Fresh Disasters (Stone Barrington)
by Stuart Woods
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Book Summary Information
Author: Stuart WoodsEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-09-04
ISBN: 0451221656
Number of pages: 352
Publisher: Signet
Book Reviews of Fresh Disasters (Stone Barrington)
Book Review: Woods has lost whatever touch he once had
Summary: 2 Stars
Warning: There is one small plot spoiler in this review
The best I can say about Fresh Disasters is that it isn't the worst Stuart Woods novel I've read.
I can appreciate that people, on occasion, like to read a 'so-called' beach novel and that such novels can have plot holes and poorly developed characters, provided they are fun to read. This is where Woods has really lost whatever touch he once had. Fresh Disasters is decidedly `not fun'.
The most perplexing thing is the apparent fan-base that there is for the character of Stone Barrington. Stone is a shallow, superficial, misogynist. This wouldn't be a problem if he were charming, intelligent, witty, or in any way interesting - but he's not. Not only is he a complete bore, he has to be the most incompetent lawyer ever.
I won't point out the plot holes or mention any unrealistic scenes (they are numerous). I concede that these `come with the territory'. What I will complain about is the complete absence of a plot, and in particular, the fact that Stone does absolutely nothing to resolve anything that happens in this novel. His principal role is to go out to dinner, drink bourbon, and have sex with Amazon women.
The novel has two mostly unrelated story lines. Stone has a client who is suing a mob boss for having him roughed up. I won't complain about how silly this is - but I do want to point out that Stone does absolutely nothing for this client except complain about him and poorly represent him. This story line resolves itself without any help from Stone.
The second story line involves a nymphomaniac Amazon masseuse (a prototype that Woods seems fixated on) who is being stalked by a violent ex-boyfriend. Stone does little for the woman except have sex with her, give her bad advice, and then find her dead body. Stone plays no constructive role in catching her killer.
There are various sub plots, involving Stone's sex life and a silly divorce case, but these add little to the novel - certainly not suspense. In fact, there is a complete absence of suspense in this novel and absolutely no mystery. The dialogue can only be described as `goofy' and `juvenile'. The plot, such as it is, is little more than a backdrop for Woods' real obsessions - namely fine dining and sex, lots of sex.
The bottom line is - I don't get it. I really don't. This isn't the literary equivalent of a popcorn movie. It's a cynical novel written by an author who stopped trying a long time ago.
Summary of Fresh Disasters (Stone Barrington)
From the New York Times bestselling author A chance encounter with a small-time crook sends Stone Barrington straight into the heart of New York's mafia underworld...
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