Helpful Score: 1
I have long been a fan of Stuart Woods, but this is my first Holly Barker book (this is 3rd in the series). She's a fast-thinking, smart-mouthed police chief that will go to any extremes to keep her town safe and gets herself in deep trouble doing it. Easy, fast read.
I liked this book.
A Holly Barker police novel. Whitty & entertaining.
From Publishers Weekly
In Woods's 24th novel-his third in the Holly Barker series (after Orchid Blues)-the prolific bestselling novelist revisits savvy, sexy ex-MP officer (and her dog, Daisy), now police chief of the small Florida east coast town of Orchid Beach. As the fast-paced but fluffy and rather predictable thriller begins, two out of three Miami bidders for a glitzy, gated residential complex with golf course are shot and killed. The third bidder, orchid fancier Ed Shine, a former New York real estate mogul and new resident of Orchid Beach, narrowly escapes the same fate. Shine renames his newly acquired property Blood Orchid, after an exotic hybrid blossom he has developed-a name that seems gruesomely prophetic when it turns out that the Miami mob may be involved with the property. Meanwhile, Barker, investigating the case and trying to discover who is bugging her beach house, spots the intruder's van from the plane of her flying instructor, Ginny (who is also her dad Ham's new bedmate). The two women make an emergency landing on the beach and scare the perp away, but his body is soon found floating in the Indian River. The trail leads to a shifty Cuban locksmith in Fort Lauderdale and the late intruder's fiance. Enter a Miami restaurateur with mob ties, and corpses pile up as the plot thickens.
In Woods's 24th novel-his third in the Holly Barker series (after Orchid Blues)-the prolific bestselling novelist revisits savvy, sexy ex-MP officer (and her dog, Daisy), now police chief of the small Florida east coast town of Orchid Beach. As the fast-paced but fluffy and rather predictable thriller begins, two out of three Miami bidders for a glitzy, gated residential complex with golf course are shot and killed. The third bidder, orchid fancier Ed Shine, a former New York real estate mogul and new resident of Orchid Beach, narrowly escapes the same fate. Shine renames his newly acquired property Blood Orchid, after an exotic hybrid blossom he has developed-a name that seems gruesomely prophetic when it turns out that the Miami mob may be involved with the property. Meanwhile, Barker, investigating the case and trying to discover who is bugging her beach house, spots the intruder's van from the plane of her flying instructor, Ginny (who is also her dad Ham's new bedmate). The two women make an emergency landing on the beach and scare the perp away, but his body is soon found floating in the Indian River. The trail leads to a shifty Cuban locksmith in Fort Lauderdale and the late intruder's fiance. Enter a Miami restaurateur with mob ties, and corpses pile up as the plot thickens.
name of ed shines favorite flower and his lastest real estate venture new town to the town,the dapper developer meets holly ,her father,ham ,her wily doberman,daisy .just as holly is trying to get life back bullets crash into the home of a friend and a floaater is found bobbing in the waterway.
This was a fascinating thriller with memorable characters. I loved it!
Good mystery book.
VERY GOOD
Another in the infamous Holly Barker series, brings her back to the same place from a previous adventure.
Really good Holly Barker mystery.
Just discovered this author and I can't get enough of him..enjoy!
First of three in a new series. Great read.
One in Woods' series about Holly Barker, the new Chief of Police of Orchid Beach, Florida, an interesting read about a feisty character who has to work harder in her job to prove she can do it
Main character Holly Barker returns in this novel for her third adventure. The book follows her as she attempts to track down a murderer who targets potential investors of a local property. Filled with plenty of action and a touch of romance, this suspense novel is the perfect weekend read.
Full of bodies and a smart heroine.
Good book!
Another fast-paced mystery novel by Stuart Woods. If you have read any of his other novels, you will love this novel. The heroine, Holly, is a sheriff in a small town where a murder takes place. Her investigation leads her to places she never imagined. Even her father and his new girlfriend get involved.
Blood Orchid: the name of Ed Shine's favorite flower--and his latest real-estate venture. New to town, the dapper developer makes the acquaintance of Holly, her father, Ham, and her wily Doberman, Daisy, just as Holly is trying to get her life back together after the shattering loss of someone very close to her. But before she can settle back into her routine, bullets crash into the home of a friend and a floater is found bobbing in the Intercoastal Waterway. Joining forces with a handsome FBI agent, Holly tracks the clues straight back to their source, only to find a scam more lucrative and more dangerous than any this idyllic town--and Holly--has ever seen.....
This is the 3rd in the Holly Barker series ... pretty good, kept me entertained. Plot was fairly well-developed with only a minimum of what I call "author contrivances." Best part of this book is that Holly has a new love interest! If you're reading the Holly Barker series, then it's worth your time to read this one as well.
One of my favorite books. Enjoyable.
Great series with Holly Barker.
Chief of Police Holly Barker battles a nasty real estate scam even as she recovers from the loss of her fiancé.
I enjoyed this book.
"Stuart Woods, famous for his Stone Barrington private eye novels, has created a whole new series with its own unique voice. The Holly Barker police procedurals are fun to read because the author imbues a subtle sense of humor in many of the characters....Mr. Woods just keeps getting better with each book he writes." BookBrowser
Stuart Wood's books are great for reading on airplanes, trains and busses. This one is no exception, fast moving, a little outrageous and just fun to read.
Holly Barker is a fun character.
Stuart Woods is the King of "beach reading" for mystery fans. This is one of my favorites.
Standard Stuart Woods Suspense. One of the Holly Barker police series. A good read.
LOTS OF ACTION IN THIS HOLLY BARKER BOOK.
Holly Barker, police chief of a small Florida town, is there when a new real estate developer in town is shot at by a sniper. Next a really cute FBI guy comes to town and she has a good time with him while shooters to the left and shooters to the right come after them. With the help of her trusty dog, Daisy, Holly goes after the bad guys. The plot is a little loose with a few holes here and there and pretty predictable after no more than half way in. The characters are not particularly well developed, but the ones who should be likable are, and the bad guys are painted with shades of gray instead of in black and white. Overall, it is an entertaining read that is not overly taxing.
I'm new to Stuart Woods, and just love the Holly Barker series. Can't wait to read the next one Iron Orchid. Very entertaining, with enough suspense so you don't want to put down the book until finished.
IMHO, poorly written, shallow characters
I didn't consider this third installment of the four part series to be as good as the first two; none the less I've recently received Iron Orchid and I'm willing to give Holly another shot. But that being said, you just have to love that dog.
Blood Orchid: the name of Ed Shine's favorite flower-and his latest real estate venture. New to town, the dapper developer makes the acquaintance of Holly, her father, Ham, and her wily Doberman, Daisy, just as Holly is trying to get her life back together after the shattering loss of someone very close to her. But before she can settle back into her routine, bullets crash into the home of a friend and a floater is found bobbing in the Intercoatal Waterway. Joining forces with a handsome FBI agent, Holly tracks the clues straight back to their source, only to find a scam more lucrative and more dangerous than any this idyllic town-and Holly-has ever seen.
Very good read, the story pulls you in and it's next to impossible to put the book down.
Very good read, the story pulls you in and it's next to impossible to put the book down.
Excellent story line and love the characters
