Monday, February 13, 2012

Unnatural Acts-Stuart Woods

Unnatural Acts


Stuart Woods

Putnam, Apr 17 2012, $26.95

ISBN: 9780399158865



Stone Barrington earned his full partnership at prestigious Woodman & Weld by diligently handling those cases the law firm preferred no association with. He meets Marla the Broadway director at a dinner. They hit it off and she moves into his home when a stalker becomes increasingly dangerous.



Stone hands the case over to NYPD police lieutenant Dino. Former Assistant FBI Director Shelley and Dino make love before she leaves. To stay out of trouble, Dino fails to report their tryst because she became a fugitive after killing five people



Seeing himself when he was younger, Stone advises associate Herbie Fisher, who listens to his suggestions leading to a promotion. He brings in billionaire clients, but one of them hedge fund manager Marshal Brennan wants his new lawyer to deal with his wastrel son Dink; who owes $200,000 to a bookie and is probably dealing in drugs. Herbie gets Dirk committed and deals with the bookie using legal means. Stone warns his mentee to watch his back. Dino searches for Marla’s stalker who is more dangerous than they know and Shelley arranges their encounter in which he fails to recognize her.



The three subplots keep Stone in a peripheral role with Herb and Dino as the protagonists. Herb proves cunning in using quasi legal methods while Dino allows his love for Shelley to handcuff his official need to arrest her (mindful of TV’s Detective Chief Inspector John Luther). Although the premises seem unlikely and the closing of Elaine’s matches the real closing in November, fans will enjoy Stone mellowing while Herb and Dino carry the footballs.



Harriet Klausner

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