Stone Barrington Books in Order: How to read Stuart Woods’s series?

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Stone Barrington is a creation of Stuart Woods. He is a former detective forced out of the NYPD because he too often disagreed with his superiors. Now, he is a lawyer who is ‘of counsel’ to Woodman & Weld, a prestigious Manhattan law firm. He handles cases with which the firm does not wish to be publicly associated.

All of Stuart Woods’ novels take place in the same universe. Therefore, some characters frequently appear in other series, like villain Teddy Fay who comes from the Will Lee series or CIA operative Holly Barker and more.

How to read the Stone Barrington Series in Order?

Every entry in the Stone Barrington book series works as a standalone story, but the lives of the different characters evolve from one novel to the other.

  1. New York Dead – Everyone is always telling Stone Barrington that he’s too smart to be a cop, but it’s pure luck that places him on the streets in the dead of night, just in time to witness the horrifying incident that turns his life inside out. Suddenly he’s on the front page of every New York newspaper, and his life is hopelessly entwined in the increasingly shocking life of Sasha Nijinsky, the country’s hottest television anchorwoman.
  2. Dirt – Feared and loathed for her poison pen and ice queen persona, Amanda Dart has made her share of enemies. Then the tables are turned. An anonymous gossipmonger is faxing Amanda’s personal and private peccadilloes to anyone who can read. Desperate to save her reputation, she enlists the help of New York lawyer and private investigator Stone Barrington to learn the identity of the faxer.
  3. Dead in the Water – Stone Barrington only wants a winter getaway from the chill of New York in the beautiful, tropical Caribbean paradise of St. Mark’s. But what the lawyer and ex-cop gets instead is the chance to defend Allison Manning. The beautiful young woman stands accused of killing her rich husband on board their luxurious yacht and then burying him at sea.
  1. Swimming to Catalina – Stone Barrington thought he’d heard the last of former girlfriend Arrington after she left him to marry Vance Calder, Hollywood’s hottest star. The last thing Stone expected was a desperate call from Calder. Arrington has vanished, and her new fiancé wants Stone to come to LA and find her.
  2. Worst Fears Realized – Not a man to dwell on the past, Stone Barrington has no choice but to rattle old skeletons when the people closest to him start dying, and he has little to go on but the suspicion that the killer might be someone he once knew. The trip down memory lane isn’t all bad though, for it reunites Stone with his ex-partner, Dino Bacchetti, now head of detectives in the nineteenth precinct.
  3. L.A. Dead – Stone’s trip to Venice with a fiery Mafia princess is cut short by a frantic phone call from halfway around the world. A celebrity murder has Los Angeles in an uproar – and a former flame pining for Stone’s help in more ways than one. When he lands amid Hollywood’s sun and sin, Stone must plumb the depths of film society to find the killer, before a court trial rips away his last chance at a life he once desperately wanted…
  1. Cold Paradise – Luxuriating in Palm Beach’s winter warmth, Stone is stunned to recognize someone he thought was dead. Former client Allison Manning is alive and well – and suddenly very rich. Now she needs Stone’s help in squaring a charge of insurance fraud that’s been hanging over her head for years – and in getting rid of a recently acquired stalker.
  2. The Short Forever – In London to locate the niece of his enigmatic client, Stone Barrington soon finds himself out of his territory and out of his depth. Baffled as he is by the behavior of his quarry, Stone’s life is further complicated by two – possibly three – murders and the affectionate attentions of two former lovers. And when the intelligence services of three countries become involved, he can only hang on for the wild ride…
  3. Dirty Work – Hired to prove infidelity in an heiress’s marriage, Stone Barrington goes undercover. But the work turns dirty – and catastrophic – when the errant husband is found dead and the other woman disappears without a trace. Now, Stone must clear his own good name and find a killer hiding among the glitterati of New York’s high society.
  1. Reckless Abandon – Stone Barrington is right at home in New York City. But this time he’s joined by the tenacious Holly Barker – the lady police chief of Orchid Island, Florida. She’s come to Manhattan hot on the trail of a fugitive from her jurisdiction. (Continuation of a storyline in Blood Orchid)
  2. Two Dollar Bill – Not long after Stone and his ex-partner Dino make the acquaintance of Billy Bob – a smooth-talkin’ Texan packing a wad of rare two-dollar bills – someone takes a shot at them. Against his better judgment, Stone offers Billy Bob a safe haven for the night but almost immediately regrets it.
  3. Dark Harbor – Stone Barrington hasn’t heard from his cousin, Dick Stone, in years. Then, an otherwise pleasant meal at Elaine’s is interrupted by the CIA with news of Dick’s death – apparently by his own hand. It seems that Dick Stone, a quiet family man who doubled as a CIA agent, methodically executed his wife, daughter, and then himself … or did he?
  1. Fresh Disasters – It started out as just another late night at Elaine’s, but it ended with Stone on the horns of a dilemma. Forced to represent a sleazy but clueless con man, Stone finds that what could have been a throwaway case instead leads right to Carmine Datilla, a powerful mob boss with a notoriously bad temper and long reach.
  2. Shoot Him If He Runs – Rogue agent Teddy Fay has been considered dead for some time now. But President Will Lee thinks Teddy may still be alive. In a top-secret Oval Office meeting, Stone Barrington learns that he and his cohorts, Holly Barker and Dino Bacchetti, are being sent to the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Marks, courtesy of the CIA, to track down Teddy once and for all.
  3. Hot Mahogany – Barton Cabot’s intelligence career is even more top secret than that of his brother, CIA boss Lance Cabot. But following a random act of violence, Barton is suffering from amnesia – a dangerous thing in a man whose memory is chock full of state secrets. So Lance hires Stone Barrington to watch his brother’s back.
  1. Loitering With Intent – Stone Barrington is not having a good week. So his luck seems to be improving when he’s hired to locate the missing son of a very wealthy man – lucky because the job pays well, and because the son seems to be hiding in the tropical paradise of Key West. But when Stone and his sometime running buddy Dino Bacchetti arrive in the sunny Keys, it appears that someone has been lying in wait.
  2. Kisser – Stone Barrington is back in New York, working on some simple cases for Woodman & Weld when he crosses paths with an aspiring actress and gets a little more involved with show business than he’d expected…
  3. Lucid Intervals – Stone Barrington and his former cop partner Dino are enjoying their drinks at Elaine’s when former client and all-around sad sack Herbie Fisher walks in … in need of a lawyer. But while Stone is trying to fend off Herbie, a more welcome potential employer appears: a beautiful woman looking for somebody who somebody else wants dead.
  1. Strategic Moves – Stone Barrington is enjoying his usual dinner at Elaine’s when his boss at Woodman & Weld walks in, sits down and hands Stone a check for one million dollars. It seems Stone’s undercover dealings with MI6 had brought in a big new client for the firm, and they’re willing to pay Stone a huge bonus and make him a partner.
  2. Bel-Air Dead – Stone is no stranger to Bel-Air – and to the beautiful and wealthy widow who needs his help to become even wealthier. At stake is the sale of her investment in Hollywood’s world-famous Centurion Studios. But when Stone arrives in Bel-Air to finalize the sale, he discovers that one of L.A.’s most rapacious power brokers has Centurion in his sights.
  3. Son of Stone – After an eventful trip to Bel-Air and a reunion with his sophisticated former love, Arrington Calder, Stone Barrington is looking to stay in New York and cash in on his partnership at Woodman & Weld. Manhattan, after all, is his home. But Arrington has other plans for Stone, and his life is about to take a turn he never imagined.
  1. D.C. Dead – After a shocking loss, Stone Barrington is at loose ends, unsure if he wants to stay in New York and continue his work as a partner at Woodman and Weld. It comes as a welcome relief when he’s summoned to Washington, D.C., by President Will Lee. The President has a special operation that calls for Stone’s unique skill set, and it’s a mission that will reunite him with his former partner, Holly Barker.
  2. Unnatural Acts – When a hedge fund billionaire hires Stone Barrington to talk some sense into his wayward son, it seems like an easy enough job. But as Stone and his erstwhile protégé, Herbie Fisher, probe deeper into the case, he realizes that even he may have underestimated just how far some people will go to cover up their crimes, and commit new ones.
  3. Severe Clear – Stone Barrington is in Bel-Air, overseeing the grand opening of the ultra-luxe hotel, The Arrington, built on the grounds of the mansion belonging to his late wife, Arrington Carter. The star-studded gala will be attended by socialites, royalty, and billionaires from overseas … and according to phone conversations intercepted by the NSA, it may also have attracted the attention of international terrorists.
  1. Collateral Damage – After a productive trip to Bel-Air, Stone Barrington is back in Manhattan. But then an unexpected visit from his friend and periodic lover, CIA assistant director Holly Barker, draws Stone into a dangerous game of murder and vengeance, against an enemy with plans bigger than they could ever imagine…
  2. Unintended Consequences – When he travels to Europe under highly unusual circumstances, Stone finds himself at the center of mystery that is most peculiar. Two unexpected invitations may be the first clues in an intricate puzzle that will lead Stone deep into the rarefied world of European ultra-wealth and privilege, and murder is never too high a price to pay for a desired end…
  3. Doing Hard Time – Stone Barrington embarks on a trip to Bel-Air and trouble never takes a vacation, and it has a way of finding him. A case that had seemingly been resolved has returned in full force – with lethal results. And this deadly situation makes for strange bedfellows when Stone finds himself teamed with the least likely ally: former CIA operative Teddy Fay…
  1. Standup Guy – After giving some legal advice to a walk-in client, Stone Barrington thinks he’s done with the man. But several people are keenly interested in John Fratelli’s activities and how they relate to a long-ago crime … and some of them will stop at nothing to find the information they desire.
  2. Carnal Curiosity – 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.
  3. Cut and Thrust – When Stone travels to Los Angeles for the biggest political convention of the year, he finds the scene quite shaken up: a dazzling newcomer has given the delegates an unexpected choice. And amid the ambitious schemers and hangers-on are a few people who may use the chaotic events as cover for more sinister plans…
  1. Paris Match – When some business arrangements demand his personal attention, Stone Barrington jaunts off to Europe. In Paris, an old enemy is still in hot pursuit, but now he has the aide of a powerful man with his own ax to grind against Stone.
  2. Insatiable Appetites – When Stone finds himself responsible for distributing the estate of a respected friend and mentor, the process unearths secrets that range from merely surprising to outright alarming. And when a lethal beauty from Stone’s past resurfaces, there’s no telling what chaos will follow in her wake…
  3. Hot Pursuit – It’s not often that Stone Barrington finds a woman as accustomed to the jet-set lifestyle as he, so he’s pleasantly surprised when he meets a gorgeous pilot. Their travels together lead them from Wichita to Europe, but trailing them is some unwanted baggage: his new lady love’s unstable, criminal ex-boyfriend.
  1. Naked Greed – Stone Barrington never expected his involvement would lead to a mutually beneficial business deal with a prominent gentleman who requires the services of Woodman & Weld. But in the ruthless corporate world no good deed goes unpunished, and Stone soon finds himself the target of a ragtag group of criminal toughs who don’t appreciate his interference in their dealings.
  2. Foreign Affairs – When he’s apprised at the last minute of a mandatory meeting abroad, Stone Barrington rushes off to Europe for a whirlwind tour of business. But from the start the trip seems to be cursed, plagued by suspicious ‘accidents’ and unfortunate events, and some of Stone’s plans go up in flames – literally.
  3. Scandalous Behavior – After a series of nonstop adventures, Stone Barrington is eager for some peace and quiet in a rustic British setting. But no sooner does he land in England than he’s beset by an outrageous demand from a beautiful lady, and an offer he can’t refuse.
  1. Family Jewels – Stone Barrington’s newest client is a poised lady of considerable wealth who’s looking for help discouraging the attentions of a tenacious gentleman. But no sooner does Stone fend off the offensive party than his client becomes involved in two lethal crimes.
  2. Dishonorable Intentions – Stone Barrington’s latest lady friend is full of surprises, both good and ill. A sensual woman with unexpected desires, Stone finds her revelations in the boudoir extremely agreeable. But on the other hand, she also has some unfinished business with a temperamental man who believes Stone is an intolerable obstacle in the way of his goals.
  3. Smooth Operator – a Teddy Fay feat. Stone Barrington. When President Kate Lee calls Stone Barrington to Washington on an urgent matter, it’s soon clear that a potentially disastrous situation requires the kind of help more delicate than even he can provide … and he knows just the right man for the job… Teddy Fay.
  1. Sex, Lies, and Serious Money – Fresh off the runway at Teterboro, Stone Barrington arrives home to find an unexpected new client on his doorstep, anxiously soliciting his help. But everything is not as it seems, when the client reveals the true nature – and value – of his recent turn of fortune.
  2. Below the Belt – Stone Barrington receives a call from an old friend requesting a delicate favor. A situation has arisen that could escalate into an explosive quagmire, and only someone with Stone’s stealth and subtlety can contain the damage.
  3. Fast and Loose – Stone Barrington is enjoying a boating excursion off the Maine coast when a chance encounter leaves him somewhat the worse for wear. Stone is pleased to discover that the authors of his misfortune are, in fact, members of a prestigious family who present a unique business opportunity, and who require a man of Stone’s skills to overcome a sticky situation of their own.
  1. Indecent Exposure – As an eligible bachelor, man-about-town, and mover in the highest social echelons, Stone Barrington has always been the subject of interest and gossip. But when he’s unwittingly thrust into the limelight, he finds himself scrambling to take cover.
  2. Quick & Dirty – When a slam-bang of a crime brings a beautiful new client into Stone Barrington’s office, little does he know his association with her will pull him into a far more serpentine mystery in the exclusive world of art. It’s a business where a rare find could make a career – and a collection – and mistakes in judgment are costly.
  3. Unbound – In the wake of a personal tragedy, former CIA operative Teddy Fay – now a successful Hollywood film producer known as Billy Barnett – takes a leave of absence to travel and grieve, and lands in Santa Fe in the company of his friends Stone Barrington and Ed Eagle. There, fate hands him an unexpected opportunity to exact quiet revenge for his recent loss, from a man who helped to cover up the crime.
  1. The Money Shota Teddy Fay book feat. Stone Barrington. Teddy Fay has donned a new disguise–that of Mark Weldon, a stuntman and actor starring in Centurion Studios’ newest film. When the picture’s leading lady begins receiving blackmail threats, Teddy is in the perfect position to investigate, and it soon becomes clear that the villains have more in their sights than just money.
  2. Shoot First – Stone Barrington is enjoying a round of golf in Key West when the game is violently interrupted–and it seems as if the target of the disturbance may have been one of his playing companions, the brilliant businesswoman behind a software startup on the cutting edge of technology. Soon, it becomes clear that this incident is only the first thrust in a deadly scheme to push the young woman out of the way and put her company’s valuable secrets up for grabs. Stone embarks on a quest to protect his new companion while searching for the mastermind behind the plot against her.
  3. Turbulence – Stone Barrington and several friends are vacationing in Florida when an extreme weather event puts a damper on their trip. Even worse, the hurricane-force winds blow a powerful, noxious politician straight onto Stone’s doorstep. Though they part ways before long, Stone soon learns that he hasn’t seen the last of his new acquaintance. It turns out that this official has some shady associates who may have destructive plans afoot, and Stone needs an entrée to the inside to figure out their scheme.
  1. Desperate Measures – 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.
  2. A Delicate Touch – When an old acquaintance reaches out to Stone Barrington requesting assistance, the job seems easy enough. She needs an expert in an esoteric field. But the solution to one small problem blows the lid open on a bigger scandal going back decades, and involving numerous prominent New Yorkers who would prefer the past stay buried.
  3. Wild Card – Stone Barrington and his latest paramour are enjoying a peaceful country retreat when their idyll is broken by an unwelcome stranger. He was sent by an enemy, someone who’d be happy to silence Stone and all his collaborators for good… only it’s soon clear that Stone is not an easy man to target.
  1. Skin Gamea Teddy Fay book feat. Stone Barrington. When Teddy Fay receives a freelance assignment from a gentleman he can’t refuse, he jets off to Paris on the hunt for a treasonous criminal. But as Teddy unearths more information that just doesn’t seem to connect, his straightforward mission becomes far bigger–and stranger–than he could imagine. The trail of bread crumbs leads to secrets hidden within secrets, evildoers trading in money and power, and a global threat on an unprecedented scale. Under the beautiful veneer of the City of Lights, true villainy lurks in the shadows…and Teddy Fay alone can prevent the impending disaster.
  2. Contraband – Stone Barrington is getting some much-needed rest and relaxation in the Florida sun when trouble falls from the sky–literally. Intrigued by the suspicious circumstances surrounding this event, Stone joins forces with a sharp-witted and alluring local detective to investigate. But they run into a problem: the evidence keeps disappearing.
  3. Stealth – Stone Barrington is trying to enjoy some downtime at his English retreat when he’s unceremoniously sent off to the remote reaches of the UK and into a deadly snare. As it turns out, this is only the first volley by a rival power, one that has its eyes set on disrupting the peace of the nation. With the help of two brilliant and stunning women, Stone must leverage a new position of power to capture a villain with a lethal agenda.
  1. Treason – Upon returning to New York City after a whirlwind British excursion, Stone Barrington is notified of a delicate situation within the country’s administration. A close friend requires his expertise and subtlety to eradicate a destructive presence in a classified agency–only it soon becomes clear that this renegade was sent by a rival Stone has encountered before.
  2. Hit List – When Stone Barrington finds his name on a hit list, he plans to lie low until the culprit is caught. But when this foe shows no signs of stopping until his deadly objective is realized in full, Stone is left with no choice but to face the problem head-on.
  3. Bombshella Teddy Fay book feat. Stone Barrington. Teddy Fay is back in Hollywood and caught in two tricky situations. First, a rising star at Centurion becomes the target of malicious gossip, and Teddy must find and neutralize the source before the situation gets out of hand–or becomes violent. At the same time, Teddy finds himself targeted by a criminal thug bearing a grudge. It’s a lot of knives to juggle, even for a former-CIA-operative-turned-movie-producer accustomed to hazardous working conditions. This time Teddy will need to leverage every bit of his undercover skills and fearless daring to stay one step ahead of his foes…
  1. Choppy Water – Stone Barrington and his friends are vacationing in Maine when their leisure is suddenly disrupted by extreme weather. To make matters worse, the inclement conditions allow for a menacing adversary to sneak in unnoticed and deliver a chilling message. Soon it becomes clear that the target of the incident is one of Stone’s closest companions, and that these enemies have a grander scheme in mind.
  2. Shakeup – Upon returning from a dangerous coastal adventure, Stone Barrington is looking forward to some normalcy with the leading lady in his life. But when a grisly crime arrives on his doorstep, along with some suspicious new clients eager for his help, Stone realizes peace and quiet are no longer an option.
  3. Hush-Hush – Stone Barrington is settling in for some downtime in New York City when an anonymous enemy makes himself known. This nameless foe’s threats hit close to home, and before Stone can retaliate, the fearsome messages turn into very real consequences.
  1. Double Jeopardy – Stone Barrington is settling in for a stretch in New York when he receives news that demands immediate action. An old family matter has unexpectedly resurfaced, and Stone must decamp to the craggy shores of Maine to address the issue head-on.
  2. Jackpota Teddy Fay book feat. Stone Barrington. When Peter Barrington and Ben Bachetti come under threat while working at a film festival abroad, Teddy Fay is lured to the glittering city of Macau to resolve the problem. He’ll soon come to find that world of posh casinos, luxurious developments, and boundless wealth has a dark underbelly of crime and political intrigue . . . and that the biggest players behind the scenes may be far closer to home than anticipated.
  3. Class Act – After a rocky jaunt in Maine, Stone Barrington is settling back in New York City when an old client reaches out for help with a delicate matter. A feud they thought was put to rest long ago has reemerged with a vengeance and reputations-and money-are now on the line.
  1. Foul Play – Stone Barrington is nearing his New York City abode when he stumbles into trouble. As it turns out, a new client is in danger-and with both business and the safety of the city at stake, Stone has no choice but to get involved.
  2. Criminal Mischief – After a dangerous adventure has him traveling up and down the coast, Stone Barrington is looking forward to some downtime at his Manhattan abode. But when an acquaintance alerts him to a hinky plot being hatched across the city, he finds himself eager to pursue justice. After the mastermind behind it all proves more evasive than anyone was expecting, Stone sets out on an international chase to places he’s never gone before.
  3. A Safe House – Stone Barrington is looking forward to some quiet time in New York City, until he is asked to transport precious, top-secret cargo across the Atlantic. Taking on the challenge, Stone flies off unaware of what-or who-he is bringing with him. But his plans to lie low are quickly spoiled when a dangerous dispatcher tracks down Stone and his tantalizing mystery guest, intent on payback-and silencing anyone who poses a threat. From the English countryside to the balmy beaches of Key West, Stone is on an international mission to hide and protect those closest to him.
  1. Black Dog – After returning home from a treacherous adventure, Stone Barrington is all too happy to settle back down in his New York City abode. But when he’s introduced to a glamorous socialite with a staggering inheritance, Stone realizes his days are about to be anything but quiet. As it turns out, Stone’s intriguing new companion has some surprisingly familiar ties and other far more sinister ones-including a nefarious enemy who gets too close for comfort.
  2. Distant Thunder – During an intense storm in Dark Harbor, Maine, a perplexing murder lands a dead man on Stone Barrington’s doorstep. As secrets swirl around this mystery man’s identity, Stone quickly sets out to unravel a web of cunning misdirections and lies. Soon enough, he is embroiled in an elaborate game of cat and mouse between the CIA and nefarious foreign forces, including a bewitching new companion who comes under his protection.
  3. Near Miss – Stone Barrington is enjoying some downtime in New York City when a chance encounter introduces him to a charming new companion. Too bad she also comes with the baggage of a persistent ex-boyfriend intent on retribution. As Stone skillfully dodges each disturbance, it soon becomes clear that there is potentially an even more treacherous game being played behind the scenes. And when long-standing grudges resurface, Stone is brought back into the orbit of some familiar enemies.

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14 Comments

  1. I love Stuart Woods because he gives me adult fairy tales! Years ago I found CHIEFS
    and have never looked back. Good health to you, Mr. Woods and keep up on keeping on!

    April 13, 2018

  2. This list is terrific; the only improvement would be a cross-reference, showing the order in which the various series (Stone, Holly, Teddy, etc.) intersect. Woods publishes so many books, it’s even hard to tell by year of publication!

  3. I’ve read every book and wait ( impatiently) for the next. Love the drama, suspence, and laugh out loud humor. Keep up the good work Mr. Woods!

  4. Congratulations to Stuart Woods on Stone Barrington series. Has brought me immeasurable hours of enjoyable reading. Audio narrated by Tony Roberts excellent. I’m retired blue collar worker formerly of New York City and am quite familiar with areas ,restaurant, bars etc in Mister Woods series. Want to thank Mr Woods for allowing me the fantasy of becoming a Stone Barrington if I ever hit the lottery. I wish him continued success.

  5. Sorry but you have The Money Shot and Unbound reversed. Unbound should be read before The Money Shot, which I have just realized as I started the latter one and felt I was missing something!

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