Cut and Thrust
When Stone Barrington travels to Los Angeles for the biggest political convention of the year, he finds the scene quite shaken up: a dazzling newcomer—and close friend of Stone’s—has given the delegates an unexpected choice, crucial alliances are made and broken behind closed doors, and it seems that more than one seat may be up for grabs. And amid the ambitious schemers and hangers-on are a few people who may use the chaotic events as cover for more sinister plans. . . .
In this milieu of glad-handing and backroom deals, only the canniest player can come out on top . . . and it will take all of Stone’s discretion and powers of persuasion to arrange a desirable outcome.
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Stuart Woods
Stuart Woods was an American novelist best known for Chiefs and his long-running Stone Barrington series. A Georgia native, he initially pursued a career in advertising before relocating to England and Ireland, where he developed a passion for sailing. His love for the sport led him to write his first published work, Blue Water, Green Skipper, about his experiences in a transatlantic yacht race.
His debut novel, Chiefs, was inspired by a family story about his grandfather, a police chief. The book, a gripping crime saga spanning several decades, won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel and was later adapted into a television miniseries. It launched Woods' career as a novelist, leading to a prolific output of thrillers.
Stone Barrington
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.
Stone Barrington consists of sixty-seven books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

