Stuart Woods, who created the Stone Barrington character and has written more than 90 novels, passed away in his sleep on July 22nd at his home in Connecticut. He was 84 years old.
The Edgar Award-winning author was known for his exciting action thriller novels and liked to live that life to an extent himself. He was the owner of a Cessna Citation Mustang jet, a Hinckley T38 R power boat, and part-owned an antique motor yacht.
Woods first launched his Stone Barrington series in 1991 with New York Dead. Barrington is an ex-NYPD cop who had different ideals than his superiors. That series alone has 63 entries, and is still ongoing. Other series Woods created include the Will Lee, Holly Barker, Ed Eagle, and Teddy Fay series. All of the series are connected and include appearances from characters from other series.
None of Woods’ Stone Barrington novels have been adapted to film to date. However, his Will Lee novel Chiefs was made into a television mini-series starring Charlton Heston. Another Will Lee novel, Grass Roots was adapted into a TV movie in 1992, starring Corbin Bernsen and Donzaleigh Abernathy.
As of late, Stuart had delegated much of his work to co-authors, including Parnell Hall and Bryon Quertermous. Fortunately for fans of his work, this means that in all likelihood, his characters will live on.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanmarie.