Stone Barrington #31Stone is in Paris for the opening of The Arrington there. He learns that the Russians are still after him, but he's not very concerned. He meets a woman whose brother and father are police prefects in Paris and France. One night they are away at her secret cottage and she kills an intruder. Holly flies in at Lance's orders. She and Stone find out the intruder was an American, working for the CIA. What the heck is going on? Is it the Russians again? Meanwhile back in the US, Kate's campaign for President is hitting a few snags and it's looking like it's Stone's fault!Another great installment! SUBJECTIVE READERS' REVEIW FOLLOWS:These thinly veiled deposits into Stuart Woods' 401k are becoming somewhat predictable, but at least this one has a storyline that takes place in Paris. Of course we get to revisit and old feud--Majorov--and an old flame--Holly Barker--but all in all Paris Match is junk food for the brain, as in lacking nutritional calories. Of course, even junk food can be seductive, but Woods really displays his extremely narrow views of human sexuality in Paris Match for the first time. I was under the false presumption that Stone/Woods was a stud, but his disgust at pondering any sexual fantasy labels him as the most unusual of humans--a prudish skirt chaser. Incredible after all these years. Anyway, at least Stone has to become an adventurer in Paris Match, albeit still rapidly returned to all the luxuries of home after a brush with death. I read it in two sittings, so it's user friendly, but who would have ever thought Woods was a sexual prude? Incredible, after all of the years as NYC's incomparable swordsman. Oh well.SPOILER PLOT SUMMARY FOLLOWS:Ending a Feud in Paris with the Majorovs. Stone is pulled off to Paris for the opening of L'Arrignton, Marcel Dubois' concept of recreating the ambiance of The Arrington in LA. Simultaneously, his live-in girlfriend Ann Keaton moves to DC full-time for the final weeks of Kate Lee's presidential campaign. Once in Paris Stone doesn't stay alone for long, as a hot local spinster Maribelle Chance is on him, only complicated by Lance Cabot's desire to recruit her as a snitch for the CIA. Stone does his patriotic duty, banging Maribelle as much as possible before the first attempt on his life is made, in spite of Mike Freeman's Strategic Security presence as well as the CIA's. Stone gets inserted into the presidential campaign when a blogger Axelrod claims Kate Lee is pregnant with Stone's child. Meanwhile Holly Barker shows up in Paris to save Stone from the lecherous US Ambassador as well as Mirabelle, and takes the break to immerse herself in wall to wall sex with Stone. After being confronted with a hostile buyout offer from Russian oligarch Yevgeny Majorov for L'Arrignton, Stone faces a second hit attempt, this one by the French Prefect and Maribelle's brother Jacques Chance. Stone escapes by diving into the Seine, is saved by a house barge owner and returns to Paris, set up in a CIA safe house. Stone likes the house and decides to redecorate the living room, then buys it from the CIA. He is then overtaken in his new house by Jacques Chance, who forces him to sign over ownership of L'Arrignton to Majorov. In part by signing a fake signature, Stone is able to nullify the sale as the grand opening of L'Arrignton finally happens, at which Michael Chance arrests his son Jacques after Stone takes him down with a walking cane. At the airport afterwards, Lance Cabot plays high stakes poker with Majorov by barring his departure from Le Bourget. In the intervening negotiations, Majorov gives up his feud with Stone in exchange for his life and becomes a CIA snitch.
What do You think about Paris Match (2014)?
Good story..suspenseful and can't wait for the election results. Hope their better than last nite.
—Jane
Always a fun, quick read -- Stone Barrington still entertains!!!
—alice
Not my favorite of Stuart Woods' books but it was a quick read...
—symona_sn
I always enjoy a Stone Barrington novel. This was no exception.
—prettygurlriri
