Finders Keepers is a slick, high-octane thriller that keeps the Stone Barrington series alive and well. With Brett Battles stepping in to continue Stuart Woods’ legacy, the novel delivers exactly what fans have come to expect: fast cars, high society, dangerous criminals, and Stone’s signature charm.

The plot centers around a mysterious figure from the past—Jack Coulter, who may or may not be Johnny Fratelli, a man tied to a long-forgotten airport heist. When Stone gets involved, what starts as a favor for a friend quickly spirals into a deadly game of cat and mouse involving mobsters, hidden fortunes, and a trail of bodies.

Battles does a commendable job capturing Woods’ breezy, cinematic style. The pacing is brisk, the dialogue snappy, and the action scenes are well-executed. Stone remains the unflappable, resourceful protagonist, navigating danger with a martini in hand and a clever quip at the ready.

While the plot occasionally leans on familiar tropes, the novel’s strength lies in its escapism. It’s not trying to reinvent the genre—it’s here to entertain, and it does so with flair. Longtime readers will appreciate the continuity, while newcomers can jump in without feeling lost.

Verdict:
Finders Keepers is a fun, fast-paced ride that honors the spirit of Stuart Woods’ original work. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s undeniably entertaining—a solid addition to the Stone Barrington saga. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for my opportunity to review this ARC.

Danger, suspense, violence, and a new romance continue to take front stage in the sixty-sixth book in the Stone Barrington series. This series was started by Stuart Woods and is being continued by Brett Battles. Stuart Woods’ Finders Keepers starts with Stone returning from the newest Arrington property that will open soon in Martha’s Vineyard. Jack Coulter asks Stone to help in settling his niece Sara into city life as she goes through a divorce. However, when both Sara’s and Jack’s pasts catch up with them, lives are in danger and Stone must put the puzzle together before someone dies.

By this time in the series, Stone’s character is well developed. He’s smart, depends on his executive assistant Joan to keep him organized, likes women, enjoys the finer things in life, and is a lawyer. There are always several new characters as well as some visits from characters from previous books giving the series even more continuity. Reconnecting with these old friends was effortless. This includes his best friend New York City Police Commissioner Dino Bacchetti, CIA Director Lance Cabot, and Dame Felicity Devonshire, the head of MI6. I enjoy the interactions and humor that Joan provides. This author has done a great job of capturing the vision of Stuart Woods’ characters while continuing to add nuances that provide even more depth.

In this adventure and crime novel, readers quickly learn the antagonists, but it’s the journey that Stone and his team take that keeps readers flying through the pages from start to finish. While readers get different points of view during the story, it is seamless and flows well and is well-balanced. There are plenty of disreputable, dishonest, and dangerous individuals in this multi-layered plot that is full of twists and a few surprises. Travel is also an expected part of each novel and this one doesn’t disappoint. Trips to Martha’s Vineyard and Stone’s country house in England add to the adventure. While it’s a fast read, it’s also entertaining despite the somewhat expected outcome. Themes include friendship, jealousy, greed, and revenge.

Overall, this was a tense, clever, and exciting novel with danger, action, well-developed characters, and some closed-door romance. I am looking forward to finding out what happens next in the series. If you enjoy quality drama, adventure, and mysteries that are packed with suspense then I recommend that you check out this series. While the series is best read in order, the crimes within this one are self-contained. However, readers would be missing a lot of background and character development.

PENGUIN GROUP Putnam – G.P. Putnam’s Sons and Brett Battles provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for June 03, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

Stuart Woods' "Finders Keepers" by Brett Battles is an absolute triumph, seamlessly capturing the essence of Woods’ long-running series while infusing it with Battles’ distinctive flair. As prolific and well-known authors, both have contributed to a masterpiece that keeps readers riveted from start to finish.

The dialogue throughout the novel is nothing short of excellent—crisp, engaging, and authentic, breathing life into each character and scene. The plot is meticulously crafted, weaving twists and turns that are both surprising and satisfying. It’s brilliantly designed to keep you guessing without ever feeling convoluted.

What truly sets "Finders Keepers" apart are its memorable characters. Each one is well-developed, with distinct personalities that resonate long after the final page is turned. They feel real, their motivations clear and compelling, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journeys.

For fans of the series and newcomers alike, "Finders Keepers" is a must-read. It masterfully combines sharp dialogue, a well-structured plot, and unforgettable characters, all hallmarks of both Woods’ and Battles’ storytelling prowess. Highly recommended!

I never tire of reading what Stone Barrington is up to now. Brett Battles has done a wonderful job in his continuation of this series. Always entertaining and a quick read. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this copy for read and review

Finders Keepers, a Stone Barrington novel originally created by Stuart Woods and now continued by Brett Battles, is a delightfully engaging read. Any author taking on this long-running series faces the challenge of juggling the many identities of Stone Barrington—former police officer, lawyer, businessman, and a man with deep ties to the government, including the CIA. One never quite knows which world Stone will be navigating next.

In this installment, the story ventures into familiar territory: Stone Barrington versus the mob. Yet, despite the recognizable premise, the novel is rich with the kind of page-turning complexity fans have come to expect.

Brett Battles does a commendable job of maintaining the spirit of the original novels. As a long-time reader, I found no noticeable difference between Battles’ writing and that of series creator Stuart Woods. With the usual cast of characters, trademark tension, and a few well-placed laughs, Finders Keepers proves that the series is in good hands—and like the best of Woods’ works, it left me wanting more.

Stone Barrington's old friend Jack Coulter requests Stone’s help in settling his niece Sara into city life post-divorce. However, when various men from Sara’s past start getting hurt, and Jack’s loved ones find themselves a target in a deadly scheme, it’s up to Stone to put the pieces together . . . before the shrouded conspirer manages to tear them all apart, permanently.

This is book #66 in the Stone Barrington series. Stone, always ready to help a damsel in distress, and ready to lend a hand to his friends, was the perfect gentleman. There was witty banter, as well as plenty of dinners out with his best friend, New York City's police commissioner, Dino Bacchetti. With plenty of near-misses, injuries, car crashes & an array of gangsters, this book was a quick, fun read.

Finders Keepers is another Stone Barrington novel that will remind you why you keep reading about this man and the amazing life he leads. This time around Stone again finds himself spending time with his best friend Dino Bacchetti, New York City's police commissioner, spending time with a new love interest while he travels by private jet to England and to his new hotel property in New England. As always, Stone lives a life the rest of us can only aspire to and in the end takes us to places we wish we could visit with people we would both love and hate. Enjoy this easy to read and exciting novel, I did.



I received an ARC for free and gave my honest opinion voluntarily.

When Stone attends lunch with his old friend Jack Colter, Jack asks Stone to help his niece, Sara, get set up with a safe place to live, a good financial advisor and a better divorce lawyer than she has now. When Stone meets with Sara and they begin talking he realizes something strange is happening behind the scenes that she isn't aware of and he is only by chance. And to make things more intriguing, someone from Jack's past is looking for him, when he was not Jack Colter, and he thought that past life was well hidden, but apparently someone has found him, and also decided to try to involve Stone and his friend the Police Commissioner in the plot they are planning. Not good for them, to say the least.

Another good Stone Barrington book. Stone and Dino always have some adventure going on. A lot of twists and turns as you try to figure out who did what. A nice quick read.

Stuart Woods would be happy to know that his characters live on — especially in this exciting new Stone Barrington adventure. It is easy to see that Stone has aged in this novel because it takes him to Chapter 20 before he actually has a woman to bed. The novel features various shady characters all attempting to outsmart each other in their quest for ill gotten gains. There are several surprises along the way and many hospital visits as well as visits to new Arrington hotel properties and to his property in England. Although the story is new, it feels like visiting with people one has known for years. This book is recommended to all who enjoy this genre and I thank NetGalley and Putnam Books for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to its publication.

Brett Battles follows Stuart Woods' successful formula for this newest title in the Stone Barrington series. It's remarkable how many of the people Stone knows who are or have been criminals! I guess you have to have friends in all places. Once again Stone puts himself in danger when he tries to help another millionaire friend (who also happens to have been a crook) and in so doing puts himself and his friends and employees in the crosshairs of unsavory mobsters. The lust for money....

Stone Barrington books are a bit of fluff but always include suspense, humor, travel, and of course, lots of love! Dino, his former partner and current NYPD Police Commissioner, always brings lots of humor and repartee to the stories, and I love how Fred Flicker, Stone's driver and bodyguard and a former British agent, does amazing, heroic things to ensure Stone will be around to have another book.

Always look forward to another entertaining story!

Brett Battles is doing such a great job writing the Stuart Woods’ books! Finders Keepers was so true-to-form with non-stop action, fast pace and lots of drama.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read this ARC.

A friend and client of Stone Barrington is an ex-con who has changed his name for his new life. His former cellmate was serving time for a robbery where his portion was never recovered. When someone recognizes Stone's client, he informs one of the men who participated in the robbery who has been trying to find the
missing robbery money. As he targets Stone's client and family, Stone is trying to identify who is behind the unexpected accidents that have harmed Stone his client's family.
Another quick entertaining read, catching up with Stone and friends.
#StuartWoodsFindersKeepers #PenguinGroupPutnam #NetGalley

Nothing better than an adventure with Stone Barrington and all his fabulous wealthy and famous friends!

A long time, very wealthy and well known client has a past that must be kept hidden or he and his family will be ruined. He has gone to great lengths to keep his past from being discovered with only three of his current friends aware of who he once was. Unfortunately, an unsavory character from his gang past recognizes him, and sets out to confirm what suspects.

He and other gang members put together a series of schemes to recoup what they believe was stolen from them. And, since the target of these various schemes is Stone’s client, he and his best friend, New York City Police Commissioner Dino end up in the thick of things. Fist fights, ambushes, and gun fights follow all mixed in among Bentleys, private jets and fancy formal parties in England.

A fun easy read.

Jack Coulter, an old friend/client, asks Stone for assistance is helping his niece get settled in NYC. Sara is in need of divorce advice and real estate guidance. Stone knows just the lawyer at Woodman & Weld to handle the divorce and a young associate to help in getting her settled in the city. What they don't foresee is that there is someone else interested in Sara's marriage/divorce/dating situations. To add another layer (or two), someone recognizes Jack from his past colorful life which endangers many in his immediate circle.
Stone and Dino with their connections at Strategic Services get involved to discover who is behind these threats.
A fast-paced plot with strong and entertaining characters, Finders Keepers is another great installment in this series.
Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam, Brett Battles and NetGalley for this ARC.

Brett Battles has done it once more~written a practically perfect Stuart Woods story with our perennial love & monied Stone Barrington.
Honestly, who does not adore Stone and his cohorts? From start to finish we are meeting new and welcoming old friends of the handsome
debonair miilionaire. The people he helps are victorious in being rescued, while the gang continue to jet abroad to their nicer home, the
new hotel, and their lovely getaways are just such fun to read about. I only am sad the book is not longer, but each situation was so well
wrapped up that we really must wait for the next offering.
My thanks to J.P. Putnam’s Sons for the download of this book for review purposes.

This is a good addition to the Stuart Woods series. It is a fast enjoyable book with enough plot twists to keep you entertained. I look forward to the next book in this series. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

“Finders Keepers” by Brett Battles is another clever and exciting addition to the Stone Barrington series. Our favorite super wealthy attorney has lunch with a mobster client who has altered his appearance to match his new “straight” life. He is recognized by his past associates who feel they are still owed millions. These gangsters begin to target the mobsters family, Stone and Stone’s loyal sidekicks to ensure collection. As the complex mystery enfolds we are entertained by the unexpected twists, Stones extravagant lifestyle, and his fantastic sense of humor. A quick and entertaining read!

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Battles continues the Stone Barrington series with another jewel in the crown.
Stone is busy trying to track down the person trying to collect millions from his old
friend and former mobster, Jack Coulter, by targeting his family with arranged accidents.
Great collection of his usual sidekicks and a storyline that grabs you and holds you from start to finish.
As always, Stone Barrington is fabulously entertaining with his "oh so over the top" extravagant lifestyle
and friends in high places.
Really fun and totally neutral read, as usual.
No subliminal message attempting to creep into your unsuspected mibd.
Just a really good read.

this was a pretty good read! I think it was a bit predictable and had some unrealistic things going on. I liked the way the story flowed, ad how the storyline progressed. It was an entertaining read

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!