Dead in the Water

Stone Barrington, Manhattan ex-cop turned attorney/investigator, stumbles onto a murder investigation while on vacation in St. Marks and defends the beautiful woman accused of the crime. Tony Roberts's careful and diligent interpretation of Barrington culminates in a superb and stimulating performance. Barrington's persona is tough, street-wise and just vulnerable enough to be sexy. As the overly ambitious prosecuting Minister of Justice, Roberts applies a proper British accent combined with a condescending attitude. The glamorous and mysterious defendant is portrayed as controlled and aloof in the courtroom, yet smoldering and subtly manipulative in Barrington's arms. Roberts's acting expertise is equally applied to all Woods's characters, resulting in a riveting listening treat. B.J.P. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

July 31, 1997
Stone Barrington, the lawyer and investigator featured in Dirt and Choke, returns for another twist- and sex-filled romp, which finds him matching wits with a Caribbean island politico in a fight to save the life of a beautiful yacht-owning widow. Allison Manning sails the Expansive into the harbor of St. Marks alone. Her husband, noted author Paul Manning, died of a heart attack--according to her account at the coroner's inquest--during the journey. She buried him at sea before completing the sail solo. Sir Winston Sutherland, St. Marks's minister of justice, seeking publicity that might elevate him to prime minister, decides to charge Allison with murder on the basis of an incriminating diary and a $12 million life insurance policy. Trial, verdict, sentence, appeal and punishment (death by hanging) are to be carried out in the briefest possible time. With everything favoring the prosecution, Stone, on the island for vacation, comes to the lady's aid in every possible way, even when he begins to have doubts about her story. Woods keeps this fast-paced yarn above farce but filled with enough humor, sex and clever surprises all the way to the last page to make it thoroughly entertaining amusement.

Richard Ferrone takes on the persona of Stone Barrington, a Manhattan attorney. His superb acting skills and outstanding narrating abilities combine to present an ingenious, suspenseful plot, with exciting twists and turns. Did the beautiful Allison Manning, in whom Stone has more than a professional interest, murder her famous writer-husband? Why does Sir Winston, St. Marks Island's minister of justice, want to hang Allison? Ferrone's slightly accented but clear and concise voice provides warmth to Woods's appealing story, which is part romance and all mystery and intrigue. A pleasurable, exciting experience awaits listeners. S.C.A. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine

April 1, 1997
Vacationing on the island of Antigua, New York investigator/lawyer Stone Barrington (a Woods perennial) gives up on the warm waters of the Caribbean to help someone who's definitely in hot water--a young woman accused of murder when her wealthy husband disappears from their yacht during a transatlantic crossing.