The Short Forever

by: Stuart Woods

Published by: Putnam

Reviewed by Bob Pike CSP, CPAE-Speakers Hall of Fame

Stone Barrington is at it again. The retired detective/attorney has another assignment. At the request of the law firm he occasionally helps out, Barrington meets with John Bartholomew. His niece, Erica, is off to England with Lance Cabot, someone that he is sure will be no good for his niece. Stone’s assignment: follow them to England on first- class expenses, find a way to get him arrested if possible, but more importantly, get Erica back to New York City unharmed.

It seemed so simple—that is until Stone finds out that Bartholomew isn’t really Bartholomew, that both MI6 and the CIA are involved, people are dying left and right, and the more questions he has, the fewer answers he gets. But Stone is nothing, if not persistent. Gathering what few allies he has, Stone slowly begins peeling the layers of lies and misdirection back to reveal facts that are much more important than returning a niece to New York.

Murders abound with either too few or too many suspects. Red herrings lie in wait for anyone foolish enough to take the bait. You will do well to stay with Stone throughout this book—don’t bother to try getting ahead. You’ll only have to backtrack and may well end with a headache. Only Dino Baschetti, his old NYPD partner, seems to talk straight to Stone, but Stone doesn’t always give what Dino says the importance he should.

Fast-paced, a touch of romance, old flames rekindled—and then doused, changes of scenery, an abundance of clues, suspects galore for multiple murders, and classic misdirection—this book has it all.

Armchair Interviews says: Sounds perfect for a thrilling summer read. If you love Stuart Woods, check out another Stone Barrington novel, Fresh Disaster and Shoot Him if He Runs, October 2007. He has written over 30 books suspense books.

Author’s Web site: http://www.stuartwoods.com