Order of Stone Barrington Books

Before there was Stone Barrington—former NYPD cop turned suave lawyer living a life of yachts, fine scotch, international intrigue, and more lovers than your average Bond film—there was Stuart Woods. And let’s just say, the man who created Stone was every bit as fascinating as the character he birthed.

Who Was Stuart Woods?

Stuart Woods was born on January 9, 1938, in the quiet town of Manchester, Georgia. Far from the glitzy boardrooms and luxury jets his characters would later frequent, Woods started out in the American South—where storytelling came naturally, but careers in high-flying thrillers didn’t exactly grow on trees. He passed away on July 22, 2022, at the age of 84, having published more than 90 novels, with more than 75 bestsellers to his name. Yes, you read that right. The man didn’t just write—he dominated shelves.

He graduated with a degree in sociology from the University of Georgia in 1959. But here’s the twist: instead of going straight into writing, he took a detour through advertising, journalism, and even sailing—yes, sailing! Woods moved to London in the early 1960s where he worked as a copywriter in a Madison Avenue-style ad firm. But while most people dream of escaping to the sea, Woods actually did. In the late ’70s, he competed in the Observer Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race, and his first book? It wasn’t a thriller at all—it was a memoir of that very experience, “Blue Water, Green Skipper” (1977).

From Boats to Barrington: Reinventing Himself

Woods didn’t publish his first novel until he was over 40, proving it’s never too late to find your true calling—especially if it involves murder, corruption, and private jets. His breakout hit, “Chiefs” (1981), won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel and set the stage for a career that would span four decades. But it wasn’t until Stone Barrington swaggered onto the scene in “New York Dead” (1991) that Woods’ legacy was sealed in bestselling ink.

Stone, the slick, unflappable, martini-sipping protagonist, became the centerpiece of a sprawling universe of novels, often crossing over with other series characters. But make no mistake—Barrington wasn’t just a character. He was an idealized avatar of the life Woods flirted with: fast, expensive, unapologetically elite.

A Life Lived Like Fiction

Woods wasn’t one of those tortured, reclusive writers scribbling away in a cabin. He enjoyed the finer things. After years in New York and L.A., he settled in Key West and Santa Fe, with properties that echoed the luxury settings of his novels. He even bought a private plane, much like the characters in his books, and kept his life full of the same wit, charm, and drama that peppered his prose.

And let’s be real: writing a book every 3 to 6 months while sipping rare scotch and jet-setting between coasts? That’s not just author goals. That’s Stone Barrington goals.

What Made Stuart Woods So Iconic?

• Speed + Style: His ability to produce multiple page-turners each year was matched only by his flair for making you care about whether Stone got the girl and caught the killer.
• Crossover Universe: Fans were treated to recurring characters, surprise cameos, and evolving story arcs that made his world feel connected and thrilling.
• Wicked Humor: Whether it was an elegant jab at bureaucrats or a snide line from Stone after surviving a yacht explosion, Woods brought biting, effortless wit to his narratives.

Gone, But Definitely Not Forgotten

Woods may have passed in 2022, but thanks to ghostwriters and collaborators, his legacy lives on, and so does Stone Barrington. The stories keep coming—fast, smart, and sexy as ever. So, while Stuart Woods may not be penning the next installment himself, you can bet his spirit is still lingering in every lavish apartment, every shady backroom deal, and every perfectly timed one-liner Stone throws out before dodging a bullet.

So, are you ready to meet the man who always knows which wine to order, how to talk his way out of a murder charge, and exactly when to duck?
Start with New York Dead, and prepare to binge your way through an entire life of crime—classy crime. Stuart Woods made sure of that.