Ronald A. (rarendt) reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 107 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Stuart Woods used to be a better writer than this. I started reading him when he wrote his first hit "Chiefs", and have read (or at least started) everything he has written up to this book. His early work was always worth reading with a lot of different and interesting characters and entertaining plots. Somewhere along the line, sometime within the last five years, success seems to have spoiled him.
This book was, at least, not another Stone Barrington bedroom marathon; it was a stand-alone piece set in the pre-WW2 Hollywood film community. The hero, as usual, is a hunk, a Beverly Hills policeman, recently demoted from detective for sexuasl pecadillos, who stretches the law one night to save the skin of a fictitious movie leading man, and, as a result, becomes head of secfurity for a studio. He seems to just fall into everything after that, great cars, good looking women (Wood never writes about any plain-looking people), drinks and dinner with the Holltywood elite.... I didn't finish the book, so things may have got more interesting after the first 150 pages, but my remaining life span is probably too short, and there are too many other books I really want to read. Probably a good airplane or beach book; you won't really care if you forget it on the plane or in the sand.
This book was, at least, not another Stone Barrington bedroom marathon; it was a stand-alone piece set in the pre-WW2 Hollywood film community. The hero, as usual, is a hunk, a Beverly Hills policeman, recently demoted from detective for sexuasl pecadillos, who stretches the law one night to save the skin of a fictitious movie leading man, and, as a result, becomes head of secfurity for a studio. He seems to just fall into everything after that, great cars, good looking women (Wood never writes about any plain-looking people), drinks and dinner with the Holltywood elite.... I didn't finish the book, so things may have got more interesting after the first 150 pages, but my remaining life span is probably too short, and there are too many other books I really want to read. Probably a good airplane or beach book; you won't really care if you forget it on the plane or in the sand.
Cindy H. (catnip38) reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 156 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A brash detective enters the Hollywood fast lane - jammed with the sort of wealth, glamour, and blackmail that made the town famous. After a run-in with his Captain, Rick Barron, finds himself demoted, but soon lands a job on the security detail for Centurion, one of the hottest studies in town. When he unearths a murder cover-up and a blackmail scam, he finds himself up against West Coast wise guys whose stakes are do-or-die...
Martha M. (HorseLadyRI) reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 23 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
One of Stuart Woods' better books in my opinion. The charactors are well defined, flaws and all. Fun mystery book about the working of the movie business and Hollywood stars, their egos and eccentricities, and the detective who protects one of Hollywood's most elite actors
Christine P. (chrissy77) reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 149 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A recently demoted police detective gets caught up in the privileged and often dangerous world of 1939 Hollywood in Wood's solid 29th novel. His first night back in uniform, Rick Barron witnesses a car accident in which Clete Barrow, a drunk Hollywood A-lister, is involved. Though the other driver dies, Rick performs "Hollywood damage control," whisking Clete away from the scene. Centurion Studios' vice-president, grateful for Rick's "professional ethics," offers him the director of security post previously held by John Kean, who died in a suspicious murder-suicide a month earlier. Rick delivers Clete to the sets on time and keeps the star's drinking problem in check while dining at restaurants buzzing with vintage Hollywood royalty like Greta Garbo, Jack Benny and Spencer Tracy. He also comes to the studio's rescue again by covering up gorgeous starlet Glenna Gleason's apparent suicide attempt and budding actress Martha Werner's botched abortion. X-rated pictures that Rick finds in Kean's old safe get him into discussions with L.A. mob boss Bugsy Siegal while ducking blows from his henchman, Chick Stampano, who, along with Glenna and the Keans, appears in those pics. While romancing Glenna and gaining heroic notoriety, Rick learns of Stampano's involvement in a variety of crime scenes and, after the violence notches up, the men square off in an exciting head-to-head climax. Woods's sturdy, self-assured crime thriller is satisfying enough to expand an already immense fan base.
Linda S. (divelady) reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 10 more book reviews
A brash detective enters the Hollywood scene and finds himself up against th West Coast wise guys whose stakes are do-or-die. A fun read.
Pat L. (Askpat) - reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 108 more book reviews
ANOTHER GREAT BOOK BY STUART WOODS - One of my favorite authors.
great book!!
Katherine T. (KathyDawg) reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 121 more book reviews
Fun Book. Written in a 1940's style. Easy read, good yarn. Reminded me of all the black and white movies!
Another New York Times bestseller from Stuart Woods-not a Stone Barrington series.
John W. (OmahaJohn) reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 54 more book reviews
I enjoyed all of this series of books.
Not part of any Stuart Woods series, i.e. Holly Barker or Stone Barrington.
Patricia H. (beachcomber) reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 320 more book reviews
Stuart Woods has another hit
Carolyn N. (WhenPigsFly) reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 56 more book reviews
Come ride the fast lanes of LA along with Beverly Hills' Detective Rick Barron and go into LALA land into one of the Hot Hot studios. Good fast read -- action, drama, the requisite hot bed scenes,== murder, blackmail. What more can you want? Come enjoy this new thriller.
Judy B. (jdyinva) -
As usual, a great Woods book. Really enjoyed it.
Mary Ann J. (marishka) -
Fun read for mid-century genre lovers-- set in the early 40's and written like one of the 40's movies.
Donna C. (g-ma) reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 3160 more book reviews
I gave up on Stuart Woods a long time ago, he writes his characters like puppets with puppet dialogue
Cyndi V. (cyndinittany) - , reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 10 more book reviews
Really enjoyed this. Woods continues to hold readers' interests and gives a very fast, compelling story.
Gail S. (gail7254) reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 117 more book reviews
This is a very fast action packed thriller.
Penny T. (iluvmysteries) reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 431 more book reviews
I really enjoy Stuart Woods' books.
Mary Elaine L. (Laney) reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 911 more book reviews
A good read.
fast paced, easy read, another terrific novel from woods.
Virginia P. (whodunit1951) reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 7 more book reviews
This was a nail biter!! It had a surprising first-hand account of Hollywood superstars and the politics of the movers and shakers in town. Woods, as usual weaves a fab tale that keeps you on the edge more often than expected. The last chapter is a screamer with an awesome twist! You will NOT be disappointed!
This is a bit different from the normal Start Woods, however, it is a good book.
Tracy H. (tlhorgan) reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 18 more book reviews
From Publishers Weekly
A recently demoted police detective gets caught up in the privileged and often dangerous world of 1939 Hollywood in Wood's solid 29th novel. His first night back in uniform, Rick Barron witnesses a car accident in which Clete Barrow, a drunk Hollywood A-lister, is involved. Though the other driver dies, Rick performs "Hollywood damage control," whisking Clete away from the scene. Centurion Studios' vice-president, grateful for Rick's "professional ethics," offers him the director of security post previously held by John Kean, who died in a suspicious murder-suicide a month earlier. Rick delivers Clete to the sets on time and keeps the star's drinking problem in check while dining at restaurants buzzing with vintage Hollywood royalty like Greta Garbo, Jack Benny and Spencer Tracy. He also comes to the studio's rescue again by covering up gorgeous starlet Glenna Gleason's apparent suicide attempt and budding actress Martha Werner's botched abortion. X-rated pictures that Rick finds in Kean's old safe get him into discussions with L.A. mob boss Bugsy Siegal while ducking blows from his henchman, Chick Stampano, who, along with Glenna and the Keans, appears in those pics. While romancing Glenna and gaining heroic notoriety, Rick learns of Stampano's involvement in a variety of crime scenes and, after the violence notches up, the men square off in an exciting head-to-head climax. Woods's sturdy, self-assured crime thriller is satisfying enough to expand an already immense fan base.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
My take:
Not bad, but not as good as some of Stuart Wood's other books. It is easily scripted to be made into a movie. If you like the glitz of Hollywood and the WWII era, you'll probably like it.
A recently demoted police detective gets caught up in the privileged and often dangerous world of 1939 Hollywood in Wood's solid 29th novel. His first night back in uniform, Rick Barron witnesses a car accident in which Clete Barrow, a drunk Hollywood A-lister, is involved. Though the other driver dies, Rick performs "Hollywood damage control," whisking Clete away from the scene. Centurion Studios' vice-president, grateful for Rick's "professional ethics," offers him the director of security post previously held by John Kean, who died in a suspicious murder-suicide a month earlier. Rick delivers Clete to the sets on time and keeps the star's drinking problem in check while dining at restaurants buzzing with vintage Hollywood royalty like Greta Garbo, Jack Benny and Spencer Tracy. He also comes to the studio's rescue again by covering up gorgeous starlet Glenna Gleason's apparent suicide attempt and budding actress Martha Werner's botched abortion. X-rated pictures that Rick finds in Kean's old safe get him into discussions with L.A. mob boss Bugsy Siegal while ducking blows from his henchman, Chick Stampano, who, along with Glenna and the Keans, appears in those pics. While romancing Glenna and gaining heroic notoriety, Rick learns of Stampano's involvement in a variety of crime scenes and, after the violence notches up, the men square off in an exciting head-to-head climax. Woods's sturdy, self-assured crime thriller is satisfying enough to expand an already immense fan base.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
My take:
Not bad, but not as good as some of Stuart Wood's other books. It is easily scripted to be made into a movie. If you like the glitz of Hollywood and the WWII era, you'll probably like it.
Another "Barrington" winner!
Sandra S. (KittyLover) reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 33 more book reviews
Not one of Woods' best but I loved it just the same. He can't write enough books to keep me happy.
Linda K. (readingyoga-fan) reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 143 more book reviews
A brash detective enters the Hollywood fast lane...jammed with the sort of wealth, glamour and blackmail that made the town famous.
Leah P. (classicone) reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 314 more book reviews
Woods has a new character on the scene in Hollywood to rub shoulders and care for the movie stars of the early 1940's.
Calmia Y. (underwriter) reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 219 more book reviews
VERY ENTERTAINING A TERRIFIC READ
Great Read. 1940's Hollywood Story.
A real thriller.
It's Hollywoods Golden Age and Rick Barron is a suave and sharp detective on the Beverly Hills force. After a run-in with his captain, he finds himself demoted, but soon lands a job on the security detail for Centurion, one of the hottest studio's in town. Rick in dubbed the Prince of Beverly HIlls by society columnists. But when he unearths a murder cover-up and a blackmail scam, he finds himself up against West Coast wise guys whose stakes are do-or-die. Another great Stuart Woods book. A must read for his fans.
A period novel about Hollywood. A cop covers up a celebrity's involvement in an auto accident. He is hired as the studios head of security and handles many other incidents. Not the usual Woods but very good.
I really like this author, all of his books are good!
Good Book
Earl H. (squirrelly) reviewed The Prince of Beverly Hills (Rick Barron, Bk 1) on + 588 more book reviews
a brash detective enters the Hollywood fast lane--jammed with the sort of wealth, glamour and blackmail that made the town famous--in this new thriller by the bestselling author of the Stone Barrington series.
It's Hollywood's Golden Age, and Rick Barron is a suave and sharp detective on the Beverly Hills force. After a run-in with his captain, he finds himself demoted, but soon lands a job on the security detail for Centurion, one of the hottest studios in town. The white knight of such movie stars as Clete Barrow, the British leading man with a penchant for parties, and Glenna Gleason, a peach of a talent on the verge of superstardom, Rick is dubbed "The Prince of Beverly Hills" by society columnists. But when he unearths a murder cover-up and a blackmail scam, he finds himself up against West Coast wise guys whos stakes are to--or die...
It's Hollywood's Golden Age, and Rick Barron is a suave and sharp detective on the Beverly Hills force. After a run-in with his captain, he finds himself demoted, but soon lands a job on the security detail for Centurion, one of the hottest studios in town. The white knight of such movie stars as Clete Barrow, the British leading man with a penchant for parties, and Glenna Gleason, a peach of a talent on the verge of superstardom, Rick is dubbed "The Prince of Beverly Hills" by society columnists. But when he unearths a murder cover-up and a blackmail scam, he finds himself up against West Coast wise guys whos stakes are to--or die...
Good Read!
A brash detective enters the Hollywood fast lane--jammed with the sort of wealth, glamour and blackmail that made the town famous - in this new thriller by the bestselling author of the Stone Barrington series.
It's Hollywood's Golden Ave, and Rick Barron is a suave and sharp detective on the Beverly Hills force. After a run-in with his captain, he finds himself demoted, but soon lands a job on the security detail for Centurion, one of the hottest studios in town. The white knight of such movie stars as Clete Barrow, the British leading man with a penchant for parties, and Glenna Gleason, a peach of a talent of the verge of superstardom, Rick is dubbed "the Prince of Beverly Hills" by society columnists. But when he unearths a murder, cover-up and a blackmail scam, he finds himself up against West Coast wise guys whose stakes are do-or-die...
This was an excellent read, I couldn't put it down.
It's Hollywood's Golden Ave, and Rick Barron is a suave and sharp detective on the Beverly Hills force. After a run-in with his captain, he finds himself demoted, but soon lands a job on the security detail for Centurion, one of the hottest studios in town. The white knight of such movie stars as Clete Barrow, the British leading man with a penchant for parties, and Glenna Gleason, a peach of a talent of the verge of superstardom, Rick is dubbed "the Prince of Beverly Hills" by society columnists. But when he unearths a murder, cover-up and a blackmail scam, he finds himself up against West Coast wise guys whose stakes are do-or-die...
This was an excellent read, I couldn't put it down.
