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Stone Barrington #13
Fresh Disasters
A chance encounter with a small-time crook sends Stone Barrington straight into the heart of New York’s mafia underworld in this action-packed thriller in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.
It started out as just another late night at Elaine’s, but it ended with Stone on the horns of a dilemma. Forced to represent a sleazy but clueless con man, Stone finds that what could have been a throwaway case instead leads right to Carmine Datilla, a powerful mob boss with a notoriously bad temper and long reach. With the help of his ex-partner, Dino, Stone investigates “Datilla the Hun,” and the rest of the mob family, encountering intrigue and danger at every turn. Will Stone finally take a stand, or will he end up at the bottom of Sheepshead Bay?
It started out as just another late night at Elaine’s, but it ended with Stone on the horns of a dilemma. Forced to represent a sleazy but clueless con man, Stone finds that what could have been a throwaway case instead leads right to Carmine Datilla, a powerful mob boss with a notoriously bad temper and long reach. With the help of his ex-partner, Dino, Stone investigates “Datilla the Hun,” and the rest of the mob family, encountering intrigue and danger at every turn. Will Stone finally take a stand, or will he end up at the bottom of Sheepshead Bay?
333 pages, Paperback
First published April 10, 2007
803 people are currently reading
1781 people want to read
About the author
Stuart Woods
399 books3,197 followersStuart Woods was an American novelist best known for Chiefs and his long-running Stone Barrington series. A Georgia native, he initially pursued a career in advertising before relocating to England and Ireland, where he developed a passion for sailing. His love for the sport led him to write his first published work, Blue Water, Green Skipper, about his experiences in a transatlantic yacht race.
His debut novel, Chiefs, was inspired by a family story about his grandfather, a police chief. The book, a gripping crime saga spanning several decades, won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel and was later adapted into a television miniseries. It launched Woods' career as a novelist, leading to a prolific output of thrillers.
Woods' most famous creation, Stone Barrington, is a former NYPD detective turned high-profile lawyer who navigates elite circles while solving crimes. The series became a bestseller and remained a staple of his career, often featuring crossover characters from his other books, such as CIA operative Holly Barker and defense lawyer Ed Eagle.
Beyond writing, Woods was an experienced pilot and yachtsman. He maintained homes in Florida, Maine, and New Mexico, where he lived with his wife and their Labrador, Fred. His literary career spanned decades, with dozens of bestsellers to his name.
His debut novel, Chiefs, was inspired by a family story about his grandfather, a police chief. The book, a gripping crime saga spanning several decades, won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel and was later adapted into a television miniseries. It launched Woods' career as a novelist, leading to a prolific output of thrillers.
Woods' most famous creation, Stone Barrington, is a former NYPD detective turned high-profile lawyer who navigates elite circles while solving crimes. The series became a bestseller and remained a staple of his career, often featuring crossover characters from his other books, such as CIA operative Holly Barker and defense lawyer Ed Eagle.
Beyond writing, Woods was an experienced pilot and yachtsman. He maintained homes in Florida, Maine, and New Mexico, where he lived with his wife and their Labrador, Fred. His literary career spanned decades, with dozens of bestsellers to his name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 357 reviews
August 24, 2017
Great series! a fun,enjoyable,mystery and solid storyline with the usual scenes of Stone getting laid and trying to solve this very violent and difficult case..well written (paperback!)
April 4, 2015
What can I say, this is one entertaining series. My first Stuart Woods novel, and I'm hooked to Tony Roberts reading the audio version.
October 19, 2025
3 Stars. Do you enjoy trying to figure-out the origins of a novel's title? Sometimes it's obscure, as with some of John Sandford's Prey series. Others are easy. In this case Lieutenant Bacchetti offers this line at Elaine's restaurant, "All right (Stone), what fresh disaster has visited you now?" We follow a tumultuous week in the life of Stone Barrington of New York's Woodman and Weld law firm. To answer Dino, there are at least three disasters. Nothing goes as planned. Remember Herbie Fisher from #9, Dirty Work? The bumblesome young man who fell through a skylight and killed a suspect. This time he needs Stone to help him sue a mob figure, Datilla the Hun, for having thugs beat him up for unpaid gambling debts. Dangerous or what? Then there's Bernice, the wife of Bernie Finger, a mob lawyer, who wants Stone to represent her in a multi-million dollar divorce suit because Bernie bought a condo near Central Park for his mistress. Lastly, there's Stone's masseuse, the lovely and very tall Celia Cox, who wants a restraining order on her abusive, former boyfriend - it's the worst disaster of all. Fun, fast and furious, and Stone actually practices some law! (Mar2023/Oc2025)
March 30, 2011
I did not like this book whatsoever. The main character is a shallow, egotistical man that seems to have been created from the mind of a pubescent middle school boy's image of "the perfect guy that all women would swoon over". He possesses am easy button in the form of a cop friend who magically has endless resources dedicated to bailing out the main character, but apparently can not keep his own officers safe, nor seems to have all that much feeling about it, as exhibited by him expressing a feeling of success in a mission that went so wrong, a female officer was raped while the cops were outside the door. And the way women are portrayed---- wow. Unprofessional sex addicts is the way this author apparently views them.
My review: Glad I got this book for free. I will not be reading anymore of these.
My review: Glad I got this book for free. I will not be reading anymore of these.
July 15, 2015
I shamelessly admit: I am in total spellbound fascination with the "Stone Series". (if that makes sense?)
While this was not a five star intallment in the series, it was a fast read with really good dialogue amongst the characters, something I personally adore.
I really recommend reading this series in order; it fliws better that way...ah, heck...maybe I am just a sucker for the semi-womanizing, slick, rich Stone and his wisecracking, textbook New Yorker BFF Bachetti.
Take it with a grain if salt my reading pals; it is fiction and meant to entertain us...in that I believe, Mr. Woods nails it.
Happy Holidays to you all!
Cheers and pardon any spelling errors! :-) - Lisa
@NurseLisainOhio/twitter
{this review was posted upon completion of the e-book via my NOOKColor® by Barnes & Noble. Follow on Twitter @NOOKbn or visit www.bn.com/NOOK & to learn how you too can Read Forever™!}
While this was not a five star intallment in the series, it was a fast read with really good dialogue amongst the characters, something I personally adore.
I really recommend reading this series in order; it fliws better that way...ah, heck...maybe I am just a sucker for the semi-womanizing, slick, rich Stone and his wisecracking, textbook New Yorker BFF Bachetti.
Take it with a grain if salt my reading pals; it is fiction and meant to entertain us...in that I believe, Mr. Woods nails it.
Happy Holidays to you all!
Cheers and pardon any spelling errors! :-) - Lisa
@NurseLisainOhio/twitter
{this review was posted upon completion of the e-book via my NOOKColor® by Barnes & Noble. Follow on Twitter @NOOKbn or visit www.bn.com/NOOK & to learn how you too can Read Forever™!}
July 28, 2012
The one thing I can say for this book is that it was a fast read! Nowadays, a lot of emphasis is placed on the pace of a book. For some reason, a lot of people want to know that they can get through whatever they are reading quickly.
A fast read should not be confused with being a page-turner. There's a subtle difference between them. A fast read is usually very light reading which relies on a dialogue-heavy narrative. You don't often find much description or character development and the plot is not deeply intricate. A page turner, on the other hand, often has all of these elements. (Child 44, for example, was page turner. I could not put that book down!) Some fast reads are satisfying - like Jaguar Sun and Children of the Street - and Fresh Disasters would have been among them if I hadn't been gobsmacked by one particular event in the plot.
The lawyer cum private investigator, Stone Barrington, (what are parents who name their child "Stone" trying to say?) is in and out of bed with three women over the course of the book. Apparently, women can't hold onto their panties when he's around. That doesn't bother me so much as I think I'm probably not the author's audience (I'm guessing he's writing for male fantasists). What did bother me was that one of the women was killed quite horribly and Stone showed about as much emotion as, well, a stone would. I mean zero, zip. In fact, that very night he slept in the arms of another woman (out of respect, they didn't have sex) and the next morning he was making plans to hook up with her for the sex they'd missed. Huh. Clearly, in Stone's universe, women are not only disposable but are also quickly replaced.
I avoid giving two star reviews because I know authors work hard but this time "it was ok' seems about right.
A fast read should not be confused with being a page-turner. There's a subtle difference between them. A fast read is usually very light reading which relies on a dialogue-heavy narrative. You don't often find much description or character development and the plot is not deeply intricate. A page turner, on the other hand, often has all of these elements. (Child 44, for example, was page turner. I could not put that book down!) Some fast reads are satisfying - like Jaguar Sun and Children of the Street - and Fresh Disasters would have been among them if I hadn't been gobsmacked by one particular event in the plot.
The lawyer cum private investigator, Stone Barrington, (what are parents who name their child "Stone" trying to say?) is in and out of bed with three women over the course of the book. Apparently, women can't hold onto their panties when he's around. That doesn't bother me so much as I think I'm probably not the author's audience (I'm guessing he's writing for male fantasists). What did bother me was that one of the women was killed quite horribly and Stone showed about as much emotion as, well, a stone would. I mean zero, zip. In fact, that very night he slept in the arms of another woman (out of respect, they didn't have sex) and the next morning he was making plans to hook up with her for the sex they'd missed. Huh. Clearly, in Stone's universe, women are not only disposable but are also quickly replaced.
I avoid giving two star reviews because I know authors work hard but this time "it was ok' seems about right.
August 31, 2024
This was a filler book and it was NOT good. The plot was SO bad. Bill Eggers needs to be cut lose. He’s mentally unstable and gives cases to Stone because I think he wants him to be killed. Mind you I’m beginning to want Stone killed too.
The rape part was especially heinous and was not treated well at all. If Stuart Woods’s wasn’t already dead, I’d definitely be writing him an email 🙄🙄🙄
Herbie is back and a lawyer all of a sudden uhm sure ok. He had people out to kill him but is smart enough to outmaneuver them several times. Sure ok.
He kills the head mob boss and gets away with it too🙄🙄🙄🥱🥱🥱
Side plot of a 6’3” masseuse that’s f-ing Stone and gets her head cut off. Could have done without that
AND all the people that were raped or killed in this one was really really awful. I think I need a break from Stone. At this point, I want everyone dead even Elaine and Dino 🫣🫣🫠🫠🫠
The rape part was especially heinous and was not treated well at all. If Stuart Woods’s wasn’t already dead, I’d definitely be writing him an email 🙄🙄🙄
Herbie is back and a lawyer all of a sudden uhm sure ok. He had people out to kill him but is smart enough to outmaneuver them several times. Sure ok.
He kills the head mob boss and gets away with it too🙄🙄🙄🥱🥱🥱
Side plot of a 6’3” masseuse that’s f-ing Stone and gets her head cut off. Could have done without that
AND all the people that were raped or killed in this one was really really awful. I think I need a break from Stone. At this point, I want everyone dead even Elaine and Dino 🫣🫣🫠🫠🫠
October 23, 2016
I read this so I can be a well-rounded public librarian.
And read it I did, though I did not enjoy it. Sure the pacing drives you through the plot, but it's nothing new. Macho lawyer, ex-cop Stone Barrington manages to bed three different women throughout the book, when he's supposed to be representing a client who can't stay put or listen to reason. It's full of cliche writing and characters with each new introduction seeming to try to one-up the last.
*spoiler*
The finale is terrible offensive, depicting rape as just another "in the line of duty" task for a female officer. But she "takes it like a champ", says one of the other cops. This horribly gratuitous turn of events was the last nail in the coffin for me.
At least I know what I've been missing now.
And read it I did, though I did not enjoy it. Sure the pacing drives you through the plot, but it's nothing new. Macho lawyer, ex-cop Stone Barrington manages to bed three different women throughout the book, when he's supposed to be representing a client who can't stay put or listen to reason. It's full of cliche writing and characters with each new introduction seeming to try to one-up the last.
*spoiler*
The finale is terrible offensive, depicting rape as just another "in the line of duty" task for a female officer. But she "takes it like a champ", says one of the other cops. This horribly gratuitous turn of events was the last nail in the coffin for me.
At least I know what I've been missing now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2024
Another hard scrabble private detective beating the bad guys. This one has sharp dialogue, 3 love conquests by the main character and (amazingly-just kidding) all 3 women just finished in the top ten in the last Miss World Contest-LOL! Give a Mafia boss, psycho stalker and an adulterous lawyer their just dues & was entertaining.
September 11, 2023
This one was so great. I love the books with Herbie in them. Herbie is an idiot. He’s always in trouble. Always creating headaches for Stone. Never listening to advice. He’s funny and stupid. He’s perfect. Love, love, love this one.
On to the next one.
On to the next one.
August 16, 2007
Love the Stone Barrington novels...Start from the beginning, New York Dead.
March 3, 2023
Choppy, but suspenseful. Better than some of the earlier books in the series.
March 22, 2012
"Fresh Disasters" is the first Stuart Woods book I have read, but it is the thirteenth book to feature his detective/lawyer Stone Barrington. Here's what I liked: Woods tells a darn good story, filled with the right amount of suspense and action, tempered with a healthy dose of humor and some snappy dialogue. Woods reminds me of another good mystery writer, the late Robert Parker. Parker's beloved detective, Spenser, was, like Stone, a manly, wise-cracking do-gooder. Here's what I didn't like: Stone is a lawyer. I'm kind of sick of lawyers. Not that I, personally, have come in contact with a lot of lawyers. I just think it's an oversaturated market. There are a ridiculous amount of TV shows about lawyers, as well as numerous authors who have lawyers as their protagonists. Yawn. Also, Stone Barrington suffers from the same malady that Parker's Spenser suffered from in later novels: perfection. There is, from what I could gather, nothing wrong with Stone. He's not an alcoholic. He doesn't have an annoying ex-wife. He doesn't have any children from a previous marriage with which he's struggling to build a relationship. He doesn't have any addictions of any kind (although a case can be made for sex addiction, because he gets laid an awful lot). He doesn't have any morally questionable or dysfunctional personality traits whatsoever. Woods, you gotta gimme something here... I guess I'm not a huge fan of protagonists who have no flaws, tragic or otherwise, unless they're superheroes. Even then, superheroes usually have some fatal flaw. Even Superman had kryptonite. All that being said, "Fresh Disasters" was a good, quick read. I'll probably give Woods another chance.
June 22, 2015
I am really tired of Stone Barrington. This is one of Woods better Barrington books of recent years but all Stone does is eat, drink, have sex, have sex, eat, and then drink! In this book, he is having sex with more than one woman at a time (not in the same session although that will probaly be in his next Barrington book). I could tell which one of his sex partners was going to get "knocked off" (notice I didn't say "knocked you-know-what") because he did not seem to feel too guilty about cheating on her.
Oh, and sometimes he solves a crime.
On top of all that, the editting is bad.
Oh, and sometimes he solves a crime.
On top of all that, the editting is bad.
August 16, 2022
My history with Stuart Woods is not stellar. Maybe I'm just picking up the wrong books. Or maybe I just don't have the patience for the unlikeable characters -- the main character being one of the biggest jerks of all. Perhaps its the consistent use of the F-word when wholly unnecessary. Or maybe it was near the end when and while the perp was caught and going to be prosecuted -- it was just blown off as if it was nothing.
I may have to look more closely next time I pick one of Mr. Wood's books up.
I may have to look more closely next time I pick one of Mr. Wood's books up.
January 24, 2019
Usual level of action and intrigue, but this entry to the series verges on slapstick too often.
I've always sensed that about Woods's writing in the series, but this time it has come tumbling out more freely.
I can't decide whether I'm more entertained or annoyed.
I've always sensed that about Woods's writing in the series, but this time it has come tumbling out more freely.
I can't decide whether I'm more entertained or annoyed.
December 1, 2020
This one was a doozy, but I enjoyed it very much.
December 25, 2021
These are always a fun read.
I swear Stuart Woods lives through his
character Stone Barrington.
I swear Stuart Woods lives through his
character Stone Barrington.
June 12, 2023
This was a total diversion. Over the years, I have read numerous books by Stuart Woods, mostly when I was in my 20s. Fast forward to today, and after a 10 year hiatus, I picked up a Stone Barrington novel. It brought back a lot of memories in the sense that Woods has done this type of formula so much that it was like being transported back to 1993, when I first started reading his work.
Different story, same storyline. I am glad that this is over. It was strictly ok, and nothing to write home about. Woods writing has reached the level of James Patterson, and I truly cannot stand Patterson at all.
Read this if you must, but I promise, you will not be blown away by the story or the writing.
Time for another hiatus from Woods. A very long time.
Different story, same storyline. I am glad that this is over. It was strictly ok, and nothing to write home about. Woods writing has reached the level of James Patterson, and I truly cannot stand Patterson at all.
Read this if you must, but I promise, you will not be blown away by the story or the writing.
Time for another hiatus from Woods. A very long time.
March 24, 2020
Another interesting Stone Barrington.
October 9, 2025
I had to look at the copyright date on this book assuming it was written in the 1960s or 1970s but no. This book was actually written in 2007. The rape scene was almost as disturbing as the way Stone treated it with little emotion as he went to sleep in the arms of another women. Same for the beheading of his previous paramour that seemed void of emotion. Most of the interactions with characters including the female DA was like a bad early 70s movie. I cannot even fathom why this writer had been so many books published.
Read
October 5, 2025Aug 2013 # 13 of 66
March 1, 2025
One of the better outings: over the top but no wild implausibilities
May 14, 2025
April 2025. The last two chapters will always be a fun read!!!!!!!! Next. 1/1/26
2024. Up to 4 stars. This one is for Herbie groupiess - if any exist.
Feb 2021. LP. Two stories going at the same time: Herbies' Foibles and the Devlin Sick Saga.
July 2019 Obviously this is my equivalent of mac n'cheese - comfort food. I did skip over one of the sub-plot's sexist reaction to the rape scene and Dino's inappropriate reaction of overall glass .
I just reduced the rating to ***.
March 17, 2016 Just re-read this book for the sixth time. I needed a break from over-dosing on James Patterson and his stable of ghost writers, some of whom I really enjoy and some who I can't even get through a few chapters. But I digress - back to Stuart Woods. I returned to an easy and comfortable read. It seems like I gravitate to this story every 9 months or so. I shall be reading this again, according to my calculations, in November of 2016. We shall see. When you think about it, the divorce proceedings are absolutely hysterical. A multi-million property settlement with prior funds that had subsequently been co-mingled all resolved in 24 hours, the after a Vegas interlude, got resolved in toto in 6 hours. Amazing! Farfetched! Amazing!
June 2015 book on tape thoroughly enjoying as a book on tape
Jan 2014 re-re-read guess i'm not quite finished.
7-10-2013 I think I just re-re-read this one. I'm now finished ith this book.
re-read on 11-13-2011. still like it.
may 2011 - i liked this one, felt like i've already read it but not sure
Herbie convinces Bill Eggers, the managing partner of Woodman & Weld, to sign him on as a client-with the goal of taking down the infamous mafia boss Carmine Datilla. And even though Stone doesn't want to have anything to do with Herbie-or the mafia, for that matter-he is soon coerced into being Herbie's lawyer.
New entrY
August 2022. Oy Herbie..but he does mature into another personality in the future.
2024. Up to 4 stars. This one is for Herbie groupiess - if any exist.
Feb 2021. LP. Two stories going at the same time: Herbies' Foibles and the Devlin Sick Saga.
July 2019 Obviously this is my equivalent of mac n'cheese - comfort food. I did skip over one of the sub-plot's sexist reaction to the rape scene and Dino's inappropriate reaction of overall glass .
I just reduced the rating to ***.
March 17, 2016 Just re-read this book for the sixth time. I needed a break from over-dosing on James Patterson and his stable of ghost writers, some of whom I really enjoy and some who I can't even get through a few chapters. But I digress - back to Stuart Woods. I returned to an easy and comfortable read. It seems like I gravitate to this story every 9 months or so. I shall be reading this again, according to my calculations, in November of 2016. We shall see. When you think about it, the divorce proceedings are absolutely hysterical. A multi-million property settlement with prior funds that had subsequently been co-mingled all resolved in 24 hours, the after a Vegas interlude, got resolved in toto in 6 hours. Amazing! Farfetched! Amazing!
June 2015 book on tape thoroughly enjoying as a book on tape
Jan 2014 re-re-read guess i'm not quite finished.
7-10-2013 I think I just re-re-read this one. I'm now finished ith this book.
re-read on 11-13-2011. still like it.
may 2011 - i liked this one, felt like i've already read it but not sure
Herbie convinces Bill Eggers, the managing partner of Woodman & Weld, to sign him on as a client-with the goal of taking down the infamous mafia boss Carmine Datilla. And even though Stone doesn't want to have anything to do with Herbie-or the mafia, for that matter-he is soon coerced into being Herbie's lawyer.
New entrY
August 2022. Oy Herbie..but he does mature into another personality in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2025
The same loveable characters in a bit lame story but nevertheless an enjoyable read. Too chauvinistic for my 13 year old daughter but could interest my 19 year old son.
February 15, 2023
Fast moving and fun read
This was a quick two day read. Stone Barrington books are ridiculously entertaining and tough to put down. Well done, Mr. Woods.
This was a quick two day read. Stone Barrington books are ridiculously entertaining and tough to put down. Well done, Mr. Woods.
March 20, 2019
Elaine's late... Is the opening. Stone, Dino, and a varied assortment of beautiful women are always at Elaine's late in this book, number 13 in the series. Besides all the usual sex, drinking, and eating, there's lots of action in this one too. Stone is tricked into handling a civil case for Herbie Fisher, a creepy little guy that never does what he's told, but always manages to survive. A few murders later, Stone gets run over by an jealous boyfriend of someone he just started seeing. Unfortunately, she's decapitated a few chapters later. But all is not lost. A bad gangster named Datilla-the-Hun is taken out by Herbie, and the x-boyfriend is thrown in jail by Dino's finest. Stone lives and profits nicely. A good read. Very entertaining.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2022
I have been a long time fan of the series and after being caught up on the newer books in the series I went back to the beginning having now read the first thirteen stories. Herbie Fisher reappears in this book as a main character who is annoying at best. He gets in trouble with a mafia capo over gambling bets. When they send two guys to Elaine’s to rough him up Stone and Dino are eating and Dino steps in to break it up. Herbie wants to sue the capo and the fun begins there. While working for Herbie he meets a masseuse who is having trouble with an ex boyfriend who sends someone to run stone down but he is only banged up. The action continues from there with several twists and turns and a surprise ending. A fun read
July 25, 2024
When Stone is not running around having sex with four or five different women, the stories are generally pretty good. This one is not. He starts by banging one woman, then moves on to another, then she gets her head cut off by a psycho sculptor, and he takes the next woman he is going to bang with him to see the body and then has sex with her the next day.
Stone is an absolute sociopath. The female characters are all one dimensional sex kittens whose only purpose is to show how amazing Stone is supposed to be in bed. The story is usually pretty good, but this one is weak. He takes several storylines and shoves them together to make what I see as the weakest of the series up to this point.
This one is crap.
Stone is an absolute sociopath. The female characters are all one dimensional sex kittens whose only purpose is to show how amazing Stone is supposed to be in bed. The story is usually pretty good, but this one is weak. He takes several storylines and shoves them together to make what I see as the weakest of the series up to this point.
This one is crap.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2021
Honestly, this book landed between 1 and 2 stars for me. I seem to recall enjoying Stone Barrington in the distant past, but this book just didn't work for me. I had total dislike for Stone's rich girlfriend (in previous novels), but the 'free range' Stone in this novel almost made me wish for the old girlfriend. I'm neither a prude nor easily offended, but the abundance of unrealistic women and sexual encounters got to be a bit boring. Stone Barrington seems to be a throwback to a time that just doesn't exist anymore....hard livin', heavy drinkin', free wheelin'... He should've had a heart attack years ago.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 357 reviews