Synopses & Reviews
Stuart Woods's new novel is a sexy, action-packed thriller in the tradition of his best. As the
Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote about his last novel,
Capital Crimes, "Woods knows how to deliver a taut, well-told tale...The last two paragraphs will make any reader gulp."
In The Prince of Beverly Hills, set in Hollywood's Golden Age of the 1930s, Woods introduces a new character that possesses the kind of suave confidence, take-charge manner, and clever wit-under-pressure that his fans will recognize and love at first sight. Rich Barron, a sharp, capable detective on the Beverly Hills force, finds himself demoted after a run-in with his captain, but soon lands a job on the security detail for Centurion Pictures, one of the hottest studios. As the protector of the Studio's interests, Barron looks after the cream of the crop of filmdom's stars Clete Barrow, the British leading man with a penchant for parties; and Glenna Gleason, a peach of a talent on the verge of superstardom.
Rick's easy charm has society columnists dubbing him "the Prince of Beverly Hills," the white knight of movie stars, until he uncovers a murder cover-up and a blackmail scam that threatens the studio's business and may originate with the West Coast mob. When two suspicious deaths begin to look like double-murder, and an attempt is made on Glenna Gleason's life, Barron knows he is up against wise guys whose stakes are do-or-die. A dicey war of nerves is on.
Set in the era of high style and silver-screen romance, Woods's thoroughly entertaining new crime novel shows us once again why he is a "master of the genre" (Los Angeles Times).
Review
"Woods is a smooth storyteller, and even in this less-than-perfect effort, he manages to capture the reader's attention until the very end." Library Journal
Review
"Woods...writes with smooth confidence as famous names add spice to a diverting summer read that simmers but never gets hard-boiled." Kirkus Reviews
Synopsis
In 1930Us Hollywood, brash detective Rick Barron is reassigned to security detail for Centurion Pictures. His charm has columnists dubbing him "the Prince of Beverly Hills," until he uncovers a murder cover-up and a blackmail scam that threatens the studio and may originate with the mob.
Synopsis
Rick Barron, a sharp, capable detective on the Beverly Hills force, finds himself demoted after a run-in with a superior officer, but he soon lands a job other cops only dream about: the security detail for Centurion Pictures, one of the hottest studios in the midst of Hollywood's golden age of the late 1930s. As the protector of the studio's interests, Barron looks after the elite of filmdom's stars - among them Clete Barrow, a British leading man with a penchant for parties, and Glenna Gleason, a peach of a talent on the verge of stardom." Rick's easy charm has society columnists dubbing him "the Prince of Beverly Hills," the white knight of movie stars, until he stumbles across a murder cover-up and a blackmail scam that threaten the studio's business and may have origins with some unsavory characters. When two suspicious deaths begin to look like a double murder, and an attempt is made on someone who has become an intimate friend, Barron knows he is up against wise guys whose stakes are nothing less than do-or-die. A dicey war of nerves is on.
About the Author
Stuart Woods is the author of fifty novels, including the New York Times-bestselling Stone Barrington and Holly Barker series. He is a native of Georgia and began his writing career in the advertising industry. Chiefs, his debut in 1981, won the Edgar Award. An avid sailor and pilot, Woods lives in New York City, Florida, and Maine.