Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

Brett Battles is new to writing with Stuart Woods and I think they did a great job.

I hope they continue to write together and I always enjoy Stone Barrington books.

I am a huge fan of Stuart Woods and will miss his writing and characters so much. Stone Barrington and Dino are timeless.. Stone Barrington is enjoying some downtime in New York City when a chance encounter introduces him to a beautiful woman who comes with a persistent and crazy ex-boyfriend. Stone skillfully manages to stay ahead of the ex-boyfriend but it becomes evident that there's more going on behind the scenes. When some old grudges resurface, Stone is back in the sights of some old enemies. As usual Stone and Dino are more than capable of handling things with a little help from their friends.

Stone Barrington is always a great companion for summer reading. In typical Barrington fashion, he finds himself the target of a disreputable New Yorker. Barrington becomes caught in a web that he has to find his way out of.

I was sad to hear that Stuart Woods had died, I assumed that it would end my favorite guilty pleasure; the Stone Barrington adventures. This book is the first of two books begun by Woods finished by a fine writer in his own right who's work I've come to appreciate, Brett Battles. It's a good story, all the key elements are here in this tale, the only thing missing seems to be that little lighthearted banter that finds it's way into these characters. It's just little things that are different really but I've been reading these since New York Dead and like they say, the devil is in the details. I looked forward to these books every few months for a good time and quick read, I'm going to miss knowing that I would spend all night reading instead of sleeping. This series still has everything that it's always had its just the devil may care spirit is gone. I plan on finishing the next book and I'll read more if the series is continuing after that, but it won't be the same, sadly.

When Stuart Woods died in 2022, the fate of Stone Barrington wass a concern for many of his fans....including me. But Brett Battles has done an excellent job of continuing Woods' readers favorite man of the hour. NEAR MISS is the 64th book in this series. Yes, it can be read as a stand alone, but you're misssing out if you've not read any of the first 63. From New York Dead to Near Miss, the Stone Barrington series has grown on many, many readers. In this newest book, we will see many of the characters that make up Barrington's supporting crew. As they work together to solve the latest Russian mob activities, the same suspense and tension you've come to expect in this series. I enjoyed every minute, every page.

Stone Barrington returns for another thrilling adventure in Book #64, written by Brett Battles who has taken over the series after Stuart Woods passing in July of 2022. In my opinion, Battles has done an excellent job picking up where Woods left off and I will continue to read his books as they come.

Stone Barrington continues his escapades in New York City where he meets a new love interest who comes with some unexpected baggage and an ex-boyfriend who is out for revenge. With the help of his sidekick Dino, will Stone survive the multiple death attempts from his enemies or will they be a near miss?

Thank you Brett Battles, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the ARC and opportunity to review this book!

Another Stone Barrington novel opens with him and best friend Dino Bacchetti, New York City Commissioner of Police, eating dinner at a favorite restaurant. They witness a beautiful woman (no surprise there) being verbally abused by one Trench Molder. Stone steps in leading to another “relationship” with the woman and serious problems with Trench. Trench decides to take Stone out, but of course, helped by Ed Rawls and Teddy Fay, he survives only to be further threatened by the Russian mob (again a theme from earlier books in the series). Lots of action, including the introduction of a new character, Carly an attorney who becomes an associate at Stone’s law firm as well as another conquest for Stone.

This is the 64th book in the Stone Barrington series. Brett Battles has done an excellent job of stepping in for Stuart Woods following his death last year. The humor that always infects these books remains. The recurring characters are always entertaining those of us who have read the series in the past (this is my 45th). And of course Barrington (who never seems to age) continues to survive despite frequently being threatened by some nefarious people. The 65th book in the series will be out later this year. Now the question is “Will it be the last or will Brett Battles continue the series,”. My thanks to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the he ARC of this book.

Same ole Stone Barrington…..women galore, lots of food and drinking. Pretty much same going on in each installment of this series.
All in all, a ok read that does entertain you.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Stuart Woods and Brett Battles, authors, and to Penguin Group - Putnam for the opportunity to read an ARC of Near Miss, to be published June 6, 2023. Stone Barrington is the quintessential good guy who is hero, ladies’ man, and top notch attorney. This is reportedly about the 64th rendition of the Stone Barrington saga and all are quick-witted, short reads with masterful suspense. 5 Stars. #NetGalley. #StuartWoodsandBrettBattles. #PenguinGroupPutnam

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

Is it just me, or is Stone Barrington just getting to be TOO MUCH? This is the 64th in the series, after all, and how much longer can this ex-cop, ex-detective, lawyer keep going? He is always the smartest, sharpest, most ironic, and richest person in the room, maybe someone can be better an one thing, but he is the best at them all collectively. And, oh, yeah, every woman he meets can hardly control themselves for wanting to jump into bed with him.

The staccato dialog is wearing, too. I have most often listened to these stories, so I never really noticed how short the chapters are, and how quickly everyone has a quick barb on their tongue.

Once again, Stone is the target of the "bad guys". And once again he has the entire NYPD, as well as Strategic Services, a private security firm, and several of his less-savory allies at his disposal. The bad guys never had a chance, but it is sometimes entertaining to see the many ways they fail.

I hate to spoil the story, but, in spite of the best efforts of LOTS of bad guys, Stone Barrington survives to fight another day.

Stone Barrington is back for book #64, and once again it starts with a woman who sets off a chain reaction of events that ends with a high body count and a lot of tense moments for Stone and his best friend, Dino .Bacchetti. Stone narrowly avoids death on more than one occasion, and some familiar enemies resurface. Stone must rely on both Ed Rawls and Teddy Fay/Billy Barnett to save the day, and rid the world of a few more bad guys. This is a quick read that is full of suspense, and just what we have come to expect and love about the Stone Barrington books. Brett Battles has done an excellent job filling the shoes of Stuart Woods since his death, and I hope he continues to write many more books in the series.

Five stars for the very clever writing and an enjoyable plot, but only three stars, because the theme of the story seemed to be not as much murder and vengeance as SEX! I own a few other Stone Barrington books and didn't seem to remember him sleeping with every female he comes in contact with. Likewise, most of the other characters. So I guess that makes it a four star rating.

I've read several books by Stuart Woods and have always found them to be fast paced, interesting and hard to put down. This one was no different. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

Definitely want to read the series in order to appreciate the main characters - this book is a quick read, full of action!

I’m torn on this one. While the story was similar to previous in this series there was a noticeable change in writing style. Enough that it wasn’t a bad book but I was expecting better. I’ll still try more in this series if someone else continues it because I’ve read them all and am invested in the characters. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for review

Stone Barrington and his friend Dino meet a woman at a restaurant who was left by her boyfriend. After she joins them for dinner, she starts dating Stone, much to the unhappiness of the former boyfriend. When his plan to take out the two of them backfires, it's clear to Barrington that enemies from his past are still out to end him. Can he survive yet again....

This is a vintage Stone Barrington book that Stuart Woods has made so popular. First, it only takes 3 pages for Stone to be in bed with one of his gorgeous lady friends. Throughout the book, as always, Stone proves to be quite the attraction to any female he encounters. As for the story, Stone faces numerous threats from the Russian Mafia and manages to easily handle all of them. Lastly, Stone and his BFF Dino do all of their planning over drinks and dinner several times at his two favorite restaurants. Overall, the formula for these books are the same but still provide entertainment.

Near Miss
Stuart Woods ; Brett Battles
Pub Date June 6: 2023
G.P. Putnam
#64
Thanks to the authors, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
What can I say? Even with the loss of long time author Stuart Woods, Battles keeps the typical Barrington banter going,
This is an art form and brought a smile to my face,
4 stars

Typical Stone Barrington book - women, food, drinks, guns, violence, out-thinking others…repeat and read again.
Easy, quick, entertaining read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read this ARC.

As he usually does, Stone Barrington leads that incredible life that we all wish we could have. While Stuart Woods' recent forays with his Teddy Fay character were pretty "golden book," Stone's continuing character makes you not only believe his story but be sympathetic as well. His enclave in NY, homes in New England and the UK, make the reader eager to envision a similar life despite the relative weakness of the plotline.