The Prince of Beverly Hills

By: Stuart Woods

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Rick Barron, a sharp, capable detective on the Beverly Hills force, finds himself demoted after a run-in with a superior officer, but he soon lands a job other cops only dream about: the security detail for Centurion Pictures, one of the hottest studios in the midst of Hollywood's golden age of the late 1930s.

As the protector of the studio's interests, Barron looks after the elite of filmdom's stars - among them Clete Barrow, a British leading man with a penchant for parties, and Glenna Gleason, a peach of a talent on the verge of stardom. Rick's easy charm has society columnists dubbing him "the Prince of Beverly Hills", the white knight of movie stars, until he stumbles across a murder cover-up and a blackmail scam that threaten the studio's business and may have origins with some unsavory characters.

When two suspicious deaths begin to look like a double murder and an attempt is made on someone who has become an intimate friend, Barron knows he is up against wise guys whose stakes are nothing less than do or die. A dicey war of nerves is on.

©2005 Stuart Woods (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Woods’s sturdy, self-assured crime thriller is satisfying enough to expand an already immense fan base.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Woods writes with smooth confidence as famous names add spice to a diverting summer read that simmers but never gets hard-boiled.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Woods strikes gold, again!

Timeless display of alliteration making one feel as if it were today in the golden age of movie makers! Great ties to the more current novels involving the Arrington years and the Barrimgtons, who follow.

One of the best ever!

This was one of the best I’ve listened to! From story to narrator. I’ve listened to several hundred books now. I’m a huge fan of David Baldacci and Michael Connelly having listened to every one of their books. I’ve listened to all 63 Stone Barrington books by Stuart Woods and love those also but this was one of the best!

Another great one by Stuart Wood

Loved hearing all the inside stuff about the studio and the name dropping. Great story line

Excelent movement throughout the book

Fast pased & fun book. A little racey here & there but great. A good listen or read.

Fast Read, Hollywood Ending

Fun story- a perfect Hollywood mystery with an even better Hollywood ending. Highly recommended! Good narration, clever historical tie ins

Like the new character - a bit anti-climatic

Where does The Prince of Beverly Hills rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Like the change of time periods and the inclusion of real-life actors -wondered how much truth was actually incorporated into the lives of David Niven, Bugsy Siegel etc.

Who was your favorite character and why?

There were several nice new characters for a Stuart Wood novel.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Narration was okay, but would have enjoyed Tony better.

Any additional comments?

A bit anti-climatic but would work for a follow up

More please!

I know there is a second book for this series but I want more of Rick Barron!!

Wonderful story line.

It has a wonderful storyline; it kept my attention from the beginning to the end!!

great story about LA in the 40s

this is a great murder mystery thriller about the movie industry,organized crime and la cops in the 40s. it mixes in with history of that time nicely.

The Prince Of Beverly Hills

This was one of the Stuart Woods I have ever read. I have ALL of the Stone Barrington series and love each one of those (some more than others) but this new direction going back in time was just excellent and so well written. The history that comes into this and how Rick Barron is tied into those historical moments was so cleverly done. A+++++ !!