In this action-packed thriller in Stuart Woods’s #1 New York Times bestselling series, Stone Barrington discovers that some jobs don’t pay… When a hedge fund billionaire hires Stone Barrington to talk some sense into his wayward son, it seems like an easy enough job; no one knows the hidden sins and temptations of the ultra-wealthy better than Stone. But as Stone and his erstwhile protégé, … erstwhile protégé, Herbie Fisher, probe deeper into the case—and an old one comes back to haunt him—he realizes that even he may have underestimated just how far some people will go to cover up their crimes, and commit new ones.
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In a review of Son Of Stone, I called Stuart Woods’s novels ‘Twinkies for the mind.’
Unnatural Acts is no different. It’s another ‘cookie-cutter’ Stuart Woods novel with lots of name dropping, lots of drinking, and lots of dining at famous restaurants. The only two things not in abundance here are sex—maybe Stone is finally grieving over Arrington’s murder almost right after they were married—and detailed descriptions of flying. Woods makes up for that with a ‘Cooking with Stone’ scene. Channeling Robert B. Parker, Stuart?
Woods continues to write stilted, overly formal (and, hence, unrealistic) dialog. In one scene, a son has told his father he’s getting a break. The father replies, “I would be interested in knowing what you regard as ‘a break.’ Some people do talk this way but most fathers (even ones who talk this way to others) would say to a son, “Tell me about it,” or “What break?” And every time two characters meet, there is always a “Very pleased to meet you, Mr. So-and-so,” or similar exchange.
When I read a book the author heavily peppers with name dropping, I begin to wonder if (a) it’s really to give the reader a picture of the character’s lifestyle, (b) easier than coming up with a fresh way to get that information across, (c) to show how ‘up on the latest in thing’ the author is, or (d) the author boasting to us reader peons indirectly about the life he lives. Maybe I’m being cynical, but I suspect in most cases, it’s one of the last three and almost never the first. Note to all authors: strewing around famous names does not impress me.
Too many story lines running parallel to each other, none strong enough to carry the whole book, gave this novel a scattered feel. The main plot could have carried this novel had it been more developed but it wasn’t and as a result, the other plot lines only diluted it more. Also, many scenes seemed to focus on disgustingly rich people getting disgustingly richer, and related only marginally to crime.
I liked many of the earlier Stone Barrington books but these last few lame efforts leave me wondering has Stuart Woods grown tired of Stone Barrington? Is he running out of good ideas for his characters? Or has he become so successful he feels he can ‘phone it in,’ knowing people will buy his books anyway?
Even so, I’ll probably keep reading the series. Even the healthiest eaters grab some junk food once in a while.
Another romp in the world of wealthy murderers for Stone and Dino. In this one, Herbie Fisher, has taken center stage. It’s highly unlikely a complete idiot, as Herbie as been portrayed in Stuart Woods’s previous books, could have morphed into this rich, well-dressed, well-mannered, intelligent lawyer in just a couple of books, or at all for that matter, but he seems to have done just that. That plot twist is just as unbelievable as the rest of the story, but there is just enough sex, shootings, and humor to get you through it.
More generic Stone Barrington adventure.
Typical Woods! Amazing
same as all his books…he’s a terrific writer