Publisher's Weekly Review
Woods's woozy novels featuring the wise-cracking Manhattan lawyer, Stone Barrington, can usually be counted on to entertain, and this sexy and action-packed installment doesn't disappoint.Tony Roberts's effortless performance follows Barrington and his pal, NYPD lieutenant Dino Bacchetti, as they travel to Key West to track down the long-estranged son of a ruthless entrepreneur-and to save the young man from a hired killer. Roberts has fun with the accents of Key West denizens, playing them off of his smooth rendition of Barrington. And though we're offered no literary description of Bacchetti, Roberts fills in the blanks with a voice that could easily belong to a gruff, tough Brooklyn-born top cop who's having a grand old time in the Florida sun. A Putnam hardcover (Reviews, Feb. 23). (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Booklist Review
After a less than thrilling turn in Hot Mahogany (2008), Stone Barrington is back in top form with this twist-filled page-turner. Stone is at his favorite New York hangout, Elaine's, when Bill Eggers brings him Warren Keating, who's hoping Stone can track down his 26-year-old son, Evan. Warren wants to sell the family business, but he needs Evan's signature to do so. Stone agrees to go to Key West to hunt for Evan, and takes perennial sidekick Dino Bacchetti along for the ride. When he finally tracks Evan down, Stone is surprised when he refuses to sign the contract, which is worth more than $20 million. Before Stone can press the issue, he's knocked out by Evan's zealously protective girlfriend, Gigi. The experience isn't all bad: Stone ends up falling for Annika Swenson, the beautiful Swedish doctor who examines his head wound. Stone continues his increasingly dangerous pursuit of Evan, now questioning Warren's intentions. Sure enough, Evan believes his father is up to no good, and Stone agrees to help Evan, unaware that the decision will cost him dearly. An exciting entry in prolific Woods' long-running series.--Huntley, Kristine Copyright 2009 Booklist