Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable Light Reading
Review: This is the first Woods book I picked up--grabbed it off the shelf on a whim. It was by far the most readable book I've read since the last Robert B. Parker book. There is nothing too deep here. It is just a well-paced mystery thriller with interesting settings, good action and dialogue, and neat characters.
Rating: 
Summary: Orchid Beach
Review: This was the best book I have read by Stuart Woods. I really enjoyed Holly and Daisy and I'm looking forward to reading Orchid Blues and I hope it is as good as Orchid Beach.
Rating:
Summary: Murder on the Beach
Review: Major Holly Barker, a victim of sexual harassment, resigns from the Army to become deputy chief of police of Orchid Beach, a tiny, beachfront town seemingly set a few miles south of where I live. Before she can get settled, someone murders the police chief and his best friend. Holly's investigation leads to a gated community outside of town that has massive security forces and devices. She also finds that an unknown person is acting as a mole in her department. Naturally, she becomes a target and must watch her back while she moves doggedly ahead with the investigation. The further she progresses, the more dangerous it becomes, leading to a slam-bang climax that finishes the story nicely.
Rating:
Summary: I agree...
Review: Ok, but not great again, August 28, 2000 Reviewer: ... from MichiganI agree with . I've read 1/2 dozen of his books and I enjoyed all of them. With the exception of "Chiefs" his style is plain and simple, so heaccomplishes what he set out to do. His books aren't great and they're not lousy, but I find them satisifying. I'm sure he can deliver meatier books, but he doesn't have to. He reminds me of Jack Higgins. Action, action, action.... with a decent plot. David Schneider
Rating: 
Summary: Starts strong, finishes weak
Review: I read Orchid Beach at one sitting, so to say it is a well-written and spell-binding is an understatement. The problem with the book is believeability. The characters are cardboard, and the plot gets worse as the book proceeds to its conclusion. I get the impression that the author used up all his imagination setting up the story; the stage is well set. But, then the characters walk on, say their lines, and act out their parts. All the time, I found myself thinking, "this is a fascinating setup, he's got to be doing something interesting with it." And then, he doesn't. The ending is senseless. I finished the book with the idea that it had been written with the movie in mind, and a movie that is long on stunts and "flash-bangs" and short on anything else. Too bad. If you buy the book as an airport reader, you will likely miss your flight, and then be doubly disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: Ok, but not great...again....
Review: This is the third book by Woods that I have read. I am not sure why I keep on going back to his books to read them...something always catches my eye, and I end up reading his books. This one was ok...I would call it a very low three marking on this one. I was kinda bored and I had a hard time finishing it in the last 50 pages or so. I wish that Stuart would have developed the story a bit more, and I agree with one reviewer, when they said, "In the last chapters, it seemed as though he (the author) had something else to do, and just wanted to finish the book." I definately seemed that way to me as well, I was not really impressed with the plot, and again, it really was not that well developed. At times it reminded me of the situation in Waco, Texas...as hard as that may seem to believe. Be prepared to be left in the outfield with this one!!!
Rating:
Summary: An entertaining book
Review: Holly Barker becomes disillusioned with her military career after she sues a colonel for sexual harrassment and he is found not guilty. Very conveniently, her father's friend, Chief Chet Marley offers her a job as his Deputy in the Orchid Beach Police Department. Holly accepts, and the day she reports, the chief and his best friend are both shot. She takes over as Deputy Chief and heads the investigation into the shootings. Eventually the trail leads to Palmetto Gardens, a walled compound for wealthy homeowners, which seems to have way too many security people and too many rough tactics for keeping people out of the compound. There is also the problem of an informant within the Orchid Beach Police Department, which means that Holly never knows who she can trust. She does ally with a local lawyer and a Doberman Pinscher named Daisy, who is instrumental in apprehending the bad guys. This is light reading which has an occasional lapse in credibility, but it's fun and entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: CHANGED MY READING INTEREST
Review: I'VE NEVER BEEN INTERESTED IN READING MYSTERY BOOKS. STUART WOODS HAS DEFINITELY CHANGED MY MIND. ORCHID BEACH WAS THRILLING AND VERY DETAILED. I FELT AS IF I WAS ON THE ORCHID POLICE FORCE HELPING HOLLY SOLVE THE UNEXPECTED MURDERS. I WILL CONTINUE TO READ OTHER BOOKS BY STUART. HE IS A NEW AUTHOR ON MY BOOK LIST.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful descriptions of a bit of paradise
Review: Although this was not my favorite Stuart Woods book since I am partial to the ones featuring Stone Barrington, I did enjoy it. I probably have a better appreciation than most of the scenic descriptions since they are presentations of my home town.
Rating:
Summary: Fast Paced, Fun Read
Review: Orchid Beach really kept my attention. You couldn't tell for sure till the last minute who the mole was in the police department. Great read for the beach! I do however miss Stone Barrington and hope he returns soon.
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