Fresh Disasters

Another wonderful story. A page turner. I can't get enough of Stone Barrington and Stuart Woods.

Stuart Woods doesn't need any more good reviews--he's got plenty. So consider this just an echo: These books really are that much fun. Predictable? You bet. That's a GOOD thing. Predictable entertaining, engaging in that way that puts you there with "Stone Barrington." And topical hints thrown in to put these characters in the same world we all live in---there part is just a bit more exciting. Buying these is like buying groceries---it's automatic. Stuart Woods is as good as they come. Thanks for all the enjoyment!

Really great plot. I enjoy all of Woods books and this was one nof his best.

If you like this character, you'll love this book. I have enjoyed Stuart Woods novels, especially this character, but he brings out the best in Stone Barrington. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I read the book in two days!!! Definately a must read for those who follow the series or if you like a strong character with flair. If you enjoy suspense and mystery then I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys to read.

Stuart Woods is a facile writer. I suspect he turns out these Stone Barrington novels in little more than the time it takes to read them. That's not a criticism. I happen to like Woods' Stone Barrington novels because they are very light, fast, purely escapist reading. After you've read one, you're familiar with the main characters and don't have to worry about them changing. There's Stone Barrington, former homicide detective, current lawyer and bon vivant. Barrington has the occasional lucky break that brings him a bunch of money which he needs to support his lavish lifestyle which includes a Manhattan townhouse, a Mercedes, a country home in Connetticut, another in Maine, an airplane and generally the high life. There's Dino Bachetti, a NYPD homicide lieutenant, who also has a fair degree of bucks because of his one-time marriage to the daughter of a one-time Mafia biggie who went straight. Stone and Dino share a father-in-law. There's Joanne, Stone's assistant who is forever - at least once per novel - told to take a few days off because someone is trying to hunt down Stone to kill him. And then there's Elaine Kauffman of Elaine's, the legendary watering hole of New York's glitterati. Virtually every night, Stone and Dino are found at Elaine's, often with Elaine herself stopping by to share gossip and advice. The meetings at Elaine's provide a lot of the motive power to the interactions of Stone and Dino, which are really what the novels are all about. In this one, a nebbish by the name of Herbie Fisher decides to sue a Mafia biggie who has had him roughed up over a past-due gambling debt. Barrington gets the case since he is "of counsel" to big time law firm Woodman and Weld. In this instance, "of counsel" means getting the cases the firm wants keep at arm's length. So Stone is up against Carmine Dattila. Everyone presumes that Herbie Fisher will soon be dead because he sued the mob boss. Naturally enough, as soon as Stone becomes more than minimally involved, odds are taken that he will wind up dead as well. Of course, that story isn't enough, so Bernie Finger, Dattila's lawyer gets involved, with Stone arranging for him to get into a lot of trouble with his wife, who promptly hires Stone to represent her in divorce proceedings. And Herbie, poor Herbie. Every 50 or so pages, another attempt in made on Herbie's life. Stone does not pursue justice without getting banged up a bit, which author Woods tries to alleviate by folks telling Stone he needs a massage, which he indeed gets from a statuesque (6'4") masseur named Celia. Soon enough Celia's ex-boyfriend who is stalking her is trying to injure Stone which puts him into contact with Doctor Eliza - who winds up in bed with Stone as did Celia. In fact, Woods this time around has women falling all over Stone, a bit of a change from earlier novels and, frankly, not a welcome one. Way too much time is spent on sex in this book. Anyway "Fresh Disasters" is pure escapis