Rating: 
Summary: Woods does it again
Review: Ever since Chiefs, Stuart Woods has had a loyal following. I'm one of the followers, after a fashion. There's no question he's not the second coming of Chandler, or something, or that his characters are very memorable, or anything. He does, however, create relatively interesting plots, and the characters are interesting also, though everything can be a bit predictable. If you've ever read Nelson DeMille, and not read Woods, I consider the two to be virtually interchangeable, except that Woods' books tend to be shorter, and DeMille's tend to be more international and espionage/military oriented.In this book Woods introduces a new character. She's Holly Barker, a just-retired Army MP officer who becomes Assistant Chief of a small-town police department, only to have the chief get shot just as she gets into town, and then to have various odd things begin to happen. There's a mysterious Lieutenant who wants her job, small town politics, a dog who gets beer from the refrigerator, a drifter who is a good suspect for the chief's shooting except for he doesn't act like it, and another murder to solve. Barker has to deal with all of this, an adventurous father, his old army buddies, an amorous defense attorney, a bad cop who's been in jail, and a raft of FBI agents. All very fun, and all told in standard Woods style, which means it reads fast. If you're going to Chicago or NYC or LA on the plane tomorrow, this is probably a good bet.
Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't Put It Down!!!
Review: I was up all night reading this book! I am a big Detective novel buff and this book filled my need for mystery. I found the dog Daisy to be a wonderful bonus character. Although, I did think that the book began to move a little fast once the FBI became involved. The whole focus of Holly's investigation into the Cheif's murder became a little unfocused. And I found it a little hard to believe that Ham, Holly's military father, just decided to retire and move to Orchid Beach to help.....a far stretch. But, over all I enjoyed the novel and can't wait to read more of Stuart Wood's work!
Rating:
Summary: A good simple mystery
Review: This being the second book I have read by Mr.Woods I have enjoyed it much more than Swimming to Catalina. His characters are understandable,all dialog is down to earth, the mystery is within a probable format and the great dog is only a plus. I will read more of this author and would recommend his books to all.
Rating:
Summary: fast reading, kept my attention.
Review: I've never heard of Stuart Woods until I was in the store and happened to pick up this book. I read the first few pages and when I realized I couldn't put it down I had to buy it. I don't think Woods spent enough time explaining the lawyer boyfriend. He was suddenly dating Holly and I had a hard time picturing him because there wasn't enough said about him. Yet he's in the rest of the story. I found it very predictable but interesting enough to not want to put it down. I believe what one reader wrote, once the FBI got involved the story was basically about Palmetto Gardens and it seems like they forgot about the investigation of the Chief. Put it this way, I've read many books before. The one before this was Hannibal. That took me 3 months to read due to lack of interest. (no offense, Hannibal bored me, Silence of the Lambs was great) Either you have it or you don't. Orchid Beach took me 1 week to read. I'm looking forward to reading more of Woods books.
Rating:
Summary: Orchid Beach
Review: When I learned that the new Stone Barrington novel was to feature Holly Barker, chief of police in Orchid Beach, Florida, I thought I'd get to know her by reading the first book in her series by Stuart Woods. Holly Barker is forced into early retirement from the Army after a nasty sexual harassment case. Chet Marley, chief of police in Orchid Beach, offers Holly a job as his deputy chief of police. On her first day on the job, Holly learns that Marley had been shot the night before and was in a coma. She also finds out that Marley's best friend, Hank Doherty, had been killed the same night. Holly adopts Doherty's Doberman, Daisy. She suspects that someone on the force knows about the shootings, but she isn't sure who knows. As she investigates, she is led to Palmetto Gardens, a very exclusive and rich piece of property in Orchid Beach. It is gated with extremely tight security. With the help of the FBI, her father Hamilton, and her lover Jackson Oxenhandler, Holly gets the answers to her questions. I enjoyed this book. Stuart Woods writes page turners, and "Orchid Beach" will keep the reader turning pages.
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Summary: Gotta love Stuart Woods!!!...
Review: I am typically a reader of Woods' Stone Barrington series, but since he cannot write them fast enough, I sought out his other series, in which this is the first book. The Orchid series follow a character named Holly Barker, who is retired from the U.S. military. She takes a position with the Orchid Beach police, and upon arriving the chief is murdered. While getting accustomed to her co-employees, the Orchid Beach community, and her new friend Daisy, Holly must try to solve the case, while also investigating a mysterious 'members only' development called Palmetto Gardens. And to top things off, the ex-chief hinted to Holly before his murder that he thought something 'suspicious' was going on in the department. Holly must decide whom she can and cannot trust. The book did tend to be a little unrealistic with the qualities of Palmetto Gardens, but overall if was still a great read. A keeper for any Woods fan!
Rating: 
Summary: I wanted to like it
Review: Everyone starts a book with the hopes of a great read. Unfortunately, I found myself struggling to complete a book where the most vivid character was the dog. The wooden dialogue and thinly drawn characters soon wore out their welcome. I finished only to see if the dog would live... but I'm not telling. Two stars for the author's uncanny ability to get such average work in the bookstores.
Rating:
Summary: What Else Could Go Wrong
Review: Imagine being a female Major in the Army. If that's not tough enough, you are harassed by one of your superiors who has his head so far up (well you know what I mean). After deciding to file charges against your superior you lose. Well as anyone who has been in the military can tell you, so much for the career. Luckily in this book Holly Barker caught what she thought was a break when she lands a job as the Deputy Chief of Police in Orchid Beach, Florida working under an old army buddy of her fathers. Well all is going well until the night before she is to start work when the Chief is found dead next to his cruiser. Holly steps into the job of chief and onto lots of toes and all heck begins to break loose. This is my third Stuart Woods novel. Though not as good a Dead in the Water but better then Choke, I found this to be a book that was enjoyable to listen to. Ms. Monk did an outstanding job with the narration and used good voice inflections various little nuances to vary the characters enabling you to easily differentiate between characters. Mr. Woods does a great job at bringing characters to life and setting scenes without long drawn out description. This book doesn't leave much time between action filled chapters. Between bad guys and subordinate officer who are not happy with the fact that Holly is there new boss anything and everything happens including a love affair with the towns District Attorney. Mr. Woods, is an excellent author with whom I became acquainted with his novel Dead In The Water and was hooked. If you like a good mystery with lots of action, then Stuart Woods is an author not to be omitted from your list. Just get a Stuart Woods novel and "Good Reading".
Rating:
Summary: A fast page-turner, but so-so plot
Review: This book is about the crime among the rich and influential. I simply bought this book because it involves a clever dog. (I'm a dog lover, so everything with dogs interests me.) I've never known Stuart Woods before. This is his first book I've read. I finished it in 2 days and am happy to recommend it as a "beach book". You may need another book if you want to tan deeply' cause this book will give you a slightly brown complexion. :-D Wood's language is easy to read, follow and understand. The way he writes is similar to Sidney Sheldon's, but with less narrative and psychological stuff. Perhaps it is because of their involvement in showbiz. Expect to read fast moving scenes, like those in detective movies/series. Don't expect anything deep. You won't have to THINK at all while you are reading this book. Just watch!
Rating: 
Summary: Fast & Full of Surprises
Review: I listened to this book on tape and loved every minute of it. It had suspense, drama and a few surprises. In fact until almost the very end you don't really know who the leak might be. This is the first in a series with Holly Barker starting out as the Deputy Chief of Police in Orchid Beach. She has been told by the Chief of Police that he thinks there is someone in his department that is bad. The day that Holly shows up for her new job, the Chief has been shot in the head and it is the story of Holly trying to figure out what is going on in the department and who might be involved in the shooting of the Chief. I loved every minute of this book, it has everything you could possibly want in a book. Sex, drama, intrigue and good writing. I listened to this while commuting to work every day and it was hard for me to leave in the car and also to get out of the car. I can hardly wait to read the next one.
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