he's been using ever since New York attorney Stone Barrington, his friend of sorts, finagled him a Presidential pardon for sins he committed years earlier. Billy even works at the motion picture production company run by Stone's son, Peter, with his partner Ben (another well-connected son of a filthy rich and powerful guy).

As this story begins, Billy is still mourning the death of his wife, who was run down by a drunk driver - the wife of another filmmaker, Dax Baxter, who outshines Billy in the unnice guy category. Dax also managed to use his considerable wealth and connections to protect his wife from prosecution, which understandably rankles Billy no end. As a former CIA operative back when he was Teddy, Billy is a man who tends to get what he wants - and he wants Dax's head on a platter (literally, if necessary).

Using still another identity, Billy gets hired on the set of Dax's latest movie, where he hopes to create havoc that will hit Dax where it hurts most - in the pocketbook. But Dax smells a rat, figuring out who Billy really is. Worse, he decides Billy needs to be taken out, bringing in some Russian muscle to do the job.

So since this book supposedly is about high-powered, oversexed Stone (this is the 44th book, I believe), how does he play into the story? Hardly at all, as it turns out. Mostly, he jets from place to place, talks on the phone and arranges for friends, including Billy, to stay in one of his ostentatious homes that are scattered all over the country. At least this time he settles on a single woman - a highly successful Sante Fe realtor - rather than trying to keep customers satisfied in all the cities in which he owns property.

All in all, it's not a bad story - perhaps with a bit more murder, mayhem and gore than usual - so if I overlook the fact that Stone is pretty much overlooked, I'm willing to call it a decent read (nowhere near as boring as the last few in this series, in fact). That said, I've never been a big Teddy Fay fan, and this book didn't do much to change that opinion. 

Unbound by Stuart Woods (G.P. Putnam's Sons, January 2018); 318 pp.

FAST AND LOOSE

4 stars out of 5


Maybe I'm just going soft in my old age, or maybe I've just come to realize that a respite from the shoot-'em-up, gory entrails and head games in my usual reading fare is a good thing. But the fact is, for the most part I actually enjoyed this, the 41st in the Stone Barrington series. Yes, it's borderline insipid (there's a reason I refer to the guy as Stone Yawnington) and the "action" is more than a bit hard to believe. But overall, it was, well, sort of fun - and easily read in one day. 

As usual, everything (except perhaps Stone's ever-increasing wealth) is vastly understated as the prominent, world-traveling New York attorney tries to mind his own business. Somebody get murdered? Let's drink to that. Almost blown up by a bomb? How about dinner at Stone's favorite Patroon - or better still, in the formal dining room of one of his mansions? Perhaps this exchange between Stone and his great friend Kate - the current U.S. President - says it best:

"This is wonderful," Kate said. "All our problems solved before dinner!"

"We do what we can," Stone said.

This one begins as Stone is sailing alone in Penobscot Bay off the coast of Maine. He's so relaxed that he falls asleep, waking to find himself surrounded by fog as thick as pea soup. Suddenly, there's a big bang, and he's thrown overboard and knocked unconscious. Turns out he was hit by a much larger boat; luckily (as always seems to be the case in these books), somebody on the big boat noticed and pulled him out of the water. Happily for Stone, the boat owner is the well-heeled doctor-owner of a highly successful health-care facility, who is vacationing with his (you guessed it) beautiful, unmarried daughter - also a doctor. They patch Stone back up, invite him to a lobster dinner and - later - provide him with a new and improved sailboat courtesy of their insurance company.

As they all get to know each other (Stone and the daughter exceptionally well, BTW), Stone learns that a clinic takeover bid is in the early stages, and the good doctor is worried. The takeover, it seems, is led by a particularly nasty guy who made a takeover of his own after his company's former CEO got blown to bits when he tried to open a "protected" briefcase he'd stolen (a reference to a previous book). Stone, of course, is indignant, and immediately agrees to help thwart the takeover by rounding up the half a billion dollars needed to make a counter-offer.

Understandably, that doesn't sit well with the bad guy, who decides to fight back. From there on, the story turns into a race to determine who will remain standing - the bad guy or Stone (the latter of whom gets loads of help from his New York Police Commissioner buddy Dino and a few other well-placed colleagues). Stone, if nothing else the consummate ladies' man, manages to do some of his best work in the bedroom (I'll caution, for those who might give a whoop, that such antics by Stone and his friends seem to take place a little more often, and a little more explicitly, in this book than in others).

Fans of these books can be sure, however, that Stone himself will live to see another one - and we can be pretty confident he'll end up with more money, more properties, more friends in high places and another woman or two in yet other ports as well. And so it goes. Now you'll have to excuse me - I'm off to read something that challenges what few brain cells I have left.

Fast and Loose by Stuart Woods (G.P. Putnam's Sons, April 2017); 364 pp.

BELOW THE BELT

4.5 stars out of 5


Well, I'll be doggone. Just when I'd just about given up on what I've come to call the Stone Yawnington series comes this one - several cuts above the last few I've read. The character's name is Stone Barrington, for the record, and this is, I believe, the 40th in the series.

Author Stuart Woods churns the books out faster than you can say James Patterson, and admittedly, I've missed a few here and there. And although I've always used them as a respite of sorts in between more weighty tomes (i.e., those I get for free in exchange for reviews, which means I have to think about what I'm reading), I've grown weary of the banal banter and nothing-is-exciting attitude of all the characters - most of them filthy rich. Oh, there's a dead body in the wine cellar? Drat. I'll call my secretary to have it removed. While we wait, do you think this 1848 cabernet is the proper accompaniment for the dinner lamb?

All of that is in this one as well; it begins with Stone in Santa Fe with companion Holly Barker, an adviser to the U.S. President (also a Stone bestie, BTW). Within a short time, he writes a check for a Porsche and accepts an invitation from the former President - the husband of the current President who preceded his wife as President - to have dinner with a group of influential friends followed by (what else?) an opera.

The former President uses the meeting guise to entrust a reluctant Stone, a prominent New York attorney, with a package, the contents of which apparently have the potential to incriminate him and thus kill his wife's chances for a second term. Needless to say, other rather nasty individuals are interested in getting their hands on it as well - most notably, perhaps, an ultra-powerful and, if possible, wealthier-than-Stone businessman who is backing an independent candidate for a run in the next Presidential election. 

The chase takes Stone and Holly, who's out of the White House for a little mandated R & R, to other locations including Stone's fabulous home in Maine (it has its own airstrip, for gosh sake). That part, I admit, added to my enjoyment of the book; places like Rockland and Mount Desert Island - the latter home to Acadia National Park - are places from which I have treasured vacation memories (not to mention a ton of photographs). 

The best part, though, is the description of the clearly unqualified independent candidate, who some (including the author, I suspect) might say resembles the current U.S. President-Elect: "They'll trust me...I'm a wealthy man because I know how to get people to trust me," he boasts. 

"His chief talent seems to be the ability to tell people what they want to hear," comes Stone's assessment.

In all, it's a fun, easy-to-read book (I polished it off in less than a day of spare time) and one of the best Barrington books I've read. I think backsliding fans like me will find it entertaining.

Below the Belt by Stuart Woods (G.P. Putnam's Sons, January 2017); 332 pp.

FAMILY JEWELS

4 stars out of 5

Ah, another chance to revel in the world of the filthy rich. How rich? Well, how about a guy who buys two luxurious homes and a New York penthouse apartment for a mere $138 million, writing a check on the spot? Getting a look into the world as I'll never see it is, I suppose, one of the reasons I keep reading the books featuring near-billionaire New York attorney Stone Barrington, who hops in his fancy airplane (piloting it himself, of course) on a whim and is a personal friend of the first female President of the United States. It's for sure it's not because of the can't-put-it-down plot or nail-biting action; no, the most excitement Barrington and his friends get is being surprised at the choice of wine at dinner. For readers, it's likely to be which of the "ladies" will hop into Barrington's bed and which will be invited back.

It is a lady, of course, who gets the ball rolling here; her ex-husband, she claims, is out to kill her and she's got big bucks to pay for Barrington's legal help. Then a body turns up in a fancy mansion - conveniently next door to the mansion at which Barrington is a guest (a shift in the wind alerts his former cop nose that something is amiss). The victim has ties to his client's former husband, and the chase is on to find the guy before someone else bites the dust.

That chase leads to the discovery of an infamous and near priceless piece of jewelry, giving Barrington and his police friends a probable motive and Barrington a reason to hobnob with a colleague from exclusive auction house Sotheby's. Now all they have to do is find the murderer - and they put their minds to that task in between going to dinner parties, hopping in and out of the shower and arranging for property appraisals. Priorities, folks, priorities!

When it comes to ratings, I always waffle between 3 and 4 stars. But I must admit that despite my grousing, I rather enjoy this series (most likely because over the years I've simply become used to the banality of the stories and the ho-hum banter among the characters). The books - this is the 36th in the series, BTW - are great for deck or beach reading or when my brain is tired and balking at being challenged. Short chapters make it easy to stop any time I get the urge to do something else; reading this one in its entirety didn't waste much more than half a day. 

Family Jewels by Stuart Woods (G.P. Putnam's Sons, April 2016); 320 pp.

SCANDALOUS BEHAVIOR

4 stars out of 5

At this point - having read too many books in the Stone Barrington series to count - I think I've finally come to terms with the things that started to bother me a few years back when the books got noticeably shorter and more boring (to the point that I began referring to the filthy rich New York lawyer as Stone Yawnington). In fact, I've rather enjoyed the last three, as I did this one. Where else will you find someone who, after just one look, buys an English mansion for 10-1/2 million pounds, then heads to an auto dealership to snap up a new Bentley and a new Porsche?

In this case, Stone buys the house from the dying owner to keep it out of the hands of his unloved kids. Meanwhile, Stone's son Peter and his friend Ben, who are in the movie-making business, have released their latest effort - a story about a shady cult leader. The film is wildly successful (of course, since everything Stone and his offspring do is touched with gold); but a dangerous real-life "religious" leader is quite unhappy, insisting that the movie is based on him. He's mad as hell and isn't going to take it any more, but how far will he go to retaliate? 

Early on, a dead body turns up as well, supposedly a suicide. But here, too, there's more to the story than meets the eye. Could his death really have been murder? And if so, who did it and why? Leave it to Stone and his close-knit group of friends (one of whom has the FBI director on speed-dial) to get to the bottom of it - in between making a deal on another huge property and spending a good portion of time on the back of a horse (in proper attire, of course).

All these questions and more are answered here, and was happy to end the book with no cliffhanger. As has been the practice of late, the book is quite short (311 pages). And at this point, I do suggest that readers interested in this series should begin with an earlier book. This one stands alone well enough, but it seems to me my enjoyment was enriched by my previous knowledge of the backgrounds of the major characters.

Scandalous Behavior by Stuart Woods (G.P. Putnam's Sons, January 2016); 311 pp.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

4 stars out of 5

This marks the 35th book in the author's Stone Barrington series and, as has been the custom of late, it's a quickie at just 320 pages (although in fairness, the last couple have been even shorter). I also must admit that I've taken to calling the filthy rich, New York-based attorney "Stone Yawnington" simply because the action - what there is of it - is so understated that it's barely noticeable.

Maybe I've become used to it by now, though - I've read almost all of the books in the series - because this one surprised me by being quite enjoyable. Yes, the dialogue still borders on banal, but the story is interesting and (dare I say it) even a bit exciting in spots.

It begins as Barrington's majordomo, Joan, informs him that she forgot to put a board meeting of one of his companies on his calendar - and oh by the way, it's to take place at noon the following day in Rome. With not the slightest hint of annoyance, he takes 5 minutes to arrange his travel, have his clothing and personal airplane for his return trip shipped to Rome and reserved a table for dinner that night complete with his choice of wine (okay, I'm kidding about that last one, but you get the point). His eleventh-hour reservation means he's relegated to the last available seat on the plane, poor baby, but things begin looking up when a beautiful woman is seated next to him. Just before take-off, as Barrington's always-good luck would have it, not one, but two seats open up in first-class - and he and his lovely companion move to more comfortable space. They get to know each other during the flight -- and for the record, by Chapter 5 they know each other really well (wink, wink).

The story, though, is the reason for the board meeting: The one-item agenda is to vote on purchasing a site for a new Arrington hotel (named for Barrington's late wife, who was richer than God). Approval is readily given - why the board couldn't have looked at photos and voted by phone is a mystery to me, but hey = I'm not among the rich or the famous.  Barrington then contacts his hotel developer associate and gives the go-ahead. Another developer had started building a hotel on the site, but that project was abandoned, so plans call for utilizing the existing framework for the new Arrington.

But then, disaster strikes; almost before the ink is dry on the site purchase agreement, a mysterious fire destroys the existing structure. A little digging (pun intended) turns up evidence that the fire is a warning; apparently, new construction falls within the purview of the local Mafia, and in particular, an especially nasty character named Leonardo Casselli who's wanted in the United States. Leo, it seems, wants to make it clear that his palm must be greased by anyone encroaching on his territory. A few other "accidents" happen, and the chase is on to track down and arrest Casselli before he kills Barrington, the law enforcement heavyweights who have joined him and/or, of course, the fair lady who is the current apple of his eye.

As the more recent Barrington novels have gone, this is one captured my attention a bit more than most; if nothing else, it would make a good read on an airplane trip (even if you're sitting in coach) or wait in a doctor's office -  I finished it easily in a single day.

Foreign Affairs by Stuart Woods (G.P. Putnam's Sons, October 2015); 320 pp.

NAKED GREED

4 stars out of 5

This is the 34th novel about the life and loves of super-rich New York lawyer Stone Barrington. Although I enjoyed it more than some of the others over the past couple of years, I must note that I read it almost in one sitting - and on a day I was cooking dinner for friends, no less. In part, that's because it's just 320 pages; it's also because even when something happens that borders on action, no one gets the least bit worked up and it's easy to breeze through without fear of missing anything important. At times, in fact, the "excitement" happens when both parties hang up the phone.

Case in point: A typical conversation, as Stone - who apparently has become the target of mobsters - is warned to hole up in his fortified mansion.

"If I can't go out, then maybe I should have a dinner party. I don't do that often enough."  

All rightee, then. But don't misunderstand; such is the author's style, and - Lord help me - I've rather come to enjoy the laid-back way the characters approach day-to-day life, even when murder happens and friends' lives are threatened. This one begins as Stone is introduced to a man looking to do business in New York, with guidance from Stone's prestigious law firm, Woodman & Weld. Turns out, though, that the man is encroaching on the established territory of a few criminals - and they don't take kindly to the situation.

That's when the action - if you want to call it that -  begins, highlighted by a few murders, friends with bullseyes on their backs, anticipation of delivery of a fancy new airplane and [mercifully brief] reports of Stone bedding just about every eligible female he encounters including - be still my heart- a self-described "sex addict." The ending is gobsmackingly abrupt, leaving unfinished business that I suppose will be continued in the next book. On the plus side, since the last few were published within a few months of each other, I don't expect to wait long to find out.

Naked Greed by Stuart Woods (G.P. Putnam's Sons, July 2015); 320 pp.

HOT PURSUIT

3.5 stars out of 5

Welcome to the 33rd book featuring filthy rich, impossibly well-connected female magnet Stone Barrington (or as I've taken to calling him, Stone Yawnington). Once again, the dialogue and action are ho-hum, but then that's the usual pattern. Maybe I've simply grown accustomed to it, but I was surprised to find I actually enjoyed this one more than the last two - or three or four, almost all of which failed to rate higher than three stars.

It gets off to same old, same old, with prominent attorney Barrington taking ownership of a fancy new private jet and bedding at least two beautiful women all in the first couple of chapters (I'll give him points, however, for sticking with older, more experienced women for the most part instead of the youngest, blondest, beauty-pageant wannabes). One of those women is a pilot, who provides the requisite training for Barrington before he can fly his new machine solo.

This, in turn, ushers in the first storyline: she's moved to New York, Barrington's home base, in large part to get away from a menacing former boyfriend who has a criminal background and apparently is intent on keeping her in his possession. In fact, wherever she lands, he turns up; now, he's got Barrington in his sights as well. 

At the same time, a trio of potential threats to international security have turned up to wreak as-yet-unknown havoc, posing problems for Barrington's long-time friend and now U.S. President Kate Lee (who recently was elected to replace her husband, Will, in the Oval Office). In one totally implausible early-on happening, another of the author's well-known characters, Holly Barker, now serves the President as a top adviser - and hires a young assistant almost literally from off the street on a gut feeling. Immediately, the young woman gets top security clearance world-wide and is given a major role in solving the security issue. Come on, now - I know the powers-that-be in Washington, D.C., have more than a few problems these days, but I refuse to believe it's that easy to land a job that puts you within whispering distance of the commander-in-chief of the U.S. Armed Forces. 

Chapters switch from one storyline to the other, with Barrington playing a role in each - if only by listening to someone on the phone during dinner or while in bed with one of those women and repeating what he was told on the phone to the person he's with after he hangs up (who in turn repeats it to someone else - it's at those times that the Yawnington angle rears its boring head, and unfortunately, they happen way too often throughout the book). Still, everything gets resolved satisfactorily and in relatively good fun - well, make that almost everything; as usual, there's at least one dangling issue that no doubt will carry over to the next Barrington book.

And yawns notwithstanding, no doubt I'll be reading that one as well - if only to see what wine goes best with sauteed foi gras.

Hot Pursuit by Stuart Woods (G.P. Putnam's Sons, April 2015); 352 pp.

INSATIABLE APPETITES

3 1/2 stars out of 5


After two rather disappointing precursors to this, the 32nd Stone Barrington novel, I really wasn't expecting much from this one. But after the first several chapters, I found myself rather enjoying it. That's not to say much has changed; most of the "action" is back-and-forth banter and a ho-hum attitude to most everything that happens, including real action when someone gets bumped off ("Oh say, did you know your brother has been murdered?" "Yes, I just heard - bloody nuisance. Shall we have dinner at the club later?")

The story here, though, did seem a little more interesting to me than other recent books. The Presidential election is over and the filthy rich attorney Barrington, who provided both funding and advice for his friend Kate's campaign, is tapped to help post-election (no, I won't reveal whether she won or lost). Then his old friend with a shady past Eduardo dies, naming Barrington co-executor of the will and millions to be distributed to various family members. One of those just happens to have had a long-ago relationship with Barrington - one that almost turned deadly - and now he has to deal with her once again. Thrown in the mix are a political expose that threatens to take down some heavy-hitters, highly valuable paintings that may be forgeries and a couple of murders.

Through it all, Barrington never fails to pair the perfect wine with dinner and match his necktie with his pocket handkerchief. If he's let anything slide, it's the frequency and number of his bedmates; I really didn't keep count, but I think only a couple got between his sheets this time. That's okay with me, since his sexploits are probably more boring than the conversation.

If you're among the throngs who have all but given up on this series, I think this one is a cut above the last few and you might consider having a go at it. But I'd also suggest waiting till the cost comes down or borrowing it from a library; even if you end up loving it, it's almost too short to be called a book and really doesn't seem deserving of a full-size price tag.

Insatiable Appetites by Stuart Woods (Putnam Adult, January 2015); 310 pp.

PARIS MATCH

3 stars out of 5

My reviews of the more recent Stone Barrington books haven't been all that great - the plots have been thin (almost nonexistent, in fact). As for real action? Fuhgettaboutit. This, the 31st in the series, started off much the same, with typical British understatement of just about everything that happens. 

"Oh, someone has shot off your arm? Bummer. Might I offer you a glass of champagne before the ambulance arrives?" (my words, BTW). 


There also seems to be more in-bed action in this one; within the first few chapters, Barrington has well satisfied, or so it is claimed, no fewer than three different women in about the same number of days. And, there's a fourth so eagerly awaiting her turn that she can't help grabbing his crotch - in public, no less. 

From that description, one might assume I wouldn't care much for this one. In fact, it surprised even me by being, in the end, not all that bad, but still not good enough to earn 4 stars. Yes, the action is understated as usual, but at least there is some. The filthy rich attorney is in Paris for the opening of his new Arrington hotel and discovers that an old enemy - and a couple of new ones - are out to get him. 

Meanwhile, there's a heated Presidential election going on; the current First Lady is in the running to replace her husband as the country's chief. Both are close friends of Barrington, who supports her candidacy and contributed heavily to her campaign (besides that, he's been cohabitating with the woman who will become her chief of staff should she win). Should that happen, Barrington may have to find someone else since she'll be too busy and too far away - bummer.

The threats keep coming - at least one of them because Barrington does something stupid like wander off by himself (reminiscent of the women in horror films who choose to run down a dark alley to escape the ax murderer who's chasing them). How he survives that one is more than a bit unrealistic, and in true Barrington fashion, he just shrugs off the whole episode as another day in Paris. His only notable emotion (even in bed) comes when he actually gets angry enough to say he'd love to see one of his would-be killers dead.

There's a cliff-hanger at the end - suggesting the topic and location of the next book, I suppose. And I suppose I'll read it, hoping that it'll be an improvement on this one.

Paris Match by Stuart Woods (Putnam Adult, October 2014); 312 pp.

CARNAL CURIOSITY

2 stars out of 5

If you're looking for a book that reads quickly, this may be the one; I polished it off in spare time in a single day. It also follows the mundane, laid-back pattern I've found in the series featuring filthy rich attorney Stone Barrington; action happens, but nobody gets excited about it. Case in point from a phone conversation between Barrington and a friend:

Friend: "Everything all right?"

Barrington: "Well, let's see. I was at a dinner party on Saturday night when four men with shotguns arrived and took all the available jewelry."

Friend: "How interesting for you."

And so it goes from start to finish. Even Barrington's between-the-sheets adventures - and there seem to be more of them happening here than in past books - are quite ho-hum. I'm sure it's written that way intentionally, but it does seem to me I yawned through more of the pages of this one than usual. 

My interest was piqued at the outset, though, when early on Barrington is visited by a gorgeous blonde insurance adjuster sent to investigate his claim as a result of stolen works of art. Her unusual name is Crane Hart - a reversal of poet Hart Crane, who as it happens was born in Garrettsville, Ohio, not far from where I live (he died in 1932). Other than that reference, however, no more mention is made of the name - leaving me to wonder what the connection is, if any, between the poet and author Woods. 

Not long after Barrington and Hart hit the sack, she reveals that she's being stalked by her hulk of an estranged husband - who also appears to be the ringleader of a gang of thieves (remember the subject of that phone call)? Barrington and his police buddies, of course, try to round them all up; in between, Barrington also gets involved with the campaign of friend Kate - the wife of the outgoing U.S. President who has thrown her hat in the campaign ring to replace her husband. In that process, he meets yet another beauty with whom he jumps into bed almost immediately (proving, I suppose, that he's still got it even though he's old enough to be a grandfather several times over).

Oh yes, I did learn a new word: "Tsuris." It was used several times in the book, so I looked it up and found that it's defined as a Yiddish word for stress or troubles (aha - maybe that's how readers are supposed to know some of the characters really are under a bit of duress). All rightee then, I said to myself as I pondered ways to work it into future conversations.

One thing I won't be talking much about, though, is this book - somewhat entertaining, but certainly not worth paying much for.

Carnal Curiosity by Stuart Woods (Putnam Adult, April 2014); 309 pp.