The second novel in the thrilling Stone Barrington Series by #1 New York Times Bestselling author Stuart Woods
""Blackmail, murder, suspense, love—what else could you want in a book?"" –Cosmopolitan
Feared and loathed for her poison pen and ice queen persona, Amanda Dart has made her share of enemies. Then the tables are turned. An anonymous gossipmonger is faxing Amanda's personal and private peccadilloes to anyone who can read. Desperate to save her reputation, she enlists the help of New York lawyer and private investigator Stone Barrington to learn the identity of the faxer. And everyone in the world of tabloid journalism becomes a suspect.
But the faxes don't stop. In fact, they get worse. And Stone winds up with more leads than one man can handle, until Amanda takes matters dangerously into her own hands and turns the world of gossip on its head. As the circle of suspects shrinks, Stone discovers that even the most respected members of the social scene will stop at nothing—even homicide—to clear their sullied names.
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"Another great Stone Barrington book. He's quite a character and things naturally work out for him. It's one of the principle reasons I love Stuart Woods. He provides real escapism for me and the writing is light enough to give yourself the night off to read and finish a book in two days. "
— Hilary (4 out of 5 stars)
“He’s so good he cost me several sleepless nights.”
— Anne Rivers Siddons“A marvelously sophisticated, thoroughly modern, old-fashioned read.”
— Publishers Weekly“Woods has become a master of his craft.”
— Washington Times“Dirty fun.”
— People“Blackmail, murder, suspense, love—what else could you want in a book?”
— Cosmopolitan“Woods is one of the best around at tense, fast-paced plotting. In Dirt, he has another certain winner.”
— St. Petersburg Times“Woods is a world-class mystery writer. And he’s getting better and better…I try to put Woods’ books down, and I can’t.”
— Houston Chronicle“I’ve been a Stuart Woods fan since his first novel, Chiefs. He started out with loads of historical atmosphere and gobs of gothic charm. He’s hung onto that and added a real talent for tight plots. Dirt, which gives a gnat’s-eye view of the Hollywood gossip mill, has the plot, the atmosphere, and the charm. It’s also really funny…Good Woods!”
— Toronto Globe and Mail" Another great Stone Barrington book. He's quite a character and things naturally work out for him. It's one of the principle reasons I love Stuart Woods. He provides real escapism for me and the writing is light enough to give yourself the night off to read and finish a book in two days. "
— Hilary, 2/14/2014" it was pretty good. my mom knows the author so i thought i'd give it a shot and i really enjoyedit. short sweet and to the point "
— Devon, 2/13/2014" One chapter in and I'm already not sure about this book... "
— Kelly, 2/4/2014" Help me pass the time in a place I would rather not have been. "
— Kjm, 1/28/2014" This is the second in the Stone Barrington series. I like the first one well enough, but this one not so much. None of the characters is sympathetic or even interesting, including the main character. Their sleaziness is just too off-putting for me. This is a caper novel (though more deadly than usual) rather than a mystery. Several of my friends love this series, and since I usually share their taste, I will continue reading it. I hope the series grows on me as it progresses. "
— BJ, 1/28/2014" As always Stone Barrington has a wild life. This was a fast read & thoroughly enjoyable "
— Gale, 1/27/2014" One of the better Stone Barringtons. "
— Peg, 1/19/2014" a nook book I purchased I was just surprised to find that this was the second in the Stone Barrington series. It also surprises me that I enjoy reading these as much as I do, since Stone is depicted as a man who likes to hop into bed with almost any attractive woman--three in this novel. There ARE some interesting twists and turns, with a fair smount of violence--Stone ends up being hospitalized twice following altercations. I don't recall Elaine's making an appearance. Still entertaining! "
— Marti, 1/2/2014" A pretty good read. While I did remember Arrington, I didn't remember how annoying she is. Still an enjoyable book. "
— Alice, 12/30/2013" This was not as good as his other books although it held your interest. I am trying to read all the Stone Barrington books in order and this was my least favorite. "
— Denice, 12/25/2013" Good read. Read on my Kindle. "
— Connie, 12/22/2013" still enjoying it "
— Choopie, 12/13/2013" OK this book is just mind candy, I know that but I like it anyway. A fast moving plot with lots of sex and a little violence and no message. "
— Ralph, 12/4/2013" My first Stone novel, before I started looking into series'. This is the 2nd one, so I just about started at the beginning! I've gathered most of the series now, so I can read them in order. What I recall, was this should be a fun series about the ladies man Stone. "
— Lee, 11/16/2013" Stone Barrington novels seem to have something for everyone, humor, mystery, sex and romance. A little corny at times, but I assume that it's intentional and the author is laughing along with us. "
— Matt, 11/12/2013" Awesome entertainment! Page turner with a good plot keeping the reader captured till the end..... "
— Annica, 11/9/2013" Easy fast read and predictable story, still like the character Stone. Woods' books are fairly predictable but are good to read between heavy reads. "
— Jackie, 9/7/2013" Another satisfying Stone Barrington story. It was good to come across the first appearance of Arrington in this, 2nd novel in the series. "
— Curtis, 9/6/2013" Very good; Continuing character: Stone Barrington; gossip columnist has the tables turned on her and seeks the help of a private detective. "
— Joe, 6/25/2013" You will find brisk sex, designer name dropping and the voyueristic tingle of dishing dirt on the rich and famous "
— Walt, 6/17/2013" Three and a half stars (like the first in the series, though I believe I rounded up on that one and down on this one). The sex seems to be almost randomly inserted (ha!) and forced, but it's a good, light read. "
— Rachel, 5/22/2013" Woods always manages to kept me engrossed with his Stone Barringotn series. "
— Daelith, 5/5/2013" Another Stone Barrington book. I'm reading them all out of order so it weird. This one he actually meets Arrington who becomes the love of his life! This story proves the saying: what goes around comes around. So be careful what you send around. "
— Carol, 4/8/2013" There is something about this series I like "
— Tess, 11/10/2012" Stuart Woods is always a good mystery read. Most characters got what they deserved. Dirt, the title, refers to digging up dirt on people. There were a lot of manipulators in this book, even Stone Barrington himself. "
— Jessica, 8/20/2012" Another popcorn book....fun, fast, and filled with what they term as "naughty fun". "
— Andy, 6/7/2012" This is another fun read in the Stone Barrington series of detective novels. The sex was a bit more explicit than it needed to be, but overall it was difficult to put the book down. "
— Monty, 5/9/2012" It's been a very long time since I read this book. I remembered a lot though and I liked it. I also read it on one day while I had off from School. "
— Donna, 3/9/2012" Strong characters, shady dealings, engaging storyline. "
— Vicky, 2/8/2012" Much better than #1 "
— Chris, 1/28/2012" I like Stuart Woods for fast light, entertaining reading. Scandal, violence, unlikely relationships are key. Perfect for fast summer reading. Epic, no. Solid for the genre, yes. "
— Suzan, 12/24/2011" I love reading these books. As a new yorker it's great knowing the streets and places that Stone Barrington visits "
— Daniel, 4/5/2011" Excellent plot twists, multiple villians, fast-paced, edge of your seat action. "
— FrankieReads, 3/31/2011" There is something about this series I like "
— Tess, 3/30/2011" I liked the book but hate how the main character, Stone Barrington, can just jump in to bed with any woman he meets. It makes the author look like a dirty old man "
— Steve, 1/21/2011" lots of twists and turns, couldn't put it down! "
— Nora, 1/21/2011" it was pretty good. my mom knows the author so i thought i'd give it a shot and i really enjoyedit. short sweet and to the point "
— Devon, 12/17/2010" I love Stone Barrington!Per usual, a fun read! "
— Nadine, 10/20/2010" Help me pass the time in a place I would rather not have been. "
— Kjm, 10/13/2010" I decided to go back to the beginning of Stone Barrington novels to get all the ones I missed. This one not so great, but I think it was partly the readers voice. "
— Jill, 8/14/2010" Another Stone Barrington tale where he meets Amanda Dart, a gossip columnist. Amanda hires Barrington to get to the bottom of a blackmail plot. "
— Chuck, 6/25/2010" Stone Barrington reminds me a lot of J.P. Beaumont from author J.A. Jance. Nice easy reading. "
— Denise, 6/22/2010" My first Stone novel, before I started looking into series'. This is the 2nd one, so I just about started at the beginning! I've gathered most of the series now, so I can read them in order. What I recall, was this should be a fun series about the ladies man Stone. "
— Lee, 1/1/2010" Easy fast read and predictable story, still like the character Stone. Woods' books are fairly predictable but are good to read between heavy reads. "
— Jackie, 12/31/2009" A pretty good read. While I did remember Arrington, I didn't remember how annoying she is. Still an enjoyable book. "
— Alice, 12/17/2009" This is another fun read in the Stone Barrington series of detective novels. The sex was a bit more explicit than it needed to be, but overall it was difficult to put the book down. "
— Monty, 9/13/2009" I picked this book off my shelf because I was between trips to the library, and it was pretty good. Stone Barrington is a little too "perfect" for my taste, and the sex is a little too casual for me, as well. But the plot was pretty engaging, and I did read the whole thing! "
— Sue, 9/12/2009Stuart 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.