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Stone Barrington #51
Stealth
Stone Barrington faces down danger on New York's mean streets in the latest thriller from perennial fan favorite Stuart Woods.
Upon returning to the states from a European jaunt, Stone Barrington makes the acquaintance of a stunning woman who seems like she could be an ideal candidate to meet some of his professional--and personal--needs. Before long, though, Stone is put to the task of protecting his new hire when New York City is rocked by a series of disturbing crimes, and it looks as if she might be the next target.
In the city that never sleeps there's always a plot being hatched, and the only recourse is constant vigilance and a bit of luck. But if those defensive systems fail, Stone will have to go head-to-head against some of the most dastardly scum he's ever faced...
Upon returning to the states from a European jaunt, Stone Barrington makes the acquaintance of a stunning woman who seems like she could be an ideal candidate to meet some of his professional--and personal--needs. Before long, though, Stone is put to the task of protecting his new hire when New York City is rocked by a series of disturbing crimes, and it looks as if she might be the next target.
In the city that never sleeps there's always a plot being hatched, and the only recourse is constant vigilance and a bit of luck. But if those defensive systems fail, Stone will have to go head-to-head against some of the most dastardly scum he's ever faced...
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2019
3497 people are currently reading
1135 people want to read
About the author
Stuart Woods
408 books3,221 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 306 reviews
October 20, 2019
Putrid. Quite possibly the worst. 0 of 10 stars
October 29, 2019
Same tired; weak plot, mind numbing dialogue, sex, sexual innuendos, food, alcohol, planes, cars, houses as the rest of the books in this series. I still don’t understand how Dino and Vivian are able to follow Stone around the world on a whim while ditching their jobs and personal lives. By the way, how old is Stone anyway? This installment is truly a boring, meandering mess of a story.
October 27, 2019
Not sure where the plot description on Goodreads came from, but it's wrong (see Amazon.) Stone goes off to a British spy training facility to pick up Dame Felicity Devonshire's Aston Martin, when he crashes into a river and is almost killed. He is "nursed" back to health by a Rose McGill, who ends up sleeping with Stone (oops.) Rose is a cipher, and the head of the training facility (Fife Simpson) becomes Felicity's #2 at MI-6. International politics, spy vs. spy, sex. Meh. Stuart Woods can do better than this and usually does.
October 29, 2019
This one was just meh for me. The constant bed hopping by Stone has gotten out of hand. I am unsure when he finds the time to get tested for STD's. The premise of the book was a bit all over the place for me. Lance suddenly decides to offer Stone a permanent position that comes out of left field? Stone decides to take it, even though he claims to have enough on his plate. The constant rotation of Dame Felicity, Holly and some random new woman into the mystery has gotten so old to me. Am hoping for better with the next one.
October 19, 2019
51 Stone Barrington books and I’m done. I’ve read them all, but I won’t read any more of them. They’re no longer worth my time or money. This was probably only worth 2 stars, but I only found a couple of typos, so that's probably worth a star. If this wasn't a Stuart Woods book, I doubt I would have finished it.
I have no doubt that someone else is writing these books now. I've always thought the speech was a bit stilted and it still is but not as much. Who says "May I make you a libation?" And what American says "in good nick”? And the language is getting much coarser among all the characters.
BTW during the entire book, Stone stays in the same country and at only one of his many properties, a rarity for him. I guess the author couldn't come up a reason to bounce him around.
A lot of this book made no sense and I was at the 52% mark before I detected a hint of a plot, even though it didn't make lot of sense. I know it was at 52% because I thought, is this going to be the plot? and I looked to see where I was in the book. Why does the brigadier general hate him so much? Doesn’t make sense to me as I see no reason for it.
Some other things that make no sense:
Did the Russians really parachute in a black ops team to shoot the tire of a car? That's all they did. And one is killed doing it.
After running for a 1/2 hour Stone wasn’t breathing the hardest of the group who were all younger than him. When does he ever exercise? He takes the elevator in his own house, never the stairs.
He takes his doctor to dinner then bed the first day they meet.
A knife cut across his back and across his arm and he’s unconscious for 2 days?
He has menage a trois with the leader of MI6? In the hospital?
There were several other things that made no sense, so no more for me.
I have no doubt that someone else is writing these books now. I've always thought the speech was a bit stilted and it still is but not as much. Who says "May I make you a libation?" And what American says "in good nick”? And the language is getting much coarser among all the characters.
BTW during the entire book, Stone stays in the same country and at only one of his many properties, a rarity for him. I guess the author couldn't come up a reason to bounce him around.
A lot of this book made no sense and I was at the 52% mark before I detected a hint of a plot, even though it didn't make lot of sense. I know it was at 52% because I thought, is this going to be the plot? and I looked to see where I was in the book. Why does the brigadier general hate him so much? Doesn’t make sense to me as I see no reason for it.
Some other things that make no sense:
Did the Russians really parachute in a black ops team to shoot the tire of a car? That's all they did. And one is killed doing it.
After running for a 1/2 hour Stone wasn’t breathing the hardest of the group who were all younger than him. When does he ever exercise? He takes the elevator in his own house, never the stairs.
He takes his doctor to dinner then bed the first day they meet.
A knife cut across his back and across his arm and he’s unconscious for 2 days?
He has menage a trois with the leader of MI6? In the hospital?
There were several other things that made no sense, so no more for me.
October 22, 2019
I read the comments from other readers and I agree with them that this book is probably the worst that I have read from Stuart Woods. It has no action and drags on for pages. May be less focus on sex and more on real action would make this book more interesting.
Not sure if I will bother with Stone Barrington anymore.
Not sure if I will bother with Stone Barrington anymore.
October 29, 2019
I was happy that the book description was wrong on goodreads. Stone is in the UK and was involved in international intelligence/spy mystery. I would give 3 stars here, but ...
Readers of Barrington series know what to expect from these books: Light mystery, fine dining, sex, fancy cars, private jet and mansions. Book 51, you'll find Stone going back and forth under the sheets between three ladies, pretty unusual. To top it off, Stuart Woods added love scenes for the bad guy and Dino as well. I think Stone slept with just every lady in the book except Viv. Wouldn't it be interesting if Stone sleeps with Viv then gets shot by Dino? 🤣
Readers of Barrington series know what to expect from these books: Light mystery, fine dining, sex, fancy cars, private jet and mansions. Book 51, you'll find Stone going back and forth under the sheets between three ladies, pretty unusual. To top it off, Stuart Woods added love scenes for the bad guy and Dino as well. I think Stone slept with just every lady in the book except Viv. Wouldn't it be interesting if Stone sleeps with Viv then gets shot by Dino? 🤣
December 20, 2019
Sadly, this will be the last Woods book I read. It's painful how terribly this author and series have gone downhill. No substance or character development at all. Disappointing.
February 12, 2020
Half the book was spent getting rid of a brigadier that Dame Felicity didn't like. The other half was the brigadier attempting revenge on Stone and Felicity. Throughout, Stone has sex with three different women. That's it.
The plot was more intricate than the last book but still pretty bad. What I can't figure out is how these books continue to get on the bestseller list. I understand Woods has loyal readers because I have been one through 50 books. I guess if you read this book as a standalone it's ok but if you read every one in the series, as I have, the villain changes but other than that, the last few books are the same actions over and over again. I'm beginning to seriously wonder why I bother checking them out of the library anymore. I guess I keep hoping they'll get better.
I found only one remotely interesting point in this one -- Stone receives an intriguing offer from the CIA.
The plot was more intricate than the last book but still pretty bad. What I can't figure out is how these books continue to get on the bestseller list. I understand Woods has loyal readers because I have been one through 50 books. I guess if you read this book as a standalone it's ok but if you read every one in the series, as I have, the villain changes but other than that, the last few books are the same actions over and over again. I'm beginning to seriously wonder why I bother checking them out of the library anymore. I guess I keep hoping they'll get better.
I found only one remotely interesting point in this one -- Stone receives an intriguing offer from the CIA.
October 24, 2019
Slow beginning re the silly braggadocio about Stone's sexual and physical attributes (fantasy). Then the story was pretty good when we got into the spy novel. Of course Mr. Woods had to ruin it by describing all the numerous sexual activities during a couple of weeks with (1) the former director of the CIA who is now secretary of state and will probably run for (and be elected to) the US presidency, (2) the head of MI-6 British Intelligence, and (3) British military officer and surgeon. These last two ladies and Stone are looking forward to cozy little threesome antics one weekend at his lavish estate. The Russian assassins don't mind that the officer/surgeon would be collateral damage while offing the other two (Stone is now CIA so he can make greater contribution and have more interesting life). They avoid drinking the poisoned wine and Stone discovers the two bombs placed under the bed--DEFUSE!! They call the police. The police leave the house to search for the would-be killer hiding in the woods. Before joining the ladies in bed, Stone gets a shotgun so he can go out and check the grounds. The two ladies go upstairs to "start without you." The killer confronts Stone and cuts him up but superman Barrington prevails and is carted off to the hospital where he is, of course, fondled in his bed when he comes to after a couple of days. Come on, Woods! These three idiots still planning their threesome right after barely surviving the attempts to murder them? Nobody is that horny. Don't use sex to replace content. Where is the man who wrote "Chiefs"--I've read them all, looking for that guy. If we wanted James Bond, we would read James Bond.
December 29, 2019
This novel was more enjoyable than several past volumes since it deviated from the predictable pattern of previous Stone Barrington novels. Instead of a somewhat boutique practice of law, this novel created a new role for the main character as a senior advisor to the CIA and expanded his expertise to spy craft. As with prior novels of this sort, it was sophomoric in the treatment of women who jump at every opportunity to bed Stone, but it was otherwise a quick moving, entertaining novel.
November 10, 2019
I'm not sure if this book was written by Stuart Woods. From the first chapter it didn't fit his style of writing. This book was full of very formal dialogue. It was a quick read though.
Stone is in residence at his country house in England.
He invites Dame Felicity to dinner and she brings along a party of British officers and their wives. One of them suggests that Stone go to the MI-6 training facility in Scotland and he accepts. After a week or so of training, he has the opportunity to drive Felicity's car around a race track. he's driving Felicity's car and is shot at and crashes into the river and almost drowns.
Much of the book focuses on Roger Fife-Simpson, a navy man who blackmails other officers to get promotions. He is eventually promoted to Deputy director to Felicity and she's not happy. They get him to retire and he is then recruited by the Russians and trained as a Russian spy and assassin.
His mission is to assassinate Felicity and Stone, who has been given a new permanent job with the CIA under Lance Cabot.
This book was just boring and bland.
Stone is in residence at his country house in England.
He invites Dame Felicity to dinner and she brings along a party of British officers and their wives. One of them suggests that Stone go to the MI-6 training facility in Scotland and he accepts. After a week or so of training, he has the opportunity to drive Felicity's car around a race track. he's driving Felicity's car and is shot at and crashes into the river and almost drowns.
Much of the book focuses on Roger Fife-Simpson, a navy man who blackmails other officers to get promotions. He is eventually promoted to Deputy director to Felicity and she's not happy. They get him to retire and he is then recruited by the Russians and trained as a Russian spy and assassin.
His mission is to assassinate Felicity and Stone, who has been given a new permanent job with the CIA under Lance Cabot.
This book was just boring and bland.
January 7, 2020
I haven't read Stuart Woods in years, but I don't remember his books being anywhere near this terrible. Cliches, cliches, cliches. The writing was good, but the content was not. I'm hoping this was ghost written, or else the last (obligatory?) book to finish out a contract... Don't waste your time.
November 12, 2019
Not worth reading
I have read most of Stuart Woods' Stone Barrington books and this one is by far the worst of the lot. The plot is boring and totally unrealistic. Woods should take his subject back to police related crimes and subterfuge and stay away from the spy business.
I have read most of Stuart Woods' Stone Barrington books and this one is by far the worst of the lot. The plot is boring and totally unrealistic. Woods should take his subject back to police related crimes and subterfuge and stay away from the spy business.
November 14, 2019
Stuart Woods has just lost a faithful reader of his novels.
Eighty per cent of the book was nothing more than Stone
Barrington and his sexual escapades. Will not waste my
time reading anymore of this trash.
Eighty per cent of the book was nothing more than Stone
Barrington and his sexual escapades. Will not waste my
time reading anymore of this trash.
March 27, 2022
Stone returns and this time he is asked to join the CIA and with it comes all matters of trouble. Multiple attempts on his and Felicity's (MI6) life. A former MI6 Brigidare General is corrupted and kills a former colleague to show he can do it. His girlfriend (another rogue agent of a clandestine organization) hooks him up with her organization and he is tasked with getting rid of Stone and Felicity.
July 28, 2020
The definition of a page turner. I couldn't stop reading.
August 31, 2023
I’m not sure what the point of this book is.
November 15, 2019
Not that great.
October 23, 2019
Sluttish
Stone Barrington is a Male Slut. When I start a book I make it my policy to finish it. I have to say, putting this one down would have been easy to do. Your storyline was good but I really got my fill early on of your main character's nightly engagements with different women. Leave at least 2/3 of that out and you'd have a good novel. I read a lot but these will forever be on my what not to read list.
Stone Barrington is a Male Slut. When I start a book I make it my policy to finish it. I have to say, putting this one down would have been easy to do. Your storyline was good but I really got my fill early on of your main character's nightly engagements with different women. Leave at least 2/3 of that out and you'd have a good novel. I read a lot but these will forever be on my what not to read list.
October 29, 2019
Following a short stint at Station Two, a British spy training facility in the Scottish Highlands, Stone Barrington finds himself pitted against a traitor with a lethal agenda.
The fifty-first in the series, “Stealth” finds Stone staying put rather than house-hopping between his many properties. Despite the fact that Stone remains [relatively] settled in England throughout the story, Dino and Viv Bacchetti manage to be front and center for most of the goings-on. [It must be nice to be able to call out of work so often.]
The requisite luxury, fine food, money, and sex all play major roles here, but the shameless bed-hopping has become both crude and embarrassing. Fans of the series may enjoy the spy caper, and there are some exciting moments in the telling of that tale, but it’s long past time for Stone Barrington to find some respect for the ladies he dates and for himself.
The fifty-first in the series, “Stealth” finds Stone staying put rather than house-hopping between his many properties. Despite the fact that Stone remains [relatively] settled in England throughout the story, Dino and Viv Bacchetti manage to be front and center for most of the goings-on. [It must be nice to be able to call out of work so often.]
The requisite luxury, fine food, money, and sex all play major roles here, but the shameless bed-hopping has become both crude and embarrassing. Fans of the series may enjoy the spy caper, and there are some exciting moments in the telling of that tale, but it’s long past time for Stone Barrington to find some respect for the ladies he dates and for himself.
October 29, 2019
Well, it started off promising, then quickly reverted to same old same old. This time stone was a real man-whore, sleeping with 3 different women, some simultaneously. So is author trying to compete with the “50 shades” books? Lots of repeated dialog...doesn’t he have an editor? Also some disconnect from previous books... I thought Holly had already announced her candidacy and was advised, by Stone himself, not to be seen with him? And I thought mi-6 and strategic services , and the cia, were keeping an extra eye on him and felicity, yet a criminal they were watching was able to walk into stones house unnoticed? How stupid. Oh and get out your dictionary, I guess in order to make up for a lack of plot and real authorship, the author put his thesaurus to use, finding every obscure word he could. Blah....
December 3, 2019
Good reads got the description of this book wrong. I seen other reviews and I have to agree, this was one of the worst Stone Barrington books. I feel as the series has been going on it’s been going downhill and it just hit rock bottom. I want to call stone Barrington “dirt Daigler“. How much sexually transmitted diseases does he and some of the top woman in the world have. I figured he Hass to be at least in his mid-70s even about 80 going back to the start of the series but in this book they’re putting him about 45. His son just about catching up with him in age. At least 3–4 sexual encounters a day with at least three different women. I know I’m looking too much into it but very disappointed.
December 31, 2019
I know lots of reviewers said this was the worst book in the series. I don’t agree—the last book was the worst (Contraband) and made me wondered who was actually writing the series. Stealth read more like your typical Stuart Woods book. So I agree with the reviewers who think the sex aspect has become the ramblings phantasies of an old man and I likely will not spend money on another Woods book.
My rating is 1.5 because it wasn’t as crude as the last book. I wasn’t surprised how many other reviewers think someone else is writing or helping with series. Maybe Woods found a computer program that spits them out.
I got tired of the Stephanie Plum series for about the same reasons. I’m putting Stone Barrington in that class.
My rating is 1.5 because it wasn’t as crude as the last book. I wasn’t surprised how many other reviewers think someone else is writing or helping with series. Maybe Woods found a computer program that spits them out.
I got tired of the Stephanie Plum series for about the same reasons. I’m putting Stone Barrington in that class.
December 22, 2019
I always enjoy a new Barrington novel. After 51 debacles these characters are my friends. In this novel we stay in London while someone tries to kill Stone multiple times. At least this time it wasn't a jilted lover.
Seriously in this book Stone has more sex than a hardcore hooker. I don't know if I was jealous or disgusted.
Seriously in this book Stone has more sex than a hardcore hooker. I don't know if I was jealous or disgusted.
October 28, 2019
Who really wrote this book? Even the banter between Stone friends was wrong! Jokes on your readers!
October 17, 2019
I have read every Stone Barrington book Stuart Woods has written and have eagerly looked forward to each new story. And because I thought these were such compelling stories, I only winced a little at the outrageous price of $15 for a digital book. That being said, I'm wincing a lot right now. Having finished Stealth last night, I'm terribly disappointed. It's almost as if someone else wrote this book. The cast of characters is the same, but the writing is different. I can't put my finger on any one particular issue, but the sex scenes are different, and some of the explanations are different, just enough to make me wonder what happened to Woods. Not sure I'll go forward with the next book - this one could be a fluke, but then again, he could have gotten tired of writing but not tired of collecting the profits. This book was a real letdown.
December 3, 2019
Entertaining. Very quick read. too much sex.
Stone Barrington is trying to enjoy some down time at his English retreat when he's unceremoniously sent off to the remote reaches of the UK and into a deadly snare. As it turns out, this is only the first volley by a sinister rival, one that has its eyes set on disrupting the peace of the nation.
With the help of two brilliant and stunning women, Stone must leverage a new position of power to capture a villain with a lethal agenda. But the closer he comes to nabbing the culprit, the more he realizes there's a bigger plan at work, and a true mastermind who is a force to be reckoned with....
Stone Barrington is trying to enjoy some down time at his English retreat when he's unceremoniously sent off to the remote reaches of the UK and into a deadly snare. As it turns out, this is only the first volley by a sinister rival, one that has its eyes set on disrupting the peace of the nation.
With the help of two brilliant and stunning women, Stone must leverage a new position of power to capture a villain with a lethal agenda. But the closer he comes to nabbing the culprit, the more he realizes there's a bigger plan at work, and a true mastermind who is a force to be reckoned with....
June 26, 2023
As usual Woods wastes words. How many times do we have to read “Scramble”, “Scrambled.”
And as usual Woods gives the good guys a Gulfstream while the bad guys get a Falcon. As a former employee of Falcon Jet I take exception with that.
By my reckoning (who else uses that word other than Woods and his characters) there are only sixteen Stuart Woods novels remaining after this one. What a sad end for someone who began as a great writer.
And as usual Woods gives the good guys a Gulfstream while the bad guys get a Falcon. As a former employee of Falcon Jet I take exception with that.
By my reckoning (who else uses that word other than Woods and his characters) there are only sixteen Stuart Woods novels remaining after this one. What a sad end for someone who began as a great writer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 306 reviews