Cold Paradise

Rating:
Summary: A fun read, but not the best Barrington novel
Review: After having read Wood's latest Stone Barrington novel, "Dirty Work" (and loving it) I wanted to go back and read the earlier novels in the series, which brought me to "Cold Paradise". It's a very fast-paced story, and definitely keeps you entertained for all of its 300+ pages. Here are some thoughts to help you make up your own mind.

Though this is I think the sixth book in the series with his main character Stone Barrington, I did not feel at a loss at all for not having read the first few. That alone impressed me, but then add on top of that a story that grabs you and does let go.

Unfortunately, of the ones I have read, this one seemed the least plausible. A real suspension of disbelief is required while reading. While I usually have no problem with that, I don't want to recognize while reading that I am having a difficult time thinking the story is realistic.

Still, it is a fun read if you take it with a grain of salt and just allow yourself to be entertained by it. Woods combines characters that are cops, ex-cops, lawyers, hit men, international thieves, and mafia and does it all masterfully. Pick this book up and you likely won't be able to put it back down until its over.

Rating:
Summary: easy-to-read light entertainment
Review: Cold Paradise is the seventh in a series of Stuart Woods' books featuring Stone Barrington. Stone Barrington, a former New York City policeman, is a lawyer who is often more involved in investigative work than in legal work. The setting is Palm Beach, an appropriate setting for the rich and famous characters Woods enjoys using. The main story is Stone's attempt to protect Allison Manning who is afraid of her former husband Paul Manning, a murderer who is thought by many to be dead. In trying to protect Allison and resolve issues from her past, Stone unravels threads that include characters and stories from previous Stone Barrington novels.

Stuart Woods has written dozens of novels including an eighth Stone Barrington novel released in 2002. His first book, Chiefs, was awarded the Edgar Allan Poe Award from the Mystery Writers of America.

The book includes some interesting twists and a variety of action scenes. At every turn, Stone connects with law-enforcement officers who have knowledge of Paul's actions during the years since his "death." Women from Stone's past appear frequently, often unexpectedly, and Stone's receives help from his colorful former partner, Dino, in solving this difficult case.

By failing to relate events to the main story or the various subplots, the author leaves the reader with a feeling that Cold Paradise lacks the connections that are needed in a good mystery. The focus of the story is Stone's search for Paul Manning and his efforts to protect Allison. However, in the initial meeting between Stone and Allison, she hires him to make a settlement with the insurance company and her concern about Paul seems to be an afterthought. She vaguely mentions seeing her husband and doesn't express a fear for her safety. Cold Paradise also lacks the character development that adds interest to a story. Perhaps those who have read the other Stone Barrington books will have a greater sense of the characters and an interest in their lives.

Cold Paradise is for readers who enjoy an easy-to-read mystery with continuing characters from previous novels.

Rating:
Summary: Saw it coming . . . but that's OK
Review: I'd like to hang around with Stone Barrington for a couple of weeks, buy $150 dollar shirts for my friends, $50 dollar socks when I need the right shade, know what kind of an engine goes in a Bentley, and get $25,000 dollar watches from ex-lovers as a thank you. And the women. As Dino would say, "Marrone!"

It's good to be Stone. And that's why we go to read him, for the same reason we read Spenser and go see old Sean Connery movies as "Bond. James Bond." So what's wrong with that?

I like to read Stuart Woods. I don't expect to remember any quotes, won't laugh too hard, never shed a tear, chuckle at Bacchetti's New York humor, and try (hard to do) to keep track of the women. So many women, so little time Stone might quip. You kind of saw this one coming in the third inning. Still good to read. 4 Stars. Larry Scantlebury