Upon returning to the states from a European jaunt, Stone Barrington makes the acquaintance of a stunning woman who seems like she could be an ideal candidate to meet some of his professional--and personal--needs. Before long, though, Stone is put to the task of protecting his new hire when New York City is rocked by a series of disturbing crimes, and it looks as if she might be the next target.

In the city that never sleeps there's always a plot being hatched, and the only recourse is constant vigilance and a bit of luck. But if those defensive systems fail, Stone will have to go head-to-head against some of the most dastardly scum he's ever faced ( )

Not sure where the plot description on Goodreads came from, but it's wrong (see Amazon.) Stone goes off to a British spy training facility to pick up Dame Felicity Devonshire's Aston Martin, when he crashes into a river and is almost killed. He is "nursed" back to health by a Rose McGill, who ends up sleeping with Stone (oops.) Rose is a cipher, and the head of the training facility (Fife Simpson) becomes Felicity's #2 at MI-6. International politics, spy vs. spy, sex. Meh. Stuart Woods can do better than this and usually does.
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I was happy that the book description was wrong on goodreads. Stone is in the UK and was involved in international intelligence/spy mystery. I would give 3 stars here, but ...

Readers of Barrington series know what to expect from these books: Light mystery, fine dining, sex, fancy cars, private jet and mansions. Book 51, you'll find Stone going back and forth under the sheets between three ladies, pretty unusual. To top it off, Stuart Woods added love scenes for the bad guy and Dino as well. I think Stone slept with just every lady in the book except Viv. Wouldn't it be interesting if Stone sleeps with Viv then gets shot by Dino? ( )

Synopsis: While in England, Stone is talked in to going through a couple of weeks of physical training with MI-6. He decides to drive Felicity's car back to his home, when a tire is shot out and the car rolls into a stream. Stone is taken to task by a Colonel who doesn't seem to know or care why he was there. This man becomes Felicity's deputy, and she quickly moves to find a way to get rid of him. By mutual consent, he retires and is quickly sucked up by Russian spies who turn him into an assassin. Luckily Felicity has him followed. Eventually he tries to kill both Stone and Felicity.
Review: The plot was okay, but the depiction of MI-6 agents as bumblers was not believable. Also the ending of the book was very weak. ( )

In this Stone Barrington novel, Stone is mainly at his estate in England. While at dinner one night, Dame Felicity and her friends mention to Stone that he should go to one of the training sites for MI-6. He does, and while there has an auto accident. While recovering, he meets Rose McGill, a surgeon. He also meets Colonel Roger Fife-Simpson. Fife-Simpson becomes assigned as Felicity's deputy at MI-6, but is abrasive. Through a series of movements, Felicity gets him to resign. He resents this, and is recruited by the Russians. The Russians then put out a hit on Felicity and Stone.
This was typical Barrington, lots of sex, put in danger which he miraculously escapes, and an OK plot. Better than the last one I read, but still too much gratuitous sex. The best part of these novels are that they read quickly - you can finish in about 3 hours.
#Stealth #StuartWoods ( )