Book Reviews of Iron Orchid

Stuart Woods is such a good writer and storyteller and his characters are like you know them. I usually don't like government stories but his characters are great and he knows how to keep you on edge.

The best of the HOlly Barker series.

Pretty good book. Surprising ending, which makes me wonder how the next one will be. Of course lots of overlap between the many Woods' characters with Stone Barrington and Will Lee involved. Recommended.

Light yet fast paced. My first Holly Barker novel.

Stuart Woods is a very polished writer and I enjoy his books, particularly the Holly Barker novels.

Having ditched her Orchid Beach, Fla., police chief post, returning supersleuth Holly Barker opts for a CIA career in Woods's by-the-numbers thriller, the fourth in the Barker series (Blood Orchid). Barely through basic training at a highly regimented CIA "training farm," Barker's class is suddenly enlisted to track down calculating killer (and opera buff) Teddy Fay (first seen in Woods's Capital Crimes). An ex-CIA agent himself, Fay uses insider information to continue assassinating international political figures who also happen to be enemies of the U.S. Barker stakes out the Metropolitan Opera House, and narrowly misses Teddy in disguise in several contrived set pieces. The narrative accelerates from a somewhat sluggish first half when CIA operatives' solid deliberation moves Barker ever closer to nabbing the elusive Fay—who, by the way, lives mere blocks away from her. But Fay dupes the CIA again, with the help of a Santa Claus costume, and assassinates a Saudi prince before vanishing. Woods's latest lacks the urgent plotting and bracing thrills needed to make it truly memorable, and though Barker is a tough, formidable protagonist, the question remains why she, after absconding with over $5.5 million in untraceable drug money, bothers to clock in at all. Only Barker's dog, Daisy the Doberman, knows for sure.

great book was really a very interesting story

Holly Barker is back again, this time working for the CIA. Woods is a master storyteller and his books are full of action and great plots.

ok but not his best

great book..the third in a series of Stuart Woods character Holly Barker's escapades!!

My dad loves these books!

Excellent book, but does not show as much of Holly Barker as the other three Orchid series do.

Good read but a couple of factual errors detracted from the story for me.

If you like Stuart Woods, this Holly Barker novel is really good!

All of Wood's Orchid with Holly Baker books have been good and this one is no different.

Holly Barker, ex-M.P. and more recently small town police chief, moves up with recruitment by the CIA. Her training moves fast; in fact, she's put into the field to help catch an ex-Agency rogue terrorist before her Virginia course is complete. Carrington MacDuffie is a good storyteller, and she easily steps into Barker's persona, capturing her intuitive style and her appealing grit and determination. However, MacDuffie doesn't give quite enough character delineation to help listeners keep the array of FBI, CIA, and NYPD cops completely sorted out, and following who is speaking is often hard. The cloak-and-dagger story of catching a "trained agent gone bad" and MacDuffie's good pacing and tempo do make this a solid entry in Woods's evolving series.

Teddy Fay rides again in this Holly Barker novel -- a quick-paced read, lots of fun, surprising twists, great characters. Highly recommended!

Another step in Holly Barkers carrer now working for the CIA trying to catch Teddy Fay.

I happened a fan of Sturt Woods. I especilly like the Holly Barker series.I knew that I would,most likely, enjoy the book. I FOUND THE BEST hOLLY bARKER NOVEL SO FAR.

A Holly Barker Novel/ Police Procedural

** MY copy is "specially designed for comfortable reading" **

This is a Holly Barker novel. In this one she goes after an ex-CIA agent gone bad.

This is a Woods' fan's DREAM. Cast of characters includes President Will Lee, Holly Barker (and Daisy, of course), Stone Barrington and Dino. What a TREAT!

specially designed for comfortable reading

A Holly Barker novel, set in New York City. CIA, FBI - excitement and a great read.

When his plane exploded off the coast of Maine, authorities thought they had seen the last of Teddy Fay, the former CIA tech wizard who killed his political targets for sport. But then they find irrefutable evidence that he is alive and up to his old tricks. Now working for the CIA, Holly Barker joins the elite task force tracking Fay in New York City. As he begins to pick off America's enemies one by one, Holly unexpectedly finds herself face-to-face with the killer, kick-starting a high speed chase through the canyons of midtown Manhattan, the Metropolitan Opera, Central Park, and the United Nations-all to prevent another assassination before Fay disappears again...maybe this time for good.
-----------this was an excellent story impossible to put it down.

Good book, off ending though....

Having ditched her Orchid Beach, Fla., police chief post, returning supersleuth Holly Barker opts for a CIA career in Woods's by-the-numbers thriller, the fourth in the Barker series (Blood Orchid). Barely through basic training at a highly regimented CIA "training farm," Barker's class is suddenly enlisted to track down calculating killer (and opera buff) Teddy Fay (first seen in Woods's Capital Crimes).

Holly Barker's first assignment since joining the CIA. Fast paced with lots of action. Very good book

GREAT STORY THAT KEPT MOVING ALONG .

A Holly Barker novel. I found it a little slow, although I did like the villain and hoped he would excape. Not his best effort.

really good book to read, slow in the start but good finish.

The latest Holly Barker novel with some of Woods' other old characters thrown in for bit part-appearences. Very good!!

This Stuart Woods book is good but doesn't have the depth of the other Woods books I've read. However, if you are looking for a light read this will fill the bill!

This is the 4th book in the Holly Barker series. As usual, Stuart Woods hits a home run.

I really liked it, but I like all of his books.

I'd never read a Holly Barker novel...this was great!

Great read!

Love Stuart Woods, he can't write them fast enough for me. This one was a little slow and I thought Holly Barker would be involved with Stone Barrington more. Maybe she will be in later books as she's now moved to NYC. I loved the injeniuty of the villian Teddy Fay, he was great and maybe he'll surface again, who knows!

When his plane explodes off the coast of Maine, authorities thought they had seen the last of Teddy Fay, the former CIA tech wizard who killed his political targets for sport. Now working for the CIA, Holly Barker joins the elite task force tracking Fay in NYC.

Holly Barker mysteries are the absolute best! Kept me from sleeping til I finished it.

Stuart Woods brings all of his characters to visit together in this book. Holly Barker finally joins the CIA. Lot's of future books out of this one.

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