Worst Fears Realized [Large Print] [Paperback]

Stuart Woods (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 4, 1999

Stone Barrington is Back!

Stuart Woods brings back one of his most popular characters, Stone Barrington, in his fifth novel of the life and times of the former cop turned lawyer turned investigator. Stone is in a position that every ex-policeman dreads--all around him people are dying, and he suspects the killer may be someone he'd put in prison years before.

Dino Bacchetti, Stone's ex-partner, now the head of detectives in the 19th Precinct, is not immune either, and the Two men must pool their resources to protect those close to them.

Stone's former love, Arrington, now married to movie star Vance Calder, is back, too, and face-to-face with a new woman in Stone's life, one with a Mafia bloodline who may be as dangerous as she is beautiful.

Stone and Dino begin to trace their tracks from years before, looking for clues that might lead them to the brilliant killer. From a premier table at the legendary Elaine's to dark back alleys where Armani-clad mobsters with the latest lethal accessories dwell, this nail-biting suspense tale takes Stone on a life-and-death hunt that twists and turns till the very end; a gripping thrill ride that will test him as no case has ever done before. Racing to find a killer, Stone can only pray that his worst fears won't be realized.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

There's an adequate crime tale embedded somewhere among the excess of upscale home, fashion and dining commentary here. Woods's (Orchid Beach) new novel opens on a high note as series hero Stone BarringtonAattorney and ex-cop, he of the large wallet and larger libidoAsuffers a date from hell when his pickup, an attractive ADA, gets her throat cut while Stone is stepping out for Chinese food. The next night, Stone and a visitor, his former partner, NYPD Lt. Dino Bachetti, witness from Stone's window another woman getting her throat slashed. The murderer escapes, but the two men think they recognize him as a wife killer they put away 12 years ago. The problem is, Herbert Mitteldorfer is still in prison. Intrigue heightens as an old love reenters Stone's life, Mitteldorfer is paroled and the mysterious slasher attempts to kill Dino's wife. Dino's father-in-law, Eduardo Bianchi, a godfather-like philanthropist, ensure that Dino's wife and son are safe-guarded while he feeds Stone inside information. But Stone's romance isn't protected, and when the lawyer's girlfriend flees to England, he recklessly beds Bianchi's daughter, Dolce, even as the chase for the elusive killer heats up. This wan action is padded by much description of sumptuous meals (with lots of name brands), Stone's purchase of a luxury car and Connecticut retreat, and myriad scenes drawn from the society pagesAElaine of the famed Elaine's restaurant even turns in an extensive cameo. Woods still can write smart dialogue and knows how to pace, but it's hard to believe that the man who began his career with the dramatic, Edgar Award-winning Chiefs is tossing off inane stuff like this. Author tour; simultaneous audio and large-print editions. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Best-selling author Woods (Dead in the Water) returns with his 19th novel and fifth Stone Barrington adventure. The Manhattan lawyer turned investigator faces an indictment for the murder of a woman he's just met. When other brutal murders quickly pile upAall women connected to him or his best friend, Dino Bacchetti of the 19th PrecinctAStone knows that one of a cop's worst fears has been realized: a con with a grudge is bent on vengeance. While trying to save the lives of the women he cares about, Stone struggles to track down the killer and head off a DA who's out to get him for murder. With sharply drawn characters, a plot that's satisfying to the last dirty deed, and a story that flows with the effortless grace attained only by a master, this seductive novel will have readers twitching with suspense. Highly recommended for all public libraries. [A Mystery Guild main selection and Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club featured alternate selection.]ARonnie H. Terpening, Univ. of Arizona, Tucso.
-ARonnie H. Terpening, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Harper; Large Print edition (August 4, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060933011
• ISBN-13: 978-0060933012
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #229,483 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #67 in Books > Large Print > Mystery & Thrillers

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

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Readable, But Not Vintage Stuart Woods, June 24, 2000

By 

Melinda Cannady - See all my reviews

This review is from: Worst Fears Realized (Mass Market Paperback)

Stone Barrington lives a life most guys would kill to have (No pun intended). He is a handsome cop-turned-lawyer who needs an umbrella to keep the women from falling into his lap. The suspense in this novel is erratic. You find yourself hooked for the first 30 pages then wading through the next 2 chapters until the suspense builds again. Much of the plot is completely surreal. You have to suspend your disbelief to get through the book. Woods chose all the right ingredients: sex, murder, etc. They just weren't mixed together well to create a great novel. Makes a decent summer read, but definitely not a great book. If you want a really good Stone Barrington novel, try the first one Woods wrote: "New York Dead", a truly unique thriller and one of the best examples of Stuart Woods hitting on all cylinders.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stone is Back!, February 4, 2003

By 

Megan "The Book Hunter" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Worst Fears Realized (Mass Market Paperback)

Stone wasn't expecting anything to happen when he is dragged into attending a party by his ex-partner, Dino. All he was looking for was some alchohol to numb the pain of the absence of his former love, Arrington, who was now married to a superstar, and was raising his child. He ends up going home with a assistant DA, but the night ends in horror when she is murdered while he is out getting dinner.
Things go from bad to worse when his secretary is also killed, then his neighbor is brutally slaughtered right in front of him. It seems that someone has a grudge...
And not just for Stone. Dino is also targeted when his wife is attacked. Now, they both come to the conclusion that the killer must be someone they know.
And in the midst of searching, Stone comes back into contact with Arrington, who throws sparks as she comes face-to-face with Stone's latest fling. Dino's sister-in-law, a hot-tempered Italian girl, who's father is a Mob boss. Now, Stone must find the killer before he makes him pay in ways he's never thought possible.

As always, Worst Fears Realized, was a roller coaster ride of a novel. It had plenty of twists that will keep you guessing, and turning pages eagerly.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the best Stuart Woods but entertaining, November 8, 1999

By 

Valerie Fearns - See all my reviews

This review is from: Worst Fears Realized (Hardcover)

For those of us who have become Stone Barrington fans you won't be disappointed. Stone is up to his usual tricks. He gets any girl he wants, spends lots of money, keeps you in suspense for a while but of course, solves the crime. The ending was very weak and I did wonder how Arrington's baby went from being a girl in the end of "Swimming to Catalina" to a boy in the beginning of this one. It is by far not the best Stuart Woods book I've read but I found it to be an enjoyable quick read.