A Delicate Touch

At the start of bestseller Woods’s suspenseful, twisty 48th Stone Barrington novel (after Desperate Measures), lawyer Stone arranges for a safe located in the Brooklyn mansion of the late Eduardo Bianchi, “a mysteriously powerful man reputed to have been at the top of the Mafia,” to be opened on the behalf of Eduardo’s grown daughter. Inside, besides millions in cash, are criminal histories prepared by Eduardo of a number of high-level mob bosses, all of whom are dead, except for Henry Thomas, formerly Gianni Tommassini. Long ago, Henry founded an investment bank, “with much of its original funding from the Five Families.” Henry’s son, Jack, has run the bank for the last 20 years, and Jack’s son, Henry II, is a popular New York congressman. What are the Thomases up to now? Stone joins forces with comely New York Times reporter Jamie Cox to find out. Meanwhile, Henry becomes aware that Stone is on his trail and orders his henchmen to use any means to stop Stone. As usual, Woods tells a fast, enjoyable crime story seasoned with tantalizing views of the lifestyles of the rich. Agent: Anne Sibbald, Janklow & Nesbit. (Jan.)