A Suave, Sophisticated Mystery with a Bond-ish Hero

In The Short Forever by Stuart Woods, retired homicide detective-turned-PI Stone Barrington--a cross between James Bond and Spenser--is sent on what might be a 'wild goose chase'. His assignment: to find his mysterious new client's missing niece who is somewhere in London.

Stone leaves the US and the niece, Erica Burroughs, is found rather quickly. But then the plot thickens. She has no uncle. Stone is stumped. He soon finds himself embroiled in a puzzling case, where most of the pieces don't add up. Just who is his client John Bartholomew? And what does he want with Erica and her drug-smuggling boyfriend Lance Cabot?

Erica introduces the dashing detective to her sister Monica, and things heat up. And the appearance of two former lovers unsettles Stone, especially when old flame Sarah Buckminster hosts a weekend get-together with her fiance James and invites Erica, Monica, Lance and Stone. But fun and games turns swiftly into tragedy as a boating accident claims a life. Then more bodies turn up and Stone is thrown headfirst into an international dilemma.

Best Selling author Stuart Woods delves deep into his characters, giving them plausible backgrounds and emotions. He creates means, motive and opportunity for each suspect and gives you just the right mix of action, suspense and romance. This page-turner contains every element that makes an excellent suspense and Woods drives home the twists at every possible corner.

If you're looking for a good read, with interesting, quirky and multi-faceted characters and tons of fast-paced action, pick up a copy of The Short Forever. Kudos, Mr. Woods!

Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
author of Divine Intervention ( )

Stone Barrington goes to London.

Listened to this in the car on the way to see JoAnn and Barry in Akron. Good mystery for a ride in the car. ( )