Fast read good for summer ( )

Stone is working out his insurance claim, when of course, he sleeps with the beautiful insurance investigator, who is still married to bad guy. The bad guy stages a series of robberies, including all eleven of his mother's (Matilda Stone) paintings from Stone's townhouse, miraculously defeating the FBI's state-of-the-art security system. Throw in a little political plot around Kate Lee's announcement that she is seeking the presidency, and you have a typical story. This one was weaker than usual. ( )

This was horrible if you want to read a book that has a plot. Even the last 50 pages were short on excitement. Started with hop in bed sex and that was it for Stone unless eating at a restaurant. Kate as First Lady trying to run for president was discussed but really did not add much. Dino at least does some work helping to solve the robbery of paintings done by Stone's mother and then a jewelry show. Mentioned a conversation with Holly Barker, Lance, and Teddy Fay but had nothing to do with the story. ( )

The usual Barrington scenario with Stone's usual quick off the mark pace in finding a new playmate. This one, however, comes with a husband attached. Dinners with the Dino and the banter with him and Stone's staff add some local color to this lively series. ( )

Another completely far-fetched Stone Barrington book. Too much sex, too pat of a plot with everything easily falling into place to catch the bad guys. Such a far cry from the early writings of Stuart Woods. ( )

As always, Stone gets laid up front and the woman turns out bad. Sorta! Then, another comes along and she appears permanent, at least for awhile. Dino and Stone solve a robbery problem in NYC. Dino is Chief of Detectives in this book; while I believe that role is largely administrative, Dino takes an active operational place. Will and Kate Lee also interact, but it's an aside to this plot; likely this book is used to set up some future action. A couple of plots come to a head in the last few minute so the listen. Tony Roberts did a great job in the narration. ( )

Synopsis: Stone is getting his money back and has the positive experience of having a beautiful insurance adjuster. Unfortunately, she is also behind robberies of many wealthy folks.
Review: This one was a bit obvious, but is was an enjoyable story. ( )

Stone Barrington seems to have a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. When Manhattan's elite are beset by a series of clever crimes - and Stone is a material witness - he and his former partner Dino Bacchetti find them selves drawn into the world of high-end security and fraud, where insider knowledge and access are limited to a privileged few, and the wealthy are made vulnerable by the very systems meant to keep them safe. As Stone and Dino delve deeper into their investigation, they learn that the mastermind behind the incidents may have some intimate ties to Stone - and that the biggest heist is still to come. ( )

From Amazon:

Stone Barrington seems to have a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. When Manhattan’s elite are beset by a series of clever crimes—and Stone is a material witness—he and his former partner Dino Bacchetti find themselves drawn into the world of high-end security and fraud, where insider knowledge and access are limited to a privileged few, and the wealthy are made vulnerable by the very systems meant to keep them safe. As Stone and Dino delve deeper into their investigation, they learn that the mastermind behind the incidents may have some intimate ties to Stone . . . and that the biggest heist is still to come.

My Thoughts:

Let me begin by saying that I have read the Stone Barrington series for 30 or more years...some I've read more than once. I always loved the characters of Stone, Dino, Holly, Will and Kate Lee, and more recently the character of rogue CIA agent Teddy Fay. So why the only 3 star rating and that was generous? In the last book Stand-Up Guy it seemed that Stuart Woods was almost out to destroy his wonderful characters. He took away their moral characters and quite frankly most of their common sense. The trend continues into this book which is really a continuation of the last one. He has changed Stone Barrington from a likable, fun loving, attorney, widow and father into a sexual predator. How would anyone that has read the other 28 books possibly believe that Stone would sleep with a woman that he only met 15 minutes ago? And not only that one but the campaign manager of his best friend, Kate Lee. He did stupid, out of character things in the previous books and he is down right sleazy in this one. Come on Mr. Woods...cut the attitude and gives us back our Stone. 3 stars for a great series and hoping that this is a senior moment for you, Mr. Woods. ( )

After being robbed of $500,000 in his last adventure, Stone Barrington is visited by an adjuster from his insurance company, a young lady who evokes an immediate flash of “carnal curiosity”. Crane Hart conducts a professional interview and then jumps into bed with Stone. Later, Stone finds out that Crane’s divorce is not yet finalized from Don Dugan, and decides to stay away from her for awhile. A subsequent robbery gets even more personal, when someone is able to bypass Stone's state-of-the-art security system in his Manhattan townhouse and steals valuable paintings. Crane's husband is the prime suspect. When Stone realizes that their next target is a prominent jewelry show, he and his NYPD sidekick, Dino Bachetti, have to work overtime to outwit Crane and Dugan.

I've never seen Stone quite so dense when it comes to a woman. It's pretty obvious from the very beginning that Crane is a criminal and yet Stone gives her his security code and shows her where the valuable paintings are. He even gets her a job as a senior security specialist with Strategic Resources. This was probably my least favorite book in the series bu I do enjoy the way Tony Roberts narrates them. ( )

My review of the last Barrington novel pretty much stands for this one as well. Stone meets up with a hot female insurance agent (how original) to settle his claim of stolen money and ends up handing her the keys to the kingdom. The problem is she turns out to be a con-artist along with her thug husband. Barrington has to employ the use of his friend Dino and the NYPD to bring down the continuing thefts that occur because of these criminals. Along the way, he also meets a hot political campaign organizer (sigh) for his friend Kate Lee, who is now running for president. What a world he lives in.... ( )

Boring, won't read another ( )