Stone Barrington only wants a winter getaway from the chill of New York in the beautiful, tropical Caribbean paradise of St. Mark's. But what the lawyer and ex-cop gets instead is the chance to defend Allison Manning. The beautiful young woman stands accused of killing her rich husband on board their luxurious yacht and then burying him at sea.

Stone isn't exactly conversant with the island country's law, but this much is clear to him: Allison is being railroaded by the perverse sense of justice of a prosecutor who will do anything to stay in office. Donning the robe and wig of a British barrister, Stone does everything he can to save Allison—from publicizing the case all over the American press to conducting the kind of smart, tough investigation that money can't buy. Just when he has the jury in the palm of his hands, a shocking reversal of fortune changes everything. And what was once a sure thing begins to look a lot like a death sentence.

Published
1997
Where to find this book
External links open a book search at the selected retailer. Availability may vary.
Stone Barrington

The series

Full series details →

The Stone Barrington series steps beyond the usual thriller mold, inviting readers into the shadowy intersections of high society and covert danger. At its heart is a former NYPD detective turned lawyer who doesn’t just navigate courtrooms but also the darker undercurrents of New York’s elite circles. This is a world where every elegant gala and sleek penthouse hides secrets, and Stone’s blend of sharp intellect and streetwise grit unravels mysteries that others overlook.

Read full series description

The series balances pulse-quickening suspense with a rich, atmospheric setting—where power, betrayal, and loyalty collide amid the city’s towering skyline. Through Stone’s eyes, readers experience not only gripping investigations but also the complexities of trust and identity in a city that never sleeps. The narrative unfolds with a cinematic pace, pulling you into a world that’s as polished as it is perilous.

Crafted with a keen eye for character depth and intrigue, these books resonate with fans of smart, sophisticated thrillers. Whether untangling corporate conspiracies or confronting personal demons, the stories stay grounded in emotional stakes while delivering the sharp twists that keep readers hooked. It’s a blend of legal drama, suspense, and noir sensibility that makes this series quietly unforgettable.

#1 · 1991New York Dead #2 · 1996Dirt #3 · 1997Dead in the Water #4 · 1998Swimming to Catalina #5 · 1999Worst Fears Realized #6 · 2000L.A. Dead #7 · 2001Cold Paradise #8 · 2002The Short Forever #9 · 2003Dirty Work #10 · 2005Two Dollar Bill #11 · 2006Dark Harbor #12 · 2007Fresh Disasters #13 · 2007Shoot Him If He Runs #14 · 2008Hot Mahogany #15 · 2009Loitering With Intent #16 · 2009Kisser #17 · 2010Lucid Intervals #18 · 2011Strategic Moves #19 · 2011Bel-Air Dead #20 · 2011Son of Stone #22 · 2011D.C. Dead #23 · 2012Unnatural Acts #24 · 2012Severe Clear #25 · 2013Collateral Damage #26 · 2013Unintended Consequences #27 · 2013Doing Hard Time #28 · 2014Standup Guy #29 · 2014Carnal Curiosity #30 · 2014Cut and Thrust #31 · 2014Paris Match #32 · 2015Insatiable Appetites #33 · 2015Hot Pursuit #34 · 2015Naked Greed #35 · 2015Foreign Affairs #36 · 2016Scandalous Behavior #37 · 2016Family Jewels #38 · 2016Dishonorable Intentions #39 · 2016Sex, Lies & Serious Money #40 · 2017Below the Belt #41 · 2017Fast and Loose #42 · 2017Indecent Exposure #43 · 2017Quick & Dirty #44 · 2018Unbound #45 · 2018Shoot First #46 · 2018Turbulence #47 · 2018Desperate Measures #48 · 2018A Delicate Touch #49 · 2019Wild Card #50 · 2019Contraband #51 · 2019Stealth #52 · 2020Treason #53 · 2020Hit List #54 · 2020Choppy Water #55 · 2020Shakeup #56 · 2020Hush-Hush #57 · 2021Double Jeopardy #58 · 2021Class Act #59 · 2021Foul Play #60 · 2021Criminal Mischief #61 · 2022A Safe House #62 · 2022Black Dog #63 · 2022Distant Thunder #64 · 2023Near Miss #65 · 2024Smolder #66 · 2025Finders Keepers #67 · 2026Deep Water
Risingshadow

Be the first reviewer

Sign in and write the first reader review.

Risingshadow

Readers Also Enjoyed