Holly Barker, Secretary of State, and Stone's lover, is trying to decide whether or not to announce her campaign for president. Before she can do so, she has to determine if there is a mole in the department. Her deputy secretary, Maclean McIntosh, has informed her that an intercept had the same language he used in a speech delivered for the agency. Stone, who is a special advisor to Lance Cabot, CIA director, is invited to attend a party in which a Russian oligarch is attending. He continues to cross paths with the Russian, as well as others. Suspecting they may be spies, Stone must do his best to avoid tipping the CIA's hand too early, but also to save the country from secrets being given to the Russians.
As usual, a lot of gratuitous sex with multiple women, extreme wealth and shopping, and jetting all over. Mindless fun. To be continued. ( )

As much as I love Stuart Woods and Stone Barrington I was sort of disappointed in this book. There was more sleeping around with any woman that made Stone's acquaintance than ever and it was downright boring. I was also disappointed in the way the book ended. I was looking for more after Betty was killed and Stone had to tell Vanessa. What if anything did Vanessa know about her mother's spy operation? I think there should have been more to the story line aside from all the sex that went on. ( )

Stone is asked by part-time girlfriend and Secretary of State Holly Barker to help uncover a Russian mole in the State Department, paired with a fake female journalist. Also, now a CIA Deputy Director, Stone is asked by Lance Cabot to investigate Peter Grant, who seems to be a serf to Russian oligarch, Yevgeny Checkov. Chekhov and Stone have both profited from a recent IPO: Checkov wants insider information and Stone buys a Gulfstream 500. I think Stone may have broken his own record for sexual conquests in one book (four.) A fairly intricate plot, weaving in the usual haunts: Paris, Maine, NYC, Martha's Vineyard, with increasing spy elements and reduced crime solving than the earlier novels. ( )

This one was better than previous with mystery about Russian spy. Stone also got a new toy, you'll never guess.... a Gulfstream! His sexcapade continues more so than before to the point I stop paying attention. ( )

Oh my, good story, but....if I hear the word “scrambled” one more time...we get it, Stuart Woods! ( )