Worst Fears Realized (Mass Market Paperback)

by Stuart Woods (Author) "THE PAIN LAY BURIED SOMEWHERE IN THE depths of Stone Barrington's upper body; a cross between a slipped disc and a coronary, it seemed..." (more)
Key Phrases: fears realized, investigative division, Susan Bean, Mary Ann, New York (more...)

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.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: HarperTorch (April 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061013420
• ISBN-13: 978-0061013423
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (66 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #427,530 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 5 in The Stone Barrington Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 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 (Orange, CA USA) - 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.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Melinda Cannady (Statesboro, GA USA) - See all my reviews

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.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fast & Fun, February 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Worst Fears Realized (Hardcover)

If you are looking for a serious message, fifty dollar words and boring text - listen to the reader that called this a rotten book. HOWEVER, if you want a fun, fast-paced, entertaining novel - read Stuart's books. I enjoyed this, my husband enjoyed this, and my sister and brother-in-law enjoyed this book. Good 'lay on the beach or by the pool' novel. While some readers don't like like reading about restaurants, fine wine - I, quite frankly, enjoy this touch that Stuart adds to the characters escapades. Serious readers should lighten up....or go buy War and Peace... Have fun with this one...kind of an American James Bond character, the story moves along, and as you quickly turn the pages, you are entertained and find some good laughs along the way........