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Summary and Reviews of Cold Paradise by Stuart Woods

Cold Paradise by Stuart Woods

Cold Paradise

by Stuart Woods
  • Critics' Consensus (3):
  • Readers' Rating (2):
  • First Published:
  • Apr 1, 2001, 352 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Apr 2002, 432 pages
  • Rate this book

About This Book

Book Summary

Cop-turned-investigator Stone Barrington becomes reacquainted with a case he thought was buried years ago-and must settle romantic entanglements that still haunt him.

Cop-turned-investigator Stone Barrington has the street-smarts, dry wit, and debonair charm his fans love, and Palm Beach - the setting of his new adventure-is his most glamorous scene-of-the-crime yet. In Cold Paradise, he becomes reacquainted with a case he thought was buried years ago-and must settle romantic entanglements that haunt him still.

Luxuriating in the winter warmth of a Palm Beach cafe, Stone is stunned to recognize someone he thought was dead: the beautiful Allison Manning, a woman he had defended against a murder charge on a Caribbean island in Dead in the Water. Allison is alive and well-and suddenly very rich. And she needs a favor: Might Stone help her square a charge of insurance fraud that's been hanging over her head for years?

But first, Stone must find the man who is stalking her. He suspects more than one man: an elusive writer who never shows his face; an enigmatic businessman with a past he won't reveal; and even Allison's former husband-whom they have all thought dead since those days in the Caribbean. Only Stone can thwart the sly and greedy plan to steal the millions at stake in this crafty new thriller.

Chapter 1

ELAINE'S LATE. Stone Barrington finished his osso buco as Elaine wandered over from another table and sat down.

"So?" she asked.

"'So?' What kind of question is that?"

"It means, 'tell me everything.'"

Stone looked up to see Dino struggling to shut the front door behind him. Dino was his former partner, now a lieutenant, head of the detective squad at the 19th Precinct.

Dino came over, sloughing off a heavy topcoat. "Jesus," he said, hanging up his coat, muffler and hat. "There's already six inches of snow out there, and there's at least thirty knots of wind."

"How are we going to get home?" Stone wondered aloud.

"Don't worry, my driver's out there now, putting the chains on the car." Dino now rated a car and driver from the NYPD.

Stone shook his head. "Poor bastard. It's tough enough being a cop without drawing you for a boss."

"What do you mean?" Dino demanded, offended. "The kid's getting an education working for...

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Reviews

Media Reviews

Chicago Tribune
Stuart Woods is a no-nonsense, slam-bang storyteller.

Kirkus Reviews
Welcome back to Stone Barrington's world of felony glamour, where the pantry's always well stocked with beluga caviar, 9-mm. ammo, quality sex, and perps with more lives than Wile E. Coyote.

Library Journal
Investigator Stone Barrington spots a woman he thought was dead, then helps her fend off a bad insurance fraud rap and a bevy of stalkers.

Reader Reviews

Matthew John Ray

I read this book. It started out really well. It kind of surprised me with all the sex in it. I expected the viloence and the drugs. when i read that part of the book it spun my clock. I am 17 and in hgih school ad i am a very picky reader i ...   Read More
matt anzulidia

This book was awesome. I started out reading it as a assighnment for my creative writing class and i finished within 3 days and i didnt get the book untill a week after all my class mates. Stone Barrington is a man's man. Stuart Woods keeps you on...   Read More

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Read-Alikes

Read-Alikes Full readalike results are for members only

If you liked Cold Paradise, try these:

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    Published 2002

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    Full of the breathtaking drama and unforgettable emotions for which James Patterson is famous. The start of a blazingly fast-paced and sensationally entertaining new series of crime thrillers.

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    Hugger Mugger

    by Robert B. Parker

    Published 2001

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    When Spenser is approached by Walter Clive, president of Three Fillies Stables, to find out who is threatening his horse Hugger Mugger, he can hardly say no.

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