Rating: 
Summary: Who does the author think he is?
Review: I have read all of Stuart Woods' previous books -- and loved many of them; however, the latest "Stone" novel is the worst book I think I have ever read. It has a reasonable plot, but very shallow characterization, poorly written dialogue, and contrived situations to create conflict between Stone and his lady friends. The author does little to make you like the characters, even the main character. Sad to say, I know Mr. Woods can do better. (Note to author: What happened, Mr. Woods? I am very disappointed and may not continue to read your work. However, I doubt that you would care -- the little note from you at the end of the novel certainly puts your readers in their places.)
Rating: 
Summary: Yuck!
Review: Picked this book up as a trashy murder mystery to read over a weekend at the beach. Good thing my expectations weren't high. Seemed as if a few chapters were missing, leaving numerous loose ends - I'm assuming this is a ploy to encourage me to read the next in the series, but I'm really not that interested. The book was obviously written by a male - every woman coming in contact with Stone seems to remove her clothes and throw herself at him. Any author who uses the word "randy" multiple times in a novel should be suspect!
Rating:
Summary: Pathetic!!
Review: This has to be one of the worts books I've ever listened to! It was very poorly written, the 'hero' is a stereotypical macho lawyer/PI type who constantly has naked women throwing themselves at him (to whom he couldn't possibly say no)and the courtroom scene had me yelling "objection!!". It was read in a bored monotone, the Mexican characters sounded like Speedy Gonzales and Stone's Italian friend seemed to have a constant sinus cold. The female characters were all weak, whiny, and sex starved, or sex starved and deranged! The so-called mystery is never even solved! This is the first and only Stuart Woods book I will ever read or listen to. Thoroughly amazed he ever got published.
Rating:
Summary: Stone's Lost His Impact
Review: As a long-time Stuart Woods fan, it's really disappointing to do this review, but then, for the last few Stone Barrington books I've felt pretty let down. Stone has developed into a parody of a hero. The coolness, the irresistableness of this character have grown to laughable proportions. Only problem is, the book's not a comedy.For what it's worth the storyline is as follows: Stone comes to the rescue of his old flame, Arrington. Her husband has been murdered and she has been fingered as the killer. Stone signs on as her attorney and unofficial investigator. As an aside, Stone is being stalked by Dolce, the woman he left at the altar in Venice in order to take on the case. This book is a mindless, lightweight mystery that attempts to pack in every Hollywood cliche possible at the expense of providing any real story. All the women are rich and beautiful and prepared to throw themselves at Stone, who obliges by bedding the lot of them. I can't recall a single character who reacted to a situation in a way that was remotely believable. It's a shame that a talented author such as Stuart Woods should waste his time producing stuff like this. Although I get the feeling he didn't spend that much time. Take me back to the time he wrote "Chiefs" and New York Dead".
Rating: 
Summary: A decent but uninspiring read
Review: This was a decent read, but it didn't have the zest or that "something" that I found enjoyable in Wood's "Worst Fears Realized." The story line is okay, but not very inspiring. Stone's old girlfriend (Arrington) is in trouble. Still in love with her, despite the fact that she's now married to and has a child by someone she dumped Stone for, he runs to her rescue. That action wreaks havoc on Stone's personal life -- or I should say more havoc. Unfortunately, Arrington's performance in this novel is lackluster at best. It was like watching a movie and wondering why a particular actor was cast for the part. Luckily, most of the other characters were well-cast and interesting and added life to the story. In addition to crime-solving, Stone engaged in a little womanizing in this book. However, that didn't bother me especially since under the circumstances, I saw no real reason for him not to. In fact, that helped liven up the story. If you have time to spare and just happen to like Stone Barrington, then go ahead and pick up the book. It is a decent read, it's just not great. If you've never read Wood's work, start with something else so you can appreciate the writer's talent before giving up on him just when you're starting.
Rating:
Summary: A disappointment
Review: I loved "Chiefs" by Stuart Wood, and have read everything he's written since. He's capable of wonderful writing. Unfortunately, this Stone Barrington series, and especially the Stone Barrington character, reveals very little of his great talent. The character is a self-absorbed, shallow, utterly unadmirable womanizer with the morals of a snake and the heart of a hustler. I won't be reading any more of the Stone Barrington books. This latest novel is very smooth and glib, like a dish of vanilla pudding, mindlessly pleasant as it goes down but ultimately unsatisfying. Every article of clothing Barrington wears is lovingly detailed for us; every luxury car and airplane, every beautiful woman, the menu of every meal is lingered over, making one wonder if Woods is as much a sybarite as his character. Too bad the story isn't as absorbing as it is smooth, and it's quickly forgotten. I hate it when authors with huge talent churn out trifles like this, and I've seen it happen over and over. It's like they're just cranking out a quickie for another fat check and to hell with the quality. Where are their friends, their editors, their confidantes? They need to be told to get back to their writing roots, to write the way they are capable of writing. The kind of talent that has been given to Mr. Woods is rare and shouldn't be expended on such trifles.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I really was disappointed. Is Mr. Woods going through male menapause? I know he can do much better than this, glad I got it from the library and didn't spend good money on it.
Rating:
Summary: L.A. Dead potato chips for the brain...
Review: If you've read the other books concerning Stone Barrington you most likely will read this one simply to keep up with his latest antics. That way when the next escpade comes out you will be up-to-date. However I would caution anyone who picks up this book with the intent of finding a story deeply engrossing, mature or politically correct. I on the other hand like the occaisional frivolous, airy, fast-and-easy to read book. L.A. Dead fits those requirements. One thing I would like to express to Mr. Woods---Barrington's charm is the way he likes (and does)sleep with every female he comes in contact with, therefore don't ever let him get married again. And please, please, please get rid of Arrington for good.
Rating:
Summary: Who killed Vance Calder and does anybody care?
Review: I have this hope that will not die. It is that Stuart Woods will someday soon find in himself, the writer he once was at the beginning of his career. L.A. Dead is an improbable story at best and an absurd one at worst. Stone Barrington is about to marry a Mafioso princess in Venice and by Cardinal Bellini himself when Arrington Carter's husband, Vance Calder is the recipient of a bullet to the brain. Leaving his bride after the civil service, but before the Cardinal says the "I do's", Stone rushes to Arrington's side to provide whatever assistance he can. It seems that there was no one else in the house when Vance was shot, other than Arrington, but she has amnesia and is in shock. The police are not amused. Stone is thinking that there may be an Arrington Barrington in his future after all if he can keep her clear of a conviction. His Mafia princess has a dim view of his change of heart, but inexplicably, her daddy, thinks none the less of old Stone for leaving his little girl at the alter. For the rest of the book, women in various stages of undress seem to populate Stone's life and bed. At the end one is left with the certain knowledge that Mr. Woods has left the door open for another sequel, assuming Stone does not get AIDS from all of his sexual indiscretion. However, I'm not sure any of us care that much anymore.
Rating:
Summary: A Real Disappointment
Review: I hated this book and only finished it because it was a murder mystery. I have never read any of Woods' books before, but this Stone Barrington comes off as an idiot. After marrying a woman with ties to the mob, he then loses all feeling for her when a former love, Arrington, is suspected of murdering her movie star husband and he must come to her aid. Lots of sleazy, one dimensional characters with no morals abound in this book. The book was flat, the character Stone unapealling, and the characters very poorly described or not at all as far as their physical appearance and background. I hate myself for even finishing it, I only did it to find out who committed the murder. And after being dragged this way and that a few times, it's really no surprise.
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