The Short Forever

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Summary: Welcome Back Stone
Review: I waited patiently for the next Stone Barrington book to arrive! This one was read in one day because of the easy writing style of Mr. Woods. Stone takes an unusual case from a man that sends Stone to England to retrieve the gentlemans neice. Stone soon discovers that the girl he is sent to find is not the gentleman's neice and that begins a journey into governmental spies and smuggling and illegal trading activities, along with the occaisional murders. The best part is that Stone is briefly reunited with Arrington and he also hooks up again with Sarah the artist. Dino comes to Stone's rescue (as usual) and helps Stone through some pretty scary situations. I didn't think it was one of the best Stone books, but if you enjoy the Stone Barringotn series, you will enjoy this book.

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Summary: Stone is the man!
Review: I'm always excited to read the next book in the Stone Barrington series because I know that our guy will somehow get in (and so far, out of) an interesting situation. He's just so easy-going and uneasy at the same time, among other contradictions. I love Mr. Woods' dialogue in this an his other books. It can be smart-alecky. His writing style is great too because it is short, sweet, and to-the-point. Oh yeah, did I mention that Stone is the man! He hooks up with no less than 2 women in every book. However, the one that he wants is so elusive! Oh well, she did say that they should never marry!...and he isn't exactly pining away now is he?

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Summary: Murder and intrigue among the jet set
Review: It must be great to be Stone Barrington. Every beautiful woman you meet wants to sleep with you and every client you have is willing to pay for you to live in high-style. Sure, you get mildly roughed up or shot every now and then, but the pain is minor and fleeting and insignificant compared with all the pleasures.

As with every Barrington novel, the Short Forever begins at Elaine's, late. Stone's girlfriend from the previous book dumps him to marry a rich guy (not unlike what his previous and recurring girlfriend Arrington once did), which causes a single night of grief before Stone recovers and goes to England on a case. In England, he gets one new lover and two old ones (including Arrington) and since three women aren't enough, he eventually hits on a fourth one, although not much happens with that one (I think that's being saved for another book).

Somewhere in all this, Stone also gets in the middle of two spies, one retired and out to sell a mysterious weapon, and the other out to stop him at any cost. For Stone, this is often more of a distraction than a regular case, but it does get him tangled up with some murders and other crimes.

This is the so-called beach read, light and entertaining and a fast read, but far from spectacular. Woods is very good at these novels, but the Barrington novels are not his best writing. In fact, almost all his other works are better. Nonetheless, this is not a bad book and will keep you amused even if you know it's not very good either.

Rating:
Summary: So-So
Review: Not nearly as bad as the last few books in the series, but this series is really starting to fall flat.

Stone gets involved in situations unlike most mere mortals -- all his cases involve rich people, fast living and the jet-set, which makes it really hard to relate. Women fall at his feet. Police and government agencies willingly give him confidential information and let him involve himself in their cases -- usually because there's a female in charge who can't resist his charms.

Mr. Woods' arrogance once again shines through when the book is over, where he talks about not having to edit and telling people not to write to him to tell him of his errors. Perhaps he should take his ego down a peg and worry about getting this series back on track.

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Summary: Stone is back, but hard to follow meandering plot
Review: Prolific Stuart Woods is back with his 8th Stone Barrington novel, of his 24 fictional works to date. If he had accidentally called Stone "James Bond" it would have been just as believable, as Barrington sleuths in espionage and intrigue during the day, and drinks and bed hops during the night. Traveling to London via the Concorde on an unlimited expense account, much of this book seems devoted to the lifestyles of the rich (even if not famous). Two of Stone's old girlfriends dominate much of the proceedings, even Arrington Calder herself -- the running gag being that she and Stone will never marry (they came close once before) 'cause she won't go through life as Arrington Barrington!

There was quite a degree of suspense in the 300+ pages, although to me it was as much caused by "what's going on here" than the story per se. Even when it ended, ..., we weren't sure what they did or why it mattered, despite a couple of murders, almost unconnected, along the way. In fact, it was like leaving a movie you thought was pretty entertaining but you never did figure out the fundamental plot. Even Stone didn't know whom he was working for half the time. We'd no doubt fail the quiz at the end on who did what to whom. Moreover, an appearance by Stone's old police partner Dino (still on active duty, but apparently able to travel at will to bail this guy out time after time) did little to advance the story line and thus seemed somehow irrelevant.

Thinking it might be time to let Stone "die off", we note from the author's web site two more Barrington books are in the works, as well as another featuring his newer female lead, Holly Barker. Woods claims he's writing two books per year for the foreseeable future; while still fans, we would like to see a little more substance, a little less sex, and a more cohesive plot. Woods has all the skills to pull that off and more. We're just not sure they are on display that well in the Short Forever.

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Summary: AN EXCITING VOICE FOR A SUSPENSEFUL RIDE
Review: Stage and screen actor Tony Roberts gives vital, exciting voice to the eighth Stone Barrington adventure by topnotch mystery writer Stuart Woods ("Orchid Blues," "Cold Paradise" et al). Veteran voice performer Roberts may be remembered by many for "The CBS Radio Mystery Theater" and a stint on TV's daytime "The Edge Of Night," as well as his previous readings of Stone Barrington adventures.

As is his wont author Woods tops himself with each new tale. No one will be disappointed in his latest which finds Barrington discovering the animus between two Americans now overseas.

After being hired by a rather enigmatic client Barrington goes to London. Arriving on unknown turf the usually cool/calm detective finds himself mired in the mysterious - not at all what he believed he had been sent to accomplish. Toss in a couple of murders plus a pair of once lovers and you really have tension.

Woods carries us along on a suspenseful ride propelled by fast breaking dialogue and non-stop action. Hang on!

- Gail Cooke

Rating:
Summary: action packed and fast-paced tale
Review: Stone Barrington is a bit hung over from last night's shocker that his lover is leaving him to marry someone else. So when John Bartholomew asks for his help with retrieving his niece, Erica Burroughs, from her boyfriend, cocaine smuggler Lance Cabot, he accepts. It does help to say yes when the client offers to cover all expenses, reasonable or not, in London for Stone to bring Erica home and get Cabot arrested.

However, the simple job turns quite complicated when Stone not only learns that Erica has no uncle, but there is no John Burroughs. Erica introduces Stone to her sister and the trio attends a party tossed by painter Sarah Buckminster, Stone's former lover. As Sarah's fiancé, falls to his death, John and Lance accuse one another of being a vicious spy performing criminal acts. Stone believes both are rogue agents trying to manipulate him as he struggles with whom do you trust.

The latest Stone Barrington tale, THE SHORT FOREVER, feels as if Start Woods could not decide between a who-done-it and an espionage thriller. The story line is action packed and fast-paced, perhaps the speediest of the Barrington tales, but keeps shifting gear as the subplots never smoothly lock in place. The mystery elements feel comfortable, however the spy subplot seems out of sorts for Stone. Still series fans will find Stone, who must have scored more often than Wilt, retains his likable quality as he tries to remain alive amidst the most murky a case he ever has worked.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Stuart Woods is a master of mystery
Review: Stone Barrington is hired by an odd client previously unknown to him. He arrives in London on a mission he thinks he understands, but later realizes he has no idea. Stone is baffled by the behavior of his client and his quarry. His life is again complicated by two, possibly three, murders. When the intelligence agencies of several countries become involved he can only hang on for the crazy ride.
I loved this new book in the Stone Barrington Series. Stone is, as always, intelligent and quirky when he gets hired by his interesting client. This book is as enjoyable as the rest of this series.

Rating:
Summary: even more hijinks
Review: Stone Barrington just can't seem to keep himself out of trouble..or to find a situation that is really what it seems to be...curiousity is what gets him into trouble more than anything...especially when dealing with a job he can't say no to...and that goes for women as well...something that any veteran reader of the stone barrington novels already knows...

this book is alittle different in that it deals more with espionage type elements when compared to previous entries in the barrington series...

pretty good read...not as good as his best work, but still a fun read...

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Summary: A Short Forever......zzzzzzz
Review: Stuart oh Stuart where have ye gone? Please don't tell me I have to put you to pasture with the likes of Grisham and Clancy. Put Stone to rest and write something fresh. (I know that rhymes, it was not intended)

Sorry folks but this book is as predictable as the last 3 Stone B. novels. Stone finds a new squeeze...he screws it up....finds another one to pass the time...they have uninhibited sex...Arrington shows up out of the blue...messes that up....yawn. Dino comes to the rescue. (The only saving grace, except for the poor mafioso jokes)

Has the writing gone to this? Where are the thrillers like Palindrome, Heat, Santa Fe Rules, White Cargo, or Chiefs? Heck Orchid Beach is ten times better than this mind numbing drival. It kills me to type this. I LOVE Stuart Woods. But I do not think I will spend another dime on his hardbacks until Stone is gone, or at least put on the back burner for a few years. The next book will be a library rental. Please Mr. Woods prove me wrong on the next one!