Swimming to Catalina

obviously, adults should be the type to read his books. Mr. Woods you are full of excitement for me. Trouble is that I cannot remember all the titles I have read.. perhaps I should copy the list from beginning and go from there. Thanks for what you do.

Awesome

This was the first of Woods books that I have read and it will not be the last. This book keep the suspense until the end. I would get to the next chapter and mean to put the book down and not be able to. This book focus' on real places and one can easily put themselves into the book. You feel as if you are there, especially if you are from the part of the country that the plot takes place. I gave this 5 stars.

A sequel to the outstanding Dead in the Water, this book is much more enjoyable when you know the background -- the story of Stone's unhappy romance with the oddly-named but delectable Arrington. If you've followed Stuart Woods' career, you'd know that his very first book was a sailing memoir (Blue Water, Green Skipper); it's a joy to see this author return to his boating roots in this and the preceding book. (You won't believe the scene in which Stone is thrown overboard with an anchor tied to him.) Even if you don't care beans for boats, cancel your appointments -- Dead in the Water and Swimming to Catalina aren't to be put down!!! (The title, incidentally, is a quote from Raymond Chandler: "Oh sure, I do something you don't like and I'll be swimming to Catalina with a streetcar on my back." What a combination -- an adventure/mystery writer at the top of his form, putting his appealing character on the same streets once prowled by Philip Marlowe. Stuart, THANK YOU! MORE!

OK, I have to admit it- I must be ADD because I cant't read a book if the chapters are longer than six pages. My bookcase is filled with half and fourth read books that just could not hold my attention. Not so with Stuart Wood's Swimming To Catalina. Not only were the chapters short as usual, they were true page turners- no unfinished reading here! While others have critized his current work as not worthy of previous works such as Chiefs, I could not wait for it to come out and then could not put it down. The secondary characters have the usual characteristics that I love in Woods' books- money, glamour, and a strange twist or two. Barrington maintains his cool, intuitive manner that makes the reader want to keep his appearances coming in the future. Hey Stuart- How about a story where Barrington is asked by a sitting President to investigate who is trying to frame him with an intern sex scandal?? Knowing Barrington, he would get to the bottom of the scandal but would probably make a stop in the Lincoln bedroom with the first lady! Personally, I can't wait for the next book to come out.

Former NYPD police officer Stone Barrington plans to rest up after returning home from his "vacation" (see DEAD IN THE WATER). However when his buddy Vance Calder, a movie superstar, calls and pleads for his help, Stone heads to California. Vance's wife, Arrington Carrington (Stone's former girl friend) has been kidnapped and it is up to the former law enforcement official to find her. However, Stone finds himself the recipient of the VIP treatment, making him conclude that someone does not want him to investigate the disappearance of his former squeeze. Soon, Stone is told to go back to the Big Apple as Arrington has been found. Still, he cannot leave without finding out the truth about the recent shenanigans. This turns into a mistake as the New Yorker becomes the target of some questionable characters. SWIMMING TO CATALINA is not for everyone. If someone wants a jocular, irrelevant novel in which nothing is sacred, this is the book to peruse. Stone is a typical cynical New Yorker with a slightly self-deprecating sense of humor. He is also the last of the free love characters. The story line is fast-paced and filled with plenty of action. Simply put, Stuart Woods has written another three thumbs up winner. Harriet Klausner