The Prince of Beverly Hills

There was a time I looked forward to the latest Stuart Woods books. His books read faster than any other author's, the perfect beach read book. I particularly like his short chapters that leave a cliffhanger and won't let you stop until you've read just a little more. This book takes you back to some of his best work in the beginning and middle of his career like White Cargo, Swimming to Catalina and New York Dead. Woods returns to a period piece of a Los Angeles detective who quickly finds him working as a studio detective who must protect actors & actresses from their many vices and various bad guys. Obviously that provides plenty of love interests for his main character. What makes this book different is that he overlays the main characters with a few chosen stars. In addition, the main protagonist is clearly written after Johnny Stampato who died at the hands of Lana Turner's daughter. All of this makes the book interesting and extremely readable. Woods writes his books as personal fantasies. That's why the good guy, pseudo Woods, always gets the girl, always wins the fights, and always enjoys Woods' hobbies such as flying, sailing and in this case, fly fishing. I strongly recommend this book for anyone interested in a fast, enjoyable read on the beach without trying to tax your mind. Escape from the office in this book!

I for one, have gotten slightly tired of Stone Barrington, and his exploits in and out of bed. (How many of us know anyone that, er, energetic???) Set in pre-WW II,the Prince of Beverly Hills deals with recently demoted cop Rick Barron being in the right spot at the right time, helping top star Clete Barron. The studio is so grateful that they make him head of security, or rather a very highly paid baby sitter to ensure Barron makes it on time to studio shoots, etc. They are likeable characters all, and there is the glamour of Hollywood, as well as the sex, drugs, and unsavory folks who enforce orders from even slimier folks. The real stars who mentioned mesh in with Woods' characters and story line. A welcome change to Stone and company...just once I wish he'd...have a headache........!!!

After years working as a Beverly Hills detective, Rick Barron is busted down to police officer because he got his captain's daughter pregnant. One night he witnesses a traffic accident and recognizes that famous movie star Clete Barrow caused it. He quickly removes the license plates and registration from the vehicle so that no one knows that Clete caused the accident while under the influence of alcohol. On Clete's instructions, Rick calls Eddie Harris, a Centurion Studios Executive, who knows the right people to make the mess go away. Eddie is so impressed with Rick's handling of the fiasco he offers him a job as head of security. Rick eagerly accepts the position. His first assignment is to baby sit Clete until the film is finished. In the course of his new job, he crosses paths with Rick Stampano who has connections with Bugsy Siegel and Lucky Luciano. Stampano has a habit of beating up and almost killing studio girls; Rick tries to intercede and makes a deadly enemy. In an act of revenge, Stampano beats up Rick's fiancée; an incident that must not go unpunished. Stuart Woods has written a fantastic stand alone tale that captures the ambience of Hollywood just prior to World War II through tidbits and real notables like Hedda Hopper referring to Rick as THE PRINCE OF BEVERLY HILLS because of his fancy garbs. The antagonist is a nasty person whom today would be considered a stalker for his preying on starlets, but the law cannot touch him since none of the victims want the adverse publicity. This is a rich, complex thriller about Hollywood, home to extortion, blackmail, and murder. Harriet Klausner

My Room mate is a big Wood's fan, his copy of Prince of Beverly Hills arrived at our dooor a couple of days ago and I got ot it before he did. It was my first Woods book and I finished it two nights, and now I am a Stuart Woods fan! The novel is set in the Hollywood of the 1930's and is a sexy thriller filled with action and plenty of twists and turns. The central character Rick Barron is an LA cop who finds himself demoted after a run in with his captain. He does not stay down for long though landing a job with the hottest Movie company in town, and is soon the protector of the stars. Rick is a great character full of charm and guile but also having the street smarts. Things get messy when he uncovers a murder blackmail scam, with Mob connections. I don't want to spoil things for, so just take my word for it the plot takes off from here! And Rick finds himself in over his head! Now I can't wait to find more of mr Wood's books.

Although I've been disappointed with several of his last offerings, Stuart Woods is back in the game and has hit a home run with THE PRINCE OF BEVERLY HILLS, a lush tale about Hollywood in the late 1930's. Former Beverly Hills detective Rick Barron has been demoted - - due to a messy liaison with his boss' niece - - and just happens to be in the right place (Sunset Boulevard) at the right time (about 2 in the morning) when a major movie star wrecks his car and, if the press finds out about it, his brilliant career. Barron ends up on the movie studio payroll as the "clean up" guy and finds there is more to films that acting. He has to insure that the movie star finishes his picture. His predecessor has some pretty smarmy contacts, the remnants of which are left in the studio's safe. Even mobster Bugsy Seagal enters the scene. Toss in a bevy of beautiful starlets, a lot of interesting story lines and Woods has given his fans a great read. I look forward to more stories about Hollywood's Gilded Age and watching Woods develop Rick Barron into a movie mogul. Enjoy!