Orchid Beach

"An entertaining suspense story. . . . Barker is tough when she needs to be, and clever and persistent in following her hunches." — School Library Journal

#1 New York Times bestselling author Stuart Woods delivers a riveting thriller that introduces his first female protagonist, Deputy Chief of Police Holly Barker.

Forced into early retirement at thirty-seven, smart and fiercely independent Major Holly Barker trades in her bars as a military cop for the badge of deputy chief of police in Orchid Beach, Florida. But below the sunny surface of this sleepy, well-to-do island town lies an evil that escalates into the cold-blooded murder of one of Holly's new colleagues.

An outsider, Holly has little to go on for answers and no one to help her—except Daisy, a Doberman of exceptional intelligence and loyalty that becomes her companion and protector. The closer Holly gets to the truth, the more she knows that it'll take one smart dog with guts to sniff out this killer—before he can catch her first.

New York Times bestselling author Stuart Woods delivers a riveting thriller that introduces an exciting addition to the pantheon of fictional sleuths.

Forced into early retirement at thirty-seven, smart, attractive, and fiercely independent Major Holly Barker trades in her bars as a military cop for the badge of deputy chief of police in Orchid Beach, Florida. But below the sunny surface of this sleepy, well-to-do island town lies an evil that escalates into the cold-blooded murder of one of Holly's new colleagues.

An outsider, Holly has little to go on for answers and no one to help her—except Daisy, a Doberman of exceptional intelligence and loyalty that becomes her companion and protector. The closer she gets to the truth, the more Holly knows that it'll take one smart dog with guts to sniff out this killer—before he can catch her first.

"Woods does show a reader a good time." - Washinton Post Book World

“Woods knows how to keep the narrative pace in overdrive.” - New York Times Book Review

"Woods dishes up plenty of high-octane action and plenty of unexpected twists...This one will still draw a sizable audience of Woods devotees and fans of action-adventure thrillers." - Booklist 9/98

"An action-packed puzzler." - People

"An entertaining suspense story. . . . Barker is tough when she needs to be, and clever and persistent in following her hunches." - School Library Journal

"Barker--tough and tight-lipped--is fun to watch as she maneuvers among city politicians and wary colleagues, one of whom maybe the murderer." - Entertainment Weekly

"Smooth and satisfying." - Publishers Weekly

"Stuart woods is a wonderful storyteller who could teach robert ludlum and tom clancy a thing or two." - The State (SC)

"Woods is a no-nonsense, slam-bang storyteller." - Chicago Tribune