Stuart Woods -- Orchid Beach

April, 2013

Original surname Lee, legally changed to stepfather's name in 1955; born January 9, 1938, in Manchester, GA; Education:University of Georgia, B.A., 1959.Military/Wartime Service: Air National Guard, 1960-68, active duty, 1961-62; served in Germany.Addresses: Home: Key West, FL; Mount Desert Island, ME; New York, NY. Agent: Anne Sibbald, Janklow & Nesbit, 445 Park Ave., New York, NY 10022. E-mail: stuart@stuartwoods.com.

WRITINGS:

"WILL LEE" SERIES; NOVELS

• Chiefs, 1980.

Beginning in 1920, the experiences of three Georgia police chiefs, who watch the world, their town, and their jobs change. At the heart of this is a 40-year-old mystery each chief must try to crack.

• Run before the Wind, 1983.

(First book in series) A young law student visiting his grandfather in Ireland inadvertently becomes involved with the Irish Republican Army.

• Deep Lie, 1986.
• Grass Roots, 1989.
• The Run, 2000.
• Capital Crimes, 2003.
• Mounting Fears, 2009.

"STONE BARRINGTON" SERIES; NOVELS

• New York Dead, 1991.

(First book in series) On disability leave from the New York City Police Department, Detective Sergeant Stone Barrington witnesses the murder of network news star Sasha Nijinsky, who is pushed from her penthouse terrace.

• 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, 2005.
• 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, 2011.
• Bel-Air Dead, 2011.
• Son of Stone, 2011.
• D.C. Dead, 2011.
• Unnatural Acts, 2012.
• Severe Clear, 2012.
• Collateral Damage, 2013.

"HOLLY BARKER" SERIES; NOVELS

Holly Barker, former MP officer, police chief and now a CIA agent, takes on drug dealers, international terrorists, murderers, rapists and the Mob in tiny Orchid Beach, Florida.

• Orchid Beach, , 1998.

Military policewoman Holly Barker lost a harassment case against her superior and quit the army. On arriving for a new job as deputy of a Florida town she finds the chief shot, a case which will lead to an assault by the FBI on a compound of the very rich.

• Orchid Blues, 2001.
• Blood Orchid, 2002.
• Iron Orchid, , 2005.
• Hothouse Orchid, 2009.

"ED EAGLE" SERIES; NOVELS

• Santa Fe Rules, 1992.

(First book in series) Learning that his wife and partner have died suspiciously while he was away, successful Hollywood producer Wolf Willett returns home and hires ace criminal defense lawyer Ed Eagle to clear his name of the murder charge.

• Short Straw, 2006.
• Santa Fe Dead, 2008.
• Santa Fe Edge, 2008.

OTHER NOVELS

• Under the Lake, 1987.
• White Cargo, 1988.
• Palindrome, 1991.
• L.A. Times,  1993.
• Dead Eyes, 1994.
• Heat, 1994.
• Imperfect Strangers, 1995.
• Choke, 1995.
• The Prince of Beverly Hills ("Rick Barron" series), 2004.

(First book in series) Demoted after a run-in with a superior, Rick Barron, a detective with the Beverly Hills police force, lands a job with the security detail at Centurion Pictures, and uncovers a blackmail scheme that threatens the studio's business.

• Beverly Hills Dead ("Rick Barron" series), , 2008.

NONFICTION

• Blue Water, Green Skipper,1977. [re-issued 2012]
• A Romantic's Guide to the Country Inns of Britain and Ireland,, 1979.

Read-alikes from NoveList

Stuart Woods' best-selling cinematic Thrillers are engrossing page-turners that capture readers immediately, so they are excellent escapist reading. Woods' novels feature investigations, often political or legal, and his storylines are complex, featuring twists, betrayals, non-stop action, and lots of dialogue. In addition to the fast pacing, frame also plays an important role. These books are primarily set in the South and often feature the rich and famous lifestyle. Currently focusing on three series, Woods' more recent novels have become more character-driven. Start with: Under the Lake

Baldacci, David -- Reason:  Fast paced humorous thrillers rife with suspense and power hungry characters, the novels of Stuart Woods and David Baldacci use the themes of politics, corporate secrets, and espionage to advance their breakneck plots. -- Tara Bannon Williamson

Archer, Jeffrey  -- Reason:  Like Woods, Jeffrey Archer has written a diverse range of Thrillers from the serious to the commercial, relating fascinating tales and peopled with likable characters who come to a satisfying end. International intrigue and double-dealing fill his page-turning novels, but he also includes a glimpse of the rich and powerful, as does Woods. -- Krista Biggs

Coben, Harlan -- Reason:  Suspense fans who enjoy Stuart Woods' breakneck pacing and twisting plots may want to give Harlan Coben's suspense novels a try. Readers who enjoy the speedy pacing and wise-acre characters of Woods' two mystery series will find the same elements in Coben's tightly plotted, page-turning Myron Bolitar mysteries. -- Shauna Griffin

Grisham, John -- Reason: Known for his provocative stories and relentless pacing, John Grisham has much to offer Stuart Woods fans. While there are suspense, action, and plot twists in his novels, there's less sex and violence than one finds in Woods. Readers who won't miss this might find Grisham a good choice. -- Victoria Caplinger

Cannell, Stephen J. -- Reason:  Screenwriter Stephen J. Cannell's novels possess a similar cinematic appeal as those of Woods -- fast pacing, characters who could be on the screen, action scenes, and revenge. While the plots may be more complex than those of Woods, the characters -- particularly series character LA police detective Shane Scully -- will certainly appeal. -- Krista Biggs

Sanders, Lawrence --  Reason:  Like Woods, Lawrence Sanders wrote a range of titles, from the serious to the more commercial. Woods' and Sanders' works are both characterized by intricate plots, filled with twists and betrayals, series and non-series characters, and provocative story lines. -- Krista Biggs

Patterson, James -- Reason:  Not all of James Patterson's titles are obvious matches for a Woods fan, unless the reader does not mind more graphic violence and sex. However, the Women's Murder Club series offers several appeal similarities: fast-pacing, details of wealthy lifestyles, series characters, and complicated plots. These stories generally feature fewer gory details, and the breezy pace should certainly appeal. -- Krista Biggs

Sheldon, Sidney -- Reason:  Another author of intricate, page turning, international Thrillers is Sidney Sheldon, who also filled his adventures with beautiful people placed in difficult situations. Revenge figures prominently, and it is not always achieved by legal means, another characteristic shared by Woods' novels. -- Krista Biggs

Caldwell, Ian -- Reason:  These authors' works are Suspenseful, Compelling, and Fast-paced, and they share: the genre 'Suspense stories' and the subject 'Murder'.

Author’s Website:  http://stuartwoods.com/