Bel-Air Dead: A Stone Barrington Novel

Stuart Woods at his best! I love this series; it is a formula that he writes to yet it is a method that I like. There is action, romance and suspense. I hope he keeps writing this series as I am a big fan.

Yet another great book by Stuart Woods. Fast read, because it keeps you entertained. With each book I read, I want to meet the real Stone and Dino and have a drink and dinner with them at Elaine's!!!

I love the books that Stuart Woods writes...He keeps you interested through the whole book and most of the time
you aren't able to figure out the ending...Stone is a skirt chaser but a good lawyer...He has an interesting life
and I enjoy reading all the books about him...Don't miss good reading...

Am I tiring of the Stone Barrington Novels? Maybe. After several none too stellar offerings Strategic Moves was actually a return to old form, substance over style but it seems the pendulum has begun to swing the other way.

It all starts off when Stone gets a call from his one time girlfriend Arrington Calder...she needs his counsel on some business and as a result he and his friend Dino take Stone's plane out to California. The business deal in question is the proposed sale of Centurion Studios..As it turns out through her late husband, actor Vance Calder, Arrington has a MASSIVE stake in the company..when I say massive I'm saying she's worth over a billion dollars (apparently nearly everyone Stone encounters in this book is a billionaire)...she doesn't want to sell to the shady Mr. Prince who may come from questionable drug cartel money as it so happens, but she'd like to invest the money in something else back home in Virginia...

The novel is really a quest of sorts to save the studio by helping studio exec Rick Barron gather a controlling interest in the studio or at the very least, have the share holders vote against the sale...when long time share holders start to run into certain misfortunes, things get dicey for Stone and the gang..

This really isn't a thriller as not very much happens in the way of the crimes committed against some of the share holders...it's not really a mystery either because the parties responsible for any wrong doing are patently obvious so there's not much left to wonder about...'whodunit' is pretty obvious...

The book really seems to be about Stone doing deals for rich people, primarily Arrington...selling this to buy that, buying an airplane, investing lots of money, cashing big checks...having dinner with other rich people, drinking cocktails with other rich people...as with some other recent novels in the series, it's more like reading lifestyles of the rich and famous than reading a book about a retired NYPD detective gone lawyer...

Sure, the emotional strings of the whole 'save the studio' aspect are pulled on...but it's hard to get emotionally invested in characters that want for nothing...it's fluff..reading multiple passages such as 'Well Arrington, you're $25 million richer', 'how nice, Stone', gets old quick quite frankly...

It's not ALL bad...the rapid fire dialogue, especially between Dino and Stone is back in full force..while it's more or less the 'same ole' it can still be fun to read..I'm just curious why the NYPD doesn't put out an APB on Dino...he never seems to be in the office, nor the city for that matter...the book also reads very quickly so it won't take up much of your time..

The book also seems to be an amalgamation of Wood's many series...as he did by mixing Stone in with Holly Barker, we get Rick Barron, Ed Eagle and a few of their supporting cast in on the book...I like the cohesive universe aspect and he does a good job of catching readers up on some of these other characters if you haven't read those series..

At the end of the day, if reading about 9 figure transactions, personal jets and six figure cars is your favorite thing then maybe this book is for you...I just found it way light on the story....I don't mind Stone hobnobbing with the rich and famous..until it becomes nearly the entire focal point of the whole novel...to me, that's fluff and a case of style over substance

Blurb:

Stone Barrington, the male protagonist, is a former NYPD detective, turned lawyer who’s a hired hand for the rich and famous. Arrington Calder, the female protagonist, is a very wealthy socialite who employs Stone to intercept the sale of Centurion Studios to Terrance Price.

The sale of the iconic movie studio would mean the demise of Centurion, a company made famous by actor Vance Calder, Arrington’s late husband.

*Spoilers*

This was my first book by Stuart Woods and I have to say that I’m very glad I found the book at the Dollar Tree. If I’d paid $20 for Bel-Air Dead I would have been very upset.

Bel-Air Dead isn’t a thriller or even a mystery, the story is predictable and trite. I forced myself to finish the book because as a writer I’m to read everything, the good and the bad and well this was rather bad.

From page one all we read is about Stone doing deals for wealthy people, primarily Arrington: selling her real estate in Virginia and in L.A., buying an airplane, negotiating a horse farm, saving a movie studio. Stone is like Lawyer/Stud/Superman, Stone does it all! And all the while he's having breakfast, lunch, and dinner with famous people, has cocktails at all hours of the day, he wakes up at the crack of noon, sleeps around... And, is it just me or does Stone treat Manolo like a slave? I mean, Manolo seems to live to serve him, Arrington and everyone else ‘hand in foot’. And it’s not so much the hobnobbing with the rich and famous that’s annoying with this book, but it really becomes the focal point of the novel.

Bel-Air Dead’s storyline is silly; the characters are under developed, and annoying. I didn’t care for any of them, least of all Arrington; she’s wealthy beyond belief but not assertive or bright. All she does is eat, nap, and screw. The woman can’t even seem to make decisions of her own, she defers to Stone for everything: “You decide I trust your judgment.”

In closing, I have to point that there are multiple ‘roll your eye’ passages, the most ridiculous one? Stone: “You are officially twenty-five million dollars richer.” Arrington: “How nice.”

I give Bel-Air Dead book two stars.

Another decent story, and I think I'm enjoying the author's style more and more with each book.
Sex involvement was kept to a minimum and didn't disrupt the plot. The only negative is Stone not being alert as he should be for a capable detective/lawyer/sex maniac.
Usually he is dull witted for a long time after sex or any surprises. But he always manages to recover and survive.
Another negative, or exaggeration, is how much alcohol these characters can handle. It seems they drink enough wine to pass out, yet they're still acting completely sober.
And explaining in detail each drink, bottle of wine, and every dish at meal time is extremely boring. I'm grateful when they eat 'burgers!
But, this author is the best one I've been reading lately, except for an occasional Western by a very talented author.
Norm

This is one of those Stuart Woods novels that you read in an afternoon at the beach or on a plane, and the lose in the airport, because you don't really care about it, and certainly don't want to cart it around afterwards. Woods started out a gifted novelist, but he seems to have developed a formula, when it comes to writing books, and they all more or less feel the same these days. There's not much real suspense, none of the major characters ever gets killed, and there's typically not much mystery. Woods writes all of his books in an alternative world, with a variety of protagonists who move in and out of each other's books. So in this story, the protagonist is Stone Barrington, the ex-NYPD lawyer who is featured probably in more of Woods' books than any other character. Holly Barker isn't present, but Will Lee gets mentioned, and Ed Eagle actually has a walk-on role as a dinner party guest who knows one of the antagonists Barrington may be struggling with. All of these characters are more or less independantly wealthy, and as a result, they just do things. You want to buy a house, it'll take months; one of Woods' characters would be having cocktails on the back veranda a day or two later. It moves the plot along quickly, but it can be annoying.

So in this entry, Barrington's summoned to California by his ex-girlfriend, the widow of a Hollywood leading man who wound up owning Centurion Studios, one of Woods' creations. Whenever a movie studio is needed as a plot device in a Woods novel, it's always Centurion. Anyway, a wealthy and you're told immediately evil real estate mogul wants to buy Centurion Studios' land, in order to develop it into a hotel. He doesn't care if he has to gut the studio to do it. The ex-girlfriend wants to stop him, and hires Barrington to represent her. When Stone gets to Hollywood, it develops that the evil mogul is even willing to kill stockholders who oppose the sale of the property to him.

The problem is that this book just isn't that realistic or believable. Stone's ex-partner from NYPD just abruptly takes a leave of absence from his job as an NYPD Lieutenant to come west with Stone, no notice, no nothing, and inserts himself into the LAPD investigation of the killings of the stockholders, easy as pie. At one point one of the villains breaks into the home Stone's staying in, and while carrying a gun he gets shot in the back by security. The cops come, look the scene over, and don't arrest the guy, which is bogus. In California, if you shoot an intruder in your house, he had better be armed *and threatening someone* right then, or they'll arrest you for murder. The mogul is so obviously the villain of the piece that woods could have had him cackling oddly and twirling his mustache and it wouldn't have been more obvious. At one point Barrington is already suspicious of the guy, and the mogul gives Barrington use of a car and driver for an afternoon. Not only does Barrington let the guy take him home, he gives the driver the security code for the front gate to the house. What sort of idiot does that?

This isn't a terrible book, but it's incredibly predictable. At least it reads fast, if nothing else.

I've read many Stone novels. Some were fantastic, others were a bit predictable but good reads -- this one was neither. I picked it up at the store while on vacation thinking I could read in the car. I couldn't get into it and read several magazines instead. Other reviews here have given a good synopsis of the story line. What they don't tell you is that the characters are cardboard with no depth or substance. They have names I've read in previous novels, but they left their personalities in other books. Stone is sleeping with any woman who wanders into the storyline, Dino doesn't really work for the NYPD because no cop could just walk away from their job the way he does (in Armani suits no less!). The conversations these characters have aren't even close to believable. I got about halfway through when Stone returns to the Bel-Air mansion "in a fury" and finds "Arrington sunning, topless, by the pool. He walked over and kissed her on each nipple. 'That was nice,' she said smiling. 'It certainly was.'" Then right on back into a conversation on where Stone has been. Puh-leez. I couldn't go any further. The whole thing hit the pinnacle of ridiculous there. I put the book down. I've moved it a few times to dust but I can't make myself pick it up to read it. I have a hard time throwing a book away but I also don't want to pass it along to my book swap friends for fear that they will think I am recommending it. My husband has suggested putting a label on the cover stating "Read at your own risk. Dud novel enclosed." Sounds like a solution to me..

It's summertime and the reading is supposed to be easy. So far, I've not been impressed. Maybe I've just picked the wrong titles.

There is, however, one pleasant surprise among the ocean of disappointments.

After almost giving up on Stuart Woods and his hero, New York attorney and man-about-town Stone Barrington, along comes "Bel-Air Dead." For the past few years, Woods, whose first book was released in 1981, has been phoning his stories in. They were like Chinese food - fast and easy - but ultimately unsatisfying.

In his new book, Woods shows some of his old flair, keeping the reader interested until the mystery is solved and Barrington flies off into the sunset.

Barrington, who's had a run of good luck, receives a phone call from his lost love, Arrington Calder. When he died, Calder's movie star husband, Vance, left his share of Centurion Studios stock to her.

Calder, who also happens to be the mother of Barrington's son, hires him to help her navigate through an incredibly lucrative offer from billionaire Terry Prince who is looking to purchase the studio in order to get his hands on its prime real estate.

When one of Centurion's major stockholders is found dead, Barrington smells a rat and begins to have second thoughts about the proposed transaction.

"Bel-Air Dead" gives the reader a glimpse of the inner workings of the cutthroat world of big wheeling and dealing. It's standard mystery fare, but with enough panache to be entertaining.

Let's hope Woods keeps up the good work.

This is the third book of the Stone Barringtion series by Stuart Woods that I have read. The protagonist is a somewhat lawyer which starts it off on the wrong venue as far as my preferences are concerned. The world of high finance is a strong thread throughout the story which is also offputting. A little romance but fairly staid - women just fall into his bed - and that's all that's said. When it comes to crime solving there isn't much to the generation of personal interest in the characters. That being said, there isn't much graphical or lurid details of the murders and that is a plus for me. I get the books from my local library and that is why I do read them - No cost. Each story does hold my interest to the end.

Stuart Woods' Stone Barrington series is escapist fantasy at its best. Stone is the personification of the WASP elite. The son of a famous artist and a cabinet maker, Stone is a former NYPD homicide detective, now a partner in one of the city's most prestigious law firms. He has a New York City townhouse, a country place in Connecticut, and and even more remote estate in Maine. He drives an armored Mercedes and flies his own jet. He hobnobs with the super rich and the super-super rich, and his biggest problem is usually deciding which gorgeous professional woman or movie star to sleep with. Occasionally, for excitement, he helps out the CIA or MI-5. He's the luckiest man alive.

This book is no different from the rest of the series. His mission is to save Centurion Studios, a move studio that figures prominently in the elaborate world that Woods has cooked up in this series, and his other somewhat less successful series featuring criminal attorney Ed Eagle and senator/President Will Lee. Although Stone faces some obstacles, there's never much tension because you always know that he'll come out smelling like a rose. If you like a feel-good read in which the hero goes from triumph to triumph, you could do a lot worse than this easy-read confection.

Not! It became clear with stratigic moves that Woods had lost touch with reality. I read the sample and was bored and annoyed so I skipped the novel. I read "Son of Stone" and that caught me up on what I may have missed (though I regret that I wasted money on it). I called it. Woods has lost touch with reality. The Barrington books have obviously become a fake Woods diary as to the life he wishes he had instead of a mystry novel. The only mystry is how long does Woods think he can get away with this trite, name dropping, proving he has researched nothing except how to fly a plane works of greed. He obviously is writing purely for money but still he could try and keep up some pretense. Sheesh!

Stuart Woods' Stone Barrington series is escapist fantasy at its best. Stone is the personification of the WASP elite. The son of a famous artist and a cabinet maker, Stone is a former NYPD homicide detective, now a partner in one of the city's most prestigious law firms. He has a New York City townhouse, a country place in Connecticut, and and even more remote estate in Maine. He drives an armored Mercedes and flies his own jet. He hobnobs with the super rich and the super-super rich, and his biggest problem is usually deciding which gorgeous professional woman or movie star to sleep with. Occasionally, for excitement, he helps out the CIA or MI-5. He's the luckiest man alive.

This book is no different from the rest of the series. His mission is to save Centurion Studios, a move studio that figures prominently in the elaborate world that Woods has cooked up in this series, and his other somewhat less successful series featuring criminal attorney Ed Eagle and senator/President Will Lee. Although Stone faces some obstacles, there's never much tension because you always know that he'll come out smelling like a rose. If you like a feel-good read in which the hero goes from triumph to triumph, you could do a lot worse than this easy-read confection.

Not! It became clear with stratigic moves that Woods had lost touch with reality. I read the sample and was bored and annoyed so I skipped the novel. I read "Son of Stone" and that caught me up on what I may have missed (though I regret that I wasted money on it). I called it. Woods has lost touch with reality. The Barrington books have obviously become a fake Woods diary as to the life he wishes he had instead of a mystry novel. The only mystry is how long does Woods think he can get away with this trite, name dropping, proving he has researched nothing except how to fly a plane works of greed. He obviously is writing purely for money but still he could try and keep up some pretense. Sheesh!

Even heavily involved in the plot, the return of Addington Calder is not enough to take this book to a higher star rating. I am a Stone Barrington fan but in this one the action seems contrived. Sure the usual food, drink, sex and legal tussels are there and Barrington makes partner in Woodman and Weld. But with all that, good, but the main story line lacks enough strength to be outstanding. I like the series and will continue to read it, waiting for the magic to return.

In Southern California, elderly actor Vance Calder dies. He leaves his much younger widow Arrington his stock in Centurion Studios in Bel-Air. Arrington asks her former lover Manhattan based attorney Stone Barrington to travel to Los Angeles to represent her legally, as she battles over who controls the studio. Dropping everything to assist the mother of his son, Barrington makes Strategic Moves starting with reorganizing Arrington's shares; buying more stock for her; and finally forging partnerships with other holders in order for his client to have the controlling interest.

Known for playing hardball Terry Prince, CEO of Prince Investments, wants the choice property where Centurion Studios resides as he knows there is much more to be made from development. When someone murders stockholder Jennifer Harris, Barrington assumes his opponent raised the stakes. With his sidekick Dino Bacchetti having his back, Stone obtains local help as he plays chess with an amoral opponent.

With a twist that includes Ed Eagle territory (see Santa Fe Edge and Santa Fe Dead.); fans will enjoy the Stone invasion of Hollywood as the East Coast hipster matches up against a West Coast shark. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Stone arrives in California until the climax as regardless of which coast the hero is in, he retains his usual unconcerned demeanor in the face of danger while also being a chick magnet.

Harriet Klausner

Just when you think a Stone Barrington novel couldn't get any worse, enter Bel-Air Dead. Stuart reaches an all time high in 'mailing it in' with this one. Typically I would throw a book this bad away after reading 50 pages, however I worked my way all the way through this one for its comedic value.

A fan of the early Barrington novels, I have become increasingly more disappointed with each new release always holding hope that the next one will be better, however I have reached my breaking point with Stuart Woods. Filled with the typical unrealistic lifestyles and antiquated domestic servants which are usually made tolerable by an entertaining story, this one falls flat with another fast-forward tale about absolutely nothing.

The only thing this dud shares with the early Barrington editions is the smarmy "authors note" at the end of the book which is as insulting as ever to the reader. I have spent my last dollar on Stuart Woods and I would suggest everyone else save their money as well.

In the beginning, Stuart Woods wrote fine stuff. Chiefs was a superb book, and his early Stone Barrington and Holly Barker novels were excellent. Then it all went to pot, Stone wandering around, meeting gorgeous women who have sex with him ten minutes after meeting him, and of course they're all rich.

There is no tension in this book, and plenty of gaping plot holes. The head of Centurion Studios meets Stone and Dino for the first time, is perfectly well aware one of them is a police officer and the other used to be, and what does he do? He reminisces about a murder he committed in a previous Stuart Woods novel! If he's that dumb, or at least that senile, he deserves to lose the shareholder vote.

In addition, why does Centurion Studios have a Western town on its back lot? It's been decades since the Western genre was popular enough to justify that sort of expense.

My advice. Don't contribute to this vampire's bloated coffers. Save your money.

Loved it. Colorful characters, great plotting, action packed pages, short chapters (love that in a book). Pages practically turned themselves. First time ever I finished a book in less than a week. Only possible issue is Arrington's spending spree. Buying everything in sight. Maybe I'm just jealous. lol I'll be reading more Stuart Woods material.

I thought Woods was all out of Stone adventures, but he writes another. I don't know if I'm partial, but I'm hooked on anything Stone Barrington. I also like the fact that Woods brings a lot of past characters together in this book. Of course Arrington is in it, but Charlene Joiner is there as well. You may remember her from her one night stand with Will Lee when he was running for senate. She's now a movie starlet. Woods also brings Vance back to life briefly in a very creative way. The book may have lacked the normal level of adventure, but there was plenty of drama, romance & mystery.

Stone Barrington books are just fun, not-meant-for-book-club reading. Great escapism, and a nice way to spend some getaway time. In Bel-Air Dead, Stone gets an even further upgrade -- becoming a partner at the law firm, and securing more high finance dealings. These new twists are sure to provide entertainment in books to come.

This Stone Barrington novel is superb, as is the plot, pacing, and characters. Most enjoyable is Woods' crisp frequently humorous language. Both good and bad persons from previous Woods novels appear, which is delightful for those who read about them previously, but even people who meet them here for the first time, will enjoy the experience.

Stone decides to help his now very rich ex-girl friend who wants to keep a movie company intake. Her now deceased husband owned a large share in the business. There are about two dozen share holders. A vicious wealthy crook wants to buy all the shares, destroy the film company and build a hotel. He even kills people who do not sell him their shares.

... how this author could make such a long series with this cardboard character. I found this book fairly boring. The characters and plot both are mind-numbingly monochromatic and unbelievable. I did manage to finish the book, but I won't waste my time with any more Stone Barrington novels.

Not up to par with a Stone Barrington - Stuart Woods - series. Stone, Dino and the others deserve a better plot and story line for these to continue with the success they have had over the years. As a reader of these series I deserve better, as well.

I have really enjoyed some of the Stone Barrington stories, but this one would kill the career of a lesser writer. Where sometimes dinner at Elaine's, an airplane ride, a call to Woodman & Weld, a meaningless sexual encounter with a fabulous babe, and another lobster salad for lunch are charming as insider character notes, here those notes are about all you get. It's more like self-caricature than writing.