This Stone Barrington novel picks up a few months after Cold Paradise ended. Stone is waiting for Callie in Elaines, and she shows up late and married to the billionaire in the previous book. I’d say poor Stone, but he’ll be rolling around with another woman in no time. Stone is then hired (seemingly randomly as always) by John Bartholomew to find his niece overseas where she was swindled by a conman.
Of course, all of Stone’s expenses are paid, and he’s traveling and staying in luxury. It wouldn’t be a Stone Barrington novel otherwise. It’s so funny because the two series I’m currently reading are this and Jack Reacher, and Reacher stays at the seediest places and almost never has any money. Anyway, I digress.
Stone tries to find the young niece (Erica), and it’s easier than he thought it would be. All is not what it seems though, and the conman boyfriend seems like a charmer (who is definitely into some shady dealings though).
Ooh another “how quaint” moment – Stone has to go to the American Embassy in London because his passport is expired. First of all, he got into London with either an expired or expiring in the next day passport. Second, he went to the passport office and asked how long it’d take to renew it. The answer, “we’re not very busy; perhaps twenty minutes”. I laughed and laughed. Now it takes at least six weeks to renew your passport and as far as I know there’s nowhere to do it IN PERSON! How quaint.
There’s a return of Stone’s ex Sarah, who of course sorta murders her husband, and Arrington makes a brief appearance to pout and be annoying (#Arringtoncanstuffit). Stone meets more lovely ladies and continues his adventures with Dino. As someone put it on Goodreads “Anyone who gave this book a bad review might want to re-think why they read Stuart Woods’ novels. They are not classic literature. They are escapist fiction. You need to check your disbelief at the door.” I couldn’t have said it better myself. As a part time escapist, I gave this four stars.