I started out looking for the newest Stuart Woods book currently in the bookstores at the local library and found a couple I hadn't read yet, but not the newest one.

Hothouse Orchid is one of the Holly Barker series. This time there is a vicious rapist, turned serial killer on the loose -- and Teddy, the retired CIA agent who takes care of bad people in his own way (and is being pursued because of it) is also there, donning one of his many disguises.

The odds of him showing up where Holly Barker has a house and her father lives with his wife, and him not knowing it, are about nil in real life but spot on for the novel.

This book is a little more graphic and vicious than I prefer to read, but I like the characters. I like Holly. I like her father. I like Holly's dog. I like Lance, her superior.

And as any book by Stuart Woods, it is very well written.

Teddy takes a personal interest in dealing with the killer, and in doing so, complicates the situation as well as makes it solvable. There are a number of believable red herrings.

Holly has been given an enforced vacation, along with a pay raise and a promotion. But the vacation turns into work.

Since she was home the last time, major renovations have been done to her house by the agency to make it impenetrable. What are the odds that she would leave her attack dog at her father's to sleep while she heads off into the darkness alone and is confronted by the killer who renders his victims unconscious? I mean, this is a bright woman, yes? If her house needs all that reinforcement, would it be smart for her to travel alone down a deserted dark road, minus her dog?

Ditto for the operation they set up to catch the perpetrator. Lucky for them it works.

Meantime we have two sets of lovers finding love -- even Teddy who is willing to keep one alias.

I wonder what would happen if Teddy had the opportunity to kill Holly or be killed. Would he? They are worthy adversaries. Holly did not shoot to kill at their last encounter.

Teddy is still alive (and a kind of modern-day Robin Hood who takes justice into his own hands.) You have to be sympathetic to him.

And he's got some major charisma and mojo going to get women to fall into bed with him immediately -- especially knowing a serial killer is on the loose. Ah, but he cooks. And majorly cooks.

I don't think that's 100% the smartest thing anyone could do under the circumstances.

OTOH, he is an ally one would do well to have in one's corner, and he saves the day in this book.

What's next for these characters?

I give the book a solid 3.5. I'd give it 4, but I really am into softer books right now, but did I mention that I love the characters?

Have you read this book or any in this series or the Stone Barrington series?

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

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Book Review, Detective or mystery