Standup Guy

A quick, comfortable read with a familiar cast of characters. A recently released resident of Sing Sing prison comes to consult Stone Barrington about the legality of an inheritance that he has received from his cell mate who acquired the cash in a robbery. Author researched the Secret Service, as they com calling. Mafiosi also threaten our hero. His new girlfriend has a dubious truth telling' but does not survive the book...as always.

A recently released resident of Sing Sing prison comes to consult Stone Barrington about the legality of an inheritance that he has received from his cell mate who acquired the cash in a 15 million dollar heist 25 years ago. Of course someone else is also interested in this cash and goes to great extremes to take what they consider theirs. Somehow,in their little criminal minds, they feel that Stone is keeping secrets about the money and go to some elaborate means of getting it.

I have read Stone Barrington series for over 30 years and have become use to Stuart Woods short narratives and non-descriptive writing style which is fine with me. However, stupidly on the part of a very intelligent character such as Stone Barrington, is not. show more

Stone Barrington is a very sharp guy, a legal professional, exceptionally wealthy, and a former cop. So why the story diverged into him making a series of boneheaded security mistakes that resulted in the loss of $5 million just did not make any sense. His house is fortified from top to bottom with extreme security, but he gives out the security code to his current bedfellow as well a letting her know that he has all sorts of cash on hand, despite knowing her only a short time. Our Stone is also becoming a bit of "slut". Let's sleep with one woman at a time Stone and please know her longer than two hours.

I also found it professionally out of sorts that a major bank would not accept the money because their counting machine was broken, nor did they offer to secure the money for Stone and he never asked if they would. Who that is this security minded leaves 5 million dollars in a trash bag on his couch?

I gave it 3 stars because of my past history with the series but please Mr. Woods, don't ever make Stone this stupid again. show less

As with most recent Stone Barrington novels, this one reads like your basic, average way over the top soap opera. I still enjoy reading these books because they are easy to read and provide basic escapism from the trials and tribulations of everyday life. Stone helps an ex-con get away with several millions dollars and ends up getting questioned by several parties including the Secret Service as to the whereabouts of both. Along the way a thug also interested in the money kidnaps Stone's latest tryst and demands large amounts of money for her return. I will keep reading these books because I just want to see where Woods takes Stone's character in the future, but the events that occur in these novels can occur on a Hollywood back studio show more lot, if you get my meaning. I've said it before and I will say it again: Stone Barrington novels make for great beach and beer books, and that's not so bad, is it? show less

This is Stuart Woods 28th book featuring former NYPD detective, lawyer, and ladies man, Stone Barrington. This one starts off fairly decently with Stone meeting a new client, John Fratelli. Fratelli wants investment advice in dealing with a large sum of money without going back to prison. Stone asks him to set up the scene with a hypothetical sequence of events hinting that he may have access to two million dollars and change. The money in question has been willed to Fratelli by his former cellmate, a bank robber. The crime has passed the statute of limitations, but the money is real. Stone gives the man his theoretical advice and sends him on his way.

It soon becomes clear that Stone hasn’t seen the end of the case. Several people are show more very interested in Fratelli’s activities and how they may relate to a long-ago crime, and of course, some of them will stop at nothing to find the information (and money) they want. There is an additional subplot where Stone becomes involved with President Will Lee and his wife, CIA Director Kate Rule Lee, who is considering her own run for the White House. This is a good vehicle to tie together some loose ends from earlier books. Then, of course, there's all the women that Stone is involved in.

I used to really enjoy the Stone Barrington novels but then they just became ridiculous. I'm vowing to get caught up on the series by the end of the year though. I'm not ready to let this one go yet but I'm not sure why. He's expected to put out his 35th novel this October so I have a few left. show less

The usual fun romp by Stone and Dino without the increasingly usual sidestory about the next generation. A paroled criminal shows up at Stone's door asking him about how to safely spend an inheritance from his cellmate -- proceeds from a 20-year old robbery. With Stone's advice, he creates a new life for himself, but Stone and he become targets for associates of the cellmate, who want the money for themselves. Meanwhile, the President and First Lady ask Stone to help them with an unusual request.

Stone Barrington’s newest client does not seem the type to bring mayhem in his wake. A polite, well-deported gentleman, he comes to Stone seeking legal expertise on an unusual—and potentially lucrative—dilemma. Stone points him in the right direction and sends him on his way, but it’s soon clear Stone hasn’t seen the end of the case. Several people are keenly interested in this gentleman’s activities and how they may relate to a long-ago crime . . . and some of them will stop at nothing to find the information they desire. On a hunt that leads from Florida’s tropical beaches to the posh vacation homes of the Northeast, Stone finds himself walking a tightrope between ambitious authorities and seedy lowlifes who all have the show more same prize in their sights. In this cutthroat contest of wills, it’s winner-takes-all . . . and Stone will need every bit of his cunning and resourcefulness to be the last man standing. show less

Stuart Woods is a good story teller and this one does not disappoint. The usual cast of interesting characters; still seeking to replace Elaine's as their hangout, with a few little wrinkles to sustain interest to the end, provides a very good book for the beach.