While reading Distant Thunder I kept thinking wow this is Stuart Woods last book. I grew very fond of Stone Barrington and his womanzing ways. In Distant Thunder once again Stone comes to the rescue of a woman whose husband has been murdered, but was the man found in the garage really her husband? Stone again helps with his sidekick Dino to find out what really happened and where was the missing husband? I hope that we will see more with Stone and Dino.

This book was a great thrill ride! An interesting storyline that kept me on the edge of my seat! I loved the characters, and the mystery was good. I would highly recommend this book to everyone!

Stuart Woods books never disappoint since I read "Palindrome" years ago. "Distant Thunder" reaqquaints us with Stone Barrington. A nasty storm in Dark Harbor, Maine uncovers a murder within feet of Barrington's house. Quickly, he is in the middle of intrigue that includes the CIA, foreign players and some old enemies & new friends that require his protection. The web of murder, lies, and danger seems like it may be a problem this time.

Thanks to NetGally & GP Putnam's Sons for providing this book in exchange for an honest review
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Stone Barrington is at his Maine house with President Holly Barker for one of his frequent trysts when a man is killed on the ferry leaving the island. The man is a CIA agent whose body is moved to Stone’s garage until the Agency can retrieve it. Enter Lance Cabot, director of the Agency and a frequent tormentor of Barrington. All is not what it seems - although it appears that an old Russian nemesis, Valery Majerov, is back. Who are the Russians after? Plenty of false leads will keep you wondering just exactly what is going on. This is the 63rd book in Woods’ Stone Barrington series. As I have read (or listened to audible books) over half of them, I would say that the series may be getting stale. Woods has continually written an entertaining story (for which he will never win a literary award), but it seems that each book has to be about the same length which results in endings that recently appear rushed. The books are quick reads, one always looks forward to the relationship between the two main characters (Stone and Dino), and the plot lines are usually fun - all of which are present in this book. But……. My thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel (and my apologies for the late review as I miswrote the publication date of the book).

Another great installment in the Stone Barrington series! I have read all of these and am hoping someone else may take up the reins and do the series justice. Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for review

Distant Thunder is the next chapter in the saga of Stone Barrington, a wealthy, well-connected, womanizing attorney. In this installment there are spies, dead men who come back to life, lots of travel both in this continent and Europe, and several beautiful but not always trustworthy women. The plot was intriguing and the book was a fun, entertaining read. It left the reader hanging at the end, waiting for the next chapter. I'm wondering if since Stuart Woods has died, will there be a conclusion to this popular series?

It was good to see that Stone and Holly once again where together. The book is a fast read as all Stuart Wood books are but it the stories are getting all to be the same. Gonna miss Stone but all good things have to come to an end.

Stone is in Dark Harbor, Maine and while there ends up at his doorstep. The mans identity still hasn't been figured out but that doesn't keep Stone from investigating his murder. Each new clue that he finds leads him in a different direction and he soon becomes mixed up r the CIA and a foreign agency. Meanwhile an old enemy of Stones is set to keep him from finding out the answers he seeks. He is determined to keep him from the truth and will stop.at nothing to keep him in the dark. Has Stone finally met his match or will he prove to be the smarter of the two in the end?

A fast albeit formulaic book in a very long series. It’s pretty amazing that the series is 63 books long and most of the books have the similar murder and intrigue plots. This is a good one if you enjoy Stone Barrington books as comfort reads and enjoy how fast they go.

You can't go wrong with any book by Stuart Woods. Everything I have grown to love in previous Stone Barrington novels was all here to enjoy again.

Stuart Woods is one of my "one click" authors. Stone Barrington, star of 63+ Stuart books, is one of those characters that you'd recognize if you met them on the street. Or more likely, saw them in breaking news on the TV. The stories are well written, fast paced and full of action and a little romance too.

In DISTANT THUNDER, a body is discovered on Stone's property that turns out to be a CIA agent. It seems as if there are a lot of people looking for this agent but a Russian assasin found him first. This of course, is right up Stone's alley so the story moves from the US to the UK and back again while the action keeps the pages turning quickly. A great addition to my Stone Barrington library.

Since Stuart Woods has died earlier this year, there is only one more Stone Barrington books currently scheduled for print. This series has always been a favorite of mine and my reading circle. We will miss him.

It's Time for the Barrington Series to Come to a End,

SUMMARY
A dead man found on the ferry ends up packed on ice on the garage floor of Stone Barrington’s Dark Harbor, Maine home. The man had been shot in the head twice. He may have been a CIA Agent, but maybe not. The Russians may have been involved, but maybe not.

Barrington attempts to unravel the mystery of the man’s death and his identity. But the knots in the story are further tightened by the CIA Director and Barrington's friend Lance Cabot. When Barrington returns to his New York home, the dead man’s widow, Vanessa, soon pays him a visit. Barrington offers the grieving widow his condolences and his bed. He also helps Vanessa get her hands on the man’s off-shore accounts.

Harrington whisks Vanessa away to his estate in England when he feels they are being targeted by the same Russian operative who may have killed Vanessa’s husband. From there, they return to New York, only to flee the city once again while a female Russian operative sets her sites on Vanessa.

REVIEW
DISTANT THUNDER is the sixty-third book in the Stone Barrington series. Wow!The series started in 1991, and the number of books published per year escalated dramatically over the past ten years. Author Stuart Woods passed away earlier this year, and there will be at least one more book in series releasing in 2023.

I have read many of the Stone Barrington books in the past, and this one followed the same formula. Things have changed a lot in the past 30 plus years. I think it's definitely time for the series to come to an end. Hopefully, the sixty-fourth book will give us all some closure.

We have all grown up, and no long need Stone Barrington to swoop in with all his money and protect a damsel in distress. Barrington’s suave and irreverent character and his treatment of women may have been acceptable at one time, but not now. This scotch-drinking, ultra-rich boy’s club atmosphere is obnoxious.

The plot came across as slapstick comedy and reminded me of the old Abbott and Costello “Who's on First” act. Well, maybe it wasn't that funny, but when the dead man becomes alive, and a woman who is alive becomes dead and then alive again, it's just too much!

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher G. P. Putnam’s Sons
Published October 11, 2022
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

Follows Stone and his friends around the country and around the world as they evade potential threats and enjoy themselves trying to figure out what’s going on. All the usual characters are here, which makes it a great read. I throughly enjoyed it!

I have read several Stuart Woods books in the past and thought I would try this one. I have to say if you have read one of his recent books, you have read them all. This reads like a Laurel and Hardy act for a while and then it goes into writing that high school boys would enjoy. I could not finish, there are too many good books out there.
This is my own review and not based on a free ARC from NetGalley and Putnam Publishing.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Stone Barrington is a smart-ass. He is also EXTREMELY wealthy and knows EVERYONE worth knowing. His acquaintances range from the US President to the NYPD Commissioner, to the Head of the CIA.

This book begins as Stone is spending some time at his home in Maine when a huge thunderstorm hits and everyone is on edge, not knowing exactly what is happening. Then a body is found on the ferry from the mainland, which has not run for several days because of the storm. The body is that of a CIA operative who was not known to be in the area, so the CIA asks for Stone's help in finding out why he was there and who killed him. This leads to the "almost" ex-wife of the dead man, who eventually is also murdered.

The action ranges from Maine to NYC to Key West to out in the ocean, but the rapid-fire dialogue keeps the story moving even when NO ONE seems to know what is happening, least of all the reader!!

It's a good, fast read and very entertaining.

I've enjoyed books in this series in the past, but I think its getting to be about that time to retire the series.

This book was a fast read, what I like to describe as "empty book calories", perfect beach read or a way to kill a rainy afternoon. I think Stone's character is getting to be repetitive and cliche, and for some reason, in this book he was more crass than usual, which turned me away.

CIA, check. Murder victim in Stone's orbit, check. Sleeping with the President, then the murder victim's ex-wife, check. Multiple dinners with Dino, check. Pop-up interactions with Lance Cabot, check. Nothing really wrong with the book as long as you're ok with the formulaic style. Curl up with an adult beverage, in front of a fire and enjoy!

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Distant Thunder by Stuart Woods

Super sleuthing attorney, Stone Barrington, gets frisky with US dignitaries and CIA operatives in recently deceased New York Times best-selling author Stuart Woods’ new novel, “Distant Thunder.” Cadavers resurrect, identities confuse, and foreign agents run amok, all while Stone and friends race for safety in this mad-cap mystery.

Woods’ terrific sense of comic timing is at its best in this novel. The snappy dialogue quickly moves the story along. It reminds me of ‘The Thin Man’ movies of the 1930s starring William Powell and Myrna Loy based on Dashiell Hammett’s comedy mysteries. “Distant Thunder” is light reading, fun, and fast-paced.

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The Book Maven Reviews

STAR RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: “Distant Thunder”
Author: Stuart Woods
Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers | General Fiction (Adult)
Publication Date: 10 October 2022
Publisher: PENGUIN GROUP Putnam

My sincere thanks and appreciation goes to NetGalley, the sadly missed late Author Stuart Woods, and Publisher PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for this Advance Reader’s Copy (ARC) for review.

#DistantThunder @PENGUINGROUP #PENGUINGROUP @Putnam #Putnam #NetGalley @NetGalley @TwitterBooks #TwitterBooks @BookRiot #BookRiot @maven_book

In this book Stone finds himself at his home in Maine. He and Holly ride out a severe thunderstorm and are informed that there is a dead body that was found on the ferry. It soon becomes clear that Lance Cabot is somehow involved in this, though he claims no knowledge. Stone then finds himself needing protection since the Russians have decided to target him again. Luckily he has Dino and Viv to help him at points. He finds himself fleeing to England and then back to NY. When things are still hot, he goes to Key West. It seems that the Russians are aware of what he is doing and he finds himself constantly under attack. There were several times where his common sense seemed to leave him and it could have been deadly. The book was entertaining. However, I did have an issue with the same unbelievable thing happening not once, but twice in the book. It was a bit beyond belief and I wondered why it was necessary. I won't say what happened because I think you need to read the book to find out for yourself. Overall a good book and it definitely was in keeping with the other books in this series. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

As uber-rich New York attorney Stone Barrington enjoys an, um, relaxing time at his Dark Harbor, Maine, home accompanied by none other than U.S. President Holly Barker, he gets some disturbing news: there's a dead guy on his property. When it turns out to be CIA agent John Collins and he was murdered, the whole thing turns into a chase to the finish line that Stone just might not live long enough to win.

Well, don't be silly; of course he'll live to see another day - he's the star of this now 63-book series, after all - but there's no shortage of action that brings his life into question. Playing a Central role here, so to speak, is old friend and CIA chief Lance Cabot, who enters the subsequent investigation but is surprisingly tight-lipped about the details. Soon thereafter, the victim's ex-wife, Vanessa, pays a visit, wanting details of his death and how she can claim her rightful share of what may be a small fortune. One discussion leads to another and, as luck would have it, Holly has already left to run the country from Washington, D.C., so naturally Stone is happy to have a relaxation buddy once again.

Back in New York, Stone meets up with good friend and NYPD chief Dino Bacchetti and his wife Viv for dinner - a regular happening - and to share the case's perplexing details. Surprise - here comes Vanessa again, in the mood to relax once again. A new detail is added to the investigation, though, that takes it to a whole 'nother level and prompts Stone to head back to Maine with Vanessa in tow. That changes quickly when it becomes apparent that Stone himself is slated for victimhood, prompting him to head for his property in London, Vanessa once again in tow. There, too, Stone's presence is detected by the bad guys, prompting yet another move to his Palm Springs yacht (yes, with Vanessa in tow). This time, though, the conflict gets very real, with an exciting chase that blows out all the stops.

Of course, plenty happens in between all these relocations, including a ton more food and relaxation and progress in the investigation. All in all, it's another fun romp and a quick read (I finished it in roughly four hours). Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the pre-release copy to be read and reviewed.

Thank you so much for this advanced reader copy of distant thunder. It saddens me to think this will be our last Stuart Wood's bc it wasn't my favorite. It just seemed like it was ticking off all the boxes. Stone visited his homes, he bedded a female, Dame Felicity got her threesome,and the Russians made an appearance. The story line wasn't compelling, just more of the same. Having said all that I'll miss Stone and Dino and all the other characters I've come to know and love.