Stuarts Woods was an American novelist. He was born in Georgia in 1938 and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1959. He then enrolled in the National Guard before moving to New York to start a career in Advertising.
He then moved to London and spent a further 3 years working in advertising before deciding that he wanted a change and he began writing his first novel. It is at this time that he decided to move to Ireland where he lived a solitary life-style, only leaving his home to make money writing adverts for a local television.
He passed in 2022.
Woods moved to Ireland in the 70s and this was where he fell in love with sailing. He spent many years competing in sailing competitions and learning how to be a better sailor. He finally bought his own boat when his Grandfather died and left him some money, so he could afford it. It was then that he took sailing more seriously and spent most of 1974 learning more about sailing.
Woods began writing about his experiences in his yacht races and he was published in 1977, with the book Blue Water, Green Skipper. It seemed like he had found an ideal career based on the thing he loved most, sailing.
His second book was supposed to about another boat race that he was due to take part in, but the race was cancelled due to inclement weather, so he decided to drive around the UK and write a book about his adventures in county inns.
Woods then went on to write his first novel called Chiefs. He made the mistake of selling the book to publishers unfinished because he thought he would have gotten a lot more for it had he waited until the book was finished.
Norton were the company to publish the hard back, but he felt like the company let him down because they didn’t do much to promote the book. He then contacted Bentham Books, who published the paperback and it was much more successful.
In 1983, the book was made into a tv series staring Charlton Heston and Danny Glover. It was aired by CBS over three nights and it ended up being nominated for three Emmy Awards.
The popularity of the tv show meant that more people wanted to read the books and there was renewed interest the paperback version of the books and Woods won the Edgar Award for the Best First Novel.
Woods is one of those authors who are more focused on the series of novels over the standalone. His most popular series is the Stone Barrington Novels. He has just released his 27th novel in the series and he has written 3 more novels, which are set to be released in 2014.
Stone Barrington is a counsel for a law firm. After he finished college, he joined the police and served for 14 years on the force. He left after disagreeing with his superiors and then got a job with the law firm. The novels tell the story of his exploits so far.
In the Stone Barrington novels, Woods is often congratulated for getting the law procedures correct when he has no background in law himself. It is noticed a lot and one fan asked how he gets it all right. He indicates that he is a massive fan of law procedurals such as LA Law and Law & Order, so gets all of his knowledge from there. He has made a few friends who are Lawyers, so if he gets anything wrong, they tell him.
Holly Barker is a character in another series of books that he writes. She is an ex army officer, and navy-brat. She left the army because of a sex scandal and she has to learn how to live the civilian life. She begins her new life as the Chief of Police and she learns just how dangerous her new life is.
Even though Woods has written a number of series, which focus on the life of a single character, the characters from each of the novels do crossover into other series. For example, Stone Barrington appears in the second Holly Barker novel and he also appears in the second novel of the Rick Barron novels.
The Rick Barron novels are only two books deep at the moment. Rick Barron was a police detective and he was demoted after a run in with a higher officer. He gets the job as security for Centurion Pictures but finds himself in the middle of a double murder case in the time period that is said to be the golden age of Hollywood cinema.
The first Rick Barron novel, The Prince of Beverly Hills, was meant to be a standalone novel but Woods ended up writing a sequel after he was bombarded with emails from fans asking him to write another. He has no plans to write another at this moment in time.
After Chiefs was made into a TV series, one of his other books was adapted for TV as well. Grass Roots was made into a TV series in 1993. Since then, no other books have been made for TV.
Woods indicates that he would love it for his other books to be made into movies and if a director has read one of the books and wants to buy the rights, then he encourages the writer to get in touch with his agent.
Some other books have been bought to be made into TV, but nothing ever came of it. Chiefs is available on Netflix now and has a cult following, however Woods has no plans to make more novels based on the characters in the books.
In his personal life, Woods loves to fly, having his own planes and he still sails regularly on his own private yacht. He had married before but it ended in divorce and little is known about this marriage. He has stated that he preferred to live the life of a bachelor, but in 2013 he fell in love and married Jeanmarie Cooper. They have three homes, which they travel between, with their dog Fred.
So so sad that Mr. Woods has passed. His books gave me so.much entertainment, especially Stone Barrington and Teddy Fay. Happy to see that Brett Battles is carrying on under Mr. Woods name. Hope he continues. Reply
Carroll Langtry: 3 months agoI was saddened to hear that Mr Woods passed away a couple of years ago. He was a great storyteller. Whenever I got a new book, I’d get nothing done until I finished reading it! He provided me with countless hours of entertainment. I’m going to miss him! He’s irreplaceable. R.I.P. Mr Woods. Reply
Bob Mee: 3 months agoI am 74 and from Leeds Yorkshire England.I have just finished my first Stuart Woods book.Chiefs,it was given to me by my sister in law.who thought i might like it.Well she was right.The book has been the best boom i have read in years,and i devour books.I wish i had found Stuart’s work a long time ago.Chiefs is fantastic.I now look forward to many hours days months years of reading the books on Kindle or hardback. Reply
Rusty Baker: 5 months agoI just found out about Mr. Woods passing.
My Mother and I have enjoyed his books for years.
I just told my wife the other day I was going to start over with his books from the beginning. I have all of his books about half in hardback the rest paperbacks. Some on my Kindle.
I intend to buy the rest for my Kindle, that I don’t have.
My Mother passed Dec 26 2023 without knowing he had passed. They will both be missed. Reply
I started with a couple of the audio books many years ago. As I read books now, I still hear Tony Roberts voice the characters!! Now I enjoy going to used bookstores and library sales to fill in what I’m missing. Thanks Stuart, for many happy hours of reading. Reply
Marty Graham: 6 months agoOh, I just heard of his passing. My heart is broken and now I won’t even loan any more of his books out. I just bought one today which I assume was and is his last. R>I>P and write for them in heaven 🙂 <3 Reply
Penny Palmatier: 6 months agoI am sorry to have just learned of Mr. Woods passing. My sincere condolences to his Family. I have spent many pleasant hours reading & rereading all of his books. Mr. Wood’s books are a treasure. Reply
Hedy: 7 months agoMiss Mr. Woods books very very much. His character of Stone Barrington is brilliant. I wondered if he would have eventually had Barrington and Holly Barker marry. I am re-reading all of his books. RIP Reply
Donna K: 8 months agoI have loved Stuart Woods books from the time I found them. I am so sorry at his passing but memories of him and his stories will never go away! Reply
HerbErt Fisher: 11 months agoI am truly sorry to hear of his passing. Natuarally my favorite book is “Dirty Works”, and I have introduced more than 20 new fans to Mr. Woods books because of his Herbie Fisher character and I having the same name, Rest in peace, you are still here in your work Reply
Lana: 1 year agoI was saddened to just learn of Mr. Woods’ passing. I have read almost all of his books. I am currently reliving the life of Stone Barrington (my fav). I absolutely love Tony Roberts on the audiobooks. I would love to see the series continued Reply
D Stevens: 1 year agoI just finished Near Miss and must say that I was very disappointed. There was a little plot and the dialogue were short one-liners. Battles cannot compare to Stuart Woods. I am glad I got it from the library and did not waste the money buying it. I have all Stone Barrington novels in my personal library Reply
Ruth Bie Brown: 1 year agoI miss him, and knowing he is “gone” makes me miss him even more as there are no more Stone Barrington books to look forward to. He was indeed one of a kind -I’ve read ALL his books and listened to many on audio. What a wonderful legacy he has left – and thank goodness WE CAN ALL REREAD his words! Reply
Cathy H.: 1 year agoWas deeply saddened to hear Mr. Woods passed away. I have thoroughly enjoyed slowly reading all the Stone Barrington novels in order and am just starting Foul Play. I enjoyed the all the characters, Stone’s lavish lifestyle and the cross over from his other series. Sincere condolences to his family. Reply
Scot O: 2 years agoStarted with Palindrome on a recommendation from a friend. Then Chiefs and all the Will Lee series. Now onto Holly Barker. I love that he went UGA like me, incorporates familiarities of the South like Cumberland island, small town culture, aeronautics, sailing, firearms, and how he crosses over characters. The summary should have also included how Holly Barker shows up in the Will Lee series and how the Villains (not to spoil it) also show up in a couple series. Amazing how prolific Woods was with up to 3 or 4 books a year sometimes. Rest in Peace Mr Woods. And Go Dawgs!! Reply
Ilene Lane: 2 years agoI just discovered today that Stuart Woods passed away last year. I felt as though he would be here for a lifetime, but just wishful thinking. I’m quite sadded about his passing. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading his books and hope to read all before I pass. Easy reading and quite enjoyable. Thank you Mr. Woods for all the reading enjoyment you have given your fans. Hugs Reply
Clarence Richardson: 2 years agoStuart Woods books are great. With a bout of Covid and the pandemic I have read 32 of his books. Looking to reading all of his work. Reply
ANTHONY LETTEREL SR.: 2 years agoI GOT TURNED ON TO STUART WOODS BY THE LIBRAIAN IN MY LOCAL LIBRARY. NEEDLESS TO SAY I’VE READ ABOUT 27 OF HIS BOOKS TO DATE THRU THE PANDEMIC. MY FAVORITE IS TEDDY FAY. I’M SORRY TO HEAR OF MR. WOODS PASING, HE HAS GIVEN ME COUNTLESS HOURS OF READING PLEASURE. RIP Reply
Andrea: 2 years ago I am going to miss Stone Barrington… Reply Dottie Williams: 2 years agoSo sorry to hear of his passing. The Stone Barrington series was very entertaining and I wonder if it will be continued with his co-writer? Also, Tony Roberts characterizations are a joy to listen to. Reply
Tommy G Henry: 2 years agoLove Stuart Woods writing. I am proud to say that I own ALL of his books in hardback, many of them are first editions. My Grandson will have quite am extensive library when I pass on from this world Reply
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