A brand-new page-turning Holly Barker novel from the perennially entertaining New York Times–bestselling author Stuart Woods.After Special Agent Holly Barker lets international terrorist Teddy Fay slip through her fingers for a second time, the CIA thinks she might want a long vacation, at least until Teddy is captured and the bad publicity has blown over. So Holly returns to her hometown of Orchid Beach, Florida, where she had been police chief for many years. But a very unpleasant surprise awaits her. Many years earlier, Holly and another female army officer had brought charges against their commanding officer for sexual harassment, attempted rape, and rape. Holly had managed to fight him off, but the other woman, a young lieutenant, had not. The officer in question was acquitted of all charges, and has also left the army—for a job as Orchid Beach’s new police chief.Will Holly return to the CIA? Or will she challenge her old nemesis for control of the Orchid Beach Police Department?
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"Not as fantastic as "Iron Orchid," "Hothouse Orchid," featuring CIA operative Holly Barker, is still a solid thriller and who-dunnit that kept me guessing. The beginning was a little rushed and awkward, but once Stuart Woods got going, the story and its sexy characters heated up with a good lather."
— Dean (4 out of 5 stars)
" Quick,fun ~ a great rainy day or beach read "
— Deb, 2/20/2014" The book had way too many coincidences, even more unrealistic situations and unbelievable dialogue. But I read the whole thing and I guess that says something positive for the book... "
— Elizabeth, 2/19/2014" I used to like Stuart Woods. "
— Linda, 2/16/2014" this was an easy read but not very entertaining. I kept waiting for this book to get better but it didn't. "
— Leanne, 2/12/2014" It was ok, because I liked the story and the easy read, but I could not get past the misgrammer. I should have paid attention to some of the veiws of this auther. "
— Lacy, 2/7/2014" Really this was a 3.5. I figured out the rapist/killer really early in the story. It was still a good read though. "
— Jannene, 1/28/2014" Holly Barker goes home, finds bodies and romance. It was OK, not my favorite Woods book. "
— Lee, 1/22/2014" I think I would have enjoyed reading this one more than listening. The narration was kinda goofy. The story was enjoyable enough :)! Loved the ending... "
— Kerry, 1/17/2014" It's a fast read, a mystery, but I guess I wasn't impressed with Stuart Woods style of writing. "
— Monique, 1/16/2014" I've read all of the Holly Barker series. I liked this one . . . pretty standard Stuart Woods stuff. "
— Christi, 1/3/2014" Enjoying Holly Barker books better than the Barrington ones, I got through this one quickly. But not quickly enough to miss all the errors that Wood's books are famous for. You would think that with all the $$$ he and the publisher makes that he could hire a good proof reader! "
— Kay, 12/28/2013" Excellent summer weekend reading. Holly Barker returns to Orchid Beach for a 'vacation' and ends up helping solve the rape/murders of area women. Some old characters (Teddy Fay) return and add to the complexity of the plot. "
— Joyce, 12/13/2013" i've given up on reading this book. i found it very boring and it was hard to stay interested. i have quite a few more books by this author so i'll give him another try. "
— Lisa, 12/10/2013" Light reading. I have to check all sense of reality at the door when I read Stuart Woods..... "
— Cindy, 12/7/2013" This was a quick read. Not something that stays with you after wards. Not deep. "
— Jill, 11/2/2013" This was a fast read and was entertaining. "
— Terri, 6/22/2013" Interestingly clever! Woods maintains page-turner quality~ despite early admission of guilt-by protagonist "
— Bill, 5/31/2013" running out of stuart barringtons... "
— Choopie, 4/27/2013" Another great Stuart Woods book! Love the Holly Barker charcter and ends on a cliff hanger to boot! "
— Susan, 12/21/2012" I always enjoy a Stuart Woods book, just like he enjoys his man sluts "
— Kelly, 12/9/2012" This is my first Stuart Woods book, and I'd venture to say it might be my last. Too many coincidences. Too simplistic. And it really bothered me that a man who had previously been accused of rape somehow became the chief of police. There are too many other tasty fish in the sea! "
— Jane, 10/29/2012" This author needs a lesson on "showing not telling." "
— Lark, 6/8/2012" Audio Book. Typical Stuart Woods. Good but not great. "
— Jake, 3/3/2012" Holly always makes for a great read! "
— Beth, 10/12/2011" Most of Woods are easy reading and easy to follow. The plots are good. I've enjoyed most of his books "
— Al, 8/7/2011" Holly Barker (her 6th book) works for the CIA, and has let the same terrorist slip thru her fingers twice. . . . BAD! So she goes to Florida for a vacation - her dad and his wife live there and she used to be sheriff there. Guess who she sees??? Love me some Stuart Woods, very pulp fiction! "
— Chris, 8/5/2011" Woods has slipped. Thin thin plot "
— John, 8/3/2011" I found Holly Barker very similar to the Robert Parker female lead, Sunny Randall. This was a fun easy read. I am tired of Woods Stone Barringon books. But, I think I will read the rest of the Barker series. "
— T, 5/11/2011" Audio Book. Typical Stuart Woods. Good but not great. "
— Jake, 5/6/2011" Quick. Easy. Light. Basically, a beach book. <br/><br/>Woods is certainly not one of today's best writers, but I enjoy a light read. I really enjoy the Holly Barker books and will continue to read them as they come out. "
— Abbey, 4/6/2011" Stuart Woods is a decent writer, and I have another of his books that I plan to read. "
— Rachelle, 3/15/2011" This book stirs great fantasies of how I would like to live if I were wealthy. "
— Jennifer, 3/2/2011" Another good quickie Stuart woods book perfect for ski trip!! "
— Stefani, 2/2/2011" Dull, lifeless characters. Felt like he phoned it in. The women did not seem like women. "
— Bibliodonna, 1/25/2011" i've given up on reading this book. i found it very boring and it was hard to stay interested. i have quite a few more books by this author so i'll give him another try. "
— Lisa, 11/2/2010" I like this series... my guilty pleasure. Summer reading on the Outer Banks. "
— Hank, 9/19/2010Stuart 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.
Carrington MacDuffie is a voice actor and recording artist who has narrated over two hundred audiobooks, received numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards, and has been a frequent finalist for the Audie Award, including for her original audiobook, Many Things Invisible. Alongside her narration work, she has released a new album of original songs, Only an Angel.