Unnatural Acts

A Stone Barrington Mystery, Book 23

By: Stuart Woods

Narrated by: Tony Roberts

Stuart Woods is in top form…and so is his perennially popular hero, Stone Barrington! When a hedge fund billionaire hires Stone Barrington to talk some sense into his wayward son, it seems like an easy enough job; no one knows the hidden sins and temptations of the ultra-wealthy better than Stone. But as Stone and his erstwhile protégé, Herbie Fisher, probe deeper into the case - and an old one comes back to haunt him - he realizes that even he may have underestimated just how far some people will go to cover up their crimes…and plan new ones.

©2012 Stuart Woods (P)2012 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic reviews

“Woods’s well-tested formula ensures that the action purrs along fueled by good food, good liquor, good sex, and plenty of wealth.” (Publishers Weekly)

good for Herb

Where does Unnatural Acts rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

As I've only listened to Stone Barrington novels, I would have to rate this one as one of the better books I've heard.

What did you like best about this story?

My favorite part of this book is moving Herbie to Herb and all that is implied with that. I like that Herb is now a successful attorney and am intrigued by the not-so-sutble hint that Herb may be the new Stone Barrington. A spin-off in the future perhaps? I've always liked Herbie, even when he was a, what did Dino call him? I better not use that kind of language! I'm curious as to what Stuart is going to do with Stone now that he is a partner at W&W. I don't know where he can go with that.

What does Tony Roberts bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Dino. I love Tony's rendition of Dino's voice.

Author is a limousine liberal... a hypocrite.

Stuart Woods is a great author! But, I have problems with his books when he moves into political commentary in his plot lines. It's unnecessary, but I guess he wants to show off in front of his liberal cohorts. The author obviously lives vicariously as most authors do through their protagonist. Stone Harrington (blowhard name) is a misogynistic super smart charismatic lawyer womanizer who in today's democratic world would be eaten alive by his own with his rhino libido and permanent hard-on. He's also a hetero non-inclusive white male with white male attitude and privilege (Sarcasm). Woods has no room to maneuver in today's author arena being a super rich 'yellow dog democrat' who cuts down republicans (1/2 of the voting USA and potential buyers of his books). These are true hard working tax payers that you subjugate as the king of social construct and thought. Those flyover state conservative Americans produce the fuel for your personal jet and fancy airplanes and boats you've owned over the years. It would be nice if you could behave a little better than a typical Richy Rich Hypocritical Democratic Jerk. I am honestly happy that you earned what you earned through hard work and you get to keep it. You have prospered through Capitalism, not Socialism. Give it all away if you're a true believer in Marxism. Otherwise, try not to be a hypocrite and quit the stupid divisional politics in your books.

Stuart Woods, Author, is a Limousine Liberal

Please stick to your art and avoid your political feelings. It is 'truly not liked' by 1/2 of Americans.

CFKemp

Another great story from Woods

If you could sum up Unnatural Acts in three words, what would they be?

Herbie grows up

What did you like best about this story?

How Woods is exploring characters that have been introduced in the past

Which scene was your favorite?

When Shelley Bach was killed

Any additional comments?

Although the mystery element was not as pronounced as in past stories, it kept my interest even as Stone was a secondary character. I would like to see a series based on Herbie Fisher but prefer when listed as a Stone Barrington novel, that he be the prominent character in the story. I wished that Woods would had elaborated more on the closing of Elaine's, perhaps weaving it into the mystery of the story. I liked that Dino's character was explored a bit and would like to see that occur more in future novels.

Stuart knocked it out of the ballpark again

I knew Elain's had closed so I wondered how it would be handled in a book. Stuart did a bang up job on that side of the story.
Stone and Dino are up to their ole tricks. I'm glad to see Herbie Fisher as a new addition to the cast of players.

Does not disappoint.

Would you consider the audio edition of Unnatural Acts to be better than the print version?

Always enjoy being told a good story.

What about Tony Roberts’s performance did you like?

A very good read of the book.

Any additional comments?

I always enjoy the way Woods progresses the time line. I have been a Stone Barrington fan from the start and continue to be so.

GREAT BOOK

This is a great book, great narrating, great story - as usual.
It was a little shorter than normal but still a great book.
I'm looking forward to the next Stuart Woods.

A Twist on the Typical Stone Barrington

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I've followed the entire Stone Barrington series for years- from rags to riches - so I read them all, mediocre or thrilling. It would be impossible just to skip one book. And they do lightly build upon the previous novel.

If you’ve listened to books by Stuart Woods before, how does this one compare?

This one seemed noticeably different to me: much less exclusively from Stone's perspective. Long parts of the story focus on Dino or Herbie Fisher- and are told from their perspective, not Stone's. This always occurred to some extent in other books (especially the Teddy Faye novels) but this seemed different to me- refreshing almost. I sometimes tire of life always being rosey for Stone these days, mega rich and full partner now. The Herbie Fisher transformation has been a fun one to follow from his character in earlier books.

Have you listened to any of Tony Roberts’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I always thoroughly enjoy a Tony Roberts book. I really can't imagine Stone Barrington read by anyone else now!

Do you think Unnatural Acts needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

As always, I enjoy the series and hope it continues. Stone and Dino are like old friends- I was actually kinda sad to read of Elaine's death! Some of the books are page-turners while others are awful mediocre, but that comes with the any series of frequent novels.

Poor Storyline

What did you like best about Unnatural Acts? What did you like least?

I didn't like the multiple plots that didn't merge at the end of the book.

Would you ever listen to anything by Stuart Woods again?

Yes

Would you listen to another book narrated by Tony Roberts?

Yes

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No.

I love this book

this is the second time I have read this book. I could read it again.

Herbie Fisher comes of age

Would you consider the audio edition of Unnatural Acts to be better than the print version?

This one is cute. Herbie gets some of the Barrington family financial and professional good luck.