Cut and Thrust

Stone Barrington #30

by Stuart Woods

Stone Barrington enters the cutthroat fray of politics in this exceptional thriller from New York Times bestselling author, Stuart Woods.
 
When Stone Barrington travels to Los Angeles for the biggest political convention of the year, he finds the scene quite shaken. A dazzling newcomer - and close friend of his - has given the delegates an unexpected choice. The result? Crucial alliances are made and broken behind closed doors, and it seems that more than one seat may be up for grabs. Amid the ambitious schemers and hangers-on are a few people who may use the chaotic events as cover for more sinister plans. . . .

In this milieu of glad-handing and backroom deals, only the canniest player can come out on top . . . and it will take all of Stone’s discretion and powers of persuasion to arrange a desirable outcome.

But this entry has another surprise for you. Do you remember Ed Eagle, the Santa Fe attorney and his murderous, former wife Barbara? It's time for a reunion.

Librarian's note: the characters, settings, etc. for the first 30 books in the series are complete: #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; #10, Reckless Abandon, 2004; #11, Two Dollar Bill, 2004; #12. Dark Harbor, 2006; #13, Fresh Disasters, 2007; #14, Shoot Him if He Runs, 2007; #15, Hot Mahogany, 2008; #16, Loitering with Intent, 2009; #17, Kisser, 2009; #18, Lucid Intervals, 2010; #19, Strategic Moves, 2010; #20, Bel-Air Dead, 2011; #21, Son of Stone, 2011; #22, D.C. Dead, 2011; #23, Unnatural Acts, 2012; #24, Severe Clear, 2012; #25, Collateral Damage, 2012; #26, Unintended Consequences, 2013; #27, Doing Hard Time, 2013; #28, Standup Guy, 2014; #29, Carnal Curiosity, 2014, and #30, Cut & Thrust, 2014.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Crime

320 pages, Hardcover

First published July 15, 2014

About the author

Stuart 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.

Reviews

[Mike French · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another very entertaining book in the Stone Barrington series! If you like deep meaning,thought provoking books then this series is not for you. If you enjoy VERY enjoyable,easy reading books like I do, Stuart Woods should be on top of your TBR list!!

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

After the last few Stuart Woods books, I vowed I wouldn't read any more as they were increasingly predictable and poorly written. I was given this to read by a friend and now will repeat my vow. Stone Barrington leads an unbelievably charmed life and everyone in his circle enjoys the same convenient coincidences that permit things to just fall in place for them. I was reluctant to give this even one star!

[Skip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standard Stone Barrington fare. High points: Ed Eagle and his important role at the convention, his evil ex-wife and her assassin's just desserts, Billy Barnett. Low points: way too much politics, not enough Dino or Viv Bachetti. Good cameos by Stone and Dino's kids and their girlfriends.

[Bill Reed · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great author. He has written many good books.
In my opinion this was not one of them.
Too political leaning. Shows how one side lives and too heck with the
other side and middle class people. Just my opinion.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly did not feel as though there was an actual plot to this story. There were a few different things going on but no suspense or thrill happened, in my opinion. This is my first Stuart Woods book so I can't be too harsh, but this book could have been written sooooo much better.

[Cin Marshall · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this and was highly disappointed. It appears that the books by Stuart Woods are going downhill. The plot of this book has an obvious agenda to vote Democratic. It's also obvious the author is shoving his political views at the reader, while having a negative attitude towards Republicans. This story tells of a president in office whose wife wants to run for the presidency (sound familiar?). If I wanted to read about political nonsense I'd simply follow the news. There is another undertone to this book, as well as past books, that seems to be changing for the worse. I'm referring to the attitude between the main character and the female character he is involved with. It feels as if there is a negative tone when it comes to sex and how the male characters treat the female character. The language used as well as the caveman type attitude towards females is disconcerting. Overall, it is my opinion that the author has lost his appeal in his story lines. He would do well to put more thought into producing a good story versus quantities of stories published in a year's time. Very disappointed. Not sure I'll read any other books he publishes.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did manage to finish this book, although only skimmed the last 50 pages or so. I feel like there are many writers out there who have recently started writing for a completely different audience in order to keep churning out as many books as possible and Stuart Woods is one of them. His recent offerings have been dumbed down considerably. I don't need to be constantly challenged with a book, sometimes a quick beach read is exactly what I'm looking for, but this last Stone Barrington was so boring and the characters so one-dimensional, that I found myself annoyed with the author's lack of respect for his fans, whom he expects to spend their hard earned money on this drivel.

[Author Annabelle Leigha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Stone Barrington novel until the last couple of chapters. The last 2 pages had me cracking up! 😁

[Joanne Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good addition to the Stone Barrington series.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#30 in the Stone Barrington series. Third of four scheduled for 2014, this series resembles a Saturday morning movie serial. Frequent installments requiring bridging material and introductions of the many continuing characters add pages that could be eliminated if there were fewer entries each year. That said, I'm still happy to dive into each installment of my guilty pleasure as it arrives and I already have the next installment, Paris Match, on order.

#30 - Stone Barrington, the debonair New York attorney travels to Los Angeles for the Democratic National Convention. Stone plays host at the Arrington, his posh Beverly Hills resort, to his current lover, Ann Keaton, who's the deputy campaign manager for presidential candidate Katharine "Kate" Lee. When Kate, the wife of current President Will Lee, asks Stone to act as her intermediary at the convention, she has no idea just how big a role he will play. Happily, Stone proves as adept at political deal making as he is at defusing physical threats and character assassinations. Lending support are such pals as Ed Eagle, a member of New Mexico's delegation, who's still hunted by his deadly ex-wife, Barbara, and Stone's old NYPD partner, Dino Bachetti, now chief of detectives.

[Denise Ward · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a terrible disappointment! I have enjoyed Woods' books for years, trite as they were, as they were fun & entertaining & light & non judgmental, especially with a central character so clearly lacking in a moral center, you didn't want to get too deep.

But this book was way, way too political, & therefore way, way too judgmental of the other side of the spectrum. You can see that Woods is scared that the right might very well be, well....right. And so he spend way too many pages bashing republicans & not nearly enough actually telling a story; I think there were about 35 pages of story here, & about 185 pages about convention intrigue & how to count up delegates. The character, Stone, like the party he touts, lacks morality, & so...of no further interest. Sad to see this author off my list, but if I want to be judged, I can watch MSNBC, don't need to read a poorly conceived, overpriced 'mystery.'

[Bob Anderson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read fiction as a way to take a break from all the negative events playing out in the world and in that regard I was turned off by all the politics In “Cut and Thrust.” I also came to realization that I’m bored with all the descriptions of Stone Barrington’s wealth, toys and powerful friends. If you’re just starting in the series it make take some time before you come to feel the same way. I’ve got to find up some new down to earth characters; I miss the likes of Elmore Leonard and Robert Parker.

[Sailor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Going to be a struggle to finish this book. Worst novel to date for Woods. If I want political I'll read the paper. B O R I N G! After the entire political BS was finished story turned out ok. I’m afraid his next novel will have more political BS about the political campaign for the presidency. I’ll have to skim through the pages to find the true story. Not looking forward to that.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite Stuart Woods. Too much politics. Not enough mystery. If I wanted to read a political thriller I would read someone better in the genre. This whole novel centers around Stone Barrington's role in the Democratic National Convention and his manipulation of the system to get his candidate nominated to be the Democratic nominee on the Presidential ticket. A little mystery was thrown in as side stories. Not enough to be the Stuart Wood's books that I usually love.

[Big Otter Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Stone Barrington is another one of those series I just cannot pass up. When a new one comes out, I grab it, read it, and think 'why?'. The last 4 or 5 have been ...ok... not too good, not too bad-decent enough for a quick read between other books.

But, this one, #30 in the series, is different enough that I think Stuart Woods may have redeemed himself! In this book, Stone travels to L.A. for the Democratic National Convention and possible nomination of the first lady as the Presidential candidate. The story veers off from the usual sex/money/sex/beautiful women/sex/wealth & privilege/more sex into a very nice political drama. Lots of details of behind the scenes campaign workings. Stone meets up with several old friends & enemies with the usual resulting violence. There are some unexpected outcomes and all in all a pretty darn good read with a few tantalizing loose ends left dangling for the next book.

I hope Stuart Woods continues this type of writing-by that I mean, not so much of the sexy/money stuff and more of the meaty stories with great characters and this interesting & very plausible political plot. It's been a long time since I gave Stuart Woods 4 stars but I was very happy to do so with this book.

[Kym Gamble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not one of my favorite Stone Barrington books. I like the ones where they are traveling all over to try to catch a bad guy/gal. This one was ok, had all the normal Barrington books. Airplanes and posh homes and mysteries to be solved. I did like that I finally found out how Dino became Commissioner and how Kate became the Dem nominee for President. There were a couple of twists that I didn't see coming and that was good. The narrator does a good job with the characters.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once you skip through the politics, this story gets interesting through various plot twists and turns. Its too bad the boring politics get in the way or the story would be much better. 6 of 10 stars

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big Stuart Woods fan and I especially love the books that feature Stone Barrington. They are quick reads, very entertaining, and you just have to keep on until you get to the end. One of the recurring characters finally gets her come-uppance in this one!!

[Dianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

The political convention theme as the main plot was somewhat boring. The only sub-plot didn't
hold much interest. Usually the Stone Barrington novels are fun + entertaining.
It was a quick read, thank goodness

[Monnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must be in a generous mood, because when I waffled between giving this book, the 30th featuring wealthy, well-connected New York attorney Stone Barrington, 3 stars or 4, I opted for the latter. The only other of the six Barrington books I've read over the last few years that earned 4 was Standup Guy, the 28th - for the rest, awarding 2 or 3 was a bit of a struggle.

Honestly, I had my doubts about this one as well; as of the date I got it, there were 58 reviews at Amazon - and 20 were 3 stars and below (8 reviewers, in fact, gave it just one star. Nope, not looking very good, I said to myself as I turned on my Kindle and hoped for the best.

But to my surprise, things got off to a good start; maybe because it involves politics - Barrington is (but of course) good friends with the soon-to-be-replaced two-term U.S. President and First Lady, and everyone is in Los Angeles for the Democratic National Convention. His current love interest, Ann Keaton, is deputy campaign manager for the person who hopes to win the job - none other than First Lady Katharine Lee. A late entrant into the fray, she's hoping to win the party's nomination at the convention - and Barrington's connections, money and powers of persuasion will be needed if that is going to happen.

Because they're in L.A., there's some action involving Barrington's sons, who are in the filmmaking business; there's a bit of intrigue when the very angry and vindictive ex-wife of one of Barrington's friends apparently wants to see her former husband dead (or if that's not possible, she'll settle for Barrington's demise).

As is usual in the Barrington books, everything that happens is about as ho-hum as it can be. Nobody ever gets excited or frantic; the dialogue is downright banal. Here's an example of what I mean (my words, not from the book):

Barrington: "Oh by the way, someone broke into my apartment last night, stole half a million dollars from my safe and murdered my maid."

Friend: "Bummer."

Barrington: "Agreed. Just thinking about it makes me hungry. I'll call down and ask my factotum to prepare a bit of breakfast. Would you prefer coffee or a mimosa or both?"

Call down to my what, you ask? So did I when I encountered the word in the first chapter (and once again near the end) - so I looked it up. A factotum is a "general" servant or one who has diverse responsibilities. Well, if nothing else, I learned a new word (not that I'll ever have an occasion to use it...)

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt the tone of this book was very different than just about all the others, granted there have been some that I wonder who actually wrote the book they were so bad. This one I did not think was bad per se, just different from the norm. I am torn to say I liked it and it was OK. There was lots of political jargon and it honestly made me a little nauseous with all the wheeling and dealing of politics that was discussed, mainly because I have no doubt what was portrayed in the book is by no doubt the way some of (ok, more like most of) are politicians operate.
I am telling myself that this is nothing more than another stepping stone in the life of Stone. For some reason I do like Teddy Fay, is that bothersome to anyone besides me? I cannot stand Peter and his little entourage and honestly Stone gets to me at times too.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do not know why I continue to read Stuart Woods' books. Perhaps its because I love his character Dino. It's certainly not because Woods has improved his writing skills over the decades. Au contraire, his first books like Palindrome and Chiefs, both publised in the 80's, were fantastic reads...well written, fantastic characters, intricate plots, etc. Now, we get very predictable stuff with an ever more arrogant Stone Barrington and his unlikely entourage of the President, the Vice-President, the Police Commissioner of NYC, etc., etc.

Maybe I was just in the mood for something dumb and predictable. If your brain is in neutral and you want to motivate yourself to read something REALLY good again, then read this book. After you do, you will really crave something GOOD to read.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A general statement about anything Stuart Woods released in 2014. I've read everything I can find by Stuart Woods and I've been re-reading them over the years, but I won't read anything he wrote in 2014 due to the liberal politics. Note to authors and captains of industry: Of course we all have our political leanings, but to incessantly express them, either expressly or subtly just antagonizes potentially half your customer base. If you can't stand up to the woke crowd, then I will as your consumer.

[Tracie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although purportedly Cut and Thrust is a Stone Barrington mystery, Stone has very little to do with the main plot. He seems to spend most of his time flying people around and having them stay at his various homes. Ed Eagle, main character from some of Woods' other mysteries, is present in this novel as a friend of Stone. Most of the story focuses on Eagle's ex-wife and on the presidential run of Kate Lee.
Disappointing to say the least.

[Cybercrone · Rating 1 out of 5]

All this book is, is a day-by-day, play-by-play recounting of a Democratic nomination process exactly like the one we are going through (even we non-Americans who aren't involved) now IRL. The papers, radios, blogs and TV are all full of it.
So my escapist reading gives me exactly the same, in great detail? Just loved that, I'll tell ya!

Anyway, unless you are a total political junkie, you could easily skip this book and not miss much.

[John Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short novel by Stuart Woods. A political thriller! Ed Eagle has a large part as does Billy Barnett, to a degree. The Lee’s big part and ex wife Eagle. I was intrigued by my own reaction to the Lee’s and the Clinton’s. Bill had one sentence but, what other husband and wife have carried out the running for president. Fast read very effectively.

[Ralph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful Stone Barrington novel.

[Michael Redd]

Another good Stone Barrington story - sprinkled with other main characters as well.

[Jack Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars. Add this to my favourites. One of Stuart Woods' best. The ending made me smile - it's an original! You'll see. It's full of the wealthy and privileged which the series has gravitated towards, sometimes irksome, but there's real suspense here. Well worth a read. In the previous entry Kate Lee, wife of current-but-retiring president Bill Lee, announced for the presidential nomination. But she joined the race late and her only hope was for a brokered convention. One full of deal makings in backrooms with surprises. And that's what Kate, and you and I, get. Stone is a close friend of Kate and her husband, and besides Stone's latest fling is Ann Keaton, an up-and-coming party regular who has the inside track on the Chief of Staff job if Kate goes all the way. Any reader who has opened a volume out of sequence after this one knows the outcome, but it's the route she follows and the role of Stone that light-up the book. There's another highlight. Barbara Eagle is back, and her hate-on for former husband Ed Eagle is as furious as ever. Could this be the conclusion many have longed for after the 4th and last volume of the Ed Eagle series? I enjoyed all of it. (No2025)

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Stone Barrington guilty pleasure, giving a peak at the lifestyles of the rich & famous...Again, its a good thing they have lots of sex, otherwise, with all the fine wining & dining, they'd all be 300 pounds...Barrington, travels to LA for the Democratic National Convention. Stone plays host at his posh Beverly Hills hotel, to the Kate Lee campaign as well as bedding her campaign manager...He proves himself as adept at political deal-making as he is at satisfying his current love...Lending support are such pals as Ed Eagle, a member of New Mexico's delegation, who's still hunted by his deadly ex-wife, Barbara, and Stone's old NYPD partner, Dino Bachetti...Decent fun!!!