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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN num: 9780451208088
ISBN number: 0451208080
Label: Signet
Manufacturer: Signet
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 368
Printing Date: January 28, 2003
Publishing house: Signet
Release Date: January 28, 2003
Sale Popularity Level: 117502
Studio: Signet
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
In The Short Forever, the unflappable Stone Barrington flies to London to see a client he's never met-and comes face to face with two, possibly three, murders and the affectionate attentions of two former lovers. And when the intelligence services of three countries become involved, he can only hang on for a wild ride-and hope for a not-too-bumpy landing.
Amazon.com Review:
Stone Barrington, Stuart Woods's suave, urbane series hero, is approached by an enigmatic new client, John Bartholomew, who hires him for what looks like an easy assignment: find his young niece, who's living somewhere in London with a shady character liable to involve her in his illegal activities, and persuade her to return to New York with Barrington. Handing him a ticket on the Concorde and an unlimited expense account, Bartholomew sets Stone on a chase in which identifying who's the predator and who's the prey turns out to be the key to solving a puzzling mystery involving two American spies and a great deal of money.
As usual, Stone wraps it up without getting his tuxedo nearly as wrinkled as the sheets on his bed, which he shares with a bevy of beautiful women including two old girlfriends and one new one. Woods is a lively, engaging, and reliable writer whose bestselling thrillers feature plenty of eye candy, brand names, and plots that don't tax the brain but do make the most of his narrative gifts. Look elsewhere for high art, but this is high entertainment. --Jane Adams
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
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Sadly, this is my very first Stone Barrington novel, and if this is any indication, it would probably be my last (likely not, as other novels in the series have been much more favorably reviewed). It's a relatively quick read, but a read that just seems like wish-fulfillment: Stone somehow knows a LOT about London, is able to find his way easily, and every time he turns around there's someone he was looking for and has now just accidentally stumbled across. Isn't London bigger than that? For some reason, women throw themselves at Stone, and only in the last eighth of the novel does anything like a plot resolve itself. However, the ending is a big "so what:?" with no ramifications for Stone other than more fantasy fulfillment (women, riches, adventure -- the usual James Bond-like trio). I was hoping for a more character-driven, intelligent book; I was disappointed with this entry in the series.
Rated by buyers 
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For fans of Stuart Woods, The Short Forever is a "must read" story. The author provides his usual excellent verbal exchanges between characters, suspense, twists in the story and lots of action plus a satisfying ending.
Once begun, it is difficult to stop reading the novel.
Rated by buyers -
Woods has become one of my favorite authors in a short period of time. He writes fun fiction that will keep you interested from cover to cover.
Rated by buyers 
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Stone Barrington is at it again. The retired detective/attorney has another assignment. At the request of the law firm he occasionally helps out, Barrington meets with John Bartholomew. His niece, Erica, is off to England with Lance Cabot, someone that he is sure will be no good for his niece. Stone's assignment: follow them to England on first- class expenses, find a way to get him arrested if possible, but more importantly, get Erica back to New York City unharmed.
It seemed so simple--that is until Stone finds out that Bartholomew isn't really Bartholomew, that both MI6 and the CIA are involved, people are dying left and right, and the more questions he has, the fewer answers he gets. But Stone is nothing, if not persistent. Gathering what few allies he has, Stone slowly begins peeling the layers of lies and misdirection back to reveal facts that are much more important than returning a niece to New York.
Murders abound with either too few or too many suspects. Red herrings lie in wait for anyone foolish enough to take the bait. You will do well to stay with Stone throughout this book--don't bother to try getting ahead. You'll only have to backtrack and may well end with a headache. Only Dino Baschetti, his old NYPD partner, seems to talk straight to Stone, but Stone doesn't always give what Dino says the importance he should.
Fast-paced, a touch of romance, old flames rekindled--and then doused, changes of scenery, an abundance of clues, suspects galore for multiple murders, and classic misdirection--this book has it all.
Armchair Interviews says: Sounds perfect for a thrilling summer read. If you love Stuart Woods, check out another Stone Barrington novel, Fresh Disaster and Shoot Him if He Runs, October 2007. He has written over 30 books suspense books.
Rated by buyers -
In The Short Forever by Stuart Woods, retired homicide detective-turned-PI Stone Barrington--a cross between James Bond and Spenser--is sent on what might be a 'wild goose chase'. His assignment: to find his mysterious new client's missing niece who is somewhere in London.
Stone leaves the US and the niece, Erica Burroughs, is found rather quickly. But then the plot thickens. She has no uncle. Stone is stumped. He soon finds himself embroiled in a puzzling case, where most of the pieces don't add up. Just who is his client John Bartholomew? And what does he want with Erica and her drug-smuggling boyfriend Lance Cabot?
Erica introduces the dashing detective to her sister Monica, and things heat up. And the appearance of two former lovers unsettles Stone, especially when old flame Sarah Buckminster hosts a weekend get-together with her fiancé James and invites Erica, Monica, Lance and Stone. But fun and games turns swiftly into tragedy as a boating accident claims a life. Then more bodies turn up and Stone is thrown headfirst into an international dilemma.
Best Selling author Stuart Woods delves deep into his characters, giving them plausible backgrounds and emotions. He creates means, motive and opportunity for each suspect and gives you just the right mix of action, suspense and romance. This page-turner contains every element that makes an excellent suspense and Woods drives home the twists at every possible corner.
If you're looking for a good read, with interesting, quirky and multi-faceted characters and tons of fast-paced action, pick up a copy of The Short Forever. Kudos, Mr. Woods!
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author of Divine Intervention
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