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Stone Barrington Books in Order
Below is the complete list of Stone Barrington books in order of publication. This is the recommended reading sequence for the series by Stuart Woods.
Stone Barrington Series
- New York Dead (1991)
Buy on Amazon - Dirt (1996)
Buy on Amazon - Dead in the Water (1997)
Buy on Amazon - Swimming to Catalina (1998)
Buy on Amazon - Worst Fears Realized (1999)
Buy on Amazon - L.A. Dead (2000)
Buy on Amazon - Cold Paradise (2001)
Buy on Amazon - The Short Forever (2002)
Buy on Amazon - Dirty Work (2003)
Buy on Amazon - Reckless Abandon (2004)
Buy on Amazon - Two Dollar Bill (2004)
Buy on Amazon - Dark Harbor (2006)
Buy on Amazon - Fresh Disasters (2007)
Buy on Amazon - Shoot Him If He Runs (2007)
Buy on Amazon - Hot Mahogany (2008)
Buy on Amazon - Loitering with Intent (2009)
Buy on Amazon - Kisser (2009)
Buy on Amazon - Lucid Intervals (2010)
Buy on Amazon - Strategic Moves (2010)
Buy on Amazon - Bel-Air Dead (2011)
Buy on Amazon - Son of Stone (2011)
Buy on Amazon - D.C. Dead (2011)
Buy on Amazon - Unnatural Acts (2012)
Buy on Amazon - Severe Clear (2012)
Buy on Amazon - Collateral Damage (2012)
Buy on Amazon - Unintended Consequences (2013)
Buy on Amazon - Doing Hard Time (2013)
Buy on Amazon - Standup Guy (2014)
Buy on Amazon - Carnal Curiosity (2014)
Buy on Amazon - Cut and Thrust (2014)
Buy on Amazon - Paris Match (2014)
Buy on Amazon - Insatiable Appetites (2015)
Buy on Amazon - Hot Pursuit (2015)
Buy on Amazon - Naked Greed (2015)
Buy on Amazon - Foreign Affairs (2015)
Buy on Amazon - Scandalous Behavior (2016)
Buy on Amazon - Family Jewels (2016)
Buy on Amazon - Dishonorable Intentions (2016)
Buy on Amazon - Sex, Lies & Serious Money (2016)
Buy on Amazon - Below the Belt (2017)
Buy on Amazon - Fast and Loose (2017)
Buy on Amazon - Indecent Exposure (2017)
Buy on Amazon - Quick & Dirty (2017)
Buy on Amazon - Unbound (2018)
Buy on Amazon - Shoot First (2018)
Buy on Amazon - Turbulence (2018)
Buy on Amazon - Desperate Measures (2018)
Buy on Amazon - A Delicate Touch (2018)
Buy on Amazon - Wild Card (2019)
Buy on Amazon - Contraband (2019)
Buy on Amazon - Stealth (2019)
Buy on Amazon - Treason (2020)
Buy on Amazon - Hit List (2020)
Buy on Amazon - Choppy Water (2020)
Buy on Amazon - Shakeup (2020)
Buy on Amazon - Hush-Hush (2020)
Buy on Amazon - Double Jeopardy (2021)
Buy on Amazon - Class Act (2021)
Buy on Amazon - Foul Play (2021)
Buy on Amazon - Criminal Mischief (2021)
Buy on Amazon - A Safe House (2022)
Buy on Amazon - Black Dog (2022)
Buy on Amazon - Distant Thunder (2022)
Buy on Amazon - Near Miss (2023)
(With: Brett Battles)
Buy on Amazon - Smolder (2024)
(With: Brett Battles)
Buy on Amazon - Finders Keepers (2025)
(With: Brett Battles)
Buy on Amazon - Deep Water (2026)
Buy on Amazon
About Stone Barrington Series
The Stone Barrington series is a long-running thriller franchise created by Stuart Woods, centered on a sophisticated New York attorney whose life frequently intersects with dangerous criminal investigations. Combining legal drama, political intrigue, and international espionage, the series follows Barrington as he navigates high-profile cases while maintaining connections across law enforcement, government, and elite social circles.
The character of Stone Barrington first appears in New York Dead (1991), the novel that launched the series. At the beginning of the story, Barrington is still working as a detective with the New York Police Department. After being forced out of the police force following a controversial shooting incident, he transitions into a career as a lawyer. This shift from detective to attorney becomes a defining feature of the series, allowing Barrington to operate in both legal and investigative worlds.
Reading the Stone Barrington books in publication order allows readers to follow the gradual development of Barrington’s career and the expanding circle of characters around him. Early novels focus on criminal investigations that often involve wealthy clients, political figures, or powerful business interests. As the series progresses, the stakes become increasingly global, with Barrington drawn into international conspiracies and high-level government affairs.
One of the recurring elements of the series is Barrington’s close relationship with key allies in law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Among the most notable is Dino Bacchetti, a longtime friend and police officer who frequently assists Barrington when investigations intersect with criminal cases. Their partnership adds both humor and tension to the stories as they approach problems from different professional perspectives.
Barrington’s legal career also places him in contact with influential clients whose problems quickly escalate into dangerous situations. Many of the novels begin with a seemingly straightforward legal matter that evolves into a complex web of crime, politics, or international intrigue. These shifting circumstances allow the series to move fluidly between courtroom drama and action-driven suspense.
Another distinctive aspect of the Stone Barrington novels is their glamorous setting. Barrington often moves through circles of wealth and power, traveling between major cities such as New York, Washington, and London while interacting with prominent figures in politics, business, and entertainment. The lifestyle elements—including fine dining, private travel, and luxury residences—contrast sharply with the darker criminal activities that frequently drive the plot.
Over time, the series introduces a wide range of recurring characters who contribute to the broader narrative world. Some are allies who assist Barrington in investigations, while others represent political or criminal forces that challenge him. These relationships develop across multiple books, creating continuity that becomes clearer when the novels are read sequentially.
Stuart Woods became known for his brisk storytelling style, favoring short chapters, quick pacing, and tightly focused plotlines. This approach helped the Stone Barrington series maintain momentum across dozens of installments, each delivering a mix of mystery, danger, and sophisticated intrigue.
Across the span of the series, Stone Barrington evolves from a former detective rebuilding his career into a highly connected attorney capable of influencing major investigations and political events. Following the books in publication order highlights how his professional life expands alongside the growing complexity of the cases he encounters, while the surrounding network of allies and adversaries continues to shape the direction of each new story.