Below is the complete list of Stuart Woods’ Stone Barrington books in publication order. For this series, the chronological reading order is the same as the order of publication.
Stone Barrington Books in Publication Order
- New York Dead (1991)
- Dirt (1996)
- Dead in the Water (1997)
- Swimming to Catalina (1998)
- Worst Fears Realized (1999)
- L.A. Dead (2000)
- Cold Paradise (2001)
- The Short Forever (2002)
- Dirty Work (2003)
- Reckless Abandon (2004)
- Two Dollar Bill (2004)
- Dark Harbor (2006)
- Fresh Disasters (2007)
- Shoot Him If He Runs (2007)
- Hot Mahogany (2008)
- Loitering with Intent (2009)
- Kisser (2009)
- Lucid Intervals (2010)
- Strategic Moves (2010)
- Bel-Air Dead (2011)
- Son of Stone (2011)
- D.C. Dead (2011)
- Unnatural Acts (2012)
- Severe Clear (2012)
- Collateral Damage (2012)
- Unintended Consequences (2013)
- Doing Hard Time (2013)
- Standup Guy (2014)
- Carnal Curiosity (2014)
- Cut and Thrust (2014)
- Paris Match (2014)
- Insatiable Appetites (2015)
- Hot Pursuit (2015)
- Naked Greed (2015)
- Foreign Affairs (2015)
- Scandalous Behavior (2016)
- Family Jewels (2016)
- Dishonorable Intentions (2016)
- Sex, Lies & Serious Money (2016)
- Below the Belt (2017)
- Fast and Loose (2017)
- Indecent Exposure (2017)
- Quick & Dirty (2017)
- Unbound (2018)
- Shoot First (2018)
- Turbulence (2018)
- Desperate Measures (2018)
- A Delicate Touch (2018)
- Wild Card (2019)
- Contraband (2019)
- Stealth (2019)
- Treason (2020)
- Hit List (2020)
- Choppy Water (2020)
- Shakeup (2020)
- Hush-Hush (2020)
- Double Jeopardy (2021)
- Class Act (2021)
- Foul Play (2021)
- Criminal Mischief (2021)
- A Safe House (2022)
- Black Dog (2022)
- Distant Thunder (2022)
- Near Miss (2023)
(With: Brett Battles) - Smolder (2024)
(With: Brett Battles) - Finders Keepers (2025)
(With: Brett Battles) - Deep Water (2026)
- Hostile Intent (2026)
About Stone Barrington
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.