My Reading List - Stuart Woods

Stuart Woods novels are fun to read. They don’t usually have complicate plots. The stories are like from cookie cutters. Readers can easily tell the writing style and find a template of Stuart’s work (I can only comment on the Stone Barrington novels). Stone, a former cop, is a lawyer of a New York City law firm. Together with Dino Bacchetti, his ex-partner NYPD, a funny character, Stone solved many cases that trouble the law firm’s clients. 

Stone’s series, usually involve a luxury life style with high class. Stone likes fine food, flying, boating and of course, woman, especially mystery women, spies and murders. 

Another featured character (of its own series) focuses on a CIA officer, Holly Barker, works with Stone from time to time. 

I take Stuart’s books as good fillers in between of some heavy duty thriller books. I read many of the Stone Barrington books. The quality is not getting better. especially the most recent one, the Unnatural Act.

Stone Barrington novels

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)                  - British spy Carpenter and assassin La Biche, at New York
10. Reckless Abandon (2004)
11. Two Dollar Bill (2005)
12. Dark Harbor (2006)                - Dick Stone's case and murders at Dark Harbor, Maine
13. Fresh Disasters (2007)            - Lawsuit against Carmine Datilla, the mob, for Herbie Fisher.
14. Shoot Him If He Runs (2007)            - Where is Teddy Fay? St.Marks Island.
15. Hot Mahogany (2008)                        - The missing antique mahogany secretary.
16. Loitering With Intent (2009)  - Evan Keating and the family business, at FL keys and CT
17. Kisser (2010)               - Kerry became a new Broadway star, and Derek Sharpe’s case.
18. Lucid Intervals (2010)            - Where is Stanley Whitestone? Herbie Fisher won the lottery, etc.
19. Strategic Moves (2011)  - Pablo Gelbhardt, the transported fugitive. Jack Gunn’s case.
20. Bel-Air Dead (2011)   - The selling of Arrington’s Centurion Studios to Terry Prince in LA.
21. Son of Stone (September 20, 2011)
22. D.C. Dead (December 27, 2011)
23. Unnatural Acts –  Herbert Fisher’s on a Investor’s son and drug case after Elaine closed.
24. Severe Clear (2013) - Terrorists planned to bomb at the opening of the Arrington Hotel where everyone mentioned in his earlier books, including the presidents, came to the ceremony. Who were Wynken, Blynken, and Nod? Looked like the author wanted to end the story in a rush.

Holly Barker novels

1. Orchid Beach – Holly’s early graduation from farm and hunt for Teddy Fay in New York.