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Distant Thunder: A Stone Barrington Novel

Review

Distant Thunder: A Stone Barrington Novel

Stuart Woods, the award-winning author of over 90 novels, passed away in July. His fans will get to enjoy his work one more time thanks to the publication of DISTANT THUNDER, the 63rd installment in his popular Stone Barrington series.

The book opens in Dark Harbor, Maine, where one of Stone’s many houses is located. A former homicide detective, Stone is now an attorney, a consultant to the CIA and a fabulously wealthy man with connections to a number of governmental and industrial departments. His most important romantic relationship is with Holly Barker, his long-time paramour and President of the United States. Holly happens to be a guest for a few days at his home in Isleboro. As a nor’easter batters the island, a generator keeps Stone and his guests out of the dark.

"The suspense is intense, and the narrative will capture readers’ attention. As always, Stuart Woods’ characters are well limned, and the dialogue is impressively realistic."

During the storm, Ed Rawls --- a retired CIA operative and a friend of Stone --- informs him that a murder has been committed on the ferry to the island, and the victim is CIA officer John Collins. When the police arrive, Stone offers to house the dead man, who was shot in the head twice execution-style. The body is put in his garage and kept on ice until the weather calms down. He then will be transported to the medical examiner’s office at the morgue.

Upon his return to New York City, Stone is visited by Collins’ widow, Vanessa Morgan, who is now an incredibly rich woman. He gives her advice about her finances and who to contact for more details. Soon they end up in his bedroom and begin an affair. They go out to dinner with Stone’s old pal, Commissioner Dino Bacchetti, and his wife, Viv. Joining them is CIA director Lance Cabot, who is very sly to avoid sharing any information about Collins or what he was doing on the ferry. Did it have something to do with his job? And if so, what exactly?

Soon after this meeting, the news reaches everyone that Collins is indeed alive. His partner was the one who was shot, which readers learn very early in the novel. As the plot unfolds, Collins is in touch with Stone, who allows him to hide out in disguise at his house in Maine. It develops that the Russians are behind the murder and may have others on their hit list. Stone ultimately crosses paths with an old nemesis and realizes that he may have finally met his match.

The suspense is intense, and the narrative will capture readers’ attention. As always, Stuart Woods’ characters are well limned, and the dialogue is impressively realistic. Stone Barrington is a complex yet likable character, and DISTANT THUNDER will please both newcomers and fans of the series.

Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum on October 13, 2022

Distant Thunder: A Stone Barrington Novel
by Stuart Woods

  • Publication Date: July 25, 2023
  • Genres: Adventure, Fiction, Suspense, Thriller
  • Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
  • ISBN-10: 0593540050
  • ISBN-13: 9780593540053