Below the Belt
Newly ensconced in his Santa Fe abode with a lovely female companion, Stone Barrington receives a call from an old friend requesting a delicate favor. A situation has arisen that could escalate into an explosive quagmire, and only someone with Stone’s stealth and subtlety can contain the damage. At the center of these events is an impressive gentleman whose star is on the rise, and who’d like to get Stone in his corner. He’s charming and ambitious and has friends in high places; the kind of man who seems to be a sure bet. But in the fickle circles of power, fortunes rise and fall on the turn of a dime, and it may turn out that Stone holds the key not just to one man’s fate, but to the fate of the nation.
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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.

