I’d started with the first books in the Stone Barrington series by Stuart Woods. And found them worth reading.

Funny. Engaging.

Absurd James Bondy escapism.

Stone Barrington, a former NYPD detective turned lawyer, who is of counsel to a prestigious law firm and handles sensitive cases for the firm’s prominent clients, but cases with which the firm nonetheless does not wish to be publicly associated.

As such, Barrington commands exorbitant fees, and a strong cast of recurring characters such as his ex-partner Dino Bacchetti, frequent use of the restaurant Elaine’s on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City as a setting, and Stone’s frequent exploits with women, travel, and fine dining. 

I jumped ahead to try Distant Thunder (#63 / 2022).

Not much had changed with Stone. He’s richer. Yachts. Homes around the world. Fine dinning every night.

But I prefer the earliest books. This one felt lazy. Short. And unresolved.

Some Russian is chasing Stone … for some unexplained reason. Corpses turn out to be someone else — without much explanation.

Meh.