Customer Reviews

Shoot Him If He Runs (Stone Barrington)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

When the bar has been set so high by an author like Stuart Woods, it isn't surprising that after 20 or more books the quality is likely to occasionally suffer. "Shoot Him If He Runs" would probably get a five star review if it had been by a first time author, but when the author has written previous novels nothing short of top notch, like "Chiefs," "L.A. Dead," or "Worst Fears Realized," the true fan expects more. Even the return of Stone Barrington and Holly Barker couldn't revive this sleepy effort.

I kept waiting for the tension to be racheted upward, or the plot to take an unexpected turn, but nothing happened. A competent story, told competently, but lacking the pizzazz we have come to expect from one of our favorite author whose next book we anxiously await year after year. Someone new to Stuart Woods, starting with "Shoot Him If He runs" might find it enjoyable to read, but will he/she become a true fan?

A quick, predictable read. Woods seems to be writing them quick these days without much thought. Not at all like the early books that got everyone hooked on him in the first place. Not sure I will be rushing out to get the next one at this rate. I also agree with what someone said about the author's notes at the end of the book. There is a very condescending tone to those notes as if he thinks all his readers are idiots at best. Time for a wake up call Stuart.

OK, it wasn't one of Stuart Wood's best books to come down the pike, but it wasn't one of the worst, either. Having kept up with the Stone Barrington and Holly Barker novels, I figured I'd give this latest one a try. Knowing all about the search for rogue ex-CIA agent Teddy Fay, it was very easy to slip into the story and characters even though most of the story was kind of far fetched. As one reviewer noted, the sex scenes weren't integral to the storyline, and it seemed that Stone, Holly, Dino and Genevieve were more interested in constantly drinking pitchers of vodka gimlets and tropical fruit punch. How convenient that the Inn where they were staying featured it's own nude beach? You could just picture Stone and Dino leering at all the naked bodies up and down the beach. Anyway, again we are left wondering whether or not Teddy Fay made it out dead or alive-meaning we can eventually expect another storyline featuring the chase to bring him down once and for all.

If I had not read the last few books of the Stone Barrington series, I would probably have rated this book lower. But, compared to them, this one is an improvement. At least Stone only sleeps with one person this time and his bedroom doesn't need a revolving door. Long time villain, Teddy Fay is back and the President and CIA want Stone and Holly to find him. I say villain, but he does just kill the bad guys, so it is hard to feel too much against him. In fact, I was hoping he would escape in the end. Wood's cast is back in this book, Stone, Holly, Dino, even mentions of Ham, Ginny and Daisy. If you are new to the Stone Barrington books, I'm not sure this would be the one to start with, too much past history is needed to follow the storyline.

Until "Shoot Him If He Runs", I enjoyed Stuart Woods' Stone Barrington stories. They were light, frothy reads, a welcome interlude between heavier reading. I really couldn't understand why so many people panned Woods.

Now I do. "Shoot Him If He Runs" is awful.

There is hardly a scene without heavy alcohol consumption. The characters joke about how drunk they are, are becoming or were . . . and this is while they are supposedly hot on the trail of a deranged professional assasin. The main characters, Stone Barrington, Dino Bachetti and Holly Barker should face reality: they are alcoholics.

In the past I was amused by Stone Barrington. He had everything necessary for a life of adventure: a law degree, a background as a NYPD homicide cop, a conveniently inherited fortune, an airplane, a Manhattan townhouse and a New England country home and an engaging personality that put him in bed with every woman he met.

Well, turns out that Stone and his creator Woods, are bores. Woods drops in sex scenes here that simply have no relevance to the story. They are bad cliches.

The story here is pathetic. Before I get to it, however, Woods deserves a slap on the wrist for his references to the current administration. They make no sense the context of the story. They are gratuitous and perhaps impressive Woods' friends, but I think the readers could happily live without knowing Woods' poltical views.

Woods' political views are both comedic and ironic in light of his depiction of fictional Democrat President Will Lee who gives Stone Barrington his assignment: go to the tropical island of St. Marks and search for escaped assasin Teddy Fay. Oh yes, Stone will just be cover for Holly Barker, the CIA agent who is actually tasked to the project . . . and enjoys sharing a bed with Stone. Oh, by the way, this upstanding President tells Stone, the mission has to be hush-hush because this fine President has lied to the public and told them that Fay was dead.

Woods is another of the growing list of authors who, like Barry Eisler, presume that their readers are as technologically ignorant as they are. Readers who are at all technologically literate will laugh at Woods' description of computer miracles.

The balance of the cast of characters is as boring as Stone Barrington has become. There is Elaine Kauffman, of course, the owner of Elaine's where every Barrington novel begins. The device has become a bore. There is CIA Director Katie Lee, wife of President Lee. Woods doesn't seem to sense the irony in the nepotism of the President's wife heading the CIA, ordering cover ups and political murder.

The hunt for Teddy Fay involves a small cast of utterly unbeleivable characters including Irene Foster, a retired CIA administrator who just happens to have moved to St, Marks where Teddy Fay is believed to be. Hint. Hint. (An interesting sidelight on Woods: every woman in his novels seems to be sexually insatiable. Foster, in her 50s, haunts the local tourist hangouts, picking up man after man for one nighters. The women also seem incapable of acheiving long-term monogamous relationships. Of course, the men can't either.)

About a third of the way through, the plot becomes transparent, but Woods tries - and fails - to maintain suspense.

Overall, this is a dud. As I said, I normally enjoy Stone Barrington as a break from more serious reading. Many others have criticized Stuart Woods and I now join their ranks. "Shhot Him If He Runs" is dull, formulaic, padded with sex, food and drinking scenes and is simply not suspenseful. It's a bore.

Jerry

Both Stone Barrington and Stuart Woods need to retire. Shoot Him If He Runs is yet another thinly constructed, trite plot better suited for the Cooking Channel than the Mystery racks.

Woods keeps churning out these stinkers, but I guess, junk sells!

I think it's time to quit reading Woods. He's gone from bad to terrible!!!His preoccupation with sex, fine exotic food, wine, etc has become boring. He doesn't resemble the same writer that penned Chiefs and Run Before The Wind. I think he is living in a fairy tale world and thinks he's the king.

The pages after ALL of his books are downright insulting. I would never think to ask him to help me. Obviously he feels that his time and talents are restriced to just himself.

I am sorry to see him slide so far down. He had the potential of being a great writer with something to say, but it seems that he can't handle fame and fortune these days......so sad!

Maybe some day he will realize that the books that brought him where he is were what the public really want's to read.....

I always eagerly anticipate a new Stone Barrington book. Boy, was I disappointed with this one. Seems all good authors run out of steam.....is Stuart Woods one of them? To say this book was boring is an understatement. I kept hoping it wood catch on but never did. Many loose ends I'm sure will be addressed in upcoming books, but the author will need to do better than this to remain a best seller.

Read H.L. Wasden's review in this section. He/she says it all perfectly.

I was testy as hell after finishing this book. I am furious at myself for buying another Woods novel. Really, I should know better by now.

And that arrogant afterword always ticks me off.

Frankly, this book is just plain boring. I kept waiting for the suspense to pick up, but it never happened. Unfortunately, Mr. Woods seems to have gotten in a rut with his last few books, churning out a book or two a year, without a real story. I will probably continue to read his books for a while, in hopes that he will get some fresh ideas.