In this perfect mix of sexy intrigue and swift suspense in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, Stone Barrington investigates the suicide of a CIA officer—his own cousin...
Stone Barrington hasn’t heard from his cousin, Dick Stone, in years. Then, an otherwise pleasant meal at Elaine’s is interrupted by the CIA with news of Dick’s death—apparently by his own hand. It seems that Dick Stone, a quiet family man who doubled as a CIA agent, methodically executed his wife, daughter, and then himself...or did he? Appointed executor of Dick’s will, Stone must settle the estate and—with the help of his ex-partner Dino and friend Holly Barker—piece together the elusive facts of his cousin’s life and death as a CIA operative. At every step, Stone knows he is being watched by Dick’s family—and one of them just may be the killer.
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"Typical Stone Barrington book. You have to be wealthy to relate to the lifestyle and circle of influence he runs in. I think that this is the biggest departure from reality that this series of books has. The character closed circle set on Islesboro got somewhat tedious. Somehow I don't think most communities are loaded with millionaires and ex-CIA types. The intrigue level did increase tempo to the very end, and there were no super-hero actions to save the day, so the action plot is in line with reality and isn't the driving factor to keeping the reader involved in the book, characters, or suspense level."
— Joe (4 out of 5 stars)
[A] rat-a-tat tone.
— The Washington Post Book WorldFast pacing and an involving mystery.
— BooklistMore Praise for Stuart WoodsStuart Woods is a no-nonsense, slam-bang storyteller.
— Chicago TribuneA world-class mystery writer...I try to put Woods’s books down and I can’t.
— Houston Chronicle“Mr. Woods, like his characters, has an appealing way of making things nice and clear.
— The New York TimesWoods certainly knows how to keep the pages turning.
— Booklist“Since 1981, readers have not been able to get their fill of Stuart Woods’ New York Times bestselling novels of suspense.
— Orlando SentinelWoods’s Stone Barrington is a guilty pleasure...he’s also an addiction that’s harder to kick than heroin.
— Contra Costa Times (California)" It was just OK. I figured out who did it before I read it. A couple of things that happened didn't even make any sense to the plot. "
— Julia, 2/19/2014" I keep thinking that I should like this author's books, but I just can't seem to get into them. I give up for awhile. "
— Andrea, 2/11/2014" The plot was not very deep. I had solved the 'who did it' factor around chapter thirty. The rest of the read was just waiting for the pieces to fall in place. A little bit of a let down in that aspect. However the style was fun as it is a hybrid of police report and novel. Solid characters who pull the book to its finish. "
— Desirae, 2/4/2014" This is the 12th book I 've read by this author. I guess that pretty much explains my rating. I enjoy his main character, Stone Barrington, and it's always a quick read. "
— Diana, 2/1/2014" This is a suspenseful crime mystery that provides the reader just enough detail to expect a breakthrough after each page turn. The protagonists seemed somewhat stereotypic to me, but this was my first introduction to Woods' regular characters, Stone Barrington and Holly Barker, and maybe they've been developed in more depth in preceding books. I learned of this mystery novel from its month-long stay on the New York Times best seller list in the spring of 2006 "
— Ronald, 2/1/2014" Good book. I enjoyed it but it did have some bad language. I would rate it "pg13" "
— Robert, 1/17/2014" I liked this one better than most. Still the same formula, but I found Dark Harbor more entertaining! "
— Donna, 1/17/2014" Fun to read; but rather predictable outcome. "
— Diane, 1/16/2014" Very suspensful and I love Tony Roberts narrating "
— Lynn, 1/16/2014" The ending left me wanting more. I do not feel that the end lived up to the suspense of the rest of this novel. Highly disappointing! "
— Jackie, 1/15/2014" Very entertaining despite some serious plot flaws. "
— Ryan, 1/12/2014" More Stone, Dino & Holly Barker escaping a killer, stone inherits more money! "
— Vicki, 1/5/2014" Audio Book. I still enjoy reading Stone Barrington books but, no matter how different they are, they all seem the same. "
— Jake, 1/4/2014" Dealing with family death and secrets. "
— Vicky, 12/14/2013" An easy and interesting read, but far too many impossible or implausible situations. "
— Jim, 12/10/2013" Nancy 5 stars; Ron 4 stars "
— Ron, 12/9/2013" A pretty standard murder mystery novel. Enjoyable in a 'no-brainer' kind of way. "
— Allison, 10/5/2013" Yet another Stone Barrington mystery, this time on an Island in Maine. "
— Monty, 8/9/2013" Love Stone Barrington novels. "
— Dave, 4/24/2013" It was a good book but the end was more predictable than in his other books. Easy read so if you like Stuart Woods, I would still recommend the book. "
— Sara, 1/21/2013" Fun read. I like the Barrington series "
— Mike, 12/23/2012" This is another fun Stone Barrington novel. When Stone isn't thinking, he is definitely led around by his other head, which gets him into situations which add to the murder mystery. "
— Cheryl, 9/3/2012" Didn't like the ending. Still, it's a Stone book "
— Jessica, 8/16/2012" This was ok, but not as interesting as I usually expect of Stuart Woods. "
— Betty, 3/7/2012" Didn't care for the book. "
— Sonja, 2/22/2012" another Stone Barrington winner! "
— Gerry, 2/20/2012" Haven't read Woods for awhile. This was another Stone Barrington story. As good as always. I guess I will have to pick up some that I haven't read. "
— Pat, 2/12/2012" Hard to put down.All of his books are interesting. "
— Bnschmid, 12/29/2011" When you can't sleep or are trapped on a runway waiting for a gate, or de-icing, this is the kind of book you want to be reading. "
— SomeForTheRoad.com, 11/27/2011" Very lightweight but still entertaining, altho the end becomes obvious half-way through. Woods' style is becoming so spare and lite that if this book takes more than 2 hours to read, you're moving your lips while you read "
— Shruts, 10/14/2011" A quick and enjoable read. "
— Bill, 8/19/2011" Stone Barrington #12. Weakest book in the series so far. Stone inherits a house on an island in Penobscot Bay from a rarely-seen cousin, whose family is slain. He flounders throughout the book, but manages to solve the case when Holly Barker is kidnapped. "
— Skip, 8/4/2011" You got to love Stone Barrington. "
— Coralie, 7/19/2011" Audio Book. I still enjoy reading Stone Barrington books but, no matter how different they are, they all seem the same. "
— Jake, 5/6/2011" I always enjoy the Stone Barrington mysteries. They are fast, action-filled and it's easy to love Stone, Holly and Dino. "
— Luckngrace, 3/10/2011" This is another fun Stone Barrington novel. When Stone isn't thinking, he is definitely led around by his other head, which gets him into situations which add to the murder mystery. "
— Cheryl, 2/2/2011" I listened to this on my way to work. It was quite exciting and exactly what I needed it to be. "
— Kate, 1/31/2011" started on January 21, 2011<br/> "
— Joanna, 1/20/2011" People can say what they want about Stuart Woods books being shallow - they are great stories and you can't put them down. They are the perfect escape books. You read them and then go try to find another one you haven't read yet. "
— Richard, 1/18/2011" I haven't ever read a Stone Barrington novel by Stuart Woods that I didn't like. And this was no exception. Even if Stone is a man slut. LOL "
— Lauralynn, 1/11/2011" If you've read one Stuart Woods "Stone Barrington" novels, you've pretty much read them all. But that's not a bad thing! They're all very entertaining, very funny, and throroughly enjoyable. Even if they're all pretty much the same. "
— Perry, 11/25/2010" Yet another Stone Barrington mystery, this time on an Island in Maine. "
— Monty, 9/22/2010" Very lightweight but still entertaining, altho the end becomes obvious half-way through. Woods' style is becoming so spare and lite that if this book takes more than 2 hours to read, you're moving your lips while you read "
— Shruts, 8/7/2010" This book wasn't too bad. I think I enjoy them a little more when there is a little bit of a plot & not so much sex. "
— Denise, 8/7/2010" Another Stone Barrington novel. Again very enjoyable. "
— Jodi, 7/30/2010" Another good Stone Barrington book - looks like this is the end of Arrington though "
— Annette, 6/2/2010" A new author for me and I love the little bit of everything--mystery, murder, intrigue, love interest and not a complicated plot since I listen in the car. "
— Harriet, 5/6/2010Stuart Woods (1938-2022) wrote more than ninety novels, including the #1 New York Times bestselling Stone Barrington series. He is a native of Georgia and began his writing career in the advertising industry. Chiefs, his debut in 1981, won the Edgar Award.
Tony Roberts is an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator. He has had roles in numerous films, many by Woody Allen, as well as his starring roles on Broadway in Arsenic and Old Lace; Promises, Promises; and The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife.