Rating: 
Summary: Just Gets Worse and Worse
Review: I really enjoyed this author when I started reading him, and I was happy to see the introduction of a new line of characters in "Orchid Beach." However, it seems that with each effort Mr. Woods puts out lately, they just keep going downhill.There is nothing at all realistic about this book. As a matter of fact, there's nothing that you can even stretch your imagination to believe. Holly's fiancee is killed on the way to their wedding and she barely sheds a tear. Ham is basically able to show up in a little central Florida town one day and suddenly he's the main marksman for a militia group, making a hit on a VIP, while one of the former leaders of the group is suspected of being a spy because of all the suspicious goings-on that suddenly started happening right around when Ham showed up. Huh? The dialogue also sounds like it was written by a 12-year-old. Characters constantly to refer to each other by name in every sentence, and we're subjected to ridiculously long descriptions of dinner menus and word-for-word phone conversations to get a single point across. And when the author wants us to know something, he inexplicably has the characters telling each other very obvious things -- for example, as Ham is getting ready to make his hit, John is explaining their escape plan and says, "And, of course, you're wearing your disguise." Ham doesn't know he's wearing a disguise and has to be told? Certainly there had to be a better way for Mr. Woods to let readers know Ham was in disguise than something this inane. And, as I've seen mentioned in other reviews, I found the "Author's Note" at the end of the book offensive, where the author instructs readers on what they may and may not write to him about, and informs them that unless they contact him via e-mail, they will not receive a response because he basically can't be bothered. I'm sure that sounds very warm and welcoming to readers who may not own a computer or know how to operate one. The Stone Barrington series has gone way downhill since it started, and this one seems to be headed in the same direction. Perhaps Mr. Woods should come down off his high opinion of himself and actually put a bit of effort into any future books...or I'm sure I won't be the only one who drops both of these series.
Rating: 
Summary: I listened to the tape while driving
Review: I'm not sure that I would actually devote prime time to reading this sort of light fare, but it is great for driving. Really beats the radio. The tape is very well produced. I agree with most of the negative reviews. However, I must say that I found the main characters, Holly and Ham, to be believable and consistent, and likable. I did not enjoy this book as much as DEAD IN THE WATER by Woods.
Rating: 
Summary: Good entertainment
Review: In Orchid Blues, Stuart Woods brings back Holly Barker, the small-town police chief initially featured in Orchid Beach. As with the first book - and, in fact, most of his books - Woods has written a lightly entertaining book, the type of book that is often referred to as a beach read. It may not be deep, but it is a fast, fun read. For Woods fans, this book is kind of a meeting place for characters from his other books. Stone Barrington has a guest appearance that is rather needless; there is no real reason why his role couldn't have been filled by some other character; at least he doesn't sleep with Holly, which makes her the first beautiful woman he hasn't slept with within a couple chapters of meeting. Will Lee, Woods other series character, is referred to although he does not appear. Finally, the neo-Nazi group, the Elect, makes another appearance with their usually plans to overthrow the government. Although I would guess this is technically a Holly Barker novel, it actually focuses more on her father, Ham, who is recruited to infiltrate the Elect, who may be responsible for the death of Holly's fiance. Ham is an interesting if a little too perfect, and the villains he contends with are a bit one-dimensional, even if they are reasonably clever. Holly's role tends to be more behind-the-scenes. Woods doesn't dispose of his series characters easily, and Holly and Ham will be back in Blood Orchid, which just came out in hardcover. My guess is that Stone will be back and that he and Holly will eventually hook up and the two series will converge. This book can stand alone, however, so it will be good for both Woods fans and those who just want some light entertainment. You may not feel that you have read a classic, but you will have fun.
Rating:
Summary: another winner from woods
Review: I have been a fan of Stuart Woods for quite some time now and still get excited when I see a new title by him. He does a stupendous job of creating characters that the reader can easily associate with, and instantly care about. This remains true for Holly Barker and her father Ham. I've read some other reviews that credited Woods' use of previously existing characters to populate his newer titles. I must commend him on this practice as well. Stone Barrington pops up in Orchid Blues, only briefly and with limited plot importance, to give a familiarity to this novel and its setting. As always, I greatly enjoyed Woods style and choice of settings. His knowledge of technology is extensive, yet he explains it in layman's terms. My only criticism would be to provide better closure, or perhaps explanation, on the relationship between the heroine Holly and her FBI friend Harry. Tensions and mistrust existed between them at the end and were never resolved. Otherwise an excellent read and great fun. Brian DuBois
author of The Gory Details
Rating:
Summary: an insult to readers
Review: i am glad to see so many reviewers are angry about the woeful lack of work the author put into this book. it is riddled with errors and so sloppy it could have been written in a weekend, as has been pointed out.
i couldn't help noticing that one of the militia leaders, peck, comes to ham's house--drinks whisky out of a glass and also shoots a pistol. both would leave prints. yet the cops and fbi are complaining that they have no fingerprints from the bank, and they even ask ham to get some out at the militia compound. DUH! i have enjoyed wood's earlier books but in recent ones he appends a most arrogant message, telling people not to write to him pointing out his errors. his knowledge of crime scene investigation and police procedure is pathetic, given what the ordinay person knows today from tv shows and properly researched thrillers.
you know a writer has nothing to say when he starts putting animals in his books to make up for lack of content and characterisation.
this old fart is well past it and his books are now not worth buying.
Rating:
Summary: Orchid Blues not up to Woods usual Standard
Review: I like Stuart Woods. Ever since Chiefs, I've been a fan, and I enjoy especially the little hints he leaves that remind you of previous books of his. Each of his stories builds a bit on previous ones. He started a new character a couple of years ago in Orchid Beach, in which the main character was a retired military police officer, Holly Barker, who has been hired as chief of police of a small town in Florida. Orchid Blues is the second book in that series. In this book, Holly's about to get married, but her fiance gets caught up in a bank robbery, and killed. It soon becomes obvious that this was an unusual robbery, and the killers dissappear. Holly has to contend with various forces who want to catch the robbers also, but don't want her to participate, or have agendas of their own, including the FBI and her own father, who gets involved with the killers. The plot is alright. I don't want to give too much away, but suffice it to say Woods has been down this route before, and much of the plot itself feels like a reworked version of several of his other books. I wasn't terribly upset, but I also wasn't that impressed with the book. It was almost as if he wrote it in his sleep or something. It's probably still a good bet, especially if you haven't read all of his books.
Rating: 
Summary: Not the worst book I ever read - but......
Review: My first Woods' novel and based on what I have read I will give him another try - but please...the story line was pretty thin - I kept finding inaccuracies and since I had never read Woods before I didn't get the "Stone Barrington" character - I just could not figure out the point.
If you are sitting in an airport - completely bored - buy it - you can finish it before you get home!
Rating:
Summary: Sloppy Orchid
Review: I usually find Stuart Woods' novels fast-paced fun. This sequel to ORCHID BEACH (which I enjoyed) is silly and...what's worse...sloppy. Did Woods dash this one off over a weekend? Characters actually contradict themselves, forget things they said earlier in the novel, and ramble unedited. Loose ends abound. On top of that, the bad guys are just another stereotyped bunch of "right-wing racist militiamen." These baddies went out of style and became hackneyed several years ago. No motivation, no persoanlity, no menace. I looked forward to this book. What a disappointment! Skip it.
Rating:
Summary: Sequel to "Orchid Beach"
Review: Holly Barker, Chief of Police of Orchid Beach,returns in this sequel by Stuart Woods. At the beginning of the book, Holly is planning to marry lawyer Jackson Oxenhandler. Violent and unexpected events occur, and suddenly Holly and her father Ham are pursuing a group of murdering bank robbers. Ham infiltrates a left-wing group and walks a narrow line as a double agent. He and Holly work in connection with an FBI agent, but they are never sure whom they can trust. Woods has a lean writing style which is driven by dialogue and does not contain much description or detail. If you enjoy this style, as I do, this is recommended reading.
Rating:
Summary: Lame for Woods
Review: Found myself putting the book down more often then wanting to pick it up. Just could not get into it like his Stone Barrington series, hope he continues writing more Stone than boring Holly.
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