Rating: 
Summary: Predictable!
Review: Not his best work but an enjoyable,quick read. This is one of those books that you figure out very early. You continue to read to see how the author actually brings it all together.
Rating: 
Summary: More Like a Pebble than a Stone...
Review: I have read most of the Stone Barrington novels and it seems that Stuart Woods has, as someone once said of Mario Puzo, quit writing and started typing. Though "Cold Paradise" is a small step up from the previous Barrington novel, that doesn't mean it's any good. In this one, Stone is sent to Florida to find a girl that an eccentric billionaire has fallen in love with after one meeting. Stone finds her, in one of the book's many coincidences, within a day. But due to a convoluted set of circumstances, none of which are remotely believable, he winds up staying on and living on an extravagant yacht while engaging in a relationship with a beautiful, sensual woman. Yeah, that happens a lot, doesn't it? Maybe to others but certainly not to me. I gave the book two stars, which is probably generous, since it is a quick read and moves along. But it is sloppily written for an author with Woods' experience; several times he has characters react to things that they would have no way of knowing about. One example has the beautiful, sensual woman ask Stone about his dinner date with the "dead woman" when there is no way she could have known about that (I can't say too much without giving things away but, if it'll keep you from spending hard earned money on the book, maybe I should). It is also amazing how apparently competent law enforcement officials repeatedly defer to Stone's incredible wisdom and foresight. I know he's an ex-cop but rarely does a chapter go by without some law enforcement official saying, in response to an observation by Stone, "That's a good point" or "You're right; I hadn't thought of that." As for the ending, the truth comes out in one of the most incredible and unbelievable scenes ever put on paper. One almost wonders if Woods has reached the contractual limit on pages and is ready to wrap things up. Woods is a good writer; he has demonstrated it in other books. But not this one.
Rating: 
Summary: contractual obligation
Review: Although Stuart Woods has written several excellent stories (Chiefs, Grass Roots), this latest book strikes me as a contractual obligation. Stone Barrington continues to fancy himself a ladies man and the sequence of events seem as likely as me winning a lottery. I sense that Mr. Woods, now that he has achieved a measure of success, has lost some of his creative story telling talents. An unfortunate occurance as he has shown a flair for telling a story. His readers, in my humble opinion, will disappointed by this latest effort.
Rating: 
Summary: Another good easy read about our favorite character.
Review: I enjoyed the latest edition of Stone Barrington's continuing adventures. If you are looking for a fun easy read while sitting on the beach, you will enjoy this book. If it is a literary piece of art you hope to find, keep looking. What makes Woods a good writer in my opinion is his ability to tell a story and make you care about his characters. That tradition continues in Cold Paradise. So as not to spoil the story, I won't go into any details. Stone meets up with several characters we were introduced to in previous Woods books and goes on an adventure that most of us could only daydream about. Along the way, he gets yet another girl and makes yet another rich and powerful friend. It is easy to see that one or two of the characters in Cold Paradise will end up in other Stone Barrinton books if the series continues.
Rating:
Summary: Stuart Woods continues to disappoint
Review: Cold Paradise is his worse book yet. Stuart has either lost his touch, gotten lazy, or needs to find a new ghost writer. This story has no depth, no intrigue, no substance, no nothing. I am very familiar with Stuart Woods' work, he was my favorite author for many years and his first works are great reads. But his ability to write interesting stories has all but evaporated. Cold Paradise is the last Stuart Woods book I will read. I'm only glad the book was loaned to me by a friend and I didn't have to waste my money on it.
Rating:
Summary: A great Beach Read Book
Review: I've read almost all Stuart Woods' books over the last 13 years and enjoy them all. They're not rocket science but they get you into the story quicker than any other writer I know. Ok, maybe he doesn't finish as strong and it does start to get predictable a little over half way through, but I still find his books very entertaining. I like to describe his books as the perfect read at the beach, you can't put it down and it will pass your hours quickly.This book has Stone Barrington back to solve mysteries as the former policeman, lawyer, private eye, ladies man. Stuart really wanted to get Stone in hot water so he brought back most of his former loves for at least cameo appearances. Stuart seems to enjoy setting his books in different environments and this time it's Palm Beach with a look out how wealthy people live. Really, wealthy people and the people who want to be around them. Some people say the ending is predictable and maybe it is but there are always enough surprises to keep me entertained. I look forward to his next book whatever it may be.
Rating:
Summary: Suspend Reality and Enjoy the Adventure
Review: This is a terrific read if you just want to while away a few hours on the beach or over a weekend. Stone Barrington, Woods' protagonist in this series, finds himself in a series of complicated situations that tie together into various crises and adventures that will keep you turning the pages. Imagine that your law firm asked you to help out a self made billionaire computer genius that had fallen in love with a widow he had only recently met. The widow is someone you had been in love with but thought had left forever. Her ex-husband who you thought had been killed is stalking her. Then the billionaire puts you up on the yacht anchored at his mansion in Palm Beach and the chef on the yacht is a stunningly attractive woman who gets you to forget the widow you thought you had once been in love with. It is cheerfully put together nonsense but if you like the Stone Barringotn series you will not be able to put this book down. The portrait of Palm Beach is well done and the intricacies of greed, lust, and revenge blend together into a twisted tale that will keep your attention until the last page.
Rating:
Summary: Although I love Stuart Woods
Review: As well as the Stone Barrington character, this was not my favorite of his Barringtong books. While most Woods books aren't very predictable, this one was easily figured out too early in the plot. While there are twists and turns, the main idea was too obvious. Be sure to read ALL the Stone Barrington books before you read this one though...while not neccisarily a "series" this book does built tremendously on events that took place in previous Barrington books.
Rating:
Summary: Ending?
Review: I was very disappointed in this book - especially the ending. It was so thrown together that I could not believe that the editor didn't say, please rewrite this....no way was she going to blow her cover that way and for them to so easily find out. I won't buy his books again for a long while.
Rating:
Summary: Woods disappoints with cranked out thriller.
Review: I have read all of Wood's books and have enjoyed looking forward to the next, until now. Woods appears to be in his "retirement years" where writing is merely a way to squeeze cash out of his publisher...he certainly isn't putting much effort into his writing. This book proves the point. Instead of wasting time developing charaters and storyline, he reverts back to the rapidly stale getting Stone Barrington. To make matters worse, he decides to call up virtually every character and love interest from previous Barrington novels and throws them all together in a boring novel about a search for Paul Manning; a murderer from, again, a previous novel. Somehow, all the old love interests also "just happen to be" in Palm Beach where Stone is conducting his search from the deck of some wealthy techno tycoon's yacht. I hope Woods puts more effort into his next novel, otherwise he is about to lose a longtime fan.
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