Stone Barrington enters the cutthroat fray of politics in the exceptional new thriller from *New York Times*--bestselling author Stuart Woods.

When Stone Barrington travels to Los Angeles for the biggest political convention of the year, he finds the scene quite shaken up: a dazzling newcomer—and close friend of Stone’s—has given the delegates an unexpected choice, crucial alliances are made and broken behind closed doors, and it seems that more than one seat may be up for grabs.  And amid the ambitious schemers and hangers-on are a few people who may use the chaotic events as cover for more sinister plans. . . .

In this milieu of glad-handing and backroom deals, only the canniest player can come out on top . . . and it will take all of Stone’s discretion and powers of persuasion to arrange a desirable outcome.

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Politics and peril mix in the newest Stone Barrington outing, which features a crucial assist from another familiar Woods’ hero, Santa Fe lawyer Ed Eagle. Stone and his sidekick, Dino, have traveled to Los Angeles, along with Kate Rule Lee, the First Lady–cum–CIA director, who is seeking the presidential nomination on the Democratic ticket. Her competition includes the lascivious vice president and a senator from New Mexico, whom Ed is in town to support. ­Political ­maneuvering isn’t the only thing Stone and his friends are facing: someone has sent a death threat via e-mail to the head of Kate’s Secret Service detail, and Ed’s murderous ex-wife, Barbara, is in town, as thirsty for Ed’s blood as ever. Luckily, Stone has his own canny instincts to go on as well as a powerful ally in Billy Burnett, a former CIA operative and enemy of the state for whom Stone secured a pardon. There’s more than enough action and intrigue to keep the pages turning in this exhilarating outing. --Kristine Huntley

**Praise for CUT AND THRUST

“Politics and peril mix in the newest Stone Barrington outing . . . there’s more than enough action and intrigue to keep the pages turning fast and furious in this exhilerating outing.”—Booklist

“This installment goes down as smoothly as a glass of Knob Creek.”—Publishers Weekly

Praise for Stuart Woods

“High-octane . . . Woods’s blend of exciting action, sophisticated gadgetry, and last-minute heroics doesn’t disappoint.” —Publishers Weekly

“Woods is a perpetual reader-magnet. . . . The pages [fly] by fast and furious.” —Booklist