Below the Belt

Stone Barrington tied to only one lover? Hmmmm. But she is a pistol, knows what she wants and tells him how it is going to be. I like her. She's career driven and moving up fast in DC. He is involved in the political intrigue of the country with a gentleman who is being groomed by the rich and powerful for the top spot. A plot that is extremely current these days. It's a fun, fast read. My thanks to the author and the Penguin First to Read program for a complimentary copy.

Below the Belt by Stuart Woods
Stone Barrington Series Book # 40
3.5 Stars

From The Book:
Newly ensconced in his Santa Fe abode with a lovely female companion, Stone Barrington receives a call from an old friend requesting a delicate favor. A situation has arisen that could escalate into an explosive quagmire, and only someone with Stone’s stealth and subtlety can contain the damage. At the center of these events is an impressive gentleman whose star is on the rise, and who’d like to get Stone in his corner. He’s charming and ambitious and has friends in high places; the kind of man who seems to be a sure bet. But in the fickle circles of power, fortunes rise and fall on the turn of a dime, and it may turn out that Stone holds the key show more not just to one man’s fate, but to the fate of the nation.

My Thoughts:
Thank you, Mr. Woods. Once again you have given us our "old" Stone Barrington and not the fast and loose playboy that he had been in some previous books. Good to have Stone back.

This one only received 3.5 stars from me...not because it wasn't interesting or well written...but because in places it had entirely too much politics. After our recent real election fiasco, I just didn't need anymore politics. There were some scary truths in the storyline though. The idea that a mega rich man could dare to think he could buy his very own President along with his own cabinet members while eliminating anyone that stood in his way...and nearly succeeding.

Like all of Stuart Wood's books it is a fast read and has absolutely no wasted words. He gets right to the point. show less

This is a pretty good political story. The action is fast and furious. However, Woods' knowledge of Santa Fe is simply bad, very bad. The author ought to take a trip there from NYC and actually enjoy the environs. He would then know that nobody lives at 10000 feet, it's a National Forest; thus, an Alzheimer infected ex president could not possibly inhabit that altitude. This, just like Ed Eagle's 4th floor ofifce (there are no 4th floors in Santa Fe, except that of the Governor). Get your facts straight. Rant complete, the story was great, if implausible? Or, is it? Characters...it seems that Kate Lee = Hillary Clinton and Ed Knott looks a lot like Trump. The latter gets his comeuppance in the end as Karma abides. Author is prolific, show more lets go to #41. show less

This book was about a tv star wanting to run for president. However, unlike our current tv star president, this one was considered to be smart! However, he had some events in his past that he didn't want to come to light. He was also being controlled by some wealthy investors. One person has info on the candidate that will ruin his presidential run. Will he stay alive long enough to release the info? This is one of the more enjoyable Stone Barrington books, glad to see Stuart Woods has eased off of some of the gratuitous sex scenes that were in recent books.

3.5 stars. One of his best in recent memory, which might be damning with faint praise. Stone made it through an entire book without buying a new home or luxury automobile, and only slept with one woman to whom he in fact has had sex before. The basic plot involves a request by the first man, former President Will Lee for Stone to take possession of a locked briefcase. N.B. I thought the handcuff attachment was over the top. Anyway, President Kate Lee is facing a challenge from a popular businessman (Nelson Knott), with major financial support from a rich dude named St. Clair. The briefcase contains the memoir of Ed Rawls, a former spy, and contains some "explosive" material about BOTH candidates. Let the games commence.

Newly ensconced in his Santa Fe abode with a lovely female companion, Stone Barrington receives a call from an old friend requesting a delicate favor. A situation has arisen that could escalate into an explosive quagmire, and only someone with Stone's stealth and subtlety can contain the damage. At the center of these events is an impressive gentleman whose star is on the rise, and who'd like to get Stone in his corner. He's charming and ambitious and has friends in high places; the kind of man who seems to be a sure bet. But in the fickle circles of power, fortunes rise and fall on the turn of a dime, and it may turn out that Stone holds the key not just to one man's fate, but to the fate of the nation.

Stone Barrington returns, this time to assist the former president Will Lee by secreting away a package that has the potential to harm Kate Lee’s chances for election to a second term. Stone, of course, agrees, and takes possession of the case only to find himself embroiled in shady hijinks involving those who would like to relieve him of said case and its contents.

With its familiar cast of characters, and a few new ones, this Stone Barrington tale entertains the reader with its snappy dialogue and twisty plot. The fast-paced action keeps the suspense mounting; readers are likely to find it difficult to set this enjoyable tale aside before reaching the final page.

Recommended.