Synopsis: 'Stone Barrington is settling in for a stretch om New York when he receives news that demands immediate action. An old family matter has unexpectedly resurfaced, and Stone must decamp to the craggy shores of Maine to address the issue head-on.
There Stone finds that a dual-pronged threat is hiding in plain sight among the stately houses and exclusive coastal clubs, and the incursion isn't easily rebuffed. The enemies have friends in high places, funds to spare, and a score to settle with Stone . . . and only the cleverest plot will draw them out into the open. From luxuriously renovated homes to the choppy ocean waters, the pursuit an only lead to an explosive end.' From the book jacket

Review: Everything about this book is good until the ending, and then it falls flat. There needed to be at least one more chapter to actually wrap up the story. ( )

Stone finds out that his wayward cousins, Enos and Ebon Stone, convicted of killing their parents years earlier have been paroled by the governor of Maine. They wish to take control of the family home, so Stone arranges to have it purchased before they can. He then places a couple in the home to obscure that Stone is the owner. However, the twins purchase the house across the street and then continue to wreak havoc on the town.
This book introduces an interesting new character, a young law student named Carly, who is whip smart.
There is a bit of lawlessness going on in this book, on Stone's part. That is somewhat unusual. ( )

I just love the Stone Barrington books. Stuart Woods does keep you on your toes though and this one was no exception. Between the twins being pardoned for their crimes and everyone plotting ways to kill them you can't help but laugh at all the antics. The best was the girls naked on the porch enticing the twins over to the house. I thought for sure Ed wasn't going to be able to continue with the plan what with looking at the girls and all!!! Turns out Stone kills them both with one shot. How awesome was that! I'm sure #58 is already in the works and I'm waiting patiently to see what's in store for Stone next. ( )

Stone Barrington is asked to help keep his psychotic relatives, twins Eben and Enos Stone, in jail, but cannot find a reason to do so. After admitting to killing their supposedly abusive parents (and probably their uncle Dick Stone, who willed his Islesboro, Maine home to Stone) are paroled from prison based on model behavior. The twins get part-time teaching jobs at Yale Law School, and buy a home in Islesboro, after Stone buys their family home. The twins are a nasty pair, including trying to kill a pair of law student friends with benefits, after raping the woman. She cannot wait for revenge and plots the twins' demise with Stone's latest paramour after Ed Rawls, Dino and Stone fail.

It is kind of pathetic that two of the last three books in the Stone Barrington series have been nothing more than vengeance killings. ( )

Two psychopaths take up residence on Stone's Maine Island and everybody who's ever been a Stuart Woods character comes to the rescue. Book #57 is an exciting one--narrated by Tony Roberts, who lends rich ambience and feel to the story. As always, the language is upper crust; one wonders if all Americans talk that way. Fun read and good listen. ( )