L.A. Dead (A Stone Barrington Novel)

Stone Barrington is such a good character. I love him! I've read a lot of books but by far, Stuart Woods is the best Author. I introduced Stone to my best friend and now she's obsessed with him. L. A. DEAD is a very good book with a lot of twist and turns with just the right amount of suspense & murder. Great book!

I started reading the Stuart Woods books when he wrote Kisser. From there I was hooked and am eagerly waiting for his newest book due out in April 2016. In the meantime I am catching up by reading his first 16 books on the character Stone Barrington, which are still terrific. I am zooming by at 1 book every two or three nights.
With that said, L.A. Dead is just as great as all the other Barrington books.

Another in the Stone Barrington series by Woods. All of these titles are "okay," if perhaps a bit too formulaic. I listen to audio versions of books which I consider to be of the "elevator music" category because one does not have to pay a lot of attention -- unlike trying to listen to audio version of a scholarly non-fiction book.

By listening to an entire "series" I am already familiar with the main characters, so it is fairly easy to "get" the story itself without much effort.

My gripe with this series is that there are many "continuity" errors. The most egregious example is that a baby GIRL is born in an earlier book in the series and in a later book the baby is now a BOY. Wow.

Still, they are easy "listens."

The first Stuart Woods books I read were the Holly Barker Orchid series, and they were very good. I assumed I would also like the Stone Barrington series, but I was quite unprepared for the raunchy, graphic descriptions of his sexual exploits. I’m no prude, but these descriptions are disgusting. Not only are they unacceptable depictions in taxpayer-funded library books, they show Barrington as being an unethical cop and then an equally unethical lawyer who engages in sexual acts with his clients and people he is investigating, even when they are married and guilty of murder.

I’ve been seeing Stuart Woods books on the shelf for years and the number of them just keeps growing. I finally got around to trying a sample. I picked this one at random because I liked the cover and I was born in a suburb of Ellay.

The story is a typical murder mystery, or seems to be. This particular one is somewhere in the middle of the Stone Barrington series. Stone is a rich, high-society lawyer, or seems to be the way he moves seamlessly through the world of the rich. He leaves the altar from a marriage he isn’t too sure about and goes to Ellay to defend the woman he really wanted to marry. She’s accused of murdering her husband. Mayhem ensues.

Well, mayhem is a strong word here, because that’s not exactly what happens. Sure, there’s a little mayhem and a little mystery, but most of the novel is Stone on the phone, Stone meeting so and so and Stone in bed or trying not to go to bed with so and so.

The ending doesn’t really resolve anything either, except it does, but not in the way you’d expect. Well, maybe for fans of his novels, it DOES resolve as you’d expect. I can say it was a unique experience.

The writing was excellent and in solid third-person with no noticeable head-hopping. There was no long or boring narrative to slog through and it was a fast read. I really enjoyed it and ended it with a smile on my face. Couldn’t ask for more than that.

This is not the typical mystery. I’m ready for the next one. I have two more Stone Barrington novels to try out. We’ll see if they hold up to the same standard. Recommended.

The first Stuart Woods books I read were the Holly Barker Orchid series, and they were very good. I assumed I would also like the Stone Barrington series, but I was quite unprepared for the raunchy, graphic descriptions of his sexual exploits. I’m no prude, but these descriptions are disgusting. Not only are they unacceptable depictions in taxpayer-funded library books, they show Barrington as being an unethical cop and then an equally unethical lawyer who engages in sexual acts with his clients and people he is investigating, even when they are married and guilty of murder.

I started the Stone Barrington series at Book #1 and I’m glad I hung in there until Book #6. The writing has gotten so much better! The earlier books were kind of stilted with formal, unrealistic dialog. There was also a lot of detail about boats and sailing that I found hard to follow at times. However, the storylines and characters won me over.

Although it’s not necessary to read the books in order, it is helpful to know the characters and their respective back stories. Because of this, I was immediately hooked as I read “L.A. Dead.” Without giving away the storyline, I must say that toward the end of the book, I couldn’t put it down. The story kept me very engaged.

I absolutely recommend this book! It’s even worth starting the series with this book if you are not interested in starting from the beginning.

I’ve been seeing Stuart Woods books on the shelf for years and the number of them just keeps growing. I finally got around to trying a sample. I picked this one at random because I liked the cover and I was born in a suburb of Ellay.

The story is a typical murder mystery, or seems to be. This particular one is somewhere in the middle of the Stone Barrington series. Stone is a rich, high-society lawyer, or seems to be the way he moves seamlessly through the world of the rich. He leaves the altar from a marriage he isn’t too sure about and goes to Ellay to defend the woman he really wanted to marry. She’s accused of murdering her husband. Mayhem ensues.

Well, mayhem is a strong word here, because that’s not exactly what happens. Sure, there’s a little mayhem and a little mystery, but most of the novel is Stone on the phone, Stone meeting so and so and Stone in bed or trying not to go to bed with so and so.

The ending doesn’t really resolve anything either, except it does, but not in the way you’d expect. Well, maybe for fans of his novels, it DOES resolve as you’d expect. I can say it was a unique experience.

The writing was excellent and in solid third-person with no noticeable head-hopping. There was no long or boring narrative to slog through and it was a fast read. I really enjoyed it and ended it with a smile on my face. Couldn’t ask for more than that.

This is not the typical mystery. I’m ready for the next one. I have two more Stone Barrington novels to try out. We’ll see if they hold up to the same standard. Recommended.

This drove me crazy! If you have read the stupid epilogue at the end of "Beverly Hills Dead", you'll find that Vance Calder was born in 1928 and died in 1999. That would make him 71. And according to the same book, Glenna discovered him at the beach construction site in 1947. However, somehow, according to "L.A. Dead" he was only 52 when he died! That would mean he was born the year Glenna discovered him! I can't abide shoddy continuity like that...it's a real insult to the reader. Not the mention the number of Oscar wins/nominations changes from book to book. And I won't even go into all the women constantly throwing themselves at Stone Barrington..and the fact that there is really no one likeable in the whole book. I've read 3 Stuart Woods books now and I think that's plenty...I enjoyed "The Prince of Beverly Hills", as unrealistic as it was, but it's been down hill from there.

Until you unwrap and read a Stuart Woods Stone Barrington novel, none of these ratings will have any meaning for you. I remember when I first unwrapped (meaning it was a brand new experience) my first Stuart Woods novel, I was smitten in the first 10 or 12 pages. My first novel was Palindrome which was set in the coast of Georgia and had original characters and it is probably still my favorite of all. Then it was Under the Lake and that was a mind blower. Then it was (I won't say the title) Stone Barrington and the cast of characters that are part of Stone's life, but the character that is my favorite is a bad guy named Teddy Fay. He is a bad guys bad guy. I love him.

Anyway, enjoy and be prepared to be totally entertained by this master story teller. Do it, you won't be disappointed whatsoever.

Avoid the Audio at all costs. Robert Lawrence is absolutely terrible! How did this version ever happen.Did anyone listen to this before it went on the market. It is painful to listen to and after half way through disc 2, I had to stop listening. I have listened to 3-4 other Stone recordings by Tony Roberts who does a great job with the characters. Highly recommend him even if the novels themselves are questionable. No comments on the actual novel " L.A. Dead" as I couldn't torture myself to listen to more than the beginning.

Stuart Woods has written some very good novels. Chiefs, his first, may even be great. Several of the stories in the continuing story of the Lee family of Meriwether County have been quite good. Palindrome was as fine a mystery-thriller as one could ask for. His Stone Barrington stories, the latest of which is L. S. Dead, have steadily declined. The series recounts the adventures of a New York homicide cop turned lawyer named Stone Barrington. His recurring lady love is Arrington Carter. The tone of their relationship was set when (in Wood's Dirt) upon being introduced Arrington quipped that she could never marry Barrington. Well, she didn't, although they have had a continuing relationship. Stone planned to propose while they were on a Carribean sailing vacation (Dead in the Water), but Arrington did not come, and ended up married to a movie star. In L. A. Dead Arrington's husband is found murdered and Arrington is the prime suspect. When Stone receives her call for help, he drops everything. The problem is that he is in Venice, has just finished the civil wedding ceremony and is about to head to the cathedral for the church ceremony. His almost-wife is not pleased that he must interrupt marrying her to head for Los Angeles to see about his former girl friend. Her father, an organized crime kingpin, is much more understanding. The jilted Dolce (who is not very sweet - Woods does have fun with naming his characters) pursues Stone and insists that she is Mrs. Barrington. Stone does get involved in the murder investigation, gets involved with movie stars, gets reinvolved with Arrington, and works on becoming uninvolved with Dolce. The ending resolves some things and leaves more options for continuing the series. I would rather see Woods work more on the Lee family, introduced in Chiefs. Those stories have been more interesting and less adolescent. Woods is a skillful writer, and L. A. Dead is a good way to kill a long wait at the airport or otherwise passing time. The reader who does not expect much will not be disappointed.

...and compounded that mistake by reading "L.A. Dead" all the way through. Big disappointment. No mystery, very little action, a boring protagonist with an unnatural sexual appeal to the opposite gender, and a quartet of beautiful women with exquisite bodies and the morals of a waterfront hooker. Or maybe it's just the Southern California muse-en-scene where such behavior is the norm. Not a fun read!

I loved "Chiefs" by Stuart Wood, and have read everything he's written since. He's capable of wonderful writing. Unfortunately, this Stone Barrington series, and especially the Stone Barrington character, reveals very little of his great talent. The character is a self-absorbed, shallow, utterly unadmirable womanizer with the morals of a snake and the heart of a hustler. I won't be reading any more of the Stone Barrington books. This latest novel is very smooth and glib, like a dish of vanilla pudding, mindlessly pleasant as it goes down but ultimately unsatisfying. Every article of clothing Barrington wears is lovingly detailed for us; every luxury car and airplane, every beautiful woman, the menu of every meal is lingered over, making one wonder if Woods is as much a sybarite as his character. Too bad the story isn't as absorbing as it is smooth, and it's quickly forgotten. I hate it when authors with huge talent churn out trifles like this, and I've seen it happen over and over. It's like they're just cranking out a quickie for another fat check and to hell with the quality. Where are their friends, their editors, their confidantes? They need to be told to get back to their writing roots, to write the way they are capable of writing. The kind of talent that has been given to Mr. Woods is rare and shouldn't be expended on such trifles.

Stuart Woods weaves yet another thrilling tale based on his most popular character Stone Barrington. After reading his latest ("Dirty Work"), I was drawn to this book, "L.A. Dead". It is a very fast-paced story that manages to keep you intrigued and guessing for all of its 300+ pages. Let me tell you a few things that may help you make up your own mind about "L.A. Dead" (NO SPOILERS):
Though I think this is fifth book in a series with his main character Stone Barrington, I did not feel at a loss at all for not having read any of his previous books. That alone impressed me, but then add on top of that a story that grabs you and does let go until the thrilling (and surprising) conclusion. Stone Barrington is called to LA to solve the mysterious death of one of Hollywood's biggest actors. The suspect? The true love of Barrington's life.
Woods combines characters that are cops, ex-cops, lawyers, famous actressses, and international smugglers and does it all masterfully. Pick this book up and you likely won't be able to put it back down until it's over. For a light read, it's very entertaining.

Seems to me that all series deteriorate into clichés. My point is that clichés by Mr. Woods are pretentious while, for instance, Ms. Evanovich's are decidedly unpretentious. Just read some of her Stephanie Plum series and you would know what I mean.

It may all be a matter of taste. Mr. Woods wrote one really good book that dealt with substantive issues ('Chiefs'). After that, it seems to go downhill.

And, as in his last book (the Carnal something) nubile youngish women deal with the protagonist either naked or almost naked. And he is always ready and ready and ready. Impressive.

Three stars - OK for readers who like this kind of stuff.

I just started reading Stuart Woods about six months ago and I think he is a great writer. I especially like his novels that includes his main protaganist, Stone Barrington. I have been looking forward to L.A. Dead for months. I think this novel was one of the best novels that Stuart has wrote. Stone Barrington is in Italy getting ready for his marriage to Dolce, the daughter of a rich Mafia man. At the last minute before he gets married, he gets a call from the police in Los Angeles, saying that Vance Calder, Arrington's new husband, has been murdered and that Arrington is the main suspect. (If you don't know who Arrington is at all, then you need to start with the earlier Stone Barringon novels or you will be confused!) Stone dashes out of Italy and arrives in Los Angeles. Stone along with Dino Bachetti, his old partner and friend, must prove that Arrington is innocent and discover who the killer is before someone else dies. The only problem is that Dolce, Stone's fiance, is incredibly mad at Stone and she even gets a little violent. One of the things that will shock the readers is the ENDING! You will be in shock. I'm looking forward to Mr. Woods' next novel coming in the future.

I just started reading the Stone Barrington novels last summer, and I just finished LA Dead. Overall, I like the series, and this one doesn't disappoint. Once again Stone rushes off to help his ex girlfriend Arrington out of yet another mess she gets into. The plot is interesting, but doesn't really solve itself, so the ending left the reader hanging. Although Stone is an intelligent character, his stupidity about women gets a little old at times. Many times he tends to think with his other brain, and this time it definately gets him into a lot of trouble. I will admit, however, it was this aspect of the story that kept me reading and wondering how it would be resolved. Needless to say, I will continue reading the series. [...]

This was my first Stuart Woods book. I was hoping I'd like it because I'm looking for a new author so I have a few books to read between new releases from my favorites. This book has the simplest and dumbest storyline I've seen written by an adult. Every woman wants Stone Barrington and so they naturually answer the door undressed even the first time they meet him. In the end, he comes up with a character to be the guilty party, but has no build up to how this is the case. Seems like he just figures he's written enough pages to sell the book, so he picks a character to be guilty so he can finish and move on. And then he spends the last 3-4 pages to pick up a loose ends that would make his next story more difficult to write. Last book I'll read by this guy.

I listened to the Brilliance Audio edition of this book and was very annoyed by the special effects applied whenever the character speaking was on the telephone or on television. Not only were they jarring, but the volume level often dropped at those times, forcing me to rewind or miss something since I couldn't hear it properly.
The novel itself is not very good, either, as other reviewers have noted. I've enjoyed others in the Stone Barrington series, but this one seemed an excuse just to hook Stone up with many women who were not his wife, talk about various wines, and not resolve any important points brought up in the plot. As usual in Stuart Woods' books, there were several continuity errors that should have been caught in the editing process. Maybe they were left in to distract from the overall weakness of the book.

wow, this book was fantastic...from the very beginning I couldn't stop turning the pages...i'm not sure why this book had a lower average rating, but I thought it was fantastic..

there's lots of things going on in this book, but that's one of many things Woods is good at: having multiple sub plots but using them in such a way that the reader doesn't get lost trying to keep track of everything....everything flows really well..

if I had to pick a gripe about the book it would be the ending...it's one of those 'did they or didn't they??' type of endings....which is cool, but if you're like me and you need to know everything, it'll drive you nuts! =)

as with the other books in the Barrington series, i'm sure the events of this book will impact stone's later adventures..

gripping and fast paced.

As Stone Barrington is planning his wedding to Dolce, he receives the devastating news that a friend, Vance Caldwell, has been murdered. Stone postpones his church ceremony, and rushes off to L.A. to find out what happened. Once in L.A., Stone, is shocked to find his one-time lover, and the now widow of his dead friend, Arrington, accused of the crime.
As Stone begins to investigate the crime he will uncover enough dirt on the so called friends of Vance to send half of L.A. to jail, and he will be forced to confront the feelings he still has for Arrington.
Not far behind is Dolce, the new Mrs. Stone Barrington, who wants her husband back home with her.
Stone, under the impression that his marriage is not legal, must clear Arrington of the murder charges, put an end to his marriage while keeping peace with Dolce's mafia connected father, and catch the real killer.
L.A. Dead is another winner from bestselling author, Stuart Woods; the pace is fast, the plot exciting, and as always the novel is peopled with colorful characters.
Mr. Woods doesn't disappoint with this Hollywood mystery...his legion of fans will no-doubt enjoy the latest entry in the Stone Barrington series.
Nick Gonnella

Former NYPD homicide detective turned attorney Stone Barrington travels to Italy to marry his fiancée Dolce Bianci. Her father happens to be a rich and powerful capo with ties to both sides of the law as well as to the Vatican. In Italy, for Roman Catholics to be considered married they must have civil and church eddings.

The civil ceremony occurs, but before they tie the knot in church, Stone receives a phone call concerning Arrington, the woman he loves, who is married to famous movie star Vince Calder. In their home an unknown intruder killed Vince while Arrington was taking a bath. Arrington is placed in a psychiatric hospital demanding that Stone come to help her. Stone immediately leaves Italy to be at Arrington's side. He also agrees to represent her with the police and the probate court. Arrington cooperates with the police, but they arrest her on a charge of second-degree murder. Stone goes out of his way to protect the woman he still loves.

The sixth Barrington mystery is the best novel in the series. Stone is an honest, intelligent, but beleaguered individual, who goes the extra mile and a half for those he cherishes. As Stone muddles through his relationships with females, the climax to L.A. Dead remains outstanding even as many questions about the hero's personal life remain unanswered. With an exclamation point, Stuart Woods makes it evident that he is a force in the mystery genre.

Harriet Klausner

Stuart Woods gives us L.A.DEAD the sixthe installment of the Stone Barrigton stories. They should as with any series be rad in order. For me this one misses and is the worst of the first six. Stone cancels his wedding to Dolce torun to the rescue of Addington in California where she is accused of killing her super star, movie star husband. The plot is weak and the characters just plod along. Addington has been a good repeating character but not in this one. Will surely keep rerading the series but this book falls short. SERIES RECOMMENDED

If you've read the other books concerning Stone Barrington you most likely will read this one simply to keep up with his latest antics. That way when the next escpade comes out you will be up-to-date. However I would caution anyone who picks up this book with the intent of finding a story deeply engrossing, mature or politically correct. I on the other hand like the occaisional frivolous, airy, fast-and-easy to read book. L.A. Dead fits those requirements. One thing I would like to express to Mr. Woods---Barrington's charm is the way he likes (and does)sleep with every female he comes in contact with, therefore don't ever let him get married again. And please, please, please get rid of Arrington for good.

For lovers of Woods and Barrington. The main thing I find annoying about the Stone Barrington series is that the books rely too much on one another. It is possible to pick them up randomly, but I don't recommend it. Woods is a master story teller and he has done a fine job fleshing out his characters, but if you are in for a penny, why not be in for a pound? Do yourself a favor and read the series as it was written. You'll be glad you did.
BJ Neblett Elysian Dreams: Where the Past Meets the Present

This is the first Stone Barrington novel I've heard by Robert Lawrence; the others were read by Tony Roberts. So for those of us listening to audiobooks, we get to rate the story itself AND it's telling. I find the story to be just 'light reading', or what my book group calls beach trash; mindless, a little mystery, a little sex, a no-brainer. Other Stone Barrington stories have had more depth. Also, Robert Lawrence reads in a flat tone of voice without any real enthusiasm. He sounds as if he's reading a textbook. Tony Roberts reads with much more life.

I recommend Joe Mantegna reading Robert B. Parker's "Spenser" novels, and Tony Roberts reading the Stone Barrington series.

Before you even consider reading this book, take the time to read the author's note at the end, which gives great insight into the author's boundless ego. If that isn't enought to turn you off entirely, please trust me when I say that this is one of the worst books I have ever read! The characters are flat, the dialouge is boring, and the ending is predictable. The author obviously didn't bother to do any background reasearch, because the book is rife with legal inaccuracies. You would think that if he wanted to go into detail about the legal justice system, he would have bothered to do his homework. I seriously considered mailing the book back to the publisher, but I just threw it away instead, because the book isn't even worth the postage.