Shoot Him If He Runs (Stone Barrington Novels) (Hardcover)

by Stuart Woods (Author) "Elaine's, late..." (more)
Key Phrases: satphone number, vodka gimlets, Colonel Croft, Teddy Fay, Sir Winston (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Stone Barrington and Holly Barker, Woods's longtime investigative and romantic duo, search for a rogue CIA agent on a beautiful tropical island in this low-voltage thriller. At the request of U.S. President Will Lee, Barrington and Barker travel to the Caribbean island of St. Marks to track down Teddy Fay, an agent-turned-assassin who has been on the loose for years. They find a mix of luxurious beach clubs, corrupt but genial politicians and a shady expatriate community that enjoys the local government's don't-ask-don't-tell approach to foreigners. What they don't find is Fay, a master of disguise and escape. Woods (Fresh Disasters) brings in his usual cast, including Barrington's sidekick Dino Bacchetti and CIA boss Lance Cabot, and spends as much time on fine dining and vacation fun in the sun as he does on the actual mission. The plot smartly picks up momentum toward the end, and a handful of character developments will keep fans eager for the next installment. (Oct.)
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From Booklist
Stone Barrington and Holly Barker team up once again in Woods' newest offering, this time to hunt ex-CIA-agent-turned-assassin Teddy Fay at the behest of the director of the CIA, Kate Rule Lee, who also happens to be the wife of President William Lee. Stone and Holly, along with Dino Bacchetti, are dispatched to luxurious St. Marks island, where they spend as much time frolicking in the ocean as they do tracking Teddy. Stone and Holly manage to strike up an acquaintance with Irene Foster, a former CIA employee who was reputed to have had a relationship with Teddy, and her current lover, Harry Pitts. But Stone and Holly soon find themselves caught up in the corrupt local politics, which stand in stark contrast to the balmy paradise the island appears to be. After the chief of police on the island is gunned down, Stone and Holly realize Teddy might be back in business, and the hunt to find him becomes even more urgent. Perennial favorite Woods certainly knows how to keep the pages turning. Huntley, Kristine

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Adult; First Edition/First Printing edition (September 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399154442
• ISBN-13: 978-0399154447
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #151,603 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, not great!, October 1, 2007

By	W. P. Strange "Bill's shelf" (Williamstown, MA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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?

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The Usual, November 3, 2007

By	Juanita A. Floyd "Life is too short to read b... (Leesburg, Virginia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Shoot the publishers , June 4, 2008

By	mammoth "booscout3" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shoot Him If He Runs (Stone Barrington) (Paperback)

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.