Rating: 
Summary: Very Dissapointing Book, Lacks imagination
Review: Stone Barrington is one of my favorite characters in the mystery book arena, so I was eagerly awaiting the publication of Stuart Woods new book L.A. Dead. I must say I was very dissapointed. This book lacks imagination and the usual flair they have. I was bored a great deal of the time, really up to the last third of the book, when the book finally got unboring. The first half of the book goes into the plot and getting Arrington ready for trial, and takes too long and is unnessary. Nothing else developes. Oh yes Stone's jilted fiancee is stalking him in L.A., but I didn't find that too entertaining. I would definately check this out at the library before spending $24.95 plus tax on it.I hope Stuart Woods uses more imagination in his next Stone Barrington book.
Rating: 
Summary: Barrington is back!!!!
Review: I am sooo glad Mr. Woods has brought back the Character Stone Barrington. This book is much better than his last book 'The Run.' Do not want to spoil the story but this is a great read with a surprise ending! If you like Woods, buy this book! Also check out: "A Tourist in the Yucatan" Fun thriller I just finished.
Rating:
Summary: Woods Packs A Whallop Of A Punch With L.A. Dead!
Review: I just started reading Stuart Woods about six months ago and I think he is a great writer. I especially like his novels that includes his main protaganist, Stone Barrington. I have been looking forward to L.A. Dead for months. I think this novel was one of the best novels that Stuart has wrote. Stone Barrington is in Italy getting ready for his marriage to Dolce, the daughter of a rich Mafia man. At the last minute before he gets married, he gets a call from the police in Los Angeles, saying that Vance Calder, Arrington's new husband, has been murdered and that Arrington is the main suspect. (If you don't know who Arrington is at all, then you need to start with the earlier Stone Barringon novels or you will be confused!) Stone dashes out of Italy and arrives in Los Angeles. Stone along with Dino Bachetti, his old partner and friend, must prove that Arrington is innocent and discover who the killer is before someone else dies. The only problem is that Dolce, Stone's fiance, is incredibly mad at Stone and she even gets a little violent. One of the things that will shock the readers is the ENDING! You will be in shock. I'm looking forward to Mr. Woods' next novel coming in the future.
Rating:
Summary: A FUN, ENTERTAINING READ
Review: As Stone Barrington is planning his wedding to Dolce, he receives the devastating news that a friend, Vance Caldwell, has been murdered. Stone postpones his church ceremony, and rushes off to L.A. to find out what happened. Once in L.A., Stone, is shocked to find his one-time lover, and the now widow of his dead friend, Arrington, accused of the crime.As Stone begins to investigate the crime he will uncover enough dirt on the so called friends of Vance to send half of L.A. to jail, and he will be forced to confront the feelings he still has for Arrington. Not far behind is Dolce, the new Mrs. Stone Barrington, who wants her husband back home with her. Stone, under the impression that his marriage is not legal, must clear Arrington of the murder charges, put an end to his marriage while keeping peace with Dolce's mafia connected father, and catch the real killer. L.A. Dead is another winner from bestselling author, Stuart Woods; the pace is fast, the plot exciting, and as always the novel is peopled with colorful characters. Mr. Woods doesn't disappoint with this Hollywood mystery...his legion of fans will no-doubt enjoy the latest entry in the Stone Barrington series. Nick Gonnella
Rating: 
Summary: A serious legal thriller with a funny hero
Review: Former NYPD homicide detective turned attorney Stone Barrington travels to Italy to marry his fiancée Dolce Bianci. Her father happens to be a rich and powerful capo with ties to both sides of the law as well as to the Vatican. In Italy, for Roman Catholics to be considered married they must have civil and church eddings. The civil ceremony occurs, but before they tie the knot in church, Stone receives a phone call concerning Arrington, the woman he loves, who is married to famous movie star Vince Calder. In their home an unknown intruder killed Vince while Arrington was taking a bath. Arrington is placed in a psychiatric hospital demanding that Stone come to help her. Stone immediately leaves Italy to be at Arrington's side. He also agrees to represent her with the police and the probate court. Arrington cooperates with the police, but they arrest her on a charge of second-degree murder. Stone goes out of his way to protect the woman he still loves. The sixth Barrington mystery is the best novel in the series. Stone is an honest, intelligent, but beleaguered individual, who goes the extra mile and a half for those he cherishes. As Stone muddles through his relationships with females, the climax to L.A. Dead remains outstanding even as many questions about the hero's personal life remain unanswered. With an exclamation point, Stuart Woods makes it evident that he is a force in the mystery genre. Harriet Klausner
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: grabs hold of you right from the beginning
Review: wow, this book was fantastic...from the very beginning I couldn't stop turning the pages...i'm not sure why this book had a lower average rating, but I thought it was fantastic..
there's lots of things going on in this book, but that's one of many things Woods is good at: having multiple sub plots but using them in such a way that the reader doesn't get lost trying to keep track of everything....everything flows really well..
if I had to pick a gripe about the book it would be the ending...it's one of those 'did they or didn't they??' type of endings....which is cool, but if you're like me and you need to know everything, it'll drive you nuts! =)
as with the other books in the Barrington series, i'm sure the events of this book will impact stone's later adventures..
gripping and fast paced.
Rating: 
Summary: A Truly Awful Book
Review: Save your time, money and patience. This may be the worst book I have read since the equally monotonous, predictable Stone Barrington novel "The Short Forever". Wow, this one stinks. Like others, I put up with the shallow characters, ludicrous dialogue and endless parade of showers, boobs and guns to figure out whodunit. Unfortunately, this book had an ambiguous ending that seeks to be clever but is instead is just stupid. Who on earth did kill Vance? And come to think of it, who gives a damn? I don't what women did to Stuart Woods but he sure seems to hold them in complete contempt. Every female character, save for Isabel the maid, felt compelled to practically rape our handsome hero. Each is flawless and gorgeous but also all are dumb, vacuous, self-centered and thoroughly unlikeable - hey a couple are even truly psychotic! The only normal female character who spared Stone, Mary Ann, unfortunately has a room temperature IQ. I am hardly a prude, but I lost count of how many women either Vance or Stone made love to in the course of one short novel and felt the need to take a long hot shower to rid myself of the feelings of filth. Mr. Woods either lives in a world of complete ignorance or the reading public is a lot less discriminating than I thought.
Rating:
Summary: Not a brilliant audio or novel
Review: I listened to the Brilliance Audio edition of this book and was very annoyed by the special effects applied whenever the character speaking was on the telephone or on television. Not only were they jarring, but the volume level often dropped at those times, forcing me to rewind or miss something since I couldn't hear it properly. The novel itself is not very good, either, as other reviewers have noted. I've enjoyed others in the Stone Barrington series, but this one seemed an excuse just to hook Stone up with many women who were not his wife, talk about various wines, and not resolve any important points brought up in the plot. As usual in Stuart Woods' books, there were several continuity errors that should have been caught in the editing process. Maybe they were left in to distract from the overall weakness of the book.
Rating:
Summary: not that great a book
Review: My pen-pal has hounded me for years to read Stuart Woods. Well, three years later, I do. L.A. Dead. It didn't float my boat, sorry. It didn't even make me want to read some of the authors other books. This books seemed to cliché. Maybe the author has something about CA that he wants to say or maybe this is just his style of writing, but the randomness of people jumping from bed to bed is just dumb. And everyone knows except the wife. Just didn't seem to really grab me. But let's go deeper. Stone, about to get married, just flies across the country to see his ex, who he supposedly had, on a prior event, retreated from. Why? Other people wanted him to go but why? And Arrington had wanted him to come, but why? Nothing is really hinted or said. He is a big shot lawyer, and yet he can go where he wants and not have to worry about seeing his clients. Granted, a lot can be done by phone, but a lot can't. The actions of the main characters seem too easy. Stone is working from the desk of a dead guy on a movie lot. His wife sneaks on the lot and takes pictures of him. Well, she had not been to this lot before. How did she get into the lot and how did she know where the office was? Why does Stone want to not be in the same house with his ex, yet does not protest when she breaks bail and flies across the country to see him. Oh, there just happens to be a jet waiting to take each back to the west coast. Another thing I didn't seem to understand. The police and searching a house, and Stone gets there, doesn't ask for a warrant or anything. This book dispelled any and all belief this man can be a lawyer. Conflict of interest is no problem and he seems to only think of the law when is suits. Dino, well that is a nice character.
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