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Series · mystery
Stone Barrington
The Stone Barrington series by Stuart Woods has 69 known books (67 published; 2 announced) and is best read in publication order, starting with New York Dead (1991). The latest book with a fully recorded publication date is Stuart Woods' Deep Water. The next announced book, Stuart Woods' Hostile Intent, is due 17 November 2026. Stuart Woods wrote the series; it was continued by Brett Battles.
- Books
- 69 known books (69 novels)
- Published
- 67
- Announced
- 2
- First published
- 1991
- Status
- ongoing
- Shelved under
- Mystery & Crime
- Last checked
Start here: New York Dead (1991) — then read straight through in publication order.
Reading order
The date order of published books and any announced future entries — the default way to read the series. Announced future books are marked below.
- Book 1:
New York Dead
New York Dead is the book that opens Stuart Woods's Stone Barrington series, published in 1991 — the first appearance of the New York-based lawyer-turned-investigator the series is built around. It's followed here by Dirt, the second of what would grow into a 69-book run.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of New York Dead - Book 2:
Dirt
Published in 1996 at 272 pages, Dirt is the 2nd entry in the Stone Barrington series, written by Stuart Woods. In the reading order it comes right after New York Dead and just before Dead in the Water.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Dirt - Book 3:
Dead in the Water
Dead in the Water is Stuart Woods's 3rd Stone Barrington novel, published in 1997 at 432 pages. Dirt comes before it and Swimming to Catalina after, in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Dead in the Water - Book 4:
Swimming to Catalina
The 4th book in the Stone Barrington series, Swimming to Catalina was published in 1998 at 398 pages by Stuart Woods. It follows Dead in the Water and precedes Worst Fears Realized in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Swimming to Catalina - Book 5:
Worst Fears Realized
Worst Fears Realized is the 5th book in Stuart Woods's Stone Barrington series, published in 1999 at 402 pages. In the reading order it comes right after Swimming to Catalina and just before L.A. Dead.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Worst Fears Realized - Book 6:
L.A. Dead
Published in 2000 at 422 pages, L.A. Dead is the 6th entry in the Stone Barrington series, written by Stuart Woods. Worst Fears Realized comes before it and Cold Paradise after, in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of L.A. Dead - Book 7:
Cold Paradise
Cold Paradise is Stuart Woods's 7th Stone Barrington novel, published in 2001 at 440 pages. It follows L.A. Dead and precedes The Short Forever in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Cold Paradise - Book 8:
The Short Forever
The 8th book in the Stone Barrington series, The Short Forever was published in 2002 at 366 pages by Stuart Woods. In the reading order it comes right after Cold Paradise and just before Dirty Work.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Short Forever - Book 9:
Dirty Work
Dirty Work is the 9th book in Stuart Woods's Stone Barrington series, published in 2003 at 380 pages. The Short Forever comes before it and Reckless Abandon after, in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Dirty Work - Book 10:
Reckless Abandon
Published in 2004 at 356 pages, Reckless Abandon is the 10th entry in the Stone Barrington series, written by Stuart Woods. It follows Dirty Work and precedes Two Dollar Bill in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Reckless Abandon - Book 11:
Two Dollar Bill
Two Dollar Bill is Stuart Woods's 11th Stone Barrington novel, published in 2005. In the reading order it comes right after Reckless Abandon and just before Dark Harbor.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Two Dollar Bill - Book 12:
Dark Harbor
The 12th book in the Stone Barrington series, Dark Harbor was published in 2006 at 294 pages by Stuart Woods. Two Dollar Bill comes before it and Fresh Disasters after, in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Dark Harbor - Book 13:
Fresh Disasters
Fresh Disasters is the 13th book in Stuart Woods's Stone Barrington series, published in 2007 at 279 pages. It follows Dark Harbor and precedes Shoot Him If He Runs in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Fresh Disasters - Book 14:
Shoot Him If He Runs
Published in 2007 at 304 pages, Shoot Him If He Runs is the 14th entry in the Stone Barrington series, written by Stuart Woods. In the reading order it comes right after Fresh Disasters and just before Hot Mahogany.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Shoot Him If He Runs - Book 15:
Hot Mahogany
Hot Mahogany is Stuart Woods's 15th Stone Barrington novel, published in 2008 at 293 pages. Shoot Him If He Runs comes before it and Loitering with Intent after, in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Hot Mahogany - Book 16:
Loitering with Intent
The 16th book in the Stone Barrington series, Loitering with Intent was published in 2009 at 310 pages by Stuart Woods. It follows Hot Mahogany and precedes Kisser in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Loitering with Intent - Book 17:
Kisser
Kisser is the 17th book in Stuart Woods's Stone Barrington series, published in 2009 at 390 pages. In the reading order it comes right after Loitering with Intent and just before Lucid Intervals.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Kisser - Book 18:
Lucid Intervals
Published in 2010 at 291 pages, Lucid Intervals is the 18th entry in the Stone Barrington series, written by Stuart Woods. Kisser comes before it and Strategic Moves after, in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Lucid Intervals - Book 19:
Strategic Moves
Strategic Moves is Stuart Woods's 19th Stone Barrington novel, published in 2011 at 413 pages. It follows Lucid Intervals and precedes Bel-Air Dead in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Strategic Moves - Book 20:
Bel-Air Dead
The 20th book in the Stone Barrington series, Bel-Air Dead was published in 2011 by Stuart Woods. In the reading order it comes right after Strategic Moves and just before Son of Stone.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Bel-Air Dead - Book 21:
Son of Stone
Son of Stone is the 21st book in Stuart Woods's Stone Barrington series, published in 2011 at 306 pages. Bel-Air Dead comes before it and D.C. Dead after, in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Son of Stone - Book 22:
D.C. Dead
Published in 2011 at 290 pages, D.C. Dead is the 22nd entry in the Stone Barrington series, written by Stuart Woods. It follows Son of Stone and precedes Unnatural Acts in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of D.C. Dead - Book 23:
Unnatural Acts
Unnatural Acts is Stuart Woods's 23rd Stone Barrington novel, published in 2012. In the reading order it comes right after D.C. Dead and just before Severe Clear.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Unnatural Acts - Book 24:
Severe Clear
The 24th book in the Stone Barrington series, Severe Clear was published in 2012 by Stuart Woods. Unnatural Acts comes before it and Collateral Damage after, in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Severe Clear - Book 25:
Collateral Damage
Collateral Damage is the 25th book in Stuart Woods's Stone Barrington series, published in 2012 at 381 pages. It follows Severe Clear and precedes Unintended Consequences in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Collateral Damage - Book 26:
Unintended Consequences
Published in 2013 at 310 pages, Unintended Consequences is the 26th entry in the Stone Barrington series, written by Stuart Woods. In the reading order it comes right after Collateral Damage and just before Doing Hard Time.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Unintended Consequences - Book 27:
Doing Hard Time
Doing Hard Time is Stuart Woods's 27th Stone Barrington novel, published in 2013 at 307 pages. Unintended Consequences comes before it and Standup Guy after, in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Doing Hard Time - Book 28:
Standup Guy
The 28th book in the Stone Barrington series, Standup Guy was published in 2014 at 312 pages by Stuart Woods. It follows Doing Hard Time and precedes Carnal Curiosity in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Standup Guy - Book 29:
Carnal Curiosity
Carnal Curiosity is the 29th book in Stuart Woods's Stone Barrington series, published in 2014 at 394 pages. In the reading order it comes right after Standup Guy and just before Cut and Thrust.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Carnal Curiosity - Book 30:
Cut and Thrust
Published in 2014 at 307 pages, Cut and Thrust is the 30th entry in the Stone Barrington series, written by Stuart Woods. Carnal Curiosity comes before it and Paris Match after, in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Cut and Thrust - Book 31:
Paris Match
Paris Match is Stuart Woods's 31st Stone Barrington novel, published in 2014 at 400 pages. It follows Cut and Thrust and precedes Insatiable Appetites in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Paris Match - Book 32:
Insatiable Appetites
The 32nd book in the Stone Barrington series, Insatiable Appetites was published in 2015 at 309 pages by Stuart Woods. In the reading order it comes right after Paris Match and just before Hot Pursuit.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Insatiable Appetites - Book 33:
Hot Pursuit
Hot Pursuit is the 33rd book in Stuart Woods's Stone Barrington series, published in 2015 at 337 pages. Insatiable Appetites comes before it and Naked Greed after, in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Hot Pursuit - Book 34:
Naked Greed
Published in 2015 at 307 pages, Naked Greed is the 34th entry in the Stone Barrington series, written by Stuart Woods. It follows Hot Pursuit and precedes Foreign Affairs in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Naked Greed - Book 35:
Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs is Stuart Woods's 35th Stone Barrington novel, published in 2015 at 343 pages. In the reading order it comes right after Naked Greed and just before Scandalous Behavior.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Foreign Affairs - Book 36:
Scandalous Behavior
The 36th book in the Stone Barrington series, Scandalous Behavior was published in 2016 at 369 pages by Stuart Woods. Foreign Affairs comes before it and Family Jewels after, in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Scandalous Behavior - Book 37:
Family Jewels
Family Jewels is the 37th book in Stuart Woods's Stone Barrington series, published in 2016 at 220 pages. It follows Scandalous Behavior and precedes Dishonorable Intentions in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Family Jewels - Book 38:
Dishonorable Intentions
Published in 2016, Dishonorable Intentions is the 38th entry in the Stone Barrington series, written by Stuart Woods. In the reading order it comes right after Family Jewels and just before Sex, Lies, and Serious Money.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Dishonorable Intentions - Book 39:
Sex, Lies, and Serious Money
Sex, Lies, and Serious Money is Stuart Woods's 39th Stone Barrington novel, published in 2017 at 410 pages. Dishonorable Intentions comes before it and Below the Belt after, in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Sex, Lies, and Serious Money - Book 40:
Below the Belt
The 40th book in the Stone Barrington series, Below the Belt was published in 2017 at 413 pages by Stuart Woods. It follows Sex, Lies, and Serious Money and precedes Fast and Loose in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Below the Belt - Book 41:
Fast and Loose
Fast and Loose is the 41st book in Stuart Woods's Stone Barrington series, published in 2017 at 401 pages. In the reading order it comes right after Below the Belt and just before Indecent Exposure.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Fast and Loose - Book 42:
Indecent Exposure
Published in 2017 at 405 pages, Indecent Exposure is the 42nd entry in the Stone Barrington series, written by Stuart Woods. Fast and Loose comes before it and Quick & Dirty after, in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Indecent Exposure - Book 43:
Quick & Dirty
Quick & Dirty is Stuart Woods's 43rd Stone Barrington novel, published in 2017. It follows Indecent Exposure and precedes Unbound in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Quick & Dirty - Book 44:
Unbound
The 44th book in the Stone Barrington series, Unbound was published in 2018 at 311 pages by Stuart Woods. In the reading order it comes right after Quick & Dirty and just before Shoot First.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Unbound - Book 45:
Shoot First
Shoot First is the 45th book in Stuart Woods's Stone Barrington series, published in 2018 at 374 pages. Unbound comes before it and Turbulence after, in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Shoot First - Book 46:
Turbulence
Published in 2018 at 320 pages, Turbulence is the 46th entry in the Stone Barrington series, written by Stuart Woods. It follows Shoot First and precedes Desperate Measures in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Turbulence - Book 47:
Desperate Measures
Desperate Measures is Stuart Woods's 47th Stone Barrington novel, published in 2018. In the reading order it comes right after Turbulence and just before A Delicate Touch.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Desperate Measures - Book 48:
A Delicate Touch
The 48th book in the Stone Barrington series, A Delicate Touch was published in 2018 at 409 pages by Stuart Woods. Desperate Measures comes before it and Wild Card after, in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of A Delicate Touch - Book 49:
Wild Card
Wild Card is the 49th book in Stuart Woods's Stone Barrington series, published in 2019 at 320 pages. It follows A Delicate Touch and precedes Contraband in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Wild Card - Book 50:
Contraband
Published in 2019, Contraband is the 50th entry in the Stone Barrington series, written by Stuart Woods. In the reading order it comes right after Wild Card and just before Stealth.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Contraband - Book 51:
Stealth
Stealth is Stuart Woods's 51st Stone Barrington novel, published in 2019 at 311 pages, sitting between Contraband and Treason in the reading order. Like the rest of the long-running series, it keeps Stone's Manhattan-attorney lifestyle of houses, airplanes and glamorous entanglements at the center, decades into a run Woods wrote alone until his 2022 death, after which Brett Battles continued the series under the Stuart Woods name.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Stealth - Book 52:
Treason
The 52nd book in the Stone Barrington series, Treason was published in 2020 at 307 pages by Stuart Woods. It follows Stealth and precedes Hit List in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Treason - Book 53:
Hit List
Hit List is the 53rd book in Stuart Woods's Stone Barrington series, published in 2020 at 336 pages. In the reading order it comes right after Treason and just before Choppy Water.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Hit List - Book 54:
Choppy Water
Published in 2020 at 418 pages, Choppy Water is the 54th entry in the Stone Barrington series, written by Stuart Woods. Hit List comes before it and Shakeup after, in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Choppy Water - Book 55:
Shakeup
Shakeup is Stuart Woods's 55th Stone Barrington novel, published in 2020 at 320 pages. It follows Choppy Water and precedes Hush-Hush in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Shakeup - Book 56:
Hush-Hush
The 56th book in the Stone Barrington series, Hush-Hush was published in 2020 at 320 pages by Stuart Woods. In the reading order it comes right after Shakeup and just before Double Jeopardy.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Hush-Hush - Book 57:
Double Jeopardy
Double Jeopardy is the 57th book in Stuart Woods's Stone Barrington series, published in 2021 at 336 pages. Hush-Hush comes before it and Class Act after, in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Double Jeopardy - Book 58:
Class Act
Published in 2021 at 344 pages, Class Act is the 58th entry in the Stone Barrington series, written by Stuart Woods. It follows Double Jeopardy and precedes Foul Play in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Class Act - Book 59:
Foul Play
Foul Play is Stuart Woods's 59th Stone Barrington novel, published in 2021 at 416 pages. In the reading order it comes right after Class Act and just before Criminal Mischief.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Foul Play - Book 60:
Criminal Mischief
The 60th book in the Stone Barrington series, Criminal Mischief was published in 2021 at 400 pages by Stuart Woods. Foul Play comes before it and A Safe House after, in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Criminal Mischief - Book 61:
A Safe House
A Safe House is the 61st book in Stuart Woods's Stone Barrington series, published in 2022. It follows Criminal Mischief and precedes Black Dog in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of A Safe House - Book 62:
Black Dog
Published in 2022, Black Dog is the 62nd entry in the Stone Barrington series, written by Stuart Woods. In the reading order it comes right after A Safe House and just before Distant Thunder.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Black Dog - Book 63:
Distant Thunder
Distant Thunder is Stuart Woods's 63rd Stone Barrington novel, published in 2022. Black Dog comes before it and Near Miss after, in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Distant Thunder - Book 64:
Near Miss
Near Miss is the 64th book in the Stone Barrington series, published on June 6, 2023. It's the transition entry: the book credits both Stuart Woods and Brett Battles, with Battles carrying the continuation forward from here. Distant Thunder precedes it and Stuart Woods' Smolder follows, the first title written by Battles alone.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Near Miss - Book 65:
Stuart Woods' Smolder
Stuart Woods' Smolder is the 65th book in the Stone Barrington series, published on June 4, 2024 at 416 pages, written by Brett Battles, carrying the series on after Stuart Woods. In the reading order it comes right after Near Miss and just before Stuart Woods' Finders Keepers.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Stuart Woods' Smolder - Book 66:
Stuart Woods' Finders Keepers
Stuart Woods' Finders Keepers is the 66th book in the Stone Barrington series, published on June 3, 2025 at 410 pages, written by Brett Battles, who took over the series from Stuart Woods. Stuart Woods' Smolder comes before it and Stuart Woods' Deep Water after, in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Stuart Woods' Finders Keepers - Book 67:
Stuart Woods' Deep Water
Stuart Woods' Deep Water is the 67th book in the Stone Barrington series, published on June 2, 2026 at 320 pages, written by Brett Battles, continuing the series Stuart Woods created. It follows Stuart Woods' Finders Keepers and precedes Stuart Woods' Hostile Intent in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Stuart Woods' Deep Water - Book 68:
Stuart Woods' Hostile Intent
Stuart Woods' Hostile Intent is the 68th book in the Stone Barrington series, published on November 17, 2026 at 288 pages, written by Brett Battles, who by this point was writing the series alone. In the reading order it comes right after Stuart Woods' Deep Water and just before Stuart Woods' Fool Proof.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Stuart Woods' Hostile Intent - Book 69:
Stuart Woods' Fool Proof
Stuart Woods' Fool Proof is the 69th book in the Stone Barrington series, published on March 2, 2027, written by Brett Battles, the writer who succeeded Stuart Woods on the series. It follows Stuart Woods' Hostile Intent and is, as of this catalogue, the most recent entry in the reading order.
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Stuart Woods' Fool Proof
About the Stone Barrington series
Stone Barrington is a former NYPD homicide detective turned Manhattan attorney whose real career is trouble: expensive trouble, glamorous trouble, and a body count most law firms would find alarming. Introduced in New York Dead (1991), Stone left the force after a shooting left him with a permanent limp and a pension, and was pulled into private practice by his old partner Dino Bacchetti (who stayed a cop and became his lifelong friend and NYPD contact) and the powerful law firm Woodman & Weld, which uses him for the cases too delicate or too well-connected for its regular partners. What follows across six-plus decades of books is less a detective series than a lifestyle fantasy with a body count: Stone accumulates houses, airplanes, cars, tailored suits, and an ever-revolving cast of glamorous women alongside the actual plots, which mix legal thriller, espionage, and old-fashioned New York crime as Stone's connections (to the CIA, to old money, to Held Barrington family wealth inherited mid-series) pull him into ever-higher stakes.
Stuart Woods wrote the first 63 novels over three decades, developing an easily recognizable house style: short chapters, brisk dialogue, a lot of fine dining and private aviation, and a plot engine built more on incident and connection than deep mystery-plotting. Several other Woods series -- Holly Barker, Ed Eagle, the Rick Barron novels, and the Teddy Fay books -- share Stone's world and cross over with him directly. Woods died in July 2022 partway through what became Near Miss (2023), which credits both Woods and Brett Battles, the thriller novelist who finished it and has written every Stone Barrington novel since under the 'Stuart Woods' name and estate, continuing the character, cast and template with the Woods estate's blessing.
Frequently asked questions
Who writes the Stone Barrington series?
Stuart Woods wrote the series; it was continued by Brett Battles.
How many Stone Barrington books are there?
69 novels are published or formally announced as of August 2026, running from New York Dead (1991) through the forthcoming Stuart Woods' Fool Proof (March 2027).
What order should I read the Stone Barrington books in?
Publication order, starting with New York Dead (1991). The series is heavily serialized around Stone's relationships and status, so reading in sequence matters even though most individual cases are self-contained.
Who writes Stone Barrington now that Stuart Woods has died?
Brett Battles has written every novel since Stuart Woods's death in July 2022. He co-completed Near Miss (2023), which Woods left unfinished, and has written every entry since solo, published under the 'Stuart Woods' name with the blessing of the Woods estate.
When did Stuart Woods die?
Stuart Woods died in July 2022, partway through writing Near Miss, which Brett Battles completed.
Is the Stone Barrington series finished?
No, it is ongoing under Brett Battles. Stuart Woods' Hostile Intent is due November 2026 and Stuart Woods' Fool Proof is announced for March 2027.
If you like the Stone Barrington series
Reading order last verified .