Choke [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Stuart Woods (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1995

Chuck Chandler, a Key West tennis pro, tends to choke in his big matches, a tendency he must overcome when he meets Harry Carras and his beautiful wife Clare, and becomes a suspect in Harry's death.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Woods (Chiefs; Imperfect Strangers) writes a no-frills thriller that moves right along and carries the reader with it. There's no atmosphere to speak of, the psychology is elementary, the characters strictly from stock; but as a creator of a taut narrative that explodes with legitimate surprises, he won't let you down. Chuck Chandler is a middle-aged tennis pro with a yen for the ladies. Once, at Wimbledon many years ago, he choked at the vital moment and lost what could have been a career-making match. Now, living on his boat, he is the new coach at a club on Key West?and into his life comes Clare Carras, a gorgeous woman married to a mysterious, wealthy husband apparently unconcerned about her wandering eye. In no time, she and Chuck are between the sheets, but when husband Harry drowns in a highly suspicious diving accident, she makes sure it is Chuck who is the immediate suspect. Only a new member of the Key West force, a former New York cop called Tommy Sculley, believes Chuck didn't do it, but his skeptical chief demands a fast arrest. There are several killings, a tense boat chase and a series of sudden switches before a denouement in which someone is unmasked as the utterly duplicitous black widow who has already been revealed to the reader. There's some awkwardness about how this revelation is accomplished, but it doesn't seriously detract from a fast, lively read. 100,000 first printing; $150,000 ad/promo; HarperAudio; author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Woods (Heat, LJ 6/15/94) is a master of his writing craft: Choke is a delightfully well-written, highly readable thriller. Chuck Chandler is your typical womanizing tennis pro whom readers will be prepared to hate. Woods instead makes him very human and very likable. Chuck teaches tennis at an exclusive club in Key West and meets his "match" in gorgeous Claire Carras and her much older, wealthy husband, Harry. Chuck boats, wines, and dines with the Carrases, beds Claire, then finds himself accused of Harry's apparent murder. All this trouble and he's just found the true love of his life in cute, perky Meg. Enter Tommy Sculley, formerly with the New York Police Department, now augmenting his pension working for the Key West police. Tommy is street-wise and intelligent, and he won't quit until he finds the truth. Readers will not be able to put this genre gem down and will probably lend it to several neighbors before returning it. Buy this? Absolutely.
--Alice DiNizo, Raritan P.L., N.J.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 394 pages
• Publisher: Wheeler Pub Inc (December 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568952651
• ISBN-13: 978-1568952659
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,540,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stuart Woods is the author of forty-four novels, including the New York Times-bestselling Stone Barrington series and Holly Barker series. The last twenty-eight of them have been New York Times best-sellers. He is an avid private pilot, flying his own jet on two book tours a year. His latest novel is Santa Fe Edge,to be published on September 21st. You may see his tour schedule and learn more about the author on his website, www.stuartwoods.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Woods at his best, November 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Choke (Mass Market Paperback)

In the novel CHOKE, Woods displays the main character, Chuck Parish, desperate and eager for a new job. Little does Chuck know that he will soon be mixed up in the biggest scandal of his life. Parish soon finds it extremely difficult trying to prove his innocence to the police and at the same time trying to figure out who the real culprit of the crime is. Woods defines the word page-turner in this excellent novel that will leave the reader guessing until the end. CHOKE is a great and easy read that will intrigue and leave the reader spellbound by the time he or she is finished. These are just a few of the many reasons that I give this book all of the five stars and highly recomend it.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Unexpected Surprise, April 4, 2000

By 

"tsh219" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Choke (Mass Market Paperback)

I first discovered Stuart Woods almost 2 years ago; an off-handed recommendation from a co-worker. Since that time, I have become somewhat of an, obsessed or possessed or one of those "est" words, fan.

I read through all of his 19 novels in record time. (during my Stuart Woods feeding frenzy.) I did however leave Choke for last, for as much as I adore Mr Woods, I have very little interest in tennis and I didn't think this would be my favorite book by any means. I was unexpectedly surprised! (as Mr. Woods continues to do to me.)

This is in no way a "tennis" book, it is Mr. Woods at his most relaxed and fun. It is filled with suspense, drama, loads of sex, (of course)and humor. All of the things that make him so appealing.

If you haven't read Stuart Woods before, you will become a fan with Choke. If you have read Mr. Woods before, you will fall in love with him in Choke. Either way, you can't lose. Enjoy!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It Wont Choke You Up, August 21, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Choke (Mass Market Paperback)

The book begins with Charles, a professional tennis player, choking during the final match at Wimbledon. What could be worse then that? He's about to find out when he meets Harry and Claire while teaching tennis for a small resort in Key West, FL. What are they hiding?

In typical Stuart Woods fashion, this book is gripping from the start. With boats blowing up and fast action, it was a good audio book. This is the first book in a month that kept me riveted to my car to a point I didn't want to get out when I arrived at work or at home.

Mr. Sanders (Narrator) did a fantastic job. He was able to use his voice to give characters different accents, and personalities. In addition, he is one of the few narrators I have heard in audio books who could actually do a fairly decent female voice. I truly believe this added to the book.

Fast paced with lots of twists and turns, this is a gripping novel. This is only the second book I have ever had by Mr. Woods. The other was Dead In The Water. Though being relatively new to Mr. Woods works, I found this book to be exciting, fast paced and hard to pull away from just as I did with Dead In The Water.

If you like mysteries or suspense drama, then this is a book for you. For other new comers to Mr. Woods works, don't hesitate to read or listen to this book.