I like Stuart Woods’ Holly Barker series. I love his Stone Barrington series (with the possible exception of Two Dollar Bill). But his writing is never breezier, more instant wish-fulfillment than it is when he writes of his character Rick Barton. In The Prince of Beverly Hills, Rick’s first outing, our hero moves up from beat cop to studio security head to motion picture tycoon to war hero and gets the glamor-girl movie star in no time flat– the girl, the gold watch, everything. In this second installment of his story, post WWII Rick helps fight the dragon of cold-war commie hunters, the menacing red scare of the 1940s, when his friend, former New York playwright Sidney Brooks, is subpoenaed by the House Un-American Activities Committee.
That story is almost overridden by the filming of a gritty Western Sid has written and Rick is filming in not-yet-discovered Jackson Hole, WY. It’s a fun ride and while the Oscars pore in, Sid’s life is restored, and Rick’s partner literally buys the ranch. Even in Woods’ world, it’s mystery lite.
