Hot Mahogany

My husband and I enjoy reading the Ston Barrington series by Stuart Woods. They are an easy read and a good combination of mystery and humor. Sometimes, too much sex but otherwise a good read.

Another great Stuart Woods book, I have read tham all, except the new one, Swimsuit.

Very good as I think all of Stuart Woods mysteries are! Interesting to have a totally different setting for the book. I will probably read it again... so as not to miss anything!

In Manhattan former police officer and now highly regarded lawyer Stone Barrington is in Elaine's restaurant with Dina Bochetti; they both are shocked to see Lance Cabot, CIA Deputy Director for Operations looking disheveled and foreworn. A few minutes later the real Lance arrives at the nightclub to the amazement of Stone and Dina; he explains his doppelganger is his older brother former army intelligence specialist Barton, who still suffers from an amnesia causing blow to the head. Barton is also an artisan who makes antique reproductions, but when he gets to his workshop, he seems one of mahogany desks has been stolen; the original is a Goldbard-Townsend worth millions, but he is unsure whether the original or his replication was taken. He hires Stone to help him find it; Barton's theory is one of the men who served under him in Nam stole the desk because he was dissatisfied with his share of the contraband smuggled out of Viet Nam by the unit. While avoiding jealous and cuckold lovers and still making love to a variety of women, Stone accompanied by Dina investigate Barton's allegations, but only the amnesic can take them to the perpetrator. As always a Stuart Woods novel is a special treat and HOT MAHOGANY is no exception. There are many amusing scenes especially since Stone consistently thinks with his wrong head and ends up taking it up the shorts. From the opening page, the action begins and never stops keeping the audience on the edge of their seats whether Stone dodges a lover or someone trying to end his investigation. Though Stone in this thriller is much more a sleuth than a lawyer fans will enjoy Stone's look at the dangerous world of antique sales. Harriet Klausner

I have become a fan of Stuart Woods' novels after meeting him last January, and again last Saturday. Stone Barrington is his best selling series, and HOT MAHOGANY will add one more success to his accomplishments. Elaine's is, as usual, a central focal point in the story. Barrington has more than his fare share of beautiful, willing women, and fine wine. Lance Barton' brother, Barton enters the story, and may become a lasting character in the series, as I hope will his latest lover, Tatiana Orlovsky. As one should expect, the story has many twists, turns, and incorporates real events. Woods explains one of them in his acknowledgments, and I remembered reading about double eagle gold coins a few years back. The historical events pertaining to the double eagles in the story happened. HOT MAHOGANY is an enjoyable read, highly recommended for a rainy weekend, a long flight, or--if you have to break up your reading time--anytime.