Unintended Consequences: A Stone Barrington Novel

At the start of Edgar-winner Woods’s slick 26th Stone Barrington novel (after Collateral Damage), the New York City attorney awakens in a hospital bed in the American embassy in Paris with no memory of the previous four days and no idea why he’s in Paris. Once released, Barrington accepts a dinner invitation from wealthy businessman Marcel duBois, who soon sells him a newly produced luxury automobile at the bargain price of $225,000. Further talks with duBois, including security arrangements for the tycoon and discussions of how he might be of use to new CIA director Lance Cabot, result in a trip to New York for both Barrington and duBois. A mysterious Russian named Majorov keeps popping up, and various attempts are made on the lives of Barrington and duBois, though most are quickly countered. Barrington, smooth as silk whether making a multimillion dollar deal, bedding attractive women, or acting heroically, makes everything look much too easy. Agent: Anne Sibbald, Janklow & Nesbit. (Apr.)