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Unnatural Acts (Stone Barrington #23)

by Stuart Woods (Author), Tony Roberts (Narrator)

3.54 of 5 stars 3.54 · rating details · 1,302 ratings · 202 reviews

When a hedge fund billionaire hires Stone Barrington to talk some sense into his wayward son, it seems like an easy enough job; no one knows the hidden sins and temptations of the ultra-wealthy better than Stone. But as Stone and his erstwhile protégé, Herbie Fisher, probe deeper into the case—and an old one comes back to haunt him---he realizes that even he may have under...more

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Published April 17th 2012 by Penguin Audio (first published January 1st 2012)

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Jun 11, 2012 Loree Mathews rated it 3 of 5 stars

Another of my mindless escape authors. I am coming to the conclusion though that I am going to have to find some new authors for my mindless escapes as several of my longtime standbys are getting stale or I am getting bored. Not sure which.

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May 04, 2012 Oliver Schnusenberg rated it 3 of 5 stars

Once again by accident, I've found another character I can easily become addicted to: Stone Barrington. This was the first book of Woods I have read, and, to be honest, I'm not really sure how I feel about it.(Since I read this one, I sliced through "Dead in the Water" like butter in 2 days). Part of the book/plot, etc deserves a 5, while others could do with a 3.First, the positives. I liked the energy and flow of the book; nay three pages go by without another development; the book strings the...more

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Feb 02, 2013 Dave Freas rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Unnatural Acts

In a review of Son Of Stone, I called Stuart Woods’s novels ‘Twinkies for the mind.’

Unnatural Acts is no different. It’s another ‘cookie-cutter’ Stuart Woods novel with lots of name dropping, lots of drinking, and lots of dining at famous restaurants. The only two things not in abundance here are sex—maybe Stone is finally grieving over Arrington’s murder almost right after they were married—and detailed descriptions of flying. Woods makes up for that with a ‘Cooking with Stone’ s...more Unnatural Acts

In a review of Son Of Stone, I called Stuart Woods’s novels ‘Twinkies for the mind.’

Unnatural Acts is no different. It’s another ‘cookie-cutter’ Stuart Woods novel with lots of name dropping, lots of drinking, and lots of dining at famous restaurants. The only two things not in abundance here are sex—maybe Stone is finally grieving over Arrington’s murder almost right after they were married—and detailed descriptions of flying. Woods makes up for that with a ‘Cooking with Stone’ scene. Channeling Robert B. Parker, Stuart?

Woods continues to write what I feel is stilted, overly formal (and, hence, unrealistic) dialog. In one scene, a son has told his father he’s getting a break. The father replies, “I would be interested in knowing what you regard as ‘a break.’ Some people do talk this way but most fathers (even ones who talk this way to others) would say to a son, “Tell me about it,” or “What break?” And every time two characters meet, there is always a “Very pleased to meet you, Mr. So-and-so,” or similar exchange.

When I read a book the author heavily peppers with name dropping, I begin to wonder if (a) it’s really to give the reader a picture of the character’s lifestyle, (b) easier than coming up with a fresh way to get that information across, (c) to show how ‘up on the latest in thing’ the author is, or (d) the author boasting to us reader peons indirectly about the life he lives. Maybe I’m being cynical, but I suspect in most cases, it’s one of the last three and almost never the first. Note to all authors: strewing around famous names does not impress me.

Too many story lines running parallel to each other, none strong enough to carry the whole bolok, gave this novel a scattered feel. The main plot could have carried this novel had it been more developed but it wasn’t and as a result, the other plot lines only diluted it more. Also, many scenes seemed to focus on disgustingly rich people getting disgustingly richer, and related only marginally to crime.

I liked many of the earlier Stone Barrington books but these last few lame efforts leave me wondering has Stuart Woods grown tired of Stone Barrington? Is he running out of good ideas for his characters? Or has he become so successful he feels he can ‘phone it in,’ knowing people will buy his books anyway?

Even so, I'll probably keep reading the series. Even the healthiest eaters grab some junk food once in a while.(less)

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Aug 06, 2012 Mysterious Ed rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: legal, nyc

#12 in the Stone Barrington is more of the same guilty pleasure, fast paced, soap opera fluff that Stuart Woods has been popping out 3+ times a year. Sort of like James Patterson without all the co-authors. In this episode, a major event is the closing of Elaine's, a famous Manhatten Upper East Side eatery and Stone's favorite dinner destination, after the owner's death.

Stone Barrington series - Barrington, partner in the prestigious law firm Woodman & Weld, plays a mostly subsidiary, advis...more

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Jun 20, 2012 Gerald rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, author-woods, genre-fiction, genre-mystery

Stuart Woods’ most recent offering in his Stone Barrington series is pretty good. Stone’s erstwhile pest Herbie Fisher has radically evolved from his character in earlier novels as a tabloid-level photographer attending night law school to become an associate attorney at Stone’s prestigious law firm Woodman and Wells. After a series of deft maneuvers and a lot of luck, Herbie, who now wishes to be called Herb, starts to “make some rain,” i.e., bring in some substantial new business and big-name...more

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Feb 17, 2013 Nathan Flamank rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I so wish I could say something good about this book but I can't. I have read Woods' novels for over twenty years and feel so hard done by of late by how lazy Mr Woods has become. His last six or so novels have been terrible and this is a real stinker.

There is no real story to this novel, just a series of inter-connecting "semi-stories", all of which are so unbelievable as to have had me cringing with every page read.

The women are nothing more than sexual receptacles for the various male charact...more

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Dec 27, 2012 Jerry rated it 2 of 5 stars

We enjoyed the early couple of dozen books in Woods’ bibliography, but the Stone Barrington set in recent years has been little better than pulp fiction about the lives of the rich, especially our leading man/playboy. “Acts” doesn’t stray far from the script. Stone’s favorite restaurant, Elaine’s, is closing six month’s after the owner’s death; and Stone, cop buddy Dino, and the now Washington-based Holly, et al, are having a farewell dinner. We particularly liked Woods’ Holly Barker set, but la...more

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May 17, 2012 Monnie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Funny, but I thought I'd read at least one of Woods's Stone Barrington novels, but once I started, nothing sounded familiar - except that I was struck by the similarity with John Sandford's "Prey" series. Barrington, a former cop turned attorney, is a more genteel version of Sandford's Deputy Chief Lucas Davenport, and Woods writes in a more laid-back fashion than Sandford. Everything moves along smoothly, but I noticed a decided lack of excitement (for want of a better word) on the part of all...more Funny, but I thought I'd read at least one of Woods's Stone Barrington novels, but once I started, nothing sounded familiar - except that I was struck by the similarity with John Sandford's "Prey" series. Barrington, a former cop turned attorney, is a more genteel version of Sandford's Deputy Chief Lucas Davenport, and Woods writes in a more laid-back fashion than Sandford. Everything moves along smoothly, but I noticed a decided lack of excitement (for want of a better word) on the part of all the characters. Everything that happens seems to be accepted quite matter-of-factly.

It's not that things don't happen; Barrington and his lawyer pal Herbie Fisher, hired to keep an eye on a wealthy client's son, soon learn it's not all that easy to do when the son is a drug dealer and sociopath. Concurrently, Barrington's cop pal Dino learns an old nemesis and in-the-sack buddy who's on the Most Wanted list is back. And Herbie, who's trying hard to earn his stripes at their prestigious law firm, keeps busy reeling in new clients who just fall into his lap.

Besides the noticeable lack of enthusiasm, a couple of other things were bothersome in this book, the first of which is the lack of background information that would be helpful to someone who hasn't read earlier books. Second is that the person I consider to be the main character, Barrington, makes himself rather scarce as the focus is mostly on Herbie and Dino. But perhaps the worst is that the only thing the characters seem to give a rat's patoot about is that their long-time favorite hangout, Elaine's restaurant, has closed (apparently since the last book in the series, Elaine bit the dust) and they can't find a decent alternate.

Bottom line? If Woods writes another in the series, I'll probably try it. As for this one, ho hum.

AFTERWORD: It's rare that I read the writer's acknowledgements and such at the end of a book, but for whatever reason, I browsed through what Woods wrote here. I must say I was shocked and disappointed, to put it mildly, at his directive that should readers find typos or grammatical errors they feel compelled to point out, they're to contact his publishing company, not him.

I've gone through quite a few red pencils in my many years as a professional journalist and copyeditor of work by writers like you, Mr. Woods, and I do agree that in the end, the buck does stop at the publishing house. If a mistake appeared in one of "my" newspapers, it meant we (or I) weren't thorough enough. But in no way does that let writers off the hook; if you're a professional (and being paid, no doubt handsomely in the case of a best-selling author), it's expected that you turn out copy that's as close to error free as possible. To cavalierly dump all the responsibility at the feet of anyone else is not only unfair, but egregious. Shame on you!
(less)

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Jan 30, 2013 Samantha rated it 3 of 5 stars

What is it about Stuart Woods and the hapless Stone Barrington that I simply cannot resist? I think it is all the jokes my husband and I crack when we are reading the novels! It seems that good old ne'er-do-well Herbie Fisher is being groomed to take Stone's place as the "go to guy" at Woodman & Weld. Too bad Herbie will have none of it, and has the moxie (you know what I mean) to go against corporate lawyer wishes and let his employer know how he (now, just Herb if you please) plans to go a...more

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Apr 24, 2012 Michael rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: No one

Shelves: stone-barrington, stuart-woods

Unnatural Acts is a worthless addition to the Stone Barrington series. For one, Stone Barrington isn't even the main character in the book, being relegated to supporting status to two other regular characters.

It's not clear why Woods felt the need to elevate Herbie Fisher's role in this series from comic relief to "Stone Barrington Lite". In one book, Fisher goes from a lowly associate to the fastest rising senior associate in the history of Woodman & Weld.

It's one thing to relegate Stone in...more

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Jul 08, 2012 Patricia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the first Stone Barrington novel I've read in awhile - I was so disappointed with the last one i read (Strategic Moves) that I took a break from Stuart Woods. Unnatural Acts was similar to the first few SB novels that I've read and i enjoyed it so much more. Welcome Back Mr. Woods!!!

I read a recent review where the reader indicated that she was disappointed because Stone (the main character) wasn't utilized as much and she surmised that both the author and Stone were getting old. Well, I...more

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May 25, 2012 Nancy rated it 3 of 5 stars

OK. Sounds like he will spinoff a series about Herbie, excuse me, Herb. Spent more time describing Herb's life, instead of Stone's. But story was good, kept your attention. Fast read.

When a hedge fund billionaire hires Stone Barrington to talk some sense into his wayward son, it seems like an easy enough job; no one knows the hidden sins and temptations of the ultra-wealthy better than Stone. But as Stone and his erstwhile protégé, Herbie Fisher, probe deeper into the case—and an old one comes b...more

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Feb 07, 2013 Al rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Stuart Woods is in top form…and so is his perennially popular hero, Stone Barrington!When a hedge fund billionaire hires Stone Barrington to talk some sense into his wayward son, it seems like an easy enough job; no one knows the hidden sins and temptations of the ultra-wealthy better than Stone. But as Stone and his erstwhile protégé, Herbie Fisher, probe deeper into the case—and an old one comes back to haunt him---he realizes that even he may have underestimated just how far some people will

...more

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Jul 06, 2012 Pam rated it 1 of 5 stars

Sad to say, but over the last few years, Stuart Woods' writing has just gone downhill. The last few Stone books have been almost torture to get through. Unnatural Acts was no exception. In fact, this was the first Woods book that I didn't even finish. I just couldn't. I read up til the third chapter, and that was enough.

As others have mentioned here on Goodreads, this book seems to be all Herbie Fisher. From what I remember, wasn't Herbie a real moron? Had a law degree from some fly-by-night jo...more

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Aug 19, 2012 Gae-Lynn Woods rated it 4 of 5 stars

Confession: I love Stone and Dino and will happily open any Barrington novel. But UNNATURAL ACTS was a weird one, almost like a place filler between D.C. DEAD and whatever comes next. Other reviewers have commented that it focused more on Herbie (now "Herb") Fisher rather than on Dino or Stone. I agree. It sets Herbie (oops, Herb) up for greater roles in future books, and introduces another baddie, Dink Brennan, into the mix.

Do I recommend the novel? Yes, because it's part of the Stone Barringto...more

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Mar 01, 2013 Amy D rated it 1 of 5 stars

Why do I still bother reading Woods? Not that the book was unbearable but they have become very light on plot and big on unrealistic money spewing fluff. Eating out every night and whining because your favorite restaurant has closed. Not just in this book, but I don't even think the Mayor has his own driver and can take time off work to fly around with Stone at the drop of a hat. Stone was a secondary character in this and all the stories didn't even seem to interconnect. I find some of the outr...more

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May 31, 2012 G G rated it 2 of 5 stars

Stuart Woods once had a good thing going with Stone Barrington, but the character is getting old, literally and figuratively. It's almost as though Woods has either gotten tired of the character, or has run out of new and interesting material.

This book is a case in point. Stone once again encounters a woman who just 'happens' to live at the other end of the private garden behind his home in turtle bay. That's a huge coincidence in a city the size of New York City.

And every chapter is filled with...more

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Jun 06, 2012 Jay Connor rated it 3 of 5 stars

Stuart Woods is back up to fluff.

My review of Woods’ last effort – D.C. Dead – was less than complimentary. The only positive note I could strike was at least he hadn’t started farming out his characters to subcontractors like James Patterson has.

Stuart Woods is back up to fluff.

He’s right at the sweet spot of three stars. While this outing has more of a day-in-the-life feel (i.e. no overarching case to propel the plot), it is enjoyable and a relief to those of us who have followed Woods for o...more

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Jul 16, 2012 Chris rated it 3 of 5 stars

If you haven't read Stuart Woods before, don't start here. This book is a shadow of earlier books in the Woods New York series. Woods seems to be afraid to let his lead characters suffer for more than a few pages before a sweeping solution is handed down. While in lesser author's hands this lack of tension would kill a novel, Woods has a near magical ability with dialogue that keeps me reading. Even the character portrayed as a moron in earlier books in this series has been transformed into a le...more

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Jan 09, 2013 Cathy rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

Gosh - another book not worth finishing. Is it just me? I know it's not, as others in my book club commented recently on the declining (or declined) quality of many popular writers' works. Do they even werite these themselves?

I've always loved Stuart Woods and Stone Barrington, but have despaired of finding another good book in that series. I panned Son of Stone and couldn't imagine things getting worse, but guess what? Now it's Herbie Fisher - Herbie Fisher is no Stone Barrington (then again,...more

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May 20, 2012 Skip rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: crime-detective

Woods has become the new Robert Parker (i.e., too formulaic.) Stone takes a back seat in this novel to Herbie Fisher, who has become the "new" fixer at Woodman & Weld. He is enlisted to help the troubled son of a hedge fund owner and his assistance showers him with opportunties, on which he capitalizes. Stone's new romantic interest is being threatened by a talent manager and one of Dino's team is almost killed trying to catch him. Dino's love life is also problematic as he continues his dan...more

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May 03, 2012 Kay rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

Although Woods writes a fair story the characters are so shallow, egotistical, oversexed and completely unbelievable. For example when first introduced Herbie Fisher was a bumbling comical foolish little guy. He was almost likable till Wood developed him into a Stone clone and now he is a ritzy lawyer with millionaire clients falling all over themselves to hire him.

I keep waiting for Woods to write a good book like his first ones. If I wasn't OCD I'd give up on this series but I keep reading an...more

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Apr 24, 2012 Kristin rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, smut, series, suspense-thrillers

I don't know why I keep reading this series. They're always the same. Stone and Dino have lots of sex, drink lots of whiskey and deal with huge amounts of money and bad guys. Nothing ever deep happens. When Stones wife died in the one book I don't think it took him 2 weeks before he was having sex with someone else.

This one deals more with Herbie than anything. It was totally unbelievable to me that Herbie went from this annoying, obnoxious pain in the butt that Stone did everything he could to...more

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Aug 05, 2012 Ron rated it 3 of 5 stars

After reading about 2 dozen of the Stone Barrington series, it is still kinda fun to read about Stone and Dino having lots of sex, drinking lots of whiskey and dealing with huge amounts of money and bad guys. But this book is about good old obnoxious Herbie who has changed to an unbelievable clone of Stone. The unrealistic story moves along at a fast pace and nothing disastrous happens until chapter 31. I thought that the conclusion ended too fast, when there was a lot of opportunity for includi...more

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Oct 14, 2012 Mike Allen rated it 2 of 5 stars

I like woods books they are quick reads, kind of fun, sexy is ok, but really getting old with
everything comming so easy for these people. life is not like that. most people have to work a lifetime to make stones kind of money. I know woods feels like fantacy makes the read more enjoyable but, I start saying "yeah, right,"alot these days when i read his books.Mr woods should realize people are becoming disinchanted with his recent books. and start letting his characters face some real life situat...more

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Jun 04, 2012 Leslie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: audiobook, mystery

Stone Barrington returns along with his side-kick Dino for another adventure in the 23rd book in this series.

Now back in New York, after a brief trip to Washington D.C. ( DC Dead), Stone is helping a hedge fund billionaire get his rebellious son out of some money troubles. The son has borrowed a significant amount from a loan shark and has been selling illegal drugs.

So what does Stone do to help his client? He passes the case off to a law firm Associate, Herbie Fisher. Most of the story and plot...more

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May 29, 2012 Anita rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

Lately when I pick up the next in the Stone Barrington series I wonder why I do so - would it hurt me to put it back down? The Stone books have a certain formula that worked for quite some time, but seems "old skool" now...rich, misogynist lawyer with babes falling into his bed solves the mysteries and problems of the elite, drawing like-minded characters into his orbit and becoming richer in the process. However this book sets a crack in the mold by substituting the formerly comedic Herbie Fish...more

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Nov 01, 2012 S.L. Pierce rated it 1 of 5 stars

I believe I said a while ago that I wouldn't read anymore of Stuart Woods books because they had gone downhill. However, desperate for something to read I took a chance on this one when I saw it at the library. Big mistake. Just more of the same. Lots of money and sex with no plot. Everyone accomplishes difficult tasks with a minimum of effort.
Stuart Woods should either put some effort into his books or quit writing. He used to be one of the best and to go out like this makes me sad.

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Sep 27, 2012 J.R. rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: mysteries

This was my first Stuart Woods novel and I see no reason for wasting time on more.

New York Times Bestselling Author? I can’t imagine why if this is an example of his work. Underdeveloped characters obsessed with money, glitz and glimmer; no plot and little mystery. There are at least two incidents which, if not impossible, could be cited as implausible.

Did he jot this down between shots of Knob Creek or dictate it to a secretary on the way to the bank?

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May 31, 2012 Don Gorman rated it 3 of 5 stars

Stuart Woods may not be the best writer on the planet and Stone Barrington may not be the coolest guy in New York, but....I love them. Stuart Woods is as entertaining a writer as there is around. Always fast moving fun in great big gobs. Yeah, Herbie Fisher was made into an up and coming star in this one but he will probably return to aa more reasonable role in the future. It still revolves around Stone, and that is great. I can't wait for the next one.

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About Stuart Woods

Stuart Woods is the author of forty-four novels, including the New York Times-bestselling Stone Barrington series and Holly Barker series. The last twenty-eight of them have been New York Times best-sellers. He is an avid private pilot, flying his own jet on two book tours a year. His latest novel is Santa Fe Edge,to be published on September 21st. You may see his tour schedule and learn more abou...more

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Dead In The Water (Stone Barrington, #3)

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Unnatural Acts (Stone Barrington #23)

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